FFG wrote:Brotherhood. Duty. Sacrifice.
Announcing Only War, a Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game



“The men and women of the Imperial Guard sacrifice more and gain less than perhaps any other arm of the Imperial Armed Forces.”
–Commissar Ibram Gaunt

Fantasy Flight Games is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Only War! In this all-new standalone Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game, players take on the roles of soldiers in the Imperial Guard, the galaxy-spanning armies of the God-Emperor. Fully compatible with FFG’s other Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay titles, this comprehensive game system explores a previously unseen side of life in the Imperium of Man.

In Only War, each player takes the role of a Guardsman, a member of the Imperial Guard and one of the countless billions of hardened conscripts constantly fighting on myriad fronts at the whim of the Adeptus Terra. In control of this martial alter ego, players go forth at the behest of their officers to fight the eternal and implacable foes of the Imperium – the foul xenos, the mutant, the heretic, and the dark forces of the Ruinous Powers.


Bound by Honour



As Guardsmen, you will be ordered to engage the enemy with a myriad of tactics. Your squad might be responsible for guiding an important dignitary through a perilous warzone, or instructed to infiltrate a besieged fort to deliver important intelligence. With missions as varied as the galaxy’s innumerable warfronts, you and your squadmates must often rely on nothing but your own grim determination and your faith in each other.

Take the role of a Guardsman with one of twelve distinct Specialties, offering unique skills to your squad to complement those of your comrades. Will you bring the light of the God-Emperor to the battlefield as a Ministorum Priest, or will you wield the Imperium’s most cutting-edge technology as a fearsome Storm Trooper? Perhaps you’ll tend to the machine spirits of the Guard’s many war machines as a Tech-Priest Enginseer, or lead the charge as your squad’s Sergeant. Whatever your function, you’ll be a vital part of the Imperium’s vast war machine.

Your Service Begins Soon

Throughout the course of their service, Guardsmen may fight on a thousand nameless worlds, often outnumbered and outgunned by their enemies and fighting in some of the worst conditions that history has ever known. And yet, despite immense opposition (or perhaps because of it), these fearless soldiers are bound to each other by a code of brotherhood and honour. They are the thin line that protects the Imperium from complete and utter destruction. They are the Imperial Guard.

Learn more on our Only War description page, and Check back in the coming weeks. Then, look for it on store shelves in the third quarter of 2012!

FFG wrote:



“Men, we are the first, last and often only line of defence the Imperium has against what is out there. You and that fine piece of Imperial weaponry you hold in your hands is all that is keeping humanity alive. Most of you will probably not live to see your second year in the Guard and most of you will probably never see your homeworlds again, but I can guarantee you that when you do fall, with a prayer to the most high and mighty God-Emperor on your lips, you will have earned the right to call yourself a man!”
–Staff Sergeant Vermak, 12th Cadian Shock Regiment

Only War is a complete, standalone Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game experience in which players take on the roles of soldiers in the Imperial Guard, the galaxy-spanning armies of the God-Emperor. Fully compatible with FFG’s other Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay titles, this comprehensive game system explores a previously unseen side of life in the Imperium of Man.


In the grim darkness of the far future...

On a million, million worlds across thousands of light years of space, humanity fights endlessly for his survival against aliens, heretics, and daemons. From the blood-drenched mud of frontier worlds to the cold depths of space, the innumerable armies of the Imperium of Man are at constant war with the galaxy, fighting threats from without, from within, and from beyond.



Some soldiers are forced unwillingly into combat by an uncaring bureaucracy, while for others, the defence of the Imperium is a matter of personal duty. Whether by choice or chance, these men and women are inducted into the God-Emperor’s armies, trained to fight and sent off to far flung stars and systems to hold the line against the coming night. Whatever their origins, whatever their reasons or training, they are the thin line that protects the Imperium from complete and utter destruction. Despite overwhelming opposition, or perhaps because of it, they are bound to each other by a code of brotherhood and honour. They are the Imperial Guard.

Forged in battle. Bound by brotherhood.



As Imperial Guardsmen, your characters will be called upon to undertake dangerous missions deep behind enemy lines. Your squad might be ordered to infiltrate an enemy base to acquire vital logistical plans, or to quickly set up an ambush against an incoming xenos convoy. With missions as varied as the galaxy’s innumerable warfronts, you and your squadmates must often rely on nothing but your own grim determination and your faith in each other.

Take the role of a Guardsman with one of twelve distinct Specialties, bringing unique skills to your squad to complement those of your comrades. Will you support your team as its Medic, rushing headfirst into fire to perform life-saving feats, or will you draw on the energies of the Warp as a fearsome Sanctioned Psyker? Perhaps you’ll protect your squad with suppressing fire as a brawny Heavy Gunner, or become the team’s Commissar and “motivate” them to greatness at the barrel of a bolter. Whatever your function, you’ll be an important part of the Imperium’s efforts to protect humanity.

Bloodthirsty xenos and the foul spawn of Chaos are hardly the only threats to a soldier’s life, however. Throughout your adventures, you and your fellow Guardsmen will also contend with paralyzing bureaucratic apathy, a leadership that often views you as expendable, and the fickle political maneuvering of those far beyond your humble station. In spite of this, your squad must make the best of the situations you encounter, embodying the ideals of the Imperial Guard while punishing the enemies of the God-Emperor. A Guardsman must take the glorious fight to the enemies, and spread the Light of His Word to the darkest corners of the galaxy.

In the face of overwhelming opposition, Guardsmen fight against mankind’s many enemies for the very survival of their species. It is the very immensity of this challenge, however, that strengthens a Guardsman’s sense of brotherhood and duty toward his squadmates. Though you are just a few among a faceless multitude of your brethren, chance or fate has singled you out for some special purpose. Prepare to join the greatest fighting force the galaxy has ever seen!


What is Roleplaying?

In a roleplaying game (RPG), you create an alter ego, a fictional character that is your avatar within the game world. Perhaps you will create a stoic soldier, a skilled medic, or an inspiring leader. Next, you and your friends direct your characters through a series of adventures. Imagine a crime drama, adventure film, or war movie—except that instead of passively watching the story unfold, you control one of the characters, making his decisions, selecting his actions, and even speaking for him. The decisions of you and your fellow players directly affect the events of the story.

How can you affect these events? How do you decide what happens? That is the role of the game itself. Roleplaying games such as Only War provide a framework of rules that describe how to design your character and operate him within the game. Rules can cover situations like shootouts, chase scenes, or investigating the records from a long-abandoned base. Often, the rules require you to roll dice when performing an action, with some results indicating success and others indicating failure. While the rules provide structure and guidelines in the game, dice add an element of chance. After all, success would not seem so sweet if there were no risk of failure! Jumping from one cliff face to another becomes much more exciting when the slightest misstep (or bad dice roll!) may result in your character falling into the abyss below.

At first, RPGs like Only War may appear to have a lot of rules. However, you will soon see that the rules are actually quite simple, easy to remember, and often very intuitive. To adjudicate these rules, each game has a Game Master (or GM). The GM is you, or one of your friends, chosen by the consensus of your group. He does not control a lone character during the game. Instead, the GM runs the game, presenting the story and the myriad situations that come with it. He controls the people your character meets in the game, controls the encounters and strange occurrences that shape your decisions as to your actions, and is basically both the game’s narrator and referee.

All of the other players control characters within the world around which the story revolves. These characters are known as the Player Characters (PCs). During the game, the players describe the intentions and actions of their characters to the GM, who then decides (based on the rules) whether those actions succeed or fail, and how the character’s words and deeds affect the game’s story.

FFG wrote:The Storm Wardens
A preview of Honour the Chapter, the upcoming supplement for Deathwatch



“What threat might require an entire Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes to guard against it? I for one sleep no sounder at night knowing that such warriors guard our Imperium, for my nightmares are haunted all the more by what enemies they watch for."
–Lord Sector Marius Hax

Last month, we announced the upcoming release of Honour the Chapter, a supplement for Deathwatch. This comprehensive sourcebook provides a wealth of options for players interested in characters drawn from Chapters created during the Second or subsequent Foundings. What’s more, it contains new character creation rules, a wealth of relics unique to each Chapter, and plenty of guidance and adventure seeds for Game Masters!

Unsung heroes



Today, we’re pleased to offer a glimpse at the pages of Honour the Chapter with a preview of the Storm Wardens, one of the most secretive Chapters in the Imperium. Isolated on the gloomy Forbidden World of Sacris, the Storm Wardens adamantly protect their privacy while training in the use of close-quarters weaponry. Indeed, it is in close combat that many of the Storm Wardens’ traditions are most fully expressed, for they are possessed of a fierce sense of pride and believe that honour is to be found in the act of striking an enemy down with one’s own hand.

To this end, the Storm Wardens utilize the fearsome claymore wielded by the clans of Sacris, each Battle-Brother practicing endlessly until he is a master in its use. Only when he is judged worthy is a Battle-Brother formally allowed to wield his claymore on the field of battle, mostly limiting its use to officers and veterans. Many claymores have been passed down through the generations, and some are truly ancient relics forged by the clans of Sacris and later fitted with power field generators to wreath their mighty blades in shimmering, deadly force.

Warriors who have attained the acclaim of their entire Chapter are henceforth known as Tempest Blades, and are grouped together into special veteran squads within the 1st Company. Download today’s preview (pdf, 3.5 MB) to learn more about the Tempest Blades, then look for Honour the Chapter on store shelves later this quarter

BrookM wrote:Maybe an odd question, but does the fluff handled there show off anything new for the 40k vets or just more of the same, but with prettier pictures?

BrookM wrote:Maybe an odd question, but does the fluff handled there show off anything new for the 40k vets or just more of the same, but with prettier pictures?

Snrub wrote:Oh and also, did anyone notice the female guardswoman on the front cover? Sculpters can now stop arguing over bust size for the flak armour.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

BrookM wrote:Maybe an odd question, but does the fluff handled there show off anything new for the 40k vets or just more of the same, but with prettier pictures?

Can't answer that sorry. Wait... are you talking about OW or Honour the Chapter?

BrookM wrote:Don't mention zee German.

Kroothawk wrote:

BrookM wrote:Don't mention zee German.

Ze German vill come back 2018 :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lJAw_BtM2g

BrookM wrote:Speaking of both, makes me wonder what kind of special edition they'll roll out for Only War. Hopefully an ammo crate with dogtags or a copy of the Uplifting Primer. Guess I'll have to get both a normal edition and a special edition.

