Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition characteristic
Intelligence (INT)
Intelligence (INT) is a characteristic in Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition: Reasoning, memory, and learning speed; sets Personal Interest skill points and Idea rolls.
Last reviewed
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- INT
- Derived Stats
- Personal Interest Skill Points
Overview
Intelligence measures how quickly your investigator reasons, learns, and recalls. It is the characteristic behind Idea rolls, the checks a Keeper calls for when the group should be able to connect clues without any specific skill. INT is generated on (2d6+6)×5, so it ranges from 40 to 90. Its largest impact comes at creation, where it sets your Personal Interest skill points.
How it works
Generation: (2d6+6)×5, range 40-90 Personal Interest Points: INT×2, spent on any skills, including ones outside your occupation list Idea Roll: Roll against INT×1 when the Keeper offers a nudge toward a missed clue Difficulty: Hard is INT÷2, Extreme is INT÷5 Improvement: Characteristics do not rise through play, only through training or age events at Keeper discretion
Tips and playstyle
Best for: Investigators whose occupation gives few points and who need INT×2 to round out Spot Hidden, Listen, and a language. Character concepts: Self-taught detectives, sharp criminals, and precocious students who lean on Personal Interest points rather than EDU. Synergies: High INT plus high EDU gives the widest skill spread at creation. Pair it with Psychology and Library Use for an investigator who wins by thinking.
Frequently asked questions
How does INT differ from EDU?
EDU is what you were taught and drives occupation skill points. INT is raw reasoning and drives Personal Interest points and Idea rolls. A drifter can have high INT with modest EDU.
When does an Idea roll happen?
Usually when the Keeper sees the group has missed a lead. Success points you back toward it; failure may still reveal the clue at a cost in time or safety.