Rules reference

Equipment in Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition

Gear basics and how equipment impacts play. 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.

Key points

Equipment changes what’s possible in the fiction: access, leverage, and risk management. This page focuses on the gear that matters most.

Copyable facts
  • Percentile skill system: Roll d100, succeed if equal to or below skill rating
  • 8 Characteristics: STR, CON, POW, DEX, APP, SIZ, INT, EDU
  • Occupation system: Each occupation grants skill bonuses and Credit Rating range
  • Sanity mechanics: Starts at 99-POW, decreases with Mythos encounters
  • Skill improvement: Mark skills during play, improve after sessions
  • Derived stats: HP, Sanity, MP, Build, Damage Bonus calculated from Characteristics
Roll loop reminder

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.

  • Pick the relevant skill (e.g., Spot Hidden, Library Use).
  • Roll d100 and compare to your skill rating (and difficulty threshold).
  • Apply consequences: information gained, complications, or Sanity loss when appropriate.
Example: Spot Hidden 55%: a roll of 42 succeeds; a harder threshold would require a lower roll.
Examples
Example: Gear as leverage

The best gear changes what’s possible: access, safety, speed, and options. Track what lets you do something you couldn’t do before.

Example: Use equipment to reduce risk

If a roll is dangerous, gear can change position: better tools, better cover, better information.

Common mistakes (smallest fix)
  • Mistake: Tracking too many tiny items. Fix: Track gear that changes options, safety, speed, or access.
  • Mistake: Buying gear without a use case. Fix: Ask: what scene does this gear make easier or safer?
Character creation
Step-by-step checklist.
Cheat sheets
Quick lookup while you play.

Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition FAQ

How does the percentile system work in Call of Cthulhu?
How does the skill improvement system work?
What are the Characteristics in Call of Cthulhu 7e?
How does Sanity work in Call of Cthulhu?
What are Occupations in Call of Cthulhu?

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