Kanluwen wrote:

BrookM wrote:Speaking of both, makes me wonder what kind of special edition they'll roll out for Only War. Hopefully an ammo crate with dogtags or a copy of the Uplifting Primer. Guess I'll have to get both a normal edition and a special edition.

I hope it's a greatcoat, with a pocket just for the book.

Two of the nerdiest things known to man:
An RPG book and a trenchcoat.

Snrub wrote:


Oh and also, did anyone notice the female guardswoman on the front cover? Sculpters can now stop arguing over bust size for the flak armour.

Manchu wrote:I doubt it. I'd bet they'd have a conversion guide in PDF and keep plugging along on new stuff. They're bound to have learned enough at this point to merit a new edition of DH.

Kroothawk wrote:Tired of playing a Guardsmen, Psyker, Priest, Sniper and AdMech in Dark Heresy? Play a Guardsmen, Psyker, Priest, Sniper and AdMech in Only War!

Kroothawk wrote:Tried Rogue Trader because of the Xeno characters, but system suffers from the Star Trek paradoxon where only the staff (plus one nameless redshirt) is put into danger. group stopped playing.

Kroothawk wrote:Had a look at Deathwatch. Do I specialize in leadership (Ultramarine), drinking (Space Wolves), hate (Black Templar) or knowledge about Dark Angel renegades (Dark Angels)? Gave up making a character, bored by the outlook of just bolting down masses of Tyranids (which reportedly poses no challenge at all to the group).

Kroothawk wrote:Not interested in Chaos.

Kroothawk wrote:So I keep on waiting for anything that might interest me.

H.B.M.C. wrote:I hope that whatever the Collector's Edition ends up being, it has some sort of certificate where you can have your own name placed in there (like all the others). I hope it also allows you to pick your rank, so I can have a special one for Commissar Mathias Calgar! That would be awesome.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Besides, we saw your point of view in the OW thread. "I want a game with Xenos Careers that isn't the one that already has Xenos Careers" ie. I want to play as an alien but not the aliens I can already play for some unknown specific reason.

Kroothawk wrote:So you say, no problem to play an Ork/Kroot/DarkEldar campaign because there is one career path?

Kroothawk wrote:Everyone in the group playing the same race and career, esp. when FFG career paths usually have at most one alternative branch if at all?

Kroothawk wrote:When the rest of the setting gives you an Imperial ship with 50k humans on board hating Xenos? Then why not remake Dark Heresy with just one career path humans if that is enough?

Kroothawk wrote:We need a good core rulebook giving stats and careers of different classes of different races plus the relevant special abilities and background. "Only War" is just another Dark Heresy Source book like Blood of Martyrs, and less entertaining for me.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Don't be absurd Kroot...

Kanluwen wrote:"Your Scribe is sent to the datastacks of Hive Primaris Alpha. You are to collate the TPS reports!"

"Files for the Emperor! Files for the Golden Throne!"

Kroothawk wrote:"Only War" is just another Dark Heresy Source book like Blood of Martyrs, and less entertaining for me.

Fezman wrote:Is there any mention of how thick the book is? The Amazon preview page says 144 pages, which is quite a bit shorter than the other FFG rulebooks. Just wondering if that's official?

BrookM wrote:

Kroothawk wrote:"Only War" is just another Dark Heresy Source book like Blood of Martyrs, and less entertaining for me.

What the..? And you call yourself a proper rumour monger?

the_dunner wrote:That may have been official for the original announcement, when Only War was intended to be a sourcebook for Dark Heresy (in 2010).

the_dunner wrote:

Fezman wrote:Is there any mention of how thick the book is? The Amazon preview page says 144 pages, which is quite a bit shorter than the other FFG rulebooks. Just wondering if that's official?

That may have been official for the original announcement, when Only War was intended to be a sourcebook for Dark Heresy (in 2010). To my knowledge, FFG has not announced a revised page count for the Only War RPG. However, I'm pretty confident that it will be comparable in size to the other Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay core books.

H.B.M.C. wrote:I said not to listen to Amazon. They told me the book was due out in 10 days when we were still writing it.

FFG wrote:Plots Within Plots
A preview of The Tome of Fate, the upcoming Black Crusade supplement



“The manipulations of Tzeentch are complex, eternal, and endless. Foil one scheme and two more come to fruition, like the severed heads of the fabled hydra. What might seem like failure is but one step on a long and winding path that only those who have been blessed with the insight and power of the Changer of Ways may follow."
–Attributed to Ankhu Anen, Guardian of the Great Library of Prospero

Last month, we announced the upcoming release of The Tome of Fate, a supplement for Black Crusade. The first of four books delving into the darkest secrets of the Ruinous Powers, The Tome of Fate presents invaluable information on the Lord of Lies. In its pages, players will learn of his dark servants, both daemonic and mortal, and how his influence is felt across the Screaming Vortex. With new weapons and psychic powers to aid them, Heretics can go forth across that unholy stretch of stars and beyond into the depths of the fallen Imperium, ready to challenge Fate and make it their own.


A Thousand and One Plots



The entity or sentient warp force known as Tzeentch is perhaps the most enigmatic of the so-called Chaos Gods or Dark Powers. Tzeentch, the Changer of Ways, is the god of sorcery, scheming, mutation, and change. He embodies mortals’ desires for evolution, improvement, innovation, and progress as well as their dreams of wealth, prosperity, and a better tomorrow. While many perceive these motivations as healthy, wholesome, and perhaps even necessary to mortal existence, Tzeentch, the Great Conspirator, works to corrupt the aspirations and ambitions of humankind and xenos alike, and to leverage these hopes and dreams for his own nefarious ends.

Today, we’re pleased to present a preview from the pages of The Tome of Fate. Those who futilely attempt to fathom the will of Tzeentch sometimes refer to his web of schemes as the Thousand and One Plots, but his lies are in reality far too numerous to count. Nevertheless, we welcome you to download this brief excerpt (pdf, 1.5 MB), that you might better divine his true will without losing your mind entirely.

Do you possess the force of will to stand among Tzeentch’s chosen? Keep checking back in the coming weeks for more previews of The Tome of Fate, and look for it on store shelves later this quarter!

FFG wrote:Eleventh Hour
Be among the first to play Only War at Free RPG Day, June 16th, 2012



“I’ve seen some miserable balls of dirt in my time, but this place really is a boil on the arse of the Emperor-damned universe. I mean, an eleven hour day and a three hour night: hardly any time to get anything done at all."
–Sergeant Dryak, 14th Recon, Catachan 233rd

In fewer than eleven hours, the Imperium will commence its orbital bombardment of an Ork-infested death world. Unfortunately for you and the other members of the Catachan 233rd, that may not be enough time to reach the safety of a firebase. Can you traverse kilometres of dense, xenos-covered jungle in time to escape? And when faced with time-consuming questions of duty, honour, and compassion, will you remain true to your principles, or abandon them in a moment of self-serving desperation?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to once again participate in Free RPG Day, an annual event that encourages RPG enthusiasts to demo current and upcoming titles. Last week, we revealed Only War, an all-new standalone Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game in which players take on the roles of soldiers in the Imperial Guard, the galaxy-spanning armies of the God-Emperor.

Now, you’re invited to take part in Eleventh Hour, an introductory adventure for Only War! When your superiors abandon you on the sweltering surface of a hostile world, will you have the strength to embody the ideals of the Imperial Guard?

Duty and Honour



Taking place June 16th at a retailer near you, this free introduction to Only War includes a full adventure, four pre-generated characters, and a set of basic rules to help players and Game Masters become familiar with the Only War roleplaying game. See if your local retailer is participating at the Free RPG Day Retailer Locator.

Do you live in the Roseville, Minnesota area? In honor of Free RPG Day, the Fantasy Flight Games Event Center will be giving away free copies of Eleventh Hour, and Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay developers Andrew Fischer, Max Brooke, Tim Huckelbery, and Mack Martin will be in attendance to answer questions and run introductory sessions. Sign up now at the Event Center to play Only War with a 40K RPG designer!

The bombardment will begin soon. Grab your gear and get moving, soldier!

FFG wrote:More Chaos, Less Confusion
Download the new Black Crusade Errata / FAQ and sow Chaos across the worlds



Ultimate power doesn’t have to be confusing. The life of a servant to Chaos already demands strength and cunning. Your enemies come after you with blades and bolters, and the bodies and souls of lesser servants are prone to breaking down, unable to bear the gifts bestowed upon them by the Ruinous Powers. As you war to spread your reputation across the Screaming Vortex, aspiring to have your accomplishments recognized by the Dark Gods themselves, you want clarity in your actions, not confusion.

Responding to player feedback, the Black Crusade design team has drafted errata and an FAQ (pdf, 11.0 MB) to update your campaign. A printer-friendly version of the document is also available on the game’s support page.



Producer Tim Huckelbery on the Black Crusade Errata / FAQ:



The Black Crusade Errata / FAQ document addresses the mechanics issues our player base identified in the Black Crusade Core Rulebook, Game Master’s Kit, and the adventure, Hand of Corruption. Although many of these issues are relatively minor, we hope that by correcting and clarifying where needed we can further improve and streamline the game’s play.

For example, there was some confusion over player characters’ starting experience, and the characteristics tied to certain skills. Both of these have been clarified. In the case of the Intimidation Skill, we concluded that Intimidation in Black Crusade, specifically, should be more a factor of the Heretic’s willpower than a measure of their strength, especially in the Screaming Vortex where you should never judge your foe just by his size.

There were lots of questions about how to work the “Heavy” and “Throwing” Weapon Specializations in the Talents and Traits chapter, and these have been properly removed to make that area work as intended. We also clarified the Charge Action, and it is now clearly articulated so that Heretics can perform a Standard Attack (or Grapple) at the end of a charge, but not a Swift Attack or All Out Attack.

We also addressed some of the common questions we’ve received from players in person or online. The document answers more than 25 Frequently Asked Questions, and we feel that making our responses available to all players will improve the Black Crusade experience. Thanks to everyone for your questions, comments, and, of course, for playing!

Errata for the Errata God,
–Tim

Alpharius wrote:Even if I live on a hot deathworld, I think I'd still wear a shirt...

H.B.M.C. wrote:Where'd you get the parts for those two?

FFG wrote:The Legions of Change
A preview of The Tome of Fate, the upcoming Black Crusade supplement



“And what [of your] Imperium... It was built with the toil of heroes and giants, and now it is inhabited by frightened weaklings to whom the glories of those times are half forgotten legends."
–Attributed to Ahriman of the Thousand Sons

Last month, we announced the upcoming release of The Tome of Fate, a supplement for Black Crusade. The first of four books delving into the darkest secrets of the Ruinous Powers, The Tome of Fate presents invaluable information on Tzeentch’s dark servants, both daemonic and mortal, and how his influence is felt across the Screaming Vortex. With new weapons and psychic powers to aid them, Heretics can go forth across that unholy stretch of stars and beyond into the depths of the fallen Imperium, ready to challenge Fate and make it their own.

In our most recent preview, we presented a look at Tzeentch’s Thousand and One Plots, and we learned of the inherent futility in any attempt to decipher the Lord of Lies’ countless schemes. Today, we’ll tremble before the raw power of one of his most potent servants, the Thousand Sons Sorcerer.


Exposed to the Warp



Ten thousand years ago, Horus and the Traitor Legions rebelled against the Emperor of Mankind. The resulting civil war tore the Imperium asunder and ended only when Horus was slain by the Emperor’s hand during the Siege of Terra. However, the Emperor was also mortally wounded and subsequently confined to the arcane Golden Throne. He remains there to this day, worshipped by the citizens of the Imperium as a living god. The defeated Legions withdrew from Terra, most splitting into smaller warbands and continuing to wreak havoc amongst the many worlds of the Imperium. Eventually, these traitors were hounded out of Imperial space and forced to seek refuge in the Eye of Terror and the worship of the Dark Gods. The Chaos Space Marines dwell there still, and they remain a constant threat to the stability of the Emperor’s realms.

Of these Legions, the Thousand Sons actively worship the Changer of Ways, plotting and scheming from the shadows, often using trickery and guile to gain the advantage over their foes. The Sorcerers of the Thousand Sons number amongst the most powerful of the servants of Chaos. For centuries they have dwelt within the Eye of Terror, emerging only to pursue new paths of heretical study and inflict vengeance on the Imperium. Exposure to the raw power of the warp, as well as Ahriman’s Rubric, has corrupted these sorcerers in body and mind, while the untold time spent pursuing their dark arts has only magnified their considerable psychic abilities.

Download this excerpt from The Tome of Fate (pdf, 3.2 MB) to learn more, and look for it on store shelves later this quarter!

H.B.M.C. wrote:What's the price of normal 144 page FFG books?

BaronIveagh wrote:Hostile Acquisitions was $25

H.B.M.C. wrote:

BaronIveagh wrote:Hostile Acquisitions was $25

They're all (and by "all" I mean Lure of the Expanse, Edge of the Abyss, Battlefleet Koronus, Hostile Acquisitions and The Soul Reaver) listed as AUD$39.95 books at the FFG site. Soul Reaver is no different, and what discount (if any) Amazon choose to apply is completely up to them. Plus Amazon may not have finalised their price because Amazon are hopeless.

BrookM wrote:I get mine off the Book Depository, saves me a lot of dosh.

Hail the Omnissiah! He is the God in the Machine, the Source of All Knowledge."
–Magos-Lector Vad Kapellax, at the first Convocation of the Lathes

For ten thousand years, the tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus have led the Cult of the Omnissiah. From their bastion Forges on the Lathe Worlds, they control all Holy Technology in the Calixis Sector.

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of The Lathe Worlds, a supplement for Dark Heresy! This invaluable tome reveals the secret history of the Lathe Worlds, from their mysterious founding to their current struggles against tech-heresy. What’s more, players will gain access to new Alternate Careers such as the Mech-Assassin and Agent of the Lords Dragon, and arm themselves with weapons and gifts of the Omnissiah. And in a thrilling new adventure, your team will journey to a lost comet-station, where they’ll stop renegade tech-priests from heretical experiments into the Warp!

Carefully Guarded Secrets Revealed

In the Imperium of Man, technology is commonplace...but it is also mysterious and unfathomable. Such knowledge is the carefully guarded domain of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and has been for thousands of years. They are the Cult of the Machine God, worshipping the Emperor as their Omnissiah, the Perfect Sum of All Knowledge. Their Explorator fleets search across the galaxy for lost knowledge from ages long past. Their mechanically augmented tech-priests on thousands of forge worlds strive to preserve what precious little data they retain. Both quests continue, though they are mere flickering candles against the oppressive darkness of stagnation and ignorance. With each century, actual understanding descends to dogma, rote instruction, and myth, as priceless knowledge is lost forever.

Within the Calixis Sector, the Adeptus Mechanicus is centered on the Lathe Worlds, and from these three planets the Mechanicum oversees its domains of forge worlds, research stations, orbitals, and even entire systems. From these worlds, precious knowledge and holy technology flow throughout the Sector, while the Cult Mechanicus carefully hoards even greater secrets for its own, inscrutable purposes.



The Lathe Worlds allows Dark Heresy players to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Adeptus Mechanicus within the Calixis Sector. The Cult of the Machine God stretches across this region and beyond, ruling each of its worlds in the name of the Omnissiah, outside the purview of the Inquisition or other Imperial agencies. The Lathes struggle to control their domains, however, and dark areas of the Sector hide countless tech-heresies and dangerous researches.

A Word from the Developer

For more on The Lathe Worlds, here’s a word from its developer, Tim Huckelbery:

The Adeptus Mechanicus has always been a big part of the Warhammer 40,000 lore, and The Lathe Worlds gives us a great opportunity to explore this mysterious organization and how they operate in the Calixis Sector. I’ve always loved the insane science of the Mechanicum, and it was great to work with fellow fans to produce this book. Past Dark Heresy supplements had some fragments of their sects and forge worlds, but here we really reveal the scale and power of the Cult of the Machine God.

Players will get a host of new Mechanicum careers and armory items inside, but we’ve also included the virulently anti-tech Cult of the Pure Form for those not who do not worship the Omnissiah. The actual Lathe Worlds themselves were also great fun to create. These forge worlds, research stations, orbitals, and other domains of the Adeptus Mechanicus make for a wonderful collection of places worthy of Inquisitorial attention, especially those isolated locations engaging in forbidden research and mad science. GMs will get a host of such settings in this book, complete with NPCs and adventure seeds for their Acolytes to explore, investigate, and (if they are lucky) not end up as Servitors!

Look for more on The Lathe Worlds in the coming weeks, and in the third quarter of 2012, begin your quest for knowledge in the name of the Omnissiah.

Ozymandias wrote:I wonder if there will be rules for Knight Titans...

BrookM wrote:Rules probably not, just info.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Will there be crazy guys who wear diodes as jewelry and pray to broken TVs?

H.B.M.C. wrote:

And how would one play a Servo-Skull?

H.B.M.C. wrote:
And how would one play a Servo-Skull?

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Can I play as a flying skull thing?

Balance wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Can I play as a flying skull thing?

Aren't these an 'equipment' option, at least in Rogue Trader?

FFG wrote:With Grim Determination
Rising Tempest, the Latest Deathwatch Campaign, is Now Available



“The situation has gone from bad to worse. My centre is giving way, my right flank is in retreat, and we are surrounded. I am happy to report that we have the enemy exactly where we want them.”
–Captain Angus Macfane, Fifth Company, Storm Wardens


As the conflict against the Tau approaches its breaking point and paranoia over their suspected acts of sedition reaches an all-time high, the infamous Lord Commander Ebongrave seeks allies he can trust in his campaign against disloyalty. But are Tau sympathizers really maneuvering among the loyal citizens of the Imperium? And if so, what darker plans do they hold in store?

Rising Tempest, an adventure in three parts for Deathwatch, is now available at your friendly local retailer and on our webstore! When the Tau make a play for dominance that threatens to tip the balance of power in the Canis Salient, they’ll unwittingly endanger the entire Jericho Reach... and only the Space Marines of the Deathwatch can stop them.


Epic Adventure



Rising Tempest is an epic three-part adventure that takes players across the Canis Salient and into midsts of the Hadex anomaly:

The Depths of Treachery—The Kill-team travels to the iron heart of the Canis Salient to eradicate a subversive xenos presence imperiling the might of the Imperial war machine. But stirring in the chaos of sedition and catastrophy, they’ll stumble upon something much darker.
Assault on Javar Nil—Pursuing clues of an ancient evil, the Battle-Brothers find themselves caught between the factions of a holy schism on the shrine world of Eleusis. There, they must safeguard the blessed core of the Achilus Crusade.
Exterminatus—Struck at the very bastion of their power, the Kill-team must brave the horrors of the Hadex anomaly and return to a long-lost citadel to save their galaxy from utter ruin!


In the Heart of the Achilus Crusade

For more on Rising Tempest, here’s a word from lead developer Tim Flanders:

Coming to shelves as the latest adventure for the Deathwatch line, Rising Tempest is going to challenge players in ways they'd never expect. Deathwatch GMs have never wanted for villains, adversaries, and snarling monsters to face their players with, especially in a setting as hotly contested as the Jericho Reach. Right alongside the forces of Chaos and a full-scale Tyranid invasion, the Tau threaten the progress of the Achilus Crusade.

In Rising Tempest, players will learn just what makes a race like the Tau so dangerous to the mighty Imperium of Man. Game Masters will also have the opportunity to really challenge the honour and faith of their players' characters throughout the course of Rising Tempest, as they embroil their players in not only a conflict against a xenos threat, but also in the very heart and mind of the Achilus Crusade and a bitter feud within the ranks of the Ecclesiarchy. In the end, players and GMs may find that where bolter and power sword fail, the righteousness and grim determination of the Adeptus Astartes will carry them to victory.

To learn more, read Lurking Beneath the Surface, our preview of Rising Tempest. Then, head to your local retailer and pick up your copy today!

“Of course humanity was meant to cross the void between the stars. It is our destiny, and it is for this purpose, the God-Emperor has seen fit to grant us the power necessary to ply the roiling Warp. The Navigator guides us by His light. The Astropath carries His torch to the darkest corners of space. We go in His Name, by His Will, for His Glory. And, of course, for the tidy profit we earn for our efforts in his grandest of plans."
–Rogue Trader Raol Straud

The warp is a domain of nightmares, filled with insanity made manifest and ethereal predators hungry for souls. Yet it is this shadowy realm that a Rogue Trader must tread to seek fame and fortune amongst the stars.

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of The Navis Primer, a supplement for Rogue Trader! This powerful volume reveals the secret history of the Koronus Expanse’s Navigator Houses, while unveiling the Astropath Voidfrost and Soul Ward Disciplines. Players can unleash the unpredictable might of the Waaagh! with the Ork Weirdboy Career Path, and uncover new warp-touched powers, alternate career ranks, and elite advances for Explorers of all kinds. What’s more, The Navis Primer provides expanded rules for navigation and astrotelepathic communication, and presents terrifying new hazards and foes from the depths of the Expanse!

