Problem → workflow → tool
Character creation checklist in Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition
Follow a step-by-step flow so you don’t miss key choices during creation. Use the links below to apply the workflow in Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition and keep it consistent across sessions.
Workflow (do this first)
- Write the concept in one sentence before opening the sheet.
- Follow the system’s creation order, distribution rules and caps matter.
- Reserve any final-pass / freebie / bonus points for the gaps the concept needs.
- Sanity-check derived stats (HP, Willpower, Sanity, Stamina) before session 1.
Call of Cthulhu uses percentile skills: roll d100 and succeed if you roll at or under your skill. Difficulty often shifts the threshold (Regular/Hard/Extreme) and Sanity loss is a core pressure loop.
Key facts
- Percentile skill system: Roll d100, succeed if equal to or below skill rating
- 8 Characteristics: STR, CON, POW, DEX, APP, SIZ, INT, EDU (plus Luck)
- Occupation system: Each occupation grants skill bonuses and Credit Rating range
- Sanity mechanics: Starts at POW, maximum reduced by Cthulhu Mythos exposure
- Skill improvement: Mark skills during play, improve after sessions
- Luck: Spend after a roll, point for point, to turn a failure into a success; can't be used on Sanity, damage, Luck rolls, or pushed rolls
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Starting with optimized stats and reverse-engineering a concept. Fix: Concept first, math second, produces a character you actually want to play.
- Mistake: Skipping the final-pass step. Fix: Final pass closes the gap between mechanics and concept, half a character without it.
Context (system overview)
Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition is a horror investigation roleplaying game based on H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Players take on the roles of Investigators, ordinary people who uncover cosmic horrors beyond human comprehension. As you investigate mysteries, your character's Sanity slowly erodes, skills improve through use, and the line between reality and madness blurs.