Essential Investigation Skills
Which skills matter most for Call of Cthulhu investigators? A guide to building effective investigators.
Overview
Call of Cthulhu is a game of investigation, not combat. The right skills can mean the difference between uncovering the truth and stumbling blindly into horror.
Tier 1: Must-Have Skills
Spot Hidden is essential - you'll use it constantly to find clues. Library Use lets you research effectively. Listen helps you hear approaching danger. These three skills should be priorities for every investigator.
Tier 2: Core Investigation
Psychology helps you read NPCs and resist manipulation. Persuade gets information from reluctant witnesses. Occult provides context for supernatural clues. First Aid keeps you alive when things go wrong.
Tier 3: Specialty Skills
Credit Rating opens doors in 1920s society. Locksmith gets you into places you shouldn't be. Stealth keeps you undetected. Dodge might save your life in the rare combat scenario.
Skills to Avoid
Combat skills are rarely useful and expensive to maintain. Cthulhu Mythos shouldn't be purchased at creation. Highly specialized skills (Archaeology, specific Sciences) are situational. Don't spread points too thin.
Quick Tips
- Coordinate with other players so the party covers all essential skills
- Spot Hidden 60%+ should be your first priority
- Credit Rating matters more than you think in 1920s investigations
- Fast Talk is underrated for getting out of trouble quickly