While standard d20 games like Dungeons & Dragons often emphasize character progression toward near-godhood, Call of Cthulhu d20 subverts these expectations through several key mechanical changes:
: Stats for entities like Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep designed to challenge high-level d20 parties. Call of Cthulhu - D20 Core
: Borrowed from Chaosium’s original version, this mechanic tracks the mental erosion of investigators. As characters encounter cosmic truths, they risk temporary or permanent madness, emphasizing that knowledge is more dangerous than physical wounds. While standard d20 games like Dungeons & Dragons
: The system adapts classic feats for a modern or 1920s setting—transforming "Ride-By Attack" into "Drive-By Attack"—while prioritizing investigative skills over pure combat prowess. Bridging Two Worlds they risk temporary or permanent madness