FFG wrote:Shadowy Instruments of Death
A Preview of The Lathe Worlds, the Upcoming Dark Heresy Supplement



“We still have no explanation for the death of the passenger. The only witness claims the void-lock unexpectedly opened just as that poor soul walked nearby, while the outer lock was also open. For both to be open is impossible when the auspex registers open void against the hull, yet it happened. I doubt we will ever know why he was so desperate to leave that system, though I am relieved he did pay in advance.”
–Captain Artesia Carnelline, Killian’s Prize

In May, we announced 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 Career Ranks and arm themselves with weapons and gifts of the Omnissiah. And in a thrilling new adventure, the Inquisitors will journey to a lost comet-station, where they’ll stop renegade tech-priests from heretical experiments into the Warp!

With the release of The Lathe Worlds just a few weeks away, we’re pleased to provide our first preview. Today, we’ll look at its engaging Alternate Careers Ranks, and we’ll present a glimpse inside the pages of The Lathe World, at the Adeptus Mechanicus’s shadowy instrument of the death: the Acuitor Mech-Assassin.


The Darker Side of the Mechanicus



To most within the Calixis Sector, the domains of the Adeptus Mechanicus appear as a single, impenetrable edifice. To the outside observer, they seem to be a unified organization whose presence and influence is felt almost everywhere. Those privy to the secrets of the Mechanicus, however, know all too well of the overlapping layers of military might, of the conciliators who promise things beyond imagination, and of the factions that cast out any who fail to conform.

Some even know of the darker side of the Mechanicus—the watchers and assassins who bring swift and unyielding punishment to the enemies of the Mechanicus. Some choose to reject the institutions of the Machine Cult, forming rival cults to oppose them. Others are born directly into the system, their lives an endless torrent of work and toil from birth to death. It is a horrific system, one not understood by many, but one that is vital to all.

Serving one such important function, the Mech-Assassins possess innumerable technological methods by which to dispose of their enemies. Hailing from secret fortresses scattered throughout the Calixis Sector, Mech-Assassins possess a unique outlook on the galaxy: nearly everything can be used as a deadly weapon. Download our preview (pdf, 2.9 MB) to learn more about these heartless killers.

Look for another preview of The Lathe Worlds next week, and get ready for your quest for knowledge in the name of the Omnissiah!

H.B.M.C. wrote:


And next week should be, with any luck, my designer diary!

BaronIveagh wrote:Reading this, I now have the urge to make a cigar smoking tech priest who wears a black suit and top hat.

You guys do know that Samedi ain't nobody to mess with, right?

warboss wrote:

BaronIveagh wrote:Reading this, I now have the urge to make a cigar smoking tech priest who wears a black suit and top hat.

You guys do know that Samedi ain't nobody to mess with, right?

Give him a monocle and a cane and you've got Mr. RoboPeanut!

FFG wrote:Daemons of Tzeentch
A Preview of The Tome of Fate, the Upcoming Black Crusade Supplement



“You think me mad, and I do not dispute it. But there is something within that burning orb, and its unleashing will sound the death knell of a thousand thousand worlds.”
–High Adept Lobile of Velklir, upon his return from the Flaming Tomb

In March, 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.

We've been quiet about The Tome of Fate for a while, but we're pleased to report that it will be on store shelves in just over two weeks. We're therefore pleased to resume our series of previews. In our first 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. After that, we trembled before the raw power of one of his most potent servants, the Thousand Sons Sorcerer. Today, we’ll glimpse a planet in the Screaming Vortex that serves as a conduit for Tzeentch’s chaotic efforts. We’ll also preview three of his sanity-shattering minions.


A Burned and Blackened Orb



The Flaming Tomb at first appears to be just another volcanically volatile world, its surface a random pattern of light and darkness as fissures and cracks in its ever-shifting crust reveal the surging magma beneath. But from certain perspectives it is almost as if a pattern emerges from the seemingly random movement, if only one were to look from the right vantage, in the right frame of mind, and at the right moment.

Among those whose minds tend towards idle speculation, or those who yearn for a quick and easy road to power within the Screaming Vortex, there are many theories regarding the phantom patterns of the Flaming Tomb; patterns that most people who have visited the planet deny even exist. Some unsettled scholars whisper that a powerful entity was trapped within the planet, entombed there by an enormous authority for some heinous crime or failure. Some posit that it is one of the regal Lords of Change trapped within by the displeased Sovereign of Deception. Others suspect that it may be a great daemon prince, some former champion of the Great Schemer whose failure has earned it eternal consignment to the fiery prison. The softest whispers tell of a great psychic champion of the Corpse-God, a servant of the faltering Imperium, condemned to this hellish tomb by a single moment of mortal weakness.


Chaos’ Playground

One thing is certain. Due to the Flaming Tomb’s close proximity to the Lower Vortex, daemons of every size and description find it easier to exist upon the enigmatic ball of char than on any planet of the Gloaming Worlds or within the Inner Ring. Often, daemons of Tzeentch cavort upon the blasted and poisoned surface, frolicking through convulsive detonations, dancing to the beat of music only they can hear. Those mortals wishing to seek out the daemons of the Monarch of Permutation but lacking confidence in their own powers, often turn to the Flaming Tomb, knowing that there the veil between the material realm and the mindscape is frighteningly thin.



Today, we’re pleased to present an excerpt from The Tome of Fate (pdf, 4.1 MB), in which you can learn more about two of Tzeentch’s favorite pets, Flamers and Discs, as well as the ethereal daemon prince Phokulozortis! Download it today, and prepare for The Tome of Fate’s arrival in stores in just a few short weeks.

