Actually in GUMSHOE you only spend points to do something "useful" with that clue - like find it faster in the amount of books (Library Use), or find some information that correlates with the clue, and allows the party to finish the adventure safer/faster (like that hidden tunnel thing).

As I said - I like it. As a GM, it allows me to focus on narration and scaring the players. I could do similar gameplay with CoC, probably, yes, but this one just works better for me. Slightly better, but better. And I like how spends give some narrative power for the players, though I understand that if someone's a complete fan of immersion, such a person will dislike that. I don't.

The Drive mechanic is something that I didn't find great use for, so far - I just don't need any form of "whip" to get my party back on track. I treat it more like "How should I narrate some stuff to a player's character" guideline for me. And when to reward them with XP if they endanger themselves. Then again, I never yet came across players who'd try to run from a case- if such'd happen, I'd probably allow them. Two - three days later, I'd make them start dropping Stability points, as odd dreams and hunches'd draw them back to the case.

Neither CoC or ToC is superior mechanically to me - I just use them for different types of my horror games (CoC is much superior for Survival Horror stuff, while ToC just saves time in investigative games IMO).

EDIT: As for ToC's more storyliney mechanical gigs, such as declaring Fainting etc. etc. - I just tossed that out of the window, as it'd break immersion for me. If someone declares that his character faints - then I will use that trick. Again, it's just a trick that's written as a part of mechanic. I do like the idea of entire table roleplaying mental illness of character/s.

I'm a good GM when it comes to Cthulhu - but I never frown on learning new tricks, if I am too deaf to see them myself. Sometimes it's just like that. And ToC allows me to focus more on immersing the players in the world.

My best impulse purchase was the first Classic Traveller reprint volume.  I had heard of the game many years earlier, of course, but had never seen it.  Soon after the first reprint was released, I saw it in a local game store and picked it up out of curiosity.  Hooked me entirely; I've since gotten all the reprint books, a slew of Gamelords and FASA stuff, all the FFE CD-ROMs, and even have delved into 2300AD for more material.

Quote from: CRKrueger;498805Definitely buy for the Ken Hite stuff, but I doubt you'll run a gumshoe system game.  It's one of the things you hate: a game providing rules to fix bad GMing.

That's exactly it. You put the finger on it, as far as I'm concerned.

Quote from: JDCorley;498867You actually get the core clue of the location for free, you don't have to pay for it with a skill point. Those are for additional clues you're intentionally seeking.

According to the RAW, you still have to say you're using the skill. (The point spending is a separate thing with some significant problems in its own right.)

Quote from: Justin Alexander;499357According to the RAW, you still have to say you're using the skill. (The point spending is a separate thing with some significant problems in its own right.)

RAW can kiss my ass when it sits at my table - but it was actually amended in later editions of GUMSHOE that spends = benefits. And I like point spends - players can pick that up quick enough, and I usually ask them if they do want to spend one or not - it's just a substitute for rolling. But really, I can't be bothered to lawyer for ToC - I prefer it. You don't. I'm not paid by Pelgrane to lobby it.

So back onto the purchases thing?