Navigating a Stormy Sea

For more on The Navis Primer, here’s a word from its lead developer, Max Brooke:

The warp is the stormy sea that Rogue Traders must cross in search of fame, glory, and, of course, profit. A Rogue Trader's mighty voidship is a large part of what makes this miracle possible, but no less important are those who possess an innate connection to the Immaterium.

From the secretive Navigator Houses whose members guide vessels through the roiling Sea of Souls to the esoteric Choirs of Astropaths who cast messages across the cold void, those with the ability to perceive or manipulate the power of the Warp are both critical to a Rogue Trader's ambition and very interesting characters in their own right. The Navis Primer contains new options for the histories of Navigators and Astropaths in the Koronus Expanse, as well as expanded rules for the tasks they must overcome and new powers to help them rise to these challenges. Further, it includes a number of new character options for other Explorers whose lives have been touched by the Warp in one way or another, whether they harness it for profit or seek to unlock its darkest mysteries.

Of course, not all of those touched by the Warp are loyal to the Imperium—or even human– and The Navis Primer explorers the psykers and Warp-entities that dwell in the Expanse. This includes resources for new enemies and their terrifying powers, and also a new psyker Career Path, the erratic Ork Weirdboy.

The Navis Primer is loaded with new possibilities, and I'm looking forward to hearing the wild and Warp-touched stories that players and Game Masters alike use them to create.

Check back for more in the coming weeks, and in the third quarter of 2012, prepare to unleash the power of the warp in your Rogue Trader campaigns!

H.B.M.C. wrote:This book is interesting because it finally goes into depth about something that regular 40K has always had - right since the beginning - but never really gone to far into. The Navigators. For a lot of old school 40K players I can see an attraction to this book simply because of this rarely-covered area of information. But it's not 100% fair to just call this book a Navigator book. It's a joint Navigator/Astropath sourcebook, which is great, as Astropaths are another mostly unexplored area of the 40K fluff.

But for my own part, I just love the Weirdboy career. Playing as a Weirdboy is going to be so much fun!

MasterSlowPoke wrote:I'm not exactly familiar with the game, but a Rogue Trader can have an Ork Weirdboy as a crew member?

H.B.M.C. wrote:Not all Rogue Traders follow the law.

BaronIveagh wrote:Except we can't put one on an ork ship with an ork crew and do ork things because FFG has been avoiding releasing non0imperial (and some Imperial) ships with things like their space and SP stats.

While, yes, I know the stock answer is 'Do it Yourself' it's still not clear what some of the listed parts do, and others it's hard to tell where you GET something like that.

FFG wrote:Download the Conspiracy
Rising Tempest, a Deathwatch Adventure, is Available for Sale via Download





“There is nothing more abhorrent in the eyes of the Emperor than a traitor. He too suffered the serpent’s fangs. That greatest of betrayals serves as an admonition to us all: we can never wield too much suspicion."
–Lord Commander Sebiascor Ebongrave

As the conflict against the Tau approaches its breaking point and paranoia over their suspected acts of sedition reaches an all-time high, the infamous Lord Commander Ebongrave seeks allies he can trust in his campaign against disloyalty. But are Tau sympathizers really maneuvering among the loyal citizens of the Imperium? And if so, what darker plans do they hold in store?

Rising Tempest, an adventure in three parts for Deathwatch, is now on sale via download through drivethrurpg.com and rpgnow.com! When the Tau make a play for dominance that threatens to tip the balance of power in the Canis Salient, they’ll unwittingly endanger the entire Jericho Reach...and only the Space Marines of the Deathwatch can stop them.


An Adventure in Three Parts



Rising Tempest is an epic three-part adventure that takes players across the Canis Salient and into midsts of the Hadex anomaly:

The Depths of Treachery—The Kill-team travels to the iron heart of the Canis Salient to eradicate a subversive xenos presence imperiling the might of the Imperial war machine. But stirring in the chaos of sedition and catastrophy, they’ll stumble upon something much darker.
Assault on Javar Nil—Pursuing clues of an ancient evil, the Battle-Brothers find themselves caught between the factions of a holy schism on the shrine world of Eleusis. There, they must safeguard the blessed core of the Achilus Crusade.
Exterminatus—Struck at the very bastion of their power, the Kill-team must brave the horrors of the Hadex anomaly and return to a long-lost citadel to save their galaxy from utter ruin!


Villains and Monsters

For more on Rising Tempest, here’s a word from lead developer Tim Flanders:

The latest adventure for the Deathwatch line, Rising Tempest is going to challenge players in ways they'd never expect. Deathwatch GMs have never wanted for villains, adversaries, and snarling monsters to face their players with, especially in a setting as hotly contested as the Jericho Reach. Right alongside the forces of Chaos and a full-scale Tyranid invasion, the Tau threaten the progress of the Achilus Crusade.

In Rising Tempest, players will learn just what makes a race like the Tau so dangerous to the mighty Imperium of Man. Game Masters will also have the opportunity to really challenge the honour and faith of their players' characters throughout the course of Rising Tempest, as they embroil their players in not only a conflict against a xenos threat, but also in the very heart and mind of the Achilus Crusade and a bitter feud within the ranks of the Ecclesiarchy. In the end, players and GMs may find that where bolter and power sword fail, the righteousness and grim determination of the Adeptus Astartes will carry them to victory.

To learn more, read Lurking Beneath the Surface, our preview of Rising Tempest. Then, head to drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com and download your copy today!

FFG wrote:Free RPG Day is This Saturday!
Download Bonus Characters for Only War, Then Play it at Your Local Retailer





“I can assure you that almost all units of the Scintillan 17th have been withdrawn from the target zones and we will be ready to commence orbital strikes on the Ork vanguard shortly. I also realise that significant elements of the Catachan 223rd have not reached the safe zone. This was always an anticipated risk, and I think I speak for many here when I say: really, who will miss them?"
–Commander-General Pailus, Scintillan 4th Army Group

In fewer than eleven hours, the Imperium will commence its orbital bombardment of an Ork-infested death world. Unfortunately for you and the other members of the Catachan 233rd, that may not be enough time to reach the safety of a firebase. Can you traverse kilometres of dense, xenos-covered jungle in time to escape? And when faced with time-consuming questions of duty, honour, and compassion, will you remain true to your principles, or abandon them in a moment of self-serving desperation?

As we announced in April, Fantasy Flight Games will proudly take part in Free RPG Day 2012 with an adventure for Only War, the all-new standalone Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game in which players take on the roles of soldiers in the Imperial Guard!

Debuting this Saturday at participating retailers, Eleventh Hour is a gripping story that presents you and fellow squadmates with tough questions about honor and survival. When your superiors abandon you on the sweltering surface of a hostile world, will you have the strength to embody the ideals of the Imperial Guard?


Incoming Reinforcements



Today, we’re pleased to offer two additional downloadable characters for Eleventh Hour! Bring the keen eyes of Ratling sniper Cottar “Teeny” Gamwich, or the unwavering leadership of Commissar Zara Harper, to your upcoming mission (we’ve also included a revised version of Urok the Ogryn, which corrects a minor error in the original printing of Eleventh Hour).

Eleventh Hour Bonus Content (high resolution pdf, 8.4 MB)
Eleventh Hour Bonus Content (low resolution pdf, 483 KB)

Do you live in the Roseville, Minnesota area? In honor of Free RPG Day, the Fantasy Flight Games Event Center will be giving away free copies of Eleventh Hour, and Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay developers Andrew Fischer, Max Brooke, Tim Huckelbery, and Mack Martin will be in attendance to answer questions and run introductory sessions. Sign up now at the Event Center to play Only War with a 40K RPG designer!

The bombardment will begin soon. Grab your gear and get moving, soldier.

FFG wrote:Free RPG Day Was a Great Success!
Download Eleventh Hour, an Only War Adventure, from Our Support Page



“There are few things like the fury of an orbital strike, and none so terrifying to behold from the surface of a world. It is as if the hand of the God-Emperor Himself is reaching down to wipe away His enemies in a storm of light and fire."
–Master of Ordnance Halbast Dain, 17th Scintillan Airborne Assault Group

This past Saturday, June 16th, the Fantasy Flight Games Event Center and retailers all over the world participated in Free RPG Day, an annual celebration of roleplaying games and their place in your friendly local game store. Our contribution to this exciting tradition was an introductory adventure for Only War, an all-new standalone Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game in which players take on the roles of soldiers in the Imperial Guard, the galaxy-spanning armies of the God-Emperor.


Warhammer 40,000 developer Andrew Fischer runs Eleventh Hour

Eleventh Hour is a gripping story that presents you and fellow squadmates with tough questions about honor and survival. In fewer than eleven hours, the Imperium will commence its orbital bombardment of an Ork-infested death world. You and your squadmates must make the dangerous trek through kilometres of dense, xenos-covered jungle, all while facing time-consuming questions of duty, honor, and compassion. Will you have the strength to embody the ideals of the Imperial Guard?


A Variety of Outcomes

Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay developers Andrew Fischer, Max Brooke, and Tim Huckelbery were at the FFG Event Center running sessions, and when faced with these moral issues, their players’ responses ran the gamut. One group managed to evacuate the death world with all their wounded in tow...while another quickly decided to use a screaming, wounded comrade to bait an Ork scouting party into an explosive trap.



How will your squad complete its mission? Download Eleventh Hour here or from our support page, then grab your gear and get moving, soldier!

Eleventh Hour (high-res pdf, 140.4 MB)
Eleventh Hour (low-res pdf, 11.6 MB)
Eleventh Hour bonus characters (high-res pdf, 8.4 MB)
Eleventh Hour bonus characters (low-res pdf, 485 KB)

H.B.M.C. wrote:And it's odd because they've never done this before.

Well, this was certainly unexpected for me. I haven’t exactly been keeping up with the news, but I received a DriveThruRPG notice that Only War: Core Rules Beta is up on the site now for $20 USD.

The book is in black and white, but it’s the whole book, so I guess that’s why they’re charging for it. Aside from being in black and white instead of color this is a whole 40k core rulebook, all 267 pages of it, with all the chapters and rules needed to play a complete game with all of the rules of a typical Warhammer 40k system RPG. The PDF contains artwork and it has the familiar layout for FFG 40k products. The PDF is bookmarked, and contains an adventure at the end as usual. I’ve only gotten to skim through looking for artwork and such so far because I just got the book like three minutes ago.