Melissia wrote:I'll be amused if they bother to do a Slaanesh book.

H.B.M.C. wrote:But... didn't FFG do Tome of Corruption?

FFG wrote:Pray They Do Not Take You Alive
A Preview of The Soul Reaver, the Upcoming Rogue Trader Supplement



“We are the lords of despair, masters of terror. Dread and agony are our meat and wine, and they are plentiful indeed!”
– Attributed to Asdrubael Vect

The Dark Eldar are a plague upon the Koronus Expanse; raiders, slavers, pirates, and even Rogue Traders suffer at their barbed lashes and blades. Any who cross the Maw and sail the void of the Koronus Expanse learn to fear the wicked silhouettes of their ships and their seemingly endless cruelty towards all life, including their own. Only vigilance and firepower keep the worst depredations of these terrible raiders at bay, though from the dens of Footfall to the commerce halls of Port Wander there are countless tales of crew lost and ships savaged in their sudden attacks...

Earlier this year, we announced the upcoming release of The Soul Reaver, an adventure in three parts for Rogue Trader. This epic campaign is a chance for daring Explorers to look deep into the twisted heart of Dark Eldar society in the Koronus Expanse, and pull the greatest heist of their careers. Now, with the release of The Soul Reaver just a few weeks away, we’re pleased to feature a word from one of its contributing writers, Nathan Dowdell:


Ruthless and Cunning



The Dark Eldar are a vile and depraved breed of sadists and murderers, vicious predators of the void who find insane strength and nightmarish vitality in the torments they inflict. Yet in spite of this – or perhaps because of it – the Dark Eldar are the latest species to become available as playable characters in Rogue Trader.

While the Dark Eldar are every bit as terrible as their dread reputations may suggest, they are also a selfish, ambitious, and mercenary people. Their culture is dominated by murderous politics, where advancement and loyalty both come at knife-point, and where any with sufficient desire and ruthlessness can achieve great heights. In this regard, they are little different from many of those who travel the untamed void as Explorers, and a willing Rogue Trader may find an unlikely ally in a Dark Eldar Kabalite Warrior.

The Soul Reaver provides circumstances by which a Dark Eldar character may join a group of Explorers, as well as the full rules for using a Kabalite Warrior character. In such a new ally, you may find a consummate warrior and assassin, whose powers only increase as the death toll rises. Every Dark Eldar feeds upon the pain and terror of others, and this is fully realised in game terms, with an assortment of traits and talents that represent the supernatural prowess that comes with a bounty of suffering. However, those Dark Eldar who cannot sate their unnatural thirst will find their powers waning and diminishing.

Furthermore, the book contains an extensive arsenal of Dark Eldar wargear, providing each Kabalite Warrior with the perfect tools with which to spread agony and despair. However, these tools are not only for Player Characters to enjoy.

The Soul Reaver contains a bestiary of Dark Eldar adversaries, covering everything from cruel Kabalite Warriors and vicious Wyches to shrieking Reaver Jetbikers and the horrific creations of the Haemonculi. All of these employ the same kinds of equipment, talents and traits that player characters can enjoy, making them a match for any who might cross their path. To round things out, rules for Dark Eldar starships and an assortment of vehicles that use the vehicle rules from Into the Storm can be found within this book as well, turning it into a comprehensive look at using the Dark Eldar as allies, enemies or both in your games of Rogue Trader.

Thanks, Nathan. Look for more on The Soul Reaver over the next few weeks, and head to your local retailer to place your pre-order!

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



Hello Only War Beta Testers!

This week, in addition to the usual pdf update and weekly focus, we would like to share with you a couple things currently being worked on internally which we think you will be very excited about. First of all, we are working with the numbers on anti-vehicle weapon Damages and vehicle Armour values to help make combat involving vehicles more fast-moving, smooth, and fun. Second, we are investigating the Damage amounts and special abilities on certain universal starting weapons to improve the effectiveness of the average guardsman.

We are really excited for you to see these changes in the coming weeks, and for you to get your hands on these new tweaks and start talking about them. However, for now these alterations are still in progress, and we already have an excellent amount of feedback on these subjects from all of your e-mails and forum discussions. So, until we get these new numbers out to you, we would be interested in hearing your feedback on some other issues, such as this week’s focus:

Brotherhood in Battle



Your Comrade is your lifeline in battle, watching your back and fighting alongside you through thick and thin. During this week of the Only War Beta, we would like to take a closer look at your brothers-in-arms. Drawing on the experience you have gained with the Comrade system during the past weeks of this Beta, as well as your playtest sessions this week, please consider the following questions: In what areas of your roleplaying experience do you find Comrades add the most? Are there any areas in which you feel they fall short? Are there any Comrade advances that your squad feels are too powerful/useful, or too weak/ineffective? Do the experience costs of the Comrade advances feel accurate to their power level?
As always, remember that in addition to this week’s focus, feedback on any and all sections of the Beta is welcome, and feedback on any changes introduced in this week’s update is especially helpful.

Week Five Update (high-res pdf, 27.8 MB)
Week Five Update (low-res pdf, 2.2 MB)

Make sure to remember to download this week’s update, and check the Beta support page for all the most recent updated to the Only War Beta rules.

BrookM wrote:Not enough dosh, too many interesting releases. Any idea on when Only War may hit us?

Speaking of which, week five of the beta: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=3457

PrimarchX wrote:New items on Tome of Fate and The Soul Reaver on FFG's site.

