How Do You Play Call of Cthulhu?

After the players create their characters, the GM presents them with an intriguing mystery. The players decide on a course of action using their characters’ skills, resources, or intuition—the only limit on what they can attempt is their imagination! Often, they’ll need to roll dice to find out whether they succeed or fail. But no matter what, the players’ choices result in a unique story of which they are both author and audience. For this reason, TTRPGs are often considered games of collaborative storytelling.

Over the course of a game of Call of Cthulhu, investigators will encounter things beyond human comprehension, eldritch beings, cosmic horrors, and impossible phenomena that threaten to drive them mad. Like many of Lovecraft’s heroes, they’ll be forced to grapple with their sanity and, if they’re extremely unlucky, a many-tentacled monster—and will ultimately be destroyed. For many players, playing into the horror of your character’s inevitable demise is part of the fun! Others like to see how long their character can survive; some lucky investigators never fall to ruin!

How to Play Call of Cthulhu Online

Despite the name, you don’t actually need a table to play tabletop roleplaying games! Digital tools allow players to play games like Call of Cthulhu anytime, anywhere. Voice and video communication platforms like Zoom and Discord let groups play face-to-face, even remotely. And even though most TTRPGs can be played wholly in players’ imaginations (a style called “theater of the mind”), many use virtual tabletops, or VTTs, to provide visual aids. Maps, character artwork, and battlefields for strategic combat encounters can all enhance the experience of a roleplaying game, and there are dozens of VTTs to choose from to suit any group’s individual needs.

How to Find a Call of Cthulhu Group

Finding a group of people to play with, especially as a beginner, can feel like a daunting task. Don’t worry! The hobby is growing faster than ever, and with plenty of gaming groups who eagerly welcome new players. You might start by visiting your local game store, which may have an active community of players you can join, a place to advertise open seats for games, or even a scheduled night of organized play you can drop into. Online communities focused on RPGs frequently have “Looking for Group” (LFG) forums or channels dedicated to helping players find the right game for them. Reddit and Discord are common places to look, as are the community forums for digital tools like Roll20. Not to mention here at StartPlaying, where we’ve created a powerful, user-friendly tool for browsing open games on your schedule and simply signing up to play! Finally, if you have a group of friends who are interested and willing to learn, it’s completely feasible to jump in feet first, learning the game as you go. Of course, someone will need to take on the mantle of the Game Master.

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Why Hire a Professional Game Master for Call of Cthulhu?

The easiest way to learn Call of Cthulhu is by playing, and the easiest way to play is by finding a Game Master to teach you. Professional GMs can call upon years of expertise to not only introduce players to the hobby and make them feel welcomed, but also give immersive and incredible experiences to players old and new. This isn’t easy; creating scenarios that present real challenges, invite creative solutions, include an ensemble cast of unforgettable villains and supporting characters, and result in a satisfying narrative for any choice the players make is a substantial craft to master! Nevertheless, professional Game Masters dedicate themselves to offering the one-of-a-kind experience that only RPGs can: being the hero of a story where your choices really matter. These pro GMs are the fastest and easiest way to jump directly into the fun of roleplaying games; they can teach you the rules, create an amazing adventure, and guide you into the endless possibilities of the TTRPG hobby.