Delta Horror Adventures vs Call of Cthulhu & Alien RPG

Delta Horror Adventures is a lightweight, modern horror RPG that focuses on fast, deadly encounters and player-driven investigation, while Call of Cthulhu (CoC) and the Alien RPG are heavier, more established systems that emphasize gradual sanity erosion and cinematic tension, respectively. This article compares the three across mechanics, tone, and playstyle so you can choose the right one for your group.

Background and Design Goals

Delta Horror Adventures (DHA) is a relatively new, independent horror RPG designed to be quick to learn and run, often using a d10-based dice pool system with a focus on risk and consequence. It positions itself as a bridge between old-school dungeon crawling and modern investigative horror, with an emphasis on player agency and deadly outcomes. Call of Cthulhu, first published in 1981 by Chaosium, is the granddaddy of Lovecraftian horror RPGs, built around the Basic Roleplaying (BRP) system where characters have percentage skills and a Sanity stat that degrades as they encounter cosmic horrors. The Alien RPG, released by Free League Publishing in 2019, is based on the Alien film franchise and uses the Year Zero Engine, which is dice-pool based with a stress mechanic that builds tension as characters panic. While CoC is about the slow unraveling of a character’s mind, Alien is about surviving a pressure-cooker situation where fear is a resource.

Character Creation and Progression

In DHA, characters are often defined by a few key traits, a background, and a couple of skills, with advancement tied to surviving sessions and spending experience points on improving those traits. It’s a stripped-down approach that lets players get to the action within minutes. Call of Cthulhu uses a more detailed system: players allocate points to eight characteristics (like Strength and Intelligence), then derive skills from those, and choose an occupation that determines skill points. Progression is slow, with skill increases only when a player rolls a failed check and marks the skill for improvement. The Alien RPG uses a similar point-buy system for attributes and skills, but characters also have a “Personal Agenda” and a “Bond” with another character, which drives roleplay. Instead of traditional experience, characters gain “Talent” points that unlock special abilities, but the real progression is the increasing Stress, which can lead to permanent mental breaks.

Core Mechanics and Dice Systems

DHA uses a dice pool of d10s, where a success is typically a roll of 6 or higher, and the number of successes determines the outcome. It emphasizes a “fail forward” philosophy, where failures still advance the story, and the GM is encouraged to introduce complications. Call of Cthulhu uses percentile dice (d100) where you want to roll under your skill rating, with degrees of success (regular, hard, extreme) for critical moments. It’s a straightforward roll-under system that’s easy to grasp but can feel swingy. The Alien RPG uses a pool of d6s, where rolling a 6 is a success, but you can push your roll by re-rolling dice, which adds Stress dice to your pool. Stress dice can generate successes but also cause panic attacks if you roll a 1 on them. This creates a push-your-luck dynamic that mirrors the tension of the films.

Horror and Sanity Mechanics

DHA handles horror through a “Fear” mechanic that is similar to sanity but more immediate: characters gain fear points when confronted with terrifying events, and high fear causes penalties and panic. It’s designed to be lethal but not punishing, with fear often being a narrative tool rather than a spiral into madness. Call of Cthulhu’s Sanity system is iconic: you lose Sanity points when encountering monsters or witnessing gore, and when you lose too much in a single event, you may develop a temporary insanity or a long-term phobia. This can lead to a character becoming unplayable, which is a core part of the Lovecraftian theme of inevitable doom. The Alien RPG uses a Stress system that functions as a double-edged sword: it can be used to boost rolls, but it also increases the chance of a panic attack, which can cause you to freeze, flee, or even attack allies. The game also has a “Cinematic” mode that uses a scripted timeline of events, ensuring a tense, movie-like experience.

Investigation and Story Structure

DHA encourages improvisation and player-driven investigation, with a focus on giving players clues that they can interpret in multiple ways. It’s less about finding the “right” answer and more about creating a collaborative narrative. Call of Cthulhu is famous for its investigative scenarios, where players must gather clues, piece together information, and often fail to stop the horror in time. The system supports this with detailed skill lists (like Spot Hidden, Library Use, and Occult) and a structure that often involves multiple locations and NPCs. The Alien RPG is more linear, especially in Cinematic mode, where the story is driven by a series of events that unfold in a specific order. The GM has a “Clock” that tracks the progress of the threat, and players must react to escalating crises. This makes it more action-oriented than CoC, but less open-ended.

Comparison: Which is Right for You?

Choose Delta Horror Adventures if you want a fast, rules-light game that can be picked up in a single session, with a focus on player agency and deadly consequences. It’s great for one-shots or short campaigns and for groups that prefer narrative over rules. Choose Call of Cthulhu if you want a deep, investigative horror experience with a rich history and a strong emphasis on sanity and character development. It’s ideal for long campaigns and players who enjoy meticulous investigation and the slow burn of cosmic dread. Choose the Alien RPG if you want a cinematic, high-tension game that captures the feel of the Alien movies, with a focus on survival and teamwork under pressure. It’s perfect for groups that enjoy push-your-luck mechanics and a more structured, event-driven story.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

• DHA: The rules-light nature can lead to a lack of mechanical depth for players who enjoy character optimization. Solution: Emphasize roleplay and use the Fear mechanic to create tension.
• CoC: Sanity loss can feel unfair, especially when a single bad roll makes a character useless. Solution: Allow players to spend Luck points to reroll, and give them opportunities to recover sanity through therapy or downtime.
• Alien: The Stress system can spiral out of control, leading to party-wiping panic attacks. Solution: Encourage players to use Stress strategically and give them ways to reduce it, like resting or using items.

Costs and Accessibility

All three games have core rulebooks available in print and PDF. Call of Cthulhu’s core rulebook is around 300 pages and is widely available, with many free quick-start rules online. The Alien RPG core book is also substantial and includes a starter scenario. Delta Horror Adventures is typically a smaller, cheaper PDF, making it a low-cost entry point. All three have active communities and forums where you can find advice and scenarios. For a group on a budget, DHA is the most economical, while CoC has the most free resources due to its age and popularity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delta Horror Adventures a good entry point for horror RPGs? Yes, its simple rules and focus on narrative make it easy for newcomers to grasp, and it’s less intimidating than CoC’s extensive skill list.

Can I run a Call of Cthulhu scenario with the Alien RPG? Not directly, but you can adapt the plot and use the Alien rules for a more action-oriented take, though you’d lose the sanity mechanics.

Which game is more lethal? DHA and Alien are both lethal, but in different ways: DHA has deadly combat, while Alien’s stress system can cause self-destructive behavior. CoC is more about mental deterioration than physical death.

How long is a typical campaign? DHA is best for one-shots or short arcs (3-6 sessions). CoC campaigns can run for years, like “Masks of Nyarlathotep.” Alien’s Cinematic mode is designed for 2-3 sessions, but the core rules also support longer campaigns.

Do I need to know the source material to play? For CoC, no, but familiarity with Lovecraft helps. For Alien, no, but knowing the films enhances the atmosphere. For DHA, it’s original, so no prior knowledge is needed.

Related

• Challenge an AI Hiring or Firing Decision at Work
• Awk Built-In Variables: Examples and How They Work
• AI Search Engines Need Trust—What If You Have None?