FFG wrote:From the Ashes of War
A Preview of The Lathe Worlds, an Upcoming Dark Heresy Supplement



“They came upon our position like a river of red; an unbroken line of armour and guns stretching across our battle lines. Without a word they opened fire, and I witnessed destruction the likes of which I had never seen. Minutes passed, and still they kept firing. With so few of us left, I knew it was the end, and at that moment, as I took one last look at the grim facades of these soldiers, I knew the Machine God was real. I threw my weapon away and awaited his judgement."
– Last recorded testament of Vasallis Noch, the Butcher of Sahcrin

The Lathe Worlds, a supplement for Dark Heresy, is coming next week! 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!

As we prepare for its release, we’re pleased to present a word from contributing writer Matthew Eustace (H.B.M.C. on our forums):


I’ve long been fascinated with the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Imperium’s own “empire within an empire.” They always seemed like an enormous organisation that constantly sat in your peripheral vision – never front and centre, yet you always knew they were there – and when the chance to expand upon the Mechanicum’ history within the Calixis Sector came up I jumped at the chance.

Philosophical Differences

One area of The Lathes Worlds that I enjoyed writing was any place where I could take parts of Calixian history, such as the Meritech Wars or the War of Brass, and inject that history into both the new alternate careers as well as various types of weapons and equipment. Two great examples of this are the Crimson Guard and Cult of the Pure Form. These two organisations rose from the ashes of terrible wars, yet exist as polar opposites to one another – one an army of enhanced soldiers loyal to the Mechanicum, the other a group that sees the Mechanicum as a dire threat to humanity!



The Crimson Guard, also known as the Venatorii, are the elite forces of the Lathe Worlds. Unique to the Calixis Sector, their history stems from the decimation the War of Brass wrought upon the regular Skitarii forces of the Lathes. Built up whilst the regular Lathe armies recovered, the Crimson Guard have almost become a kind of Mechanicum special forces, and unlike most branches of the Adeptus Mechanicus are known to work with the Inquisition as advisors and bodyguards. The Cult of the Pure Form finds their origins in the aftermath of another horrific conflict, the Malygrisian Tech-Heresy. They view cybernetics as a blight upon humanity and something that sullies sacred flesh. Their whole existence focuses on undermining the Machine Cult and “liberating” poor souls who have found themselves “defiled” by cybernetics.

Another Mechanicum trait I like is the way forge worlds manufacture equipment that is similar in function yet has its own local spin (a Mars-Pattern Lasgun versus an Accatran-Pattern Lasgun, for example). Using the history of the Calixian forge worlds I took this idea and ran with it for many of the weapons and equipment within the Armoury. The Perinetus-Pattern Servo Harness, the Midath-Pattern Power Glove and the Het-Pattern Rapier tap into the histories of these worlds to better bring them to life, making them more than simple tools or weapons, but things that have a logical place within the larger Calixis Sector.

I’m sure Dark Heresy players will find a wealth of mechanical miracles within The Lathe Worlds’ pages. The Mechanicum has always played a large role in our campaigns, and once this book is out I’m certain that there will be Tech-Priests everywhere!

FFG wrote:Digital Daemons
The Koronus Bestiary, A Rogue Trader Supplement, Is On Sale Via Download





“They descend from the heavens like a maelstrom of destruction. Everything they seek and everything that they find lies in ruins, for they are of a lost age. Though if they do find the treasure they seek, a new Age of Strife may come upon us all."
–The Witches of Footfall, prior to the first sighting of the Rak’Gol

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 available for sale via download through drivethrurpg.com and rpgnow.com! 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!


Threats to the Expanse



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 download your copy of The Koronus Bestiary at drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com!

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



Hello Only War Beta Testers!

Thank you for your patience as we have been working internally to address some of the larger pieces of feedback from these past few weeks. This week’s update is our biggest one yet, and it includes a bunch of new tweaks we think you are going to be very excited to see. Make sure to keep your weekly update pdf files handy as you test this week’s focus, as many of the changes have a direct impact on the balance, and we are very interested in hearing any and all feedback relating to the recent changes.

We are now entering the final stretch of the Only War Beta, and only have two more weeks left to get your feedback integrated into the product. Next week’s update will be our last one, and we will be accepting any and all feedback through August 21st. So make sure to get your reports submitted to the beta email (onlywarbeta@fantasyflightgames.com), or posted on the forums before time runs out!

War Machines of the Imperium



This week’s focus is for all the tank fans out there; we are going to be looking in depth at the Only War vehicles rules. Using all of the latest changes to vehicle weapons and armour, give your squad at least one vehicle (if they don’t already have one) and then consider the following questions as you play: How do you feel vehicles scale up against each-other? Are there certain weapons or vehicles that you find are too strong or too weak? How do you feel vehicles scale against infantry? Are there certain vehicles or weapons that are too powerful or too weak against infantry? Are there certain infantry weapons that are too powerful or too weak against vehicles? Do any of the vehicles or vehicle rules cause any conflicts with other rules your characters use or have access to?

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

Week Six Update (high-res pdf, 34.9 MB)
Week Six Update (low-res pdf, 2.7 MB)

Make sure to remember to download this week’s update, and check the Beta support page for all the most recent updates to the Only War Beta rules.

FFG wrote:Mysteries of the Adeptus Mechanicus
The Lathe Worlds, a Dark Heresy Supplement, Is Now Available



“Knowledge is power, and power is dangerous.”
–Unknown

The Lathe Worlds, the latest supplement for Dark Heresy, is now on sale at your local retailer and on our webstore! 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!


Fathom the Unfathomable

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.


The Word of the Omnissiah



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!

