PULP CTHULHU: How to Play 2 - Character Creation

Welcome to the RPGBOT.Podcast, where today's character creation lesson begins with basic geometry, escalates into psychic powers, and somehow ends with a pacifist circus bear being seriously considered as a build option. In this episode, we take the gloves off and actually make characters for Pulp Cthulhu—choosing archetypes, rolling stats, hoarding skill points like goblins, and discovering that if you roll too well, you might accidentally invent the world's first telepathic himbo artist. If you've ever wondered how Call of Cthulhu character creation becomes fast, fun, and dangerously powerful, this is where the pulp really starts to flow. The D8 goes in the D8 hole. Show Notes This episode walks step-by-step through Pulp Cthulhu character creation, showing how investigators are built to be tougher, broader, and far more cinematic than their classic Call of Cthulhu counterparts. Ash guides Tyler and Randall through the full process—then breaks it down into a Quick & Dirty method that can get players to the table in minutes. Step 1: Choose an Archetype Archetypes replace traditional "classes" and are rooted in classic pulp fiction roles: Mystic (psychic powers, occult insight, vibes) Egghead (engineers, scientists, gadgeteers) Two-Fisted, Swashbuckler, Femme Fatale, Bon Vivant, and more Each archetype: Defines a core characteristic Grants bonus archetype skills Suggests traits, occupations, and story hooks This approach encourages concept-first design, letting the character idea drive the mechanics instead of the other way around. Step 2: Generate Characteristics Attributes are rolled using the familiar D100 roll-under system, but with a key twist: Core characteristic = 1d6 + 13 × 5 (expect very high numbers) Other stats use 3d6×5 or 2d6+6×5 High pulp means exceptional competence The result? Characters who feel powerful immediately—sometimes too powerful, leading to delightful accidents like rolling: Incredible Power Solid looks Questionable intelligence (Yes, the "himbo build" is real.) Step 3: Talents (High Pulp Edition) Because this game is running High Pulp, characters receive four talents instead of two. Talents are drawn from four categories: Physical Mental Combat Miscellaneous Highlights from the episode include: Psychic Powers Arcane Insight Weird Science Animal Companion (responsibly downgraded from "bear" to "bear-adjacent dog") Talents dramatically define how characters play and reinforce pulp action over fragile realism. Step 4: Occupation & Skill Points Occupations grant massive skill point pools, often hundreds of points: Skills start with base percentages Occupational skills come first Archetype skills add another 100 points Personal interest skills add even more The result is wide, competent characters instead of hyper-specialized glass cannons. The episode includes practical advice: Avoid pushing every skill to 95 Aim for flexibility, not just peak numbers Remember Credit Rating is mandatory and matters in play Step 5: Backstory (Fast but Meaningful) Instead of long essays, Pulp Cthulhu uses structured prompts: Personal description (biased, first-person) Ideology and beliefs Significant people Treasured possessions Traits Random tables spark instant character hooks, like: Idolizing Nikola Tesla Carrying calipers as a grounding object Shared trauma bonds Risk-taking or unreliable personalities One key backstory element becomes your Sanity anchor, helping characters recover from mental trauma. Quick & Dirty Character Creation Ash closes the episode with a streamlined alternative: Assign preset stat values Pick talents Select skills from fixed arrays Roll backstory details Start playing immediately Perfect for one-shots, convention play, or groups eager to punch cultists now, not in two hours. Key Takeaways Pulp Cthulhu character creation is fast, flexible, and cinematic Archetypes replace classes with strong narrative identity High Pulp characters start powerful and stay relevant Talents are the heart of customization Skill points are plentiful—breadth is rewarded Structured backstory tools create instant roleplay hooks The Quick & Dirty method gets you playing in minutes Yes, you can accidentally build a psychic himbo—and that's a feature Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder ...