{"slug":"trailofcthulhu","title":"Trail of Cthulhu","url":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/item/trailofcthulhu","agentUrl":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/api/games/trailofcthulhu.json","summary":{"blurb":"Trail of Cthulhu is an investigative cosmic horror RPG built on GUMSHOE, designed so clue-finding keeps mysteries moving while stability and sanity track the cost of knowing too much. It excels at 1930s conspiracies, occult research, and slow-burn descent into the Mythos.","atAGlance":"Cosmic Horror • Needs GM • 4/5 complexity • Campaign friendly • Medium prep","whyItFits":"A strong fit for groups that want solving problems and following clues to matter, with clue-driven investigation sustaining long-form cosmic horror."},"constraints":{"playerRange":"2-5 players + GM","sessionRange":"150-240 minutes","setupMinutes":null,"characterCreationMinutes":null,"prepLevel":"Medium","priceModel":null},"fit":{"beginnerFriendly":0,"newGmFriendly":3,"oneShotFriendly":1,"campaignFriendly":1,"soloFriendly":0,"improvBurden":null,"structureLevel":null,"contentIntensity":null},"scores":[{"key":"complexity","label":"Complexity","value":4},{"key":"new_gm","label":"New GM Fit","value":3},{"key":"roleplay","label":"Roleplay Focus","value":4},{"key":"combat","label":"Combat Focus","value":2},{"key":"tactical","label":"Tactical Depth","value":2},{"key":"campaign","label":"Campaign Depth","value":5}],"availability":{"quickstartAvailable":null,"pdfAvailable":null,"physicalBookAvailable":null,"vttReady":null},"recommendations":{"bestFor":["Tables that want solving problems and following clues to matter","Groups that want moody investigations with real psychological cost","Campaigns where mysteries deepen instead of stalling out"],"avoidIf":["You want a very light rules load","You want tactical combat or action to be the main event","You want the system to stay almost invisible at the table"]},"facets":{"genres":["Cosmic Horror","Horror"],"systems":[],"mechanics":["Investigation","Narrative-Driven","Skill-based"],"themes":["Dark","Psychological"],"decisionTags":[]},"links":{"websiteUrl":"https://pelgranepress.com/trail-of-cthulhu/","reviewsUrl":"https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/55567/trail-of-cthulhu?affiliate_id=1659151"}}