Begin your quest for knowledge in the name of the Omnissiah. Pick up your copy of The Lathe Worlds today!

Alpharius wrote:I mean, I'd love for GW to FINALLY do this for 40K 'proper', but this will more than do for now!

FFG wrote:Master the Mission
Announcing The Game Master's Kit for Only War



“We cannot suffer any more losses, or we will lose this front. This cannot stand, Colonel Garn. Allow me to take a contingent of our best men, and we will end this threat once and for all."
–Last Recorded Words of Lieutenant Uron Halle, 23rd Maccabian Janissaries

Guide your squad to success over their mission with The Game Master’s Kit for Only War! This helpful resource features a sturdy Game Master’s screen, which displays eye-catching Only War art on one side and a wealth of convenient references on the other. In addition, The Game Master’s Kit includes a 32-page full color booklet with a complete adventure, a selection of useful NPCs, and helpful advice for GMs about managing comrades and more.


Old Soldiers

Challenge your players with the included adventure, “Old Soldiers,” which takes a group of squadmates to the feral and war-torn world of Virbius. A base of operations in an ongoing struggle against the Severan Dominate, Virbius is an Emperor-forsaken rock inhabited by tribal, combat-bike riding nomads.

But on a mission deep behind enemy lines, the player characters will learn a disturbing truth about the Imperium’s foes. Then, they’ll have to use all the cunning, ingenuity, and determination they can muster to return to Imperial lines with their lives, and with vital information about Virbius’s true dangers.



With a wealth of useful content, The Game Master’s Kit is the perfect enhancement for your Only War experience. Look for it on store shelves later this year!

BrookM wrote:Regarding the Only War GM kit, I wonder what kind of NPC's we'll be provided with. I was also expecting some sort of random thingy generator, like with the other GM kits. Oh well, still pre-ordered it along with the big book at the FLGS. Last week of the open beta already, how time flies. Hopefully the digital version will be released at the same time as the actual print version, should make the inevitable waiting period of a few months a bit more enjoyable.

BrookM wrote:As for the Koronus Bestiary, the odd story recollections have grown onto me, it's certainly a bit jarring like that, like when I first got IA8 and the completely different narrative style found there. Plus, some of the beasties included are very, very nicely done indeed. And finally some more info on the Rak'Gol and Stryxis, not definite answers, not that I need them, but at the very least some more tasty fluff, especially for the Rak'Gol, should make the whole "sector boogey men" myth that surrounds them a bit nastier.

juraigamer wrote:Who in their right mind gives a weak semi-auto tearing hellgun, a stupid knife with razor sharp, the option to buy tech use up to +20 at rank 1 and free ap 6 all armor to a RANK 1 guardsman? (There's more, I just am not listing it all)

H.B.M.C. wrote:Oddly enough I have no idea what's in the GM kit. I had nothing to do with its development. Maybe the extra NPC thing is in place of the usual "generator" or "GM tips" that have been in other books. Maybe the OW Core Rulebook is so full to the brim with stuff that they couldn't fit all the NPC's they wanted in? Again - just speculation. I don't actually know what's in the GM kit.

H.B.M.C. wrote:It's not all first person narrative. Generally it's there to introduce us to a creature or section, and then we get to the "regular fluff" afterwards. I like it for the Arch-Militant's dry humour and cynicism. I'm really happy they went that way with the book. It certainly made it different from the other two bestiaries. Plus the depth of stuff in the book is great. Every DW player needs it for the Eldar stuff, it gives us tons of Ork stuff (combine that with the rest of the RT Ork stuff and you've pretty much got everything bar proper Weirdboy rules, but they're in the Navis Primer), plus we get loads more creatures and those wonderful creature generators.

BrookM wrote:From what I've heard from the head of the Librarians, the upcoming supplements will be rad indeed. At least one book, or part of it will be dedicated to even more types of regiment. Hell yes.

ghostmaker wrote:I got into dark heresy, death watch and rouge trader and was semi excited still need to get black crusade. But I am pumped for this and will more then likely buy all the expansions. In the words of Fry “shut up and take my money”. I am sorry it has been asked more then likely but what is a schedule release date ?

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



Hello Only War Beta Testers!

We are approaching the conclusion to the Only War Beta. This will be the last weekly update, and there is only a week and a half left to submit your feedback. Make sure you get all of your emails and forum posts submitted before the end of the day on August 24th, and make sure to check out our final weekly focus:


Veteran Soldiers



You have waged a glorious campaign against the enemies of the Imperium over the course of this Beta, and you are all now true veterans of the Spinward Front. In honour of your veteran status, it is only appropriate that this week we take a closer look at veteran characters in Only War. If your characters don’t already have at least 5000 total experience points, grant them enough to get up to 5000 (and maybe give them a decent bump to their Logistics Rating). Then, pit them against the adversaries from Chapter X: Adversaries & NPCs and consider the following questions: Were there any adversaries that felt difficult, even at this power level? Were there any adversaries that thematically felt too easy at this power level? Did your group find any rules interactions with Adversary special abilities that you were unsure how to resolve?

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

Week Seven Update (high-res pdf, 34.9 MB)
Week Seven Update (low-res, 2.7 MB)

Make sure to remember to download this week’s update, and check the Beta support page for all the most recent updates to the Only War Beta rules.

