The Kickstarter for Cohors Cthulhu ran in October 2023 and was very successful. A few days ago backers got the preview version of the player handbook and that’s why I provide the first information here.
Quickstart
If you didn’t take part in the Kickstarter and are thinking about joining the Late Pledge, you can still get an idea. The quickstart for Cohors Cthulhu is free and was also available right at the beginning of the Kickstarter campaign, which I would like to praise here, because unfortunately there are still enough campaigns where you are left in the dark for a long time.
Ancient Rome as a setting
Cohors Cthulhu takes place during the early Roman Empire, around 165CE according to the players book. Even though there are already one or two RPGs set in ancient Rome (e.g. Mythic Rome or Lex Arcana), I find the choice of setting refreshing. As the name suggests, the mythos of course plays an important role in CC. The comparison to Lex Arcana is difficult because in LA magic is used openly and you play as a kind of special investigation team, in Cohors Cthulhu everything happens in the background. Achtung! Cthulhu goes Rome is probably a better fit. And the comparison to A!C brings me to the rules:
Known rules, remixed
Cohors Cthulhu uses the Modiphius house system 2d20. Those who played Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20 already know most of the rules. However, there are some changes, for example the focus in CC is not on ranged combat. To make close combat more interesting, the rules of reach and guard from the discontinued Conan 2d20 are used. Attacks against opponents with higher weapon range are more difficult.
Stories around the campfire
The character generation in Cohors Cthulhu initially brings relatively few surprises, at least if you know Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20. However, there is one big exception here, namely the possibility of Campfire Tales. If the group uses this mechanic, the choice of background and characteristics is omitted. You can then reveal these to others around the campfire and then receive the respective advantages and increases. I find the principle very exciting because you get to know the characters little by little and you can also make adjustments while the game is running.
Miniatures
Like Achtung! Cthulhu Cohors Cthulhu also gets a matching skirmish game, here called an adventure wargame. It is based on the CLASH of Spears game by Alvaro and Francisco Erize. Unlike A!C, there are not only miniature sets, but also the option to buy STL files and print them yourself at home with a 3D printer. As the owner of a 3D printer, I am of course happy; the first miniatures were already part of the Kickstarter for the role-playing game. I think the approach with the STL is the right one, so the miniatures game could be significantly spread and the minis can also be used for the RPG.
Dice Adventurer 