There’s like 10 guardsmen specialties including Ogryn, Techpriest Enginseer, and COMMISSAR. There’s stats for the Baneblade, Leman Russ, Sentinel, Chimera, Hellhound and Basilisk. There’s a huge section on Equipment, and its availability for the Guard. There’s a new setting, The Spinward Front. And there’s a whole Regimental Creation section. The Adveraries section contains Chaos and Dark Eldar, as well as their vehicles. If you’ve got Deathwatch, you can probably introduce all the enemies from there into here without much fuss – they use the same enemy class system.

Looks great. Gonna read it and see if I can get back to you, perhaps as a Critical-Hits review in lieu of my other 40k work there.

This is gonna be pretty sweet.

BrookM wrote:If you come across any regimental rules / info, please do share?

As an added benefit, anyone who downloads the Only War beta will receive a $20 discount on the pdf version of the Only War Core Rulebook when it becomes available in the fall. Simply download the beta, and when the full rulebook goes live in a few months, you’ll receive the necessary coupon code.

the_dunner wrote:If memory serves, Paizo ran an open beta for Pathfinder prior to its release. During the beta, I believe that it was possible to purchase print copies of the rules. I do not, however, recall if the PDF was free or required a purchase.

In any case, I like the idea of having a Beta if only to insure that there are fewer errors in the collector's edition of the game -- assuming, of course, that FFG chooses to produce one.

PrimarchX wrote:Stats for a Baneblade are included.

FFG wrote:Man the Front Lines
Join the Beta for Only War, the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplaying Game




“Men, we are the first, last and often only line of defence the Imperium has against what is out there. You and that fine piece of Imperial weaponry you hold in your hands is all that is keeping humanity alive. Most of you will probably not live to see your second year in the Guard and most of you will probably never see your homeworlds again, but I can guarantee you that when you do fall, with a prayer to the most high and mighty God-Emperor on your lips, you will have earned the right to call yourself a man!”
–Staff Sergeant Vermak, 12th Cadian Shock Regiment

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to invite you to take part in the beta test for Only War, the upcoming Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game!

Announced in April, Only War places each player in the role of an Imperial Guardsman, one of the countless billions of hardened conscripts constantly fighting on myriad fronts at the whim of the Adeptus Terra. Your squad might be responsible for guiding an important dignitary through a perilous warzone, or instructed to infiltrate a besieged fort to deliver important intelligence. With missions as varied as the galaxy’s innumerable warfronts, you and your squadmates must often rely on nothing but your own grim determination and your faith in each other.



Available for download through drivethrurpg.com and rpgnow.com, the Only War beta is a complete, 256-page playable version of Only War; the only difference is that it omits certain art pieces and background “flavor” that will be present in the final version. This product has already undergone extensive development, playtesting, and refinement, and we have no doubt that it’s ready to provide hours of enjoyment. What’s more, Only War beta test participants have an opportunity to experience the game months before they otherwise would!

As an added benefit, anyone who downloads the Only War beta from drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com will receive a $20 discount on the pdf version of the Only War Core Rulebook when it becomes available in the Fall. Simply download the beta, and when the full rulebook goes live in a few months, you’ll receive the necessary coupon code for use on drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com.


A Word From the Developers

For more on the Only War beta, here’s a word from the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay development team:

• • •

In 1987, Games Workshop released a sci-fi miniatures rulebook called Rogue Trader, and captured the imagination of gamers across the world with their depiction of a grim, dark future among the stars. For two decades, fans of Warhammer 40,000 clamoured for a roleplaying experience set in this deep and engaging setting. Then, five years ago, Games Workshop delivered Dark Heresy, the first of what would become a full line of roleplaying games set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Now, the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay line has been licensed to Fantasy Flight Games, and is doing better than ever with the addition of three more roleplaying games: Rogue Trader, Deathwatch, and Black Crusade. On drivethrurpg.com, you’ll find the beta version of the core rulebook for the fourth and latest addition to the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay line: Only War. This game places players in the boots of an Imperial Guardsman, thrust up against the greatest horrors the galaxy has to offer, with nothing but their wits, their lasgun, and their compatriots to survive until the next day.

This beta version allows players to test-drive the game before the official release, and it grants the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team a valuable resource in crafting the best product possible. The beta is a shortened version of the final core rulebook, and its layout and content are not representative of the final product.

There are two main methods for you to submit your feedback about this beta. First, we have created a special section on the FFG website for the beta that will be updated weekly with the latest news and game updates from the development team. There is a public forum where players can discuss the beta test with the other people involved, post questions and feedback, and read news updates from the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team. Second, you can submit any specific reports or feedback directly to the development team at the beta test e-mail address (onlywarbeta@fantasyflightgames.com). When submitting your feedback via e-mail, it is most helpful to us if you consolidate multiple questions and comments into a single message, rather than sending a separate e-mail for each question or comment.

We would like to include a note as to what constitutes useful feedback. Please provide precise, well thought out, and concise comments on specific issues that come up during your playtest sessions. Good feedback states the issue at hand and accurately cites page numbers and rules contradictions therein. We are primarily concerned with issues that affect gameplay, such as missing rules entries, examples that are inconsistent with the rules text, and balance or clarity issues.

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your enthusiasm and diligence during this beta test. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and we thank you for helping us in making this game the best it can possibly be.

Happy Gaming,
The Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay Team

• • •

Learn more about the beta process at our Only War beta test description page, then head to drivethrurgp.com or rpgnow.com today and man the front lines!

ONLY WAR BETA

Description
Only War is a Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game in which players take on the roles of soldiers in the galaxy-spanning armies of the Imperium, and the Only War beta test is your chance to stand on the front lines of its development! As part of the Only War beta test, you’ll provide valuable reconnaissance for the war effort, as you help us to craft the best possible final product.

What is the Only War beta test?
The beta test is a chance for players to carefully play through the game system and help us create an enjoyable roleplaying experience. This book is a shortened version of the final core rulebook; it contains all the necessary rules for playing through a complete campaign of Only War. This test allows fans to play the game before the official release and allows us to address any issues that may be found.

Why is there a cost to participate?
Bear in mind that the Only War beta is a complete, 256-page playable version of Only War; the only difference is that it omits certain art pieces and background “flavor” that will be present in the final version. This product has already undergone extensive development, playtesting, and refinement, and we have no doubt that it’s ready to provide hours of enjoyment. What’s more, Only War beta test participants have an opportunity to experience the game months before they otherwise would!

As an added benefit, anyone who downloads the Only War beta from drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com will receive a $20 discount on the pdf version of the Only War Core Rulebook when it becomes available in the fall. Simply download the beta, and when the full rulebook goes live in a few months, you’ll receive the necessary coupon code for use on drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com.



How do I join it?
Simply download the game, play some sessions, and offer your feedback! Available for download through drivethrurpg.com and rpgnow.com, the Only War beta provides an abridged, electronic version of the full book.

How often should my group plan on playing?
As often as possible! It would be ideal if your group makes time to play at least four sessions over the course of the beta period (ending August 24th, 2012). Before your first session, it is a good idea to prepare by reading through the rulebook to make sure things go smoothly. Since you will only have a limited number of weeks to submit feedback, holding a session every week would be best.

What should my group be looking for as we play?
The most important part of this beta test is to make sure the game is enjoyable. Don’t let your group get held up by trying to proofread every paragraph of the book. Instead, play through the game as if you just bought it from the store and note anything that causes a problem, dispute, or conflict during gameplay.



What kind of feedback is FFG looking for?
Please provide precise, well thought out, and concise comments on specific issues that come up during your sessions. Good feedback states the issue at hand and accurately cites page numbers and rules contradictions therein. We are primarily concerned with issues that affect gameplay, such as missing rules entries, examples that are inconsistent with the rules text, and balance or clarity issues.

How do I submit my feedback?
There are two main methods for you to submit your feedback.

There are two main methods for you to submit your feedback about this beta. First, watch this website, which will be updated weekly with the latest news and game updates from the development team. There is a public forum where players can discuss the beta test with the other people involved, post questions and feedback, and read news updates from the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team.

Second, you can submit any specific reports or feedback directly to the development team at the beta test e-mail address (onlywarbeta@fantasyflightgames.com). When submitting your feedback via e-mail, it is most helpful to us if you consolidate multiple questions and comments into a single message, rather than sending a separate e-mail for each question or comment.

When do I need to submit my feedback?
The deadline for all feedback on this beta test is August 24th, 2012.

H.B.M.C. wrote:And for those wondering what Regiments would be in the final game, there are:

1. Cadians
2. Catachans
3. Death Korps of Krieg
4. Elysian Drop Troops
5. Maccabian Janissaries
6. Mordian Iron Guard
7. Tallarn Desert Raiders
8. Vostroyan First Born

Plus full rules for making your own (so all your Valhallan fans out there don't have to feel left out!).

calgar 2.5 wrote:Are there going to be supplemements released for more regiments? That could be a good opportunity to put some decent fanmade armies in the fluff.

BrookM wrote:Also, I love you for both including coaxial weapons for the Vanquisher and the option for Drop Sentinels!

H.B.M.C. wrote:

BrookM wrote:Also, I love you for both including coaxial weapons for the Vanquisher and the option for Drop Sentinels!

I couldn't not put those in!

H.B.M.C. wrote:It does (or should!). That's an mistake on my part. It appears I forgot to add it in (hell, I wrote the Co-Axial rule because of the Baneblade's Autocannon). Someone has already pointed it out in the Beta forum. I'll see about getting it added in.

Sorry about that!

BrookM wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:It does (or should!). That's an mistake on my part. It appears I forgot to add it in (hell, I wrote the Co-Axial rule because of the Baneblade's Autocannon). Someone has already pointed it out in the Beta forum. I'll see about getting it added in.

Sorry about that!

Easy does it, I'm not a mess of swearing rage.

Regarding the doctrine system: I don't have to pick one from all three correct?

Kanluwen wrote:H.B.M.C.---

How long am I going to have to wait for a Kasrkin character option?

H.B.M.C. wrote:
I wrote Chapter 8, so that's not just vehicles but all the combat rules and whatnot. These rules are based on the Black Crusade combat mechanics, which are a redefined (and vastly improved) set of rules over the previous DH/RT/DW mechanics.

So yes, standard attacks are +10, but Semi-Auto is +0 and Full-Auto is -10 (but all are half actions). It balances out the different types of weapons, and leads to more weapon types having a use.

And yes, Droma, the book will have lots more fluff. If you look at the contents pages you'll notice that a couple of chapters are missing. These will be the general 'The Imperium' chapter, some Guard info, and then information on Only War's setting, The Spinward Front.