BrookM wrote:Does make me wonder, what will the Collector's Edition of Only War look like and contain? *wibble*

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Automatically Appended Next Post:

juraigamer wrote:Who in their right mind gives a weak semi-auto tearing hellgun, a stupid knife with razor sharp, the option to buy tech use up to +20 at rank 1 and free ap 6 all armor to a RANK 1 guardsman? (There's more, I just am not listing it all)

The Lathe-Lasrifle is a good gun. No doubts there. But it's not the best gun. Great base damage, but rather than Jamming it Fatigues you. That's -10 to everything you do. A good trade-off for (almost) unlimited ammo. The Venator Blade, c'mon, it's a knife! With Razorsharp it manages a mighty Pen 4. And if you buy both Tech-Use Skill levels at Rank 1 you'll be Rank 2 already with no other upgrades beyond starting abilities. He'll still only have 10~ wounds. He's no Marine.

BrookM wrote:Well, regimental training and equipment are optional, not spending those points can be nicely added to the extra equipment expenses.

My only complaints with the creation is that some specialists do not hail from the same home world or background as the regiment they fight alongside with. See: Commissars, who expressly come from sources outside of the regiment and in some cases storm troopers. Though this is house-fixed by stating that the Commissar and Storm Trooper (unless noted otherwise) are from Schola Progenium worlds, instead of say, a death world or bog-standard Imperial world.

BaronIveagh wrote:

BrookM wrote:Well, regimental training and equipment are optional, not spending those points can be nicely added to the extra equipment expenses.

My only complaints with the creation is that some specialists do not hail from the same home world or background as the regiment they fight alongside with. See: Commissars, who expressly come from sources outside of the regiment and in some cases storm troopers. Though this is house-fixed by stating that the Commissar and Storm Trooper (unless noted otherwise) are from Schola Progenium worlds, instead of say, a death world or bog-standard Imperial world.

Tanks and artillery don't come from the regiments they're attached to either. That's one of the more serious issues is that to start with a single LR attached, they have to be from armor, which isn't how the fluff for IG works.

BrookM wrote:
However, a quick fix would be to just swap the Leman Russ for a Basilisk for the time being.

BaronIveagh wrote:

BrookM wrote:
However, a quick fix would be to just swap the Leman Russ for a Basilisk for the time being.

... how would that fix it? Bassies aren't from the same regiment either. Remember that following the heresy, IG was very strictly divided up so that no officer had access to more then one type of troop under his command.

juraigamer wrote:This class should be for rank 4-6 guardsman, not rank 1.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

juraigamer wrote:This class should be for rank 4-6 guardsman, not rank 1.

Explain from a fluff perspective how a Guardsmen just "becomes" one of these then? It'd be like making Lathesmaster a rank 4 choice for the Scum.

BrookM wrote:Look, if you want to run an artillery company or the likes, just improvise, make do. Take the armoured company archetype, rename it, replace the core equipment, adapt, improvise.

BrookM wrote:Write it in a report to FFG then?

FFG wrote:Twisted Hearts
The Soul Reaver, a Rogue Trader Adventure, Is Now On Sale



“The politics of my people are as the desires of kings compared to the selfish needs of children when measured against your ‘empire’ of man. However, even a king, or a queen, may from time to time find herself in need of childish things…"
–Salaine Morn, Archon of the Shadowed Thorns Kabal

The Dark Eldar care little for the Imperium, seeing only playthings for their cruel sport. Any who cross the Maw and sail the void of the Koronus Expanse learn to fear the wicked silhouettes of their ships and their seemingly endless cruelty towards all life, including their own. Only vigilance and firepower keep the worst depredations of these terrible raiders at bay, though from the dens of Footfall to the commerce halls of Port Wander there are countless tales of crew lost and ships savaged in their sudden attacks...

The Soul Reaver, an adventure in three parts for Rogue Trader, is now on sale at your local retailer and on our webstore! This epic campaign is a chance for daring Explorers to look deep into the twisted heart of Dark Eldar society in the Koronus Expanse, and pull the greatest heist of their careers.


Sadistic Power



For more on The Soul Reaver, here’s a word from developer Max Brooke:

Rogue Trader is all about risk and profit. Namely, taking huge risks in the name of reaping massive profits. And what bigger gamble could there be than plucking an ancient and powerful warship from the very heart of a Dark Eldar city within the webway?

The Soul Reaver starts with a heist, but things are rarely as they seem when you're dealing with the treacherous Dark Eldar. The Explorers have to bet everything more than once to survive the machinations of several competing factions within the city and come away from this web of lies and betrayal with their promised reward. Of course, the Explorers have a chance to do some betraying of their own, and to this end, The Soul Reaver contains the Dark Eldar Kabalite Warrior Career Path. This full new Career, designed for use in this adventure and beyond, allows players to take the sadistic power of the Dark Eldar into their own hands for the first time in Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay.

I'm very excited about the new resources that The Soul Reaver contains for creating dangerous and memorable characters, and GMs and players alike should enjoy using these rules in their adventure through the twisted depths and perilous heights of Dark Eldar society!

Visit your local retailer, and pick up your copy of The Soul Reaver today!

FFG wrote:Complex, Eternal, Endless
The Tome of Fate, a Black Crusade Supplement, Is Now Available



“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

Tzeentch, the Chaos God of Change, weaves the unfathomable strands of Fate from his Impossible Labyrinth deep within the warp. For the innumerable masses, Fate is a cruel and arbitrary force...but for the Tzeentch’s chosen few, it is a path to ultimate power.

The Tome of Fate, a supplement for Black Crusade, is now on sale at your local retailer and on our webstore! 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.


What is Fate?



