Horror, Mystery and Investigation In A Box!
The Call of Cthulhu Starter Set contains everything you need to play the world’s best roleplaying game of horror, mystery and investigation!
Updated for the 40th Anniversary of Call of Cthulhu
Chaosium Unveiled: Inside The Call of Cthulhu Starter Set
Watch the unveiling video to see the book for yourself. Remember that you get the PDF when getting the physical copy.
What is Roleplaying?
In a roleplaying game, everyone works together in a team, each playing an investigator character. One player runs the game—the Keeper of Arcane Lore—who referees the game and presents the story and adventure plots to the other players.
Dice and the rules of the game determine the success or failure for your character’s actions—all while you are propelled into dramatic and nerve-tingling situations! The emphasis is on having fun.
What's Inside
The Call of Cthulhu Starter Set contains books, dice, premade character sheets, maps, and enough content to keep a group busy for several roleplaying sessions.
This updated Starter Set also includes:
- New box art by Lin Hsiang
- Updated interior book cover designs
- All errata and corrections
- 40th Anniversary Investigator Sheets
Rules (Dice not included in PDF)

Three PDF manuals broken into rules and scenarios to guide you in playing Call of Cthulhu. You will need the dice you need to play the game: a D4, D6, D8, D20, Percentile D10, and an extra D10 in a different color for use as a bonus/penalty die.

Solo Scenario

Learn to play in the best way possible—by playing! The special introduction “Alone Against The Flames”, a solo Call of Cthulhu scenario, teaches you the basic rules of the game and character creation as you find yourself in the rural New England town of Emberhead—but can you escape?

Scenarios
Three scenarios designed for 3, 4 and up to 5 players.
In Paper Chase, the search for a missing professor leads to a grizzly discovery.
Edge of Darkness sees a group of investigators fulfill the wish of a dying friend, and attempt to undo the mistakes of the past.
Finally, in Dead Man Stomp, Harlem and jazz music serve as a backdrop to the nefarious schemes of an alien god.
Maps & Handouts

Player aids are an essential component to Call of Cthulhu gameplay. Each scenario has its own collection of maps, notes and player handouts. Each presented in full color, these play aids will enhance your gameplay, and help your players immerse themselves in each of the investigations.
What's Next?
Once you’ve devoured everything the Call of Cthulhu Starter Set has to offer, you’ll want to expand your horror experience with these! Just click on the images to get more information on each product.
Keeper Rulebook: Everything you need for Call of Cthulhu at your fingertips, and will enhance all of your games.
Investigator Handbook: Expanded rules for creating players characters, a wealth of over 100 occupations and skill descriptions, as well as guidance on getting the most from the game.
Gateways to Terror: Three short-play scenarios for the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game, ideal for beginning and experienced players and Keepers alike.
Doors to Darkness: Five scenarios written especially for beginning Keepers and players of Call of Cthulhu.
Downloads for this Product
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- Publisher:
- Chaosium
- Year Released:
- 2018, 2022
- Ruleset:
- 7th Edition Call of Cthulhu
- Format:
- Color Boxed Set
- ISBN:
- 978-1-56882-463-5
- Page Count:
- 156 pages in 3 books with handouts
- Author(s):
- Mike Mason, Paul Fricker, Lynne Hardy, Sandy Petersen, Lynn Willis
- Authors - Adventures:
- Gavin Inglis, John Sullivan, Keith Herber, Dan Kramer, Mark Morrison, Chris Spivey
- Box Art:
- Lin Hsiang
- Cover Artist:
- Josu Hernaiz
- Interior Artist:
- Gavin Inglis, Marcelo Gallegos, Rachel Khan, Victor Leza, Wayne Miller, Caleb Cleveland, Eric Lofgren
- Cartography:
- Gavin Inglis, Vandel J. Arden, Olivier Sanphilippo
- Character Sheet:
- Matt Ryan
- Development and Editing:
- Mike Mason
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Had a blast!
As a longtime Dungeons and Dragons DM, I have found myself interested in trying new systems for a while but concerned about learning new rules and getting bogged down with information. CoC and Chaosium are a breath of fresh air. I found it easy to run and had a blast with multiple groups. I'm itching to get a long term campaign going if I can!
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Would be 5 stars if not for file size
Another excellent product with poor compression - the 3 books + handouts clock in at 254 MB. Still very much worth the price, and perhaps we'll get smaller file sizes in the future.
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Best starter set ever
I’m the person in my playing group that finds and learns to games to teach others. This starter set has everything you need and the first book the intro adventure for the keeper is the best way I have found to bring the rules to life as you learn them. Highly recommend this starter set.