Inquisitor Jex wrote:

BrookM wrote:Regarding the doctrine system: I don't have to pick one from all three correct?

You must pick one form the Regiment Type (and only one) as for the Training/Special Equipment Doctrines, you are not forced to pick any if you want a simple, generic armoured/line/recon Regiment, but if you take some, you are limited to 3.

Kanluwen wrote:How long am I going to have to wait for a Kasrkin character option?

Inquisitor Jex wrote:Nice; but I believe you forgot the rest of your standard kit equipment (on page 33)

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Kanluwen wrote:How long am I going to have to wait for a Kasrkin character option?

Kasrkin? What are you talking about? The only options available in this book are the types of Tech-Priest you can play!

warboss wrote:Sounds interesting. Thanks for the quick yet detailed reply about vehicle combat. As for the switch to the above attack bonuses, I think it's a good thing for deathwatch (since you can easily get to 80% at rank one with min maxing) but am not sure its the best for the Only War game we played on free RPG day. With the lower IG stats and no space marine-ish perks in the demo, we practically never actually hit anything unfortunately. I'm hoping the full release gives you some easier was to reach above a 40% chance to hit with your lasgun outside of point blank range.

BrookM wrote:I am a bit disappointed though that we have hot-shot lasguns and not HELLguns. I mean come on man, it sounds way cooler!

The medal section made me squee though, some people have really been mining the previous Guard codex for inspiration!

Kanluwen wrote:

BrookM wrote:I am a bit disappointed though that we have hot-shot lasguns and not HELLguns. I mean come on man, it sounds way cooler!

Whoever approved the continuation of Cruddace's horrendous return to "hot-shot lasguns" should be slapped upside the head with a carp.

The medal section made me squee though, some people have really been mining the previous Guard codex for inspiration!

Or the Munitorum Manual/Uplifting Primers.

H.B.M.C. wrote:I'm reading through the regiment creation rules for really the first time (only skimmed them while we were writing the book). There are doctrines! Not only that, they're doctrines from my beloved 3.5 Guard Codex.

Close-Order Drill - so good to see you again!
Iron Discipline - how I missed you so!

I fething love these rules!!!

H.B.M.C. wrote:Iron Discipline - how I missed you so!

Melissia wrote:
Mostly the equipment part, the rest is pretty decent. It's just annoying that it's impossible to buy just one heavy weapon, for example-- you buy it instead as standard kit for the whole squad, giving my GM a headache until we decided to houserule changes to the equipment part. It's fun to play around with though, and I know FFG will include more options for regiment creation in supplements. And there's always houserules, as always.

Melissia wrote:It's just annoying that it's impossible to buy just one heavy weapon...

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Melissia wrote:It's just annoying that it's impossible to buy just one heavy weapon...

Uhh... Logistics Tests?

Melissia wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Melissia wrote:It's just annoying that it's impossible to buy just one heavy weapon...

Uhh... Logistics Tests?

... which is something done after the regiment creation process, not during.

It remains to be silly that the regiment can give the squad ten autocannons (hell, it can even be best quality autocannons if you want!), but not just one.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Nah Mel’s right. The rules don’t allow you to assign a single a Heavy Weapon per squad. Right now you cannot have a single Lascannon per squad, but everyone in the squad can have a Multi-Melta. That crazy.

It should be tied to the ‘Favoured Weapon’ part of regiment creation.

warboss wrote:As a side note, is there a table for xp/level anywhere? Also, is the first aptitude missing from the characteristic and aptitude table on page 66?

H.B.M.C. wrote:I guess it stems from the fact that I think the 'Favoured Weapons' thing should have mechanics, and use the 30 points to amend the basic kit mechanics to allow it.

It's better than letting every character have a a Multi-Melta for free.

Kroothawk wrote:Are Praetorians even mentioned?

warboss wrote:The rules do allow that by simply taking a guardsman trained in its use who gets it free.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Don't get pissy with me Mel.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

BrookM wrote:This publication does feel different when compared to the previous RPG books I've read. I can see that the writing styles certainly differ from chapter to chapter and right now, it am a wee bit of a mess IMHO.

That's actually true of most books. When I did the proofreading on The Achilus Assault there were parts where I could tell which author did what bit. Not by name - I could say "Jonny X did this bit, and Timmy Y did this bit", but I could pick out which bits had been written by a specific author, as they all had 'signs' or 'tells', either with some favourite form of expression, or even just the way they used punctuation. Only books written mostly by one person (like Fallen Suns, by fellow Dakkanaut TheDunner) were consistent the whole way through. I'm not immune to this either, mind you. I'm sure you can look at certain passages and find the way I write things compared to the way John or Nathan (N0-1-H34R at the FFG forums) writes their stuff.

BrookM wrote:Re: Vehicle combat. Looking into the best way to play it on a grid map. Movement and ranges might need some tweaking there for this in our games.

I couldn't tell you the best way (I don't think there is one). We do everything with either grid/maps and miniatures, or standard 40K terrain and tape measures (1" = 2 metres usually).

BrookM wrote:Haha, I could certainly tell which parts you have written.

BrookM wrote:As for vehicular combat, I'm trying to avoid the standard 40k terrain for that, along with 28mm models for that part. Regular infantry engagements / skirmishes will get the 28mm on a grid map treatment, but vehicle segments will either be abstract or done with Epic minis.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

BrookM wrote:Haha, I could certainly tell which parts you have written.

That's 'cause I told you!!!

No go and bask in the glory that are my rules for vehicles catching fire!

H.B.M.C. wrote:

BrookM wrote:As for vehicular combat, I'm trying to avoid the standard 40k terrain for that, along with 28mm models for that part. Regular infantry engagements / skirmishes will get the 28mm on a grid map treatment, but vehicle segments will either be abstract or done with Epic minis.

Sadly I don't have stocks in gold, so don't have enough money to buy Epic minis.

Melissia wrote:

warboss wrote:The rules do allow that by simply taking a guardsman trained in its use who gets it free.

a) IF one of the player characters wants to play a heavy gunner. But what if they don't? Suddenly, for no reason, the squad is without a heavy weapon? That's rather silly.

b) And even then they have to use one of the starting weapons for the class, not necessarily the choice weapon of the regiment. So if you list a lascannon or plasma gun as the favored weapon of the regiment, you're boned. Hell, I couldn't even find where the favored weapon rules ARE when I first created a regiment, they're stuffed way back in a different section with no mention in the regiment creation rules-- using the regiment creation rules as they are with no houseruling, no player-created regiment has favored weapons.

As I said, I'm gonna be doing a lot of houseruling in my game. It's a good game system but it definitely needs work.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

BrookM wrote:It's better than letting every character have a a Multi-Melta for free.

Agreed, the favoured weapon thing is a bit unclear and could do with a bit more clarification or something helpful like "If picking X it allows your heavy / specialist to take it instead of the standard choices"

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Out of curiosity for one of my passions, does the game have anything on non-combat vehicles ie trucks, jeeps, armored limos and civilian vehicles?

PrimarchX wrote:
No. I would dearly like to see GW address a family of wheeled utility and prime movers for the Guard someday.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Best Relic in the book:

A Jump Pack w/Built-in Backpack Ammo Supply!

Yes, a Jump-Packing Devastator!!!




And finally, after waiting for so very, very long - my Sword Brother returns to Deathwatch. How I've missed him!

PrimarchX wrote:I picked up Honor the Chapter at my FLGS today and just cracked it open.

The following chapters have in-depth coverage (8-9 pages)
Black Templars
Storm Wardens
Blood Ravens
Red Scorpions
Marines Errant
Flesh Tearers
Crimson Fists
Howling Griffons
Nova Marines
Raptors
Carcharodons

There's a chapter containing rules on drawing up a 'Codex' marine, which on first blush I think means a non-Deathwatch marine so you can extend games to playing in the Chapters themselves. There's then a section on Successor chapters from the Blood Angels, Dark Angels and 'Codex' in brief. Finally there's a section creating a Legion of the Damned marine as a player character (!).

There's then a lengthy chapter on cool named relics from many of the Chapters covered in the book followed by a brief chapter on the Space Marine chapters and how they shape the marines coming to the Deathwatch.

H.B.M.C. wrote:If your GM let you take a backpack ammo supply and a Jump Pack at the same time then they need to be slapped. I don't even let Tactica Marines take BP Ammo Supplies.

Droma wrote:

warboss wrote:As a side note, is there a table for xp/level anywhere? Also, is the first aptitude missing from the characteristic and aptitude table on page 66?

There is no xp/level table because a character can buy anything as long as they meet the pre-req and have enough xp. The biggest limiting factor is the logistics system keeping their gear in check for the most part.

As for the aptitude no it's not missing. The name of the characteristic is also the name of the aptitude. If you look at a lot of the specialties and regiments they provide aptitudes like ballistic skill, weapon skill, wisdom, etc. So if you want cheap ballistic skill increases then you need both the ballistic skill and the finesse aptitudes.

H.B.M.C. wrote:As far as the Sharks go, it’s fairly standard “mysteries and half-truths” that we’ve come to expect from these sorts of ‘vague’ Chapters. Doesn’t make it bad mind you – the Space Shark section is quite interesting, and their rules are a lot of fun. I think it does a good job of bringing them into the Jericho Reach/Deathwatch setting without ruining the mystery or leaving you wondering what on earth is going on.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Slap him anyway!

FFG wrote:Bringing the Vision into Focus
FFG's Art Department Presents a Closer Look at Honour the Chapter



Honour the Chapter, a comprehensive supplement for Deathwatch, will be on store shelves in just a few days. Today, we’re pleased to present a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of Honour the Chapter by FFG Associate Art Producer Mike Linnemann. Mike agreed to take us through the process of how FFG works with artists to create the perfect art piece for a book like Honour the Chapter. Thanks, Mike!



As Honour the Chapter is mere days away, it’s high time that we gave you a little insight into some art. This type of preview, called a “Sketch to Final,” focuses on a piece of new commissioned artwork and talks about how that piece of art travels from inspirational idea to finalized product. Today, we’ll look at a chapter plate from the upcoming Honour the Chapter supplement.


Initial Planning

Before every RPG book is created, an art director meets with a producer and discusses the art descriptions. Honour the Chapter was produced by Tim Flanders, a Space Wolves loving man who took an incredible amount of time thinking about each image that would be carefully placed within the pages of Honour the Chapter. After going through every image to be created, I went back to the chapter plates and read his art description:

A Space Marine Captain of the Blood Raven’s Chapter leading a squad of Blood Ravens in a charge out of a drop pod. The Captain is wielding a lightning claw and a plasma pistol, the other Blood Ravens are tactical marines with bolters.