For many Heretics, Fate is what they have fought against their entire lives. It was cruel Fate that led xenos raiders to burn their family to broken cinders, capricious Fate that caused their lesser sibling to gain the family title instead of themselves, uncaring Fate that led the Inquisition to mistakenly torture them as a traitor and thus make them one. Fate has made them into Heretics, and thus they hate it as much as they hate the Imperium itself.

Others with a greater knowledge and appreciation of the True Mysteries know that Fate is never random or meaningless, no blind series of happenstance or coincidence. There is a Grand Scheme to all things, and thus a Grand Schemer. That Schemer is the Chaos Power known as Tzeentch. Those following this god strive to know his ways, and thus the hidden threads that bind all things to his will in the vast tapestry that is Fate itself. Such an effort is surely futile, for no mortal mind can possibly comprehend such infinite complexity, but even small glimmers of the Will of Tzeentch allow for more power than could be imagined. To gain such power, many Heretics are willing to risk all, including madness or mutation, for they know that either they must control their Fate, or Fate will control them.


Infinite Complexity

The Tome of Fate introduces four new Tzeentch-centric Heretic Archetypes, as well as foul daemons, arcane weaponry, mighty daemon engines, and vile minions for followers of the Master of Fate. Players of all alignments will also gain potent new psychic powers and daemonic rites to fuel their struggle against the hated Imperium. The fallen forges of the Hollows, the mutants of Dread Korvaska, and the ancient Necrons awakening from within the Pillars of Eternity: these and other secrets of the Screaming Vortex shall stand revealed. All this and more lies within The Tome of Fate, including a dangerous new adventure on the sorcerous world of Q’Sal!

Do you possess the force of will to stand among Tzeentch’s chosen? Head to your local retailer, and unlock the secrets of the Lord of Lies!

- The History of the Alpha Legion

H.B.M.C. wrote:Why do you think?

 Alpharius wrote:
I need to know if it is worth buying this book for the Alpha Legion stuff.

Keep in mind, I don't play BC, so... yes or no?

FFG wrote: One Mission Ends, and Another Begins
Sincerest Thanks From The Only War Team



Hello Only War Beta Testers!

This Friday will mark the conclusion of the Only War Beta, and it has been an awesome success. Over the course of the past few months, you have tested every corner of this RPG, and I am confident in saying that it is the best game it can be thanks to all the work you have put into it.

On behalf of of the entire Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team here at Fantasy Flight, I would just like to say thank you to everyone who participated in Only War Beta. It has been a blast reading your reports and discussions, and getting to immediately see your feedback on changes we were making to the system week by week. I was consistently impressed by the dedication and thoroughness you brought to testing this game, and by your passion for both this roleplaying game and for Warhammer 40,000.

We will stop accepting official feedback regarding the Beta this Friday, but that is no reason for you to stop playing and discussing the game. Feedback and discussion on Only War any of our RPGs is always welcome. The more we hear from you, the more we know about what you want to see in the future. So keep on playing, and keep your eyes on the website for more news regarding the final release of Only War and other upcoming projects.

Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication,

Andrew Fischer
Only War Lead Designer

FFG wrote:Use Technology to Gain Technology
The Lathe Worlds, a Dark Heresy Supplement, Is On Sale via Download




“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

The Lathe Worlds, the latest supplement for Dark Heresy, is now on sale via download at drivethrurpg.com and rpgnow.com! 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



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.


Insane Science

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!

Begin your quest for knowledge in the name of the Omnissiah. Download up your copy of The Lathe Worlds today!

FFG wrote:The Dark Kin
Bonus Content for The Soul Reaver, a Rogue Trader Supplement



“Power is available to anyone with the ambition to do whatever is necessary to grasp it, but only the cunning can survive it. What depths will you tread for power? How long do you think you can walk amidst its venomed barbs before reaching the end of your path?”
–Archon Salaine Morn

Last month, Fantasy Flight Games released The Soul Reaver, an adventure in three parts for Rogue Trader. This epic campaign is a chance for daring Explorers to look deep into the twisted heart of Dark Eldar society in the Koronus Expanse, and pull the greatest heist of their careers.

Today, we’re pleased to offer bonus content for The Soul Reaver, now available for download from our support page!

The Dark Kin is a web-exclusive supplement to The Soul Reaver that provides new options for Dark Eldar Explorers. Players and Game Masters alike can use these exciting options alongside the Kabalite Warrior Career Path featured in the main volume to explore new facets of the insidious Dark Eldar.

Masters of Suffering



Included in The Dark Kin is the Wych Career Path, for players who wish to take on the role of these elegant and brutal killers. Unlike Kabalite Warriors, who focus on inflicting suffering at range, Wyches are artists of the arena, melee combat specialists who do their dark work up close. To them, a dying breath is not a whisper heard from afar, but a billowing breeze that stirs around them each time they kill.

The Dark Kin (web-quality pdf, 2.4 MB)
The Dark Kin (print-quality pdf, 23.9 MB)

Further, it contains three Alternate Career Ranks to help players construct iconic Dark Eldar characters. The Skyterror is a master of aerial combat, the fiendish Fleshcrafter Disciple twists bodies into terrifying new forms, and the Incubus Initiate relentlessly pursues martial perfection. With these deadly tools in hand, we hope that players will go on to create unique Dark Eldar characters to overcome deadly challenges, reap vast and terrible rewards, and shake the Koronus Expanse to its very core.

Head to our support page for these bonus files today!

 daedalus-templarius wrote:
What is next on the docket for 40k @ FFG?

Hopefully something with lots of space marines... so I can make them lots of pictures for the book!

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 daedalus-templarius wrote:
What is next on the docket for 40k @ FFG?

Hopefully something with lots of space marines... so I can make them lots of pictures for the book!

