Rogue Trader, the first CRPG in the Warhammer 40,000 universe gets tons of new info about the available companions, backgrounds, and enemies.
Rogue Trader the Warhammer 40,000 CRPG Reveals Another Companion, Possible Player Backgrounds, and More
Explorers of the Koronus Expanse have a bit more info to be excited about, thanks to Owlcat Games’ news update compilation. In the lengthy news blog, the company has discussed some recruitable companions, player backgrounds, enemy types, and a few select locations.
Let’s take a look at what some of the finest of the Imperium of Man’s ranks will be bringing to the table!
The Rogue Trader’s Background
Any CRPG worth its weight in d20s should have various playerbackgroundsavailable. If not for functional or story purposes, they should exist at the very least to encourage roleplaying. At the moment, our very own Lord Captain has a sneak peek at three possible backgrounds that they can use to define their character. Owlcat Games is being pretty quiet though on how exactly these will affect the game as a whole.
The three initial backgrounds are Navy Officer, Commissar, and Ex-Criminal. If Owlcat Games can get even half of the backgrounds available inPathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous 2, then we would be in for a good time. That game had 39, so even 20 Warhammer 40,000 backgrounds would be nice to play with.
Navy Officer
Arguably the most “professional” of the three would be the Imperial Navy Officer. The Navy Officer wears the biggest hat. Even in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, the person with the largest headdress is the one in charge.
The Imperial Navy is the Imperium’s most ferocious spacefaring military arm and is composed of thousands, if not millions, of individual ships. Due to the Imperium’s size, there are dozens of ranks and titles associated with the Navy alone, up from the highest Lord High Admiral of the Navy, down to Admirals, Commodores, Captains, and even the Midshipmans. All of these are considered officers of the Navy. Which rank our character can be is anyone’s guess at the moment.
Navy Officers may lead into characters that are more tactical than those from other backgrounds. Due to the Imperium’s training, it is also likely that they will be quite versed in the usage of various firearms and exploration techniques.
Next up is the Commissar, an elite officer of the Astra Militarium (or simply the Imperial Guard). These normal men and women of the Imperium are relegated to the role of field captains and do whatever is necessary to maintain their troop’s morale.
Commissars take the “by any means necessary” line to heart, and at times a bit too far. They will do anything within their power to inspire their soldiers and prevent them from fleeing against the forces of chaos and other xenos. At their most extreme, they would even execute simple foot soldiers in order for the others to keep fighting. They are also not above killing higher officers and taking over if they believe that would increase morale.
The Commissars of Rogue Trader also have quite fashionable coats. The men also have very nice mustaches. Commissars may be set up to be player characters that inspire or buff fellow crew members, or be those on the more charismatic side.
Ex-Criminal
There might not be anything much to say about the Ex-Criminal, except these will likely be the thug-like background. Ex-Criminals in Rogue Trader will likely be versed intrickery,stealth, or cansmooth talk themselvesout of anything. Intimidation will also be a likely strength of this background.
This Han Solo wannabe would definitely be someone I would want on my side in a fight, but not someone I’d share a drink with, lest I become a target of his pickpocketing skills.
Another Companion Joins the Fight
We previously coveredthree possible companionsthat the game will offer to join our crew. We have Abelard Werserian, our Rogue Trader’s Right Hand and stalwart servant. Another is Idira Tlass, a dangerous yet useful Psyker. Last was Pasqual Haneumann, a tech priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars.
According to ourWarhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Preview, we can also expect a Space Marine, Sister of Battle, and Aeldari Ranger as possible companions.
This time around, we are introduced to Cassia Orsellio, a daughter of the Navis Nobilite House. What’s unique about this ancient lineage is that the sons and daughters of this family are mutants who have a special gift. This gift allows them to become Navigators, the only humans who have the ability to safely steer the Imperium’s warships through the dangerous Warp.
Mere mortals would be driven insane when they peer into the depths of The Warp. Navigators are able to look through the Warp and guide humanity by using the Astronomican as an anchor point. Cassia is one such Navigator. She has been exposed to the cruelties of the Koronus Expanse much earlier than intended.
Will the Rogue Trader be able to quell her anger?
Beware the Alien, the Mutant, the Heretic
Last discussed at length were some of the horrors that our Rogue Trader and their retinue will need to endure.
The first confirmation is that there will be both Asuryani and Durukhari Aeldari present in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. In laymen’s terms, these are the Craftworld and Dark Eldar, respectively. Farseers for the Asuryani are powerful oracles and even stronger psykers. The Wyches for the Drukhar, on the other hand, are extremely powerful and cruel fighters.
Forces of Chaos also got some love. As we’ve already heard enough from Nurgle fromDarktideandChaos Gate, Tzeentch and Slaanesh get some attention. Some of the beasts will include Daemonettes, Pink Horrors, and other lesser Chaos spawn.
Lastly, the Omnissiah or the Machine God’s followers also make their appearance here. Sicarian Ruststalkers and other Servitors have been confirmed to be part of the excommunicated ranks.
Trading for the Rogue Trade
We keep getting excited every time Owlcat Games released more info on Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Their previous two games,Pathfinder: Wrath of the RighteousandPathfinder Kingmakerwere both excellent, so this is a pretty high bar that they have set for themselves here.
For more news, check outDiablo IV Closed Beta Announced that Will Focus on the End GameandCyberpunk 2077 Overtakes Elden Ring with More than 85,000 Concurrent Players.