I then asked him what motivated him on this particular artwork, to which he replied, “What is something that only Space Marines get to do? The answer is a drop pod assault. What has more impact than several tons of ceramite and plasteel fired from orbit, carrying a squad of Adeptus Astartes warriors into the thick of battle?”

I looked at the list of artists that I could call upon and found that the trusty and talented Matt Bradbury, a British fellow that enjoys working on Space Marines, was available.


The First Sketches

Here is what Matt turned in for his first sketch:



I knew ahead of time that Matt loves to send in semi-final works as sketches. We loved the imposing grandeur of the stance and the slight twinge of arrogance in the Blood Raven’s swagger. What we did not see, and desperately needed, was the scene of Space Marines arriving. They never travel alone, and the team aspect of the Space Marines was not quite exhibited.

I asked for two more fast sketches. Here is the first sketch I received back:



The first image of a Space Marine charging out of a drop pod is mighty cool. It brings movement and action directly into the piece. It even forces your eye to want to turn the page. If you’re a Scott McCloud fan, you’ll notice the concept from Reinventing Comics (his book) of pushing the viewer toward the right, building a “tease” for the next page, whether it involves the story or not. I like the image; it’s interesting, but it opens itself for interpretation. I’m always up for a good homage, but this takes the “marine” coming directly into battle perhaps a bit too close to literal:



Those are United States marines storming Normandy, June 6, 1944. I love the conceptual idea of tying brave marines fighting for freedom and Space Marines in the far future beating back Xenos threats, but there is a better way to depict the scene.


The Second Sketch

The second new sketch really showed us a strongly branded image that we wanted. Were any Xenos armies to see that image, they should be rethinking what they’re doing...if they’re able to think, of course. Both new sketches gave us a great insight into what drop pods look like and the impending battle that is immediate, but this one gave the awe inspiring power and the inevitability of fired up Space Marines landing.



This is a Space Marine invasion; bolter char is going to be the only thing remaining on this world.


Here is Matt’s final:



Notice how solid the foreground Space Marine is standing. Notice that there are five Space Marines shown. (They move in groups of five or two groups of five to make ten.) As Space Marines are organized not unlike the military, showing them as they would look in battle was key for us in this image. You’ll also notice that this type of superhero image used quite often in comic books, movie posters, and high school basketball line ups. Why, you ask? Power. It exudes it, and Space Marines relish in it. It brings the truism of “Might is Right” into a depiction that brings forth the physicality and the order that the Codex Astartes demands. We wanted impending doom and wide-eyed emotion. We got it. We wanted to keep viewers looking at this page, no teaser or preview to flip to the next. We got it. We needed to balance the sheer emotive quality with areas of detail to move the eye. We got it.

Did we get what we wanted? Yes, and then some. You really need to see this up close.

Thanks, Mike! Look for this great art, and much more, when Honour the Chapter invades store shelves in just a few days!

H.B.M.C. wrote:
PrimarchX: Quick question. In the Codex Chapter advance table, is Dodge/Dodge +10/Dodge +20 there, and if so, how much do they cost?

PrimarchX wrote:By the way. Is FFG's Upcoming section completely FUBAR, at least for 40k RPG?

Example: The Koronus Bestiary has been ON THE BOAT since Feb 12 and Honour the Chapter has been AT THE PRINTER since June 12! As we know, Honour the Chapter is now out and there's still no sign of The Koronus Bestiary.

FFG wrote:Honour the Chapter is Now On Sale
Add this Deathwatch Supplement to Your Library



“They shall be pure of heart and strong of body, untainted by doubt and unsullied by vainglory. They will be bright stars in the firmament of battle. Angels of Death whose shining wings bring swift annihilation to the enemies of Man. So shall it be for a thousand times a thousand years, unto the very end of eternity and the extinction of mortal flesh.”
–Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines

The brethren of the Deathwatch are the champions of humanity, the elite of the elite, and the very best the thousand and more Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes can produce. But while many Battle-Brothers are drawn from the most well known Chapters—the Blood Angels, the Space Wolves, the Ultramarines, and others of the First Founding—still more hail from lesser known bodies, the Successors of the great Legions. Some of these Chapters are every bit as famous as their celebrated progenitors, while others are all but unheralded. Nevertheless, all are heroes.

Honour the Chapter, a supplement for Deathwatch, is now on sale at your local retailer and on our webstore! Honour the Chapter provides a wealth of options for players interested in characters drawn from Chapters created during the Second or subsequent Foundings. This comprehensive tome contains new character creation rules, a wealth of relics unique to each Chapter, and plenty of guidance and adventure seeds for Game Masters.


Epic Heroes



For more on Honour the Chapter, here’s a word from its lead developer, Tim Flanders:

Since the Core Rulebook, we've had a good chance to cover our core of Space Marine Chapters, and with First Founding we were able to bring the remaining progenitor Chapters to the fore. But now, for the first time since the inception of Deathwatch, we will be giving a huge number of the other myriad Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes the attention they deserve. I think players are going to really enjoy the chance to play Battle-Brothers from Chapters throughout the Imperium, each with as much depth as the Chapters we've covered in our past products.

Of course, with all this variety comes a price. Trying to form a Kill-team out of Battle-Brothers from such disparate backgrounds, all with their own histories, combat doctrines, and philosophies is tough work. Thankfully, we've covered that, too! GMs will find Honour the Chapter indispensable for making the most of their campaigns, by highlighting the strengths of their players, their characters, and the relationships between the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. In this way, they’ll really make their players feel like the epic heroes of the Imperium that they are!

For ten millennia, Space Marines from a thousand chapters have fought and died in the name of the Emperor of Man. Pick up your copy of Honour the Chapter from your local retailer today, and take your place among the legends of the Adeptus Astartes!

H.B.M.C. wrote:Und das ist alles!

FFG wrote:Endless Possibilities, Endless Profits
A Preview of The Koronus Bestiary, an Upcoming Rogue Trader Supplement



“Do not waste your fear on the unknown, for in Koronus we have known terrors aplenty to fill your nightmares."
–Seneschal Venton Tiebolt

In December, Fantasy Flight Game announced the upcoming release of The Koronus Bestiary, a supplement for Rogue Trader. This comprehensive tome features art and descriptions for a range of foes, including Shadowkith, Thornmaws, Void Krakens, and others...plus a Xenos Generator that allows players to create alien species as varied and dangerous as they can imagine!

Some months have passed since we last previewed the pages of this terrifying tome; unexpected issues with the printing process unfortunately delayed its release. Now, however, The Koronus Bestiary is back on track, and its deadly predators will begin stalking local retailers in the middle of July.

In our past previews, we’ve surveyed the most vicious beasts of the Expanse, the cunning plots of sentient xenos, and the vile warp spawn that prey on the souls of humanity. Today, we’re pleased to present a Designer Diary by writer Jordan Goldfarb, who worked on the versatile Xenos Generator.


The Alien Wears Many Forms



Hello, Rogue Traders (and Arch-Militants, Astropaths, Navigators, and the rest). This is Jordan Goldfarb, a writer for The Koronus Bestiary. The Warhammer 40,000 universe is a huge place, with all sorts of alien denizens lurking throughout, and it was rather difficult fitting all the material you might want to have for tackling it. If any single tome could do the job, it would have to be this one. In addition to covering the more archetypal alien races, The Koronus Bestiary has an expansive set of guidelines, suggestions, and random generators for making your own aliens to populate the Koronus Expanse.

The generators in The Koronus Bestiary use a detailed system of Species Traits to customize the alien life for your Rogue Trader game. Alien life can be found across all sorts of different worlds, evolving to create and adapt to unique ecosystems and environments, and the resultant creatures are naturally (or unnaturally) going to be radically different from humanity and from each other.

The goal I took to heart in writing this material was to make sure aliens stayed alien, both to humanity and to each other. Some fauna might not be too different from that of modern Earth except for acidic blood or a few extra legs, but these only serve to accentuate the sense of the Other you encounter when a two-ton mound of living rock starts spraying bio-electricity. And of course, as any loyal Imperial citizen knows, the only thing worse than a horrifying alien monster covered in tentacles and spikes is one that appears perfectly harmless…


The Grass Beneath Your Feet

Even the simple plant life of the Expanse can be a threat to unwary Explorers—or a chance to claim big profits. In The Koronus Bestiary, you’ll find all sorts of rules for plant-based aliens, from toxic, spore-choked forests to active foliage that make animal predators look positively lethargic. There are even Species Traits specifically for the more deadly forms of xenoflora.

The Flora Generator was one of my favorite parts to handle in the writing process. There’s just something so very Warhammer about a planet where the firewood can chop back, and the meadows thirst for the blood of grazing cattle. I anticipate a great deal of Profit Factor being sunk into Flamers and other brush-clearing devices once this book makes the rounds!


The Strange Faces of Opportunity

The Xenos Generator is not limited to feral beasts and deadly blooms. Sentient xenos races can also be created using the tools within. These are beings no less strange than their bestial counterparts, but far more open to bargaining with an enterprising band of Explorers. A careful and canny Rogue Trader can make great profits in such deals, assuming they can maintain control of the situation.

There’s a truly staggering variety of possibilities available through the Xenos Generator, and I trust fans of Rogue Trader will find every single one of them exciting. Get ready for the galaxy to get a lot more interesting when your GM starts making use of these tools in just a few short weeks!

Manchu wrote:You know, these books are every expensive but I feel I get my money's worth most of the time.

Alpharius wrote:Wha...?!?

Are the Squats 'officially' back in via the 6th Edition rulebook?

I haven't read more than a few pages of it yet, but I hadn't heard anything about this yet!

FFG wrote:Only War Beta: Week One
Updates From the Developers on the Only War Beta Test





Hello Only War Beta testers!

It has been over a week since the launch of the Only War Beta, and your response has been awesome! The Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay Team appreciates all your forum discussions and emails, and we have already started using your feedback to help us make Only War the best product it can be.

Every Tuesday, we will post a weekly update to keep you informed about the progress of the Beta. This post will include any big news involving the Beta, guidance on where we would like you to focus your attention in the coming week, and a PDF update to the Beta document to keep you informed of the most recent tweaks and changes to Only War’s core rules. This week’s update (pdf, 799 KB) can be found on the beta support page. Additionally, there is a dedicated thread in the Game Mechanics forum in which you can discuss any feedback directly related to this week’s update.