Are you going to be making artwork for FFG?

FFG wrote:The Lost Dataslate
Bonus Content for The Lathe Worlds, a Dark Heresy Supplement



“You’ve never been to Cyclopea, have you? I went there once. It was eerie. They say there are one hundred Servitors for every one man on those stations. The silence was like a tomb. I’d never go back.”
–Delfin Zway, archeotech trader

Last month, FFG released The Lathe Worlds, the latest 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 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!

Today, we’re pleased to present bonus downloadable content for The Lathe Worlds, now available on the Dark Heresy support page.

The Lost Dataslate (web-quality pdf, 2.2 MB)
The Lost Dataslate (print-quality pdf, 24.4 MB)


Fire the Forges



The Lost Dataslate is a compilation of additional material for The Lathe Worlds, in which players and GMs can find new origins for their Mechanicum characters, a new NPC to guide them within the Lathes system, additional armoury weapons and gear, and revelations for one of the more mysterious of the Lathe Worlds.

Head to our support page for these bonus files, and fire the forges with new blessings of the Omnissiah!

FFG wrote:Download the Despair




“We are the lords of despair, masters of terror. Dread and agony are our meat and wine, and they are plentiful indeed!”
– Attributed to Asdrubael Vect

The Dark Eldar care little for the Imperium, seeing only playthings for their cruel sport. Any who cross the Maw and sail the void of the Koronus Expanse learn to fear the wicked silhouettes of their ships and their seemingly endless cruelty towards all life, including their own. Only vigilance and firepower keep the worst depredations of these terrible raiders at bay, though from the dens of Footfall to the commerce halls of Port Wander there are countless tales of crew lost and ships savaged in their sudden attacks...

The Soul Reaver, an adventure in three parts for Rogue Trader, is now on sale via download at drivethrurpg.com and rpgnpw.com! This epic campaign is a chance for daring Explorers to look deep into the twisted heart of Dark Eldar society in the Koronus Expanse, and pull the greatest heist of their careers.


Twisted Depths and Perilous Heights



For more on The Soul Reaver, here’s a word from developer Max Brooke:

Rogue Trader is all about risk and profit. Namely, taking huge risks in the name of reaping massive profits. And what bigger gamble could there be than plucking an ancient and powerful warship from the very heart of a Dark Eldar city within the webway?

The Soul Reaver starts with a heist, but things are rarely as they seem when you're dealing with the treacherous Dark Eldar. The Explorers have to bet everything more than once to survive the machinations of several competing factions within the city and come away from this web of lies and betrayal with their promised reward. Of course, the Explorers have a chance to do some betraying of their own, and to this end, The Soul Reaver contains the Dark Eldar Kabalite Warrior Career Path. This full new Career, designed for use in this adventure and beyond, allows players to take the sadistic power of the Dark Eldar into their own hands for the first time in Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay.

I'm very excited about the new resources that The Soul Reaver contains for creating dangerous and memorable characters, and GMs and players alike should enjoy using these rules in their adventure through the twisted depths and perilous heights of Dark Eldar society!

Visit drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com, and download your copy of The Soul Reaver today!

(And also don't forget The Lost Dataslate, written mostly by me! )

FFG wrote:The Tome of Fate, a Black Crusade Supplement, Is On Sale via Download




Tzeentch, the Chaos God of Change, weaves the unfathomable strands of Fate from his Impossible Labyrinth deep within the Warp. For the innumerable masses, Fate is a cruel and arbitrary force...but for the Tzeentch’s chosen few, it is a path to ultimate power.

The Tome of Fate, a supplement for Black Crusade, is now on sale via download at drivethrurpg.com and rpgnow.com! 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.


True Mysteries



For many Heretics, Fate is what they have fought against their entire lives. It was cruel Fate that led xenos raiders to burn their family to broken cinders, capricious Fate that caused their lesser sibling to gain the family title instead of themselves, uncaring Fate that led the Inquisition to mistakenly torture them as a traitor and thus make them one. Fate has made them into Heretics, and thus they hate it as much as they hate the Imperium itself.

Others with a greater knowledge and appreciation of the True Mysteries know that Fate is never random or meaningless, no blind series of happenstance or coincidence. There is a Grand Scheme to all things, and thus a Grand Schemer. That Schemer is the Chaos Power known as Tzeentch. Those following this god strive to know his ways, and thus the hidden threads that bind all things to his will in the vast tapestry that is Fate itself. Such an effort is surely futile, for no mortal mind can possibly comprehend such infinite complexity, but even small glimmers of the Will of Tzeentch allow for more power than could be imagined. To gain such power, many Heretics are willing to risk all, including madness or mutation, for they know that either they must control their Fate, or Fate will control them.


Secrets of the Screaming Vortex

The Tome of Fate introduces four new Tzeentch-centric Heretic Archetypes, as well as foul daemons, arcane weaponry, mighty daemon engines, and vile minions for followers of the Master of Fate. Players of all alignments will also gain potent new psychic powers and daemonic rites to fuel their struggle against the hated Imperium. The fallen forges of the Hollows, the mutants of Dread Korvaska, and the ancient Necrons awakening from within the Pillars of Eternity: these and other secrets of the Screaming Vortex shall stand revealed. All this and more lies within The Tome of Fate, including a dangerous new adventure on the sorcerous world of Q’Sal!

Do you possess the force of will to stand among Tzeentch’s chosen? Download The Tome of Fate from drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com, and unlock the secrets of the Lord of Lies!

