Operate Heavy Machinery

Key facts

Base Value

1

Overview

Operate Heavy Machinery represents your ability to operate large industrial and construction equipment, cranes, steam shovels, bulldozers, tractors, printing presses, and similar heavy machines. In Call of Cthulhu's 1920s setting, the industrial age is in full swing, and heavy machinery is central to construction, mining, and manufacturing. While niche, this skill can be dramatically useful when it comes up. Operating a crane to move a massive stone slab blocking a cave entrance, using a steam shovel to excavate a buried Mythos site, or driving a tractor to escape across farmland, Operate Heavy Machinery provides options that other skills can't replicate. The skill also covers understanding how these machines work, which can be useful for sabotage.

How it works

Base Value: 1% Key Uses:

• Operating construction equipment (cranes, steam shovels)
• Driving agricultural machinery (tractors, threshers)
• Running industrial machines (presses, mills)
• Understanding and potentially sabotaging heavy equipment Special Rules: Each type of heavy machinery may require familiarization time. Operating unfamiliar equipment imposes penalty dice. Equipment malfunctions from failed rolls can be dangerous. Casual operation doesn't require rolls, only stressful or precision situations do.

Tips and playstyle

Build Advice: Highly niche but powerful when relevant. Take it only if your investigator's background justifies it. Occupation Synergies: Pairs with Mechanical Repair for maintaining equipment, Drive Auto for general vehicle operation, and Navigate for operating mobile equipment in unfamiliar terrain. Character Concepts: Construction worker, miner, factory worker, farmer, engineer, demolition expert.

Frequently asked questions