A Weekly Process

As mentioned before, each week we will post a certain aspect of the Only War rules that we would like you to focus on testing during this specific week. This will allow us to take a deeper look at individual features, and help facilitate more in-depth discussions. Keep in mind, however, that these topics are merely suggestions, and you are welcome to continue testing whatever aspect of the rules you wish at your own pace. Any and all feedback is welcome at any time.



Now that many of you have had time in this first week to look through the Beta and get acclimated, we would like to dedicate this next week to testing Regiment and Character Creation (found primarily in Chapters II and III). Make every squad combination you can using the different Regiment and Speciality options, and then consider the following questions: How did Regiment Creation go? Did you choose a pre-made Regiment, or did you make your own? In Regiment Creation, are there certain options you would choose every time? Are there certain options you would never choose? Which Specialities did your group choose? Are there certain Specialities your players gravitate toward or avoid? Once your starting group has been assembled, do any specific Specialities feel too powerful to begin with? Too weak?

We look forward to your thoughts and opinions as this Beta test kicks into gear. Thank you all for your invaluable feedback.

H.B.M.C. wrote:
The changes are interesting.

FFG wrote:Bring Clarity to the Koronus Expanse
An Updated FAQ for Rogue Trader is Now Available



“To bring the Emperor’s Light into the darkness; to bring the unknown to a greater understanding of Him on Earth; this is my calling and in my wake both seeds and ashes are sown.”
–Luminorem Majoris Skent Taltos

The Koronus Expanse is a perilous place for all those who dare to venture. Today, however, the journey becomes a little less dangerous! The FAQ for Rogue Trader has been updated to version 1.3 (pdf, 1.4 MB), and is now available on our support page.


A Word From the Developer

For more on the updates found in version 1.3, here’s a word from Rogue Trader developer Max Brooke:

The newest incarnation of the Rogue Trader FAQ, compiled based on fan feedback and rules queries, brings the Emperor’s Clarity to a number of issues from the nebulous corners of the Koronus Expanse.



Highlights of this update include improved clarity on certain aspects of Massed Combat in Battlefleet Koronus, enhanced scaling for the Astropath’s Psychic Techniques from the Rogue Trader Core Rulebook, and, of course, the hidden secrets of the Null Bay (supposedly optioned by enterprising Rogue Traders at great cost from the Holy Ordos of the Inquisition itself!) from Hostile Acquisitions.

The enhanced FAQ also adds answers to a number of common queries that have arisen since the last version of the FAQ. This update includes clarifications for Battlefleet Koronus and Hostile Acquisitions in addition to new insights into previously addressed Rogue Trader products from the Core Rulebook forward.

FFG wrote:Only War Beta: Week Two
Updates From the Developers on the Only War Beta Test



Hello Only War Beta testers!

We are now entering the third week of the Only War Beta, and it’s great to see all of the enthusiasm out there for this game. This last week’s topic—Regiment and Character Creation—has generated a lot of great feedback, and the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team will be working in the coming weeks on getting your feedback thoroughly implemented into the product.

This week, we wanted to remind everyone participating in the Beta that, in addition to discussing issues on the forum, you can also submit your feedback directly to the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team by sending e-mails to onlywarbeta@fantasyflightgames.com. And just as a reminder, when you submit your feedback via e-mail, it is most helpful to us if you consolidate multiple questions and comments into a single message, rather than sending a separate e-mail for each question or comment.


Take the Field



Last week you focused on creating new regiments and squads of characters. Now, it’s time to get those squads onto the battlefield, and start bringing The Emperor’s Justice to the enemies of Mankind! This week, we are interested in seeing how new characters perform against the challenges presented in this book. We would like you to dedicate this week to testing how well a squad of starting characters can handle the introductory adventure (Chapter XI: Against the Savages), and how they stand up against the adversaries of Only War (Chapter X: Adversaries & NPCs). As your squad takes on the horrors of the galaxy, consider the following questions: How well did your squad do in the introductory adventure (Against the Savages)? Were there encounters your squad found too hard or too easy? Did your squad get stuck or lost at any point in the adventure? Of the adversaries in Chapter X, did your group find any too easy or too hard to defeat? Did certain members of your squad do better or worse against certain adversaries?

In addition to this week’s focus, remember that feedback on any and all sections of the Beta is still welcome, and feedback on any changes introduced in this week’s update is especially helpful.

Week Two Update (high-res pdf, 13.6 MB)
Week Two Update (low-res pdf, 810 KB)

Make sure to remember to download this week’s update (pdf, 810 KB) on the Beta support page for all the most recent updates to the Only War Beta rules.

FFG wrote:In the Depths of the Jericho Reach
Announcing The Outer Reach, an Upcoming Supplement for Deathwatch



“So many times I’ve heard the warning ‘here be dragons’ said about one region of the galaxy or another. When it comes to the Outer Reach however, it’s true, all of it. There really are things sleeping out there in the void ‘twixt the stars. Leave ‘em slumbering friend, leave ‘em slumbering…”
–Melkiario Grik

For as long as mankind has sailed the void of the Jericho Reach, it has been a place of danger and mystery. Evil slumbers in the forgotten places between the stars, and only the Deathwatch can stand before it.

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of The Outer Reach, a supplement for Deathwatch! Revealing the secret dangers that lurk in the darkness between the stars, The Outer Reach gives players and GMs never-before-seen access to the enigmatic Dead Cabal, a mysterious circle of warrior-scholars who have devoted their lives to fathoming the unfathomable.

What’s more, this arcane tome presents the lost history of the arrogant and merciless Necrons of the Suhbekhar dynasty, and it offers the latest intelligence regarding their horrifically imminent return. All this, along with details on various Suhbekhar warriors, in-depth looks at the worlds beyond the reach of the Achilus Crusade, and scores of useful plot hooks, makes The Outer Reach an invaluable addition to any Deathwatch library.


Evil Lurks in the Darkness



As war rages throughout the Jericho Reach, the enemies of man grow ever more numerous and daring. But there are evils that lurk within the shadows, malign forces beyond counting and more dangerous than the even the Deathwatch can fathom. Some weave tangled webs of lies and deceit, seeking to make humanity their puppets in the Reach. Others hope to eradicate the teeming masses of mankind, to drive the Imperium from the galaxy, and to return to the dominance they once enjoyed. But whether these dangers be subtle or overt, the only evidence of their existence are the countless unexplained mysteries throughout the Jericho Reach.

Though it falls to the Deathwatch to combat the countless dangers in the darkness, few possess the esoteric knowledge to tread the dead worlds seeded throughout the Reach, instead focusing their attention on aiding the crusade as best they can. Thus, confrontation with these mysterious villains and enigmatic manipulators is left to those dedicated few who seek to drive them from the shadows and into the scouring light of the Emperor. These are the warrior-scholars of the Dead Cabal, and you are invited to join them.


A Word From the Developer

For more on The Outer Reach, here’s a word from Deathwatch developer Tim Flanders:

Throughout the history of the Deathwatch line, we have gone to great lengths to make the Jericho Reach feel like a living, breathing setting in which players and Game Masters can play out their epic stories. With The Achilus Assault we brought readers into the history of the Achilus Crusade and set the stage for the setting's current timeline. Then, as our spiritual successor to that book, The Jericho Reach acted as a gazetteer for players and GMs to really sink their teeth into the events and conflicts that currently plague the setting.

With The Outer Reach, we've taken things in a new direction. We've pulled away from the Achilus Crusade to explore the darker stretches of the Jericho Reach. The Outer Reach is all about mystery, dread, and the evils lurking in the shadows between the stars. This book will give Game Masters the tools necessary to create vivid story lines that showcase exploration, prophecy, and even a new foe who's arrival may spell doom for the Jericho Reach. Players, too, will find their curiosity piqued with hints of ancient mysteries and confrontations with foes from aeons long-forgotten.

Thanks Tim! In the fourth quarter of 2012, join the Dead Cabal, learn what secrets they keep, and uncover their shrouded history within the Deathwatch!

FFG wrote:Foul Xenos Have Invaded Your Local Retailer
The Koronus Bestiary, a Rogue Trader Supplement, is Now On Sale



“You think those Orks were bad? Wait till you land on Burnscour, or some of the other worlds out here. You’ll be wishing it was just greenskins coming after you."
–Arch-Militant Pel Lakken

From the enigmatic Eldar to the ferocious Orks, alien races seek to halt Mankind’s rightful rule of the galaxy. Will you master these foul creatures and rule the void, or become another foolhardy Explorer lost to the Expanse?

The Koronus Bestiary, a supplement for Rogue Trader, is now on sale at your local retailer and through our webstore! This detailed compendium provides invaluable information on deadly beasts, hostile xenos, unholy daemons, and other dangers that fill the uncharted regions of the Koronus Expanse.

In addition to its many adventure seeds and plot hooks, The Koronus Bestiary also features art and descriptions for a range of foes, including Shadowkith, Thornmaws, Void Krakens, and a host of others. Looking for even more vile enemies? The Xenos Generator rules allow players to create alien species as varied and dangerous as they can imagine!


Foes at Every Turn



Humanity may have settled untold worlds in the Koronus Expanse, but only the most audacious of Rogue Traders would dare claim that it asserts any true dominion over this lawless region of space. For every conquered planet there are dozens more under the control of vile aliens. Explorers operating in the Expanse are sure to encounter these threats in their journeys, either by accident or design, and must be ready lest their ship and their profits be lost.

Each of The Koronus Bestiary’s chapters concentrates on one type of threat, ranging from savage monsters to predatory alien races to the terrors that lurk beyond reality. Chapter one examines some of the more dangerous beasts found across the Expanse, while chapter two covers the major sentient xenos races in this lawless region of space (such as the devious Stryxis, brutal Orks, treacherous Eldar, ferocious Rak’Gol, and much more). Next, chapter three presents a different sort of threat: foul warp spawn that not only destroy an Explorer’s body, but rend his very soul. Finally, Game Masters can use chapter four’s xenos generator to produce unique beasts, dangerous plant life and even primitive sentient races ripe for exploitation and indoctrination.

Innumerable terrors populate the uncharted planets of the Koronus Expanse. Will you be ready for them? Learn more by reading our series of previews, then hunt down your copy of The Koronus Bestiary at your local retailer!

BrookM wrote:Glad I'm not the only one. GW is always very reluctant to promote stuff about them, but not done by them. Certainly a first time for me that they're promoting an RPG expansion / source book on their web page and not just a tiny, tiny paragraph in the WD.