"Your schemes and sorcery are worthless. This ends simply. My Axe. Your Blood. Another Skull for the Throne."
–Darjok, Reaver of the Rankine Straits

Khorne is the Chaos God of Rage and War. His daemonic legions and mortal warriors live only for spilling blood and taking skulls in his name. Are you worthy to stand among his chosen?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of The Tome of Blood, a supplement for Black Crusade! The Tome of Blood is the second of four books delving into the darkest secrets of the Ruinous Powers. It is devoted to Khorne, the Lord of Skulls, perhaps mightiest of the Chaos Gods, and his powerful minions who carry his blood-drenched banner across the worlds of the Screaming Vortex. Within its pages, Heretics gain terrible new armaments and weapons to wage war, new devices to carry their wrath across the battlefield, and more to aid them in their struggles against the hated Imperium.

The Tome of Blood introduces four new Heretic Archetypes, along with deadly armaments, mighty Daemon Engines, bloodthirsty Daemon Weapons, and much more for the frenzied disciples of the Lord of Carnage. Players of all alignments will develop powerful, unique Legacy Weapons and fight in huge Mass Combats against the lackeys of the Imperium. More blood-soaked areas of the Screaming Vortex are revealed, such as the gladiator pits of Kurse, Furia’s savage oceans, the xenos-infested worlds of Berin and Asphodel, and the infamous War Moons of Talax. Heretics will also go on an adventure into the deadly wastelands of Messia to wrest a legendary Daemon Weapon from a vast mutant horde!



There Will Be Blood

For more on The Tome of Blood, here’s a word from lead developer Tim Huckelbery:

For many players, Khorne personifies the sheer power of Chaos, and our goal for this, the second of the Tomes, was to capture the rage and fury of the Blood God in the pages. Everything in the book revolves around combat and conflict, so we made sure players get lots of new weapons to use in their crusades against the hated Imperium. The new Legacy Weapon rules allow Heretics to take their existing armaments and turn them into mighty devices that can tear apart their foes, and players also get new rules for riding bikes and steeds too. I found the image of the Heretics roaring into battle atop daemonic bikes and giant mutant beasts just too cool not to allow for it here!

The new worlds inside also allowed us to explore the nature of conflict and the various ways the Lord of Battles is worshipped across the Screaming Vortex. Many planets, such as Xurunt, are not even aware it is Khorne they turn their prayers to, but still their offerings of blood and skulls increase his power. The incredible art inside brings these worlds, and the rest of The Tome of Blood, to life perfectly with insane visions of crimson and brass, and seeing each new art piece as they arrived was always great fun. In each page within, you can be sure that There Will Be Blood!

Look for The Tome of Blood on store shelves late this year, and prepare to take up your chainaxe and reap new skulls for the Blood God!

 Vitruvian XVII wrote:
How worthwhile would you say it is to get these just for more in depth God specific fluff? Im talking about the Tizz (and hopefully slaanesh) ones in particular, theres gak tons of khorne and nurgle fluff.

 BrookM wrote:
Writer-chap and eternal Jervis fanboi: Do you have any idea if these free add-on PDF files will be a permanent addition? I rather like them doing these for even more extra flavour.

Also, where's the second part of the Only War free RPG?!

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Well, well, well. Look who stole my thunder.

 BrookM wrote:
So, you got a hand in this one as well, oh wordy one?

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
So, you got a hand in this one as well, oh wordy one?

Yes, and a lot of words I did write. Armouries are fun things to develop.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
I can't write all the armouries (though I do kinda wish I could - as I said, they're fun! . And the Hellgun vs Hot-Shot is so beyond my pay grade (so to speak) that it's hardly worth talking about.

 Makaleth wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
I can't write all the armouries (though I do kinda wish I could - as I said, they're fun! . And the Hellgun vs Hot-Shot is so beyond my pay grade (so to speak) that it's hardly worth talking about.

Above your pay grade!! Why do you hate freedom... I assume that's relevant.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Breaking News: BaronIveagh unhappy with a Rogue Trader book.
Also, this news just coming in: Water is wet!

More as the story develops…
...

So what’s… wrong with it exactly? I can understand if you don't like it, but what's wrong with it? These are two different things.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Where are you ordering from in the UK?

I mean, I'm not in the UK, but I got mine the week of release.

 Predaking wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Where are you ordering from in the UK?

I mean, I'm not in the UK, but I got mine the week of release.

well had it pre ordered at Amazon and maelstrom, both are still out of stock, tried a few other uk sellers no luck last I saw was http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black-crusade-fantasy-flight-games/1111944334?ean=9781616614331

managed to get it from drivethrurpg but I'd much rather have hard copy

FFG wrote:Stars of Inequity

Announcing an Upcoming Supplement for Rogue Trader



“Ever on forward I race, to the unknown edge of reality. There, in the eternal horizon, lies our glory and our gain!”
–Rogue Trader Alexei Magn

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Stars of Inequity, a supplement for Rogue Trader that presents tempting new opportunities for those brave few who make their livings in the Koronus Expanse.

Stars of Inequity is a detailed resource that focuses on the perilous worlds of the Expanse. Game Masters can create their own new realms with the World Generator, a system designed to craft unique planets filled with terrible risks and unmatched potential for profit. Players can brave the dangers of planetside missions, crossing the surface of shadowy worlds to explore deadly jungles, ancient ruins, crashed voidships, and more. And with the Colony Creation rules, your group can construct, expand, and control its own outposts on the lost and forgotten worlds of the Expanse!


A Word From the Developer



For more on Stars of Inequity, here’s a word from lead developer Max Brooke:

[i]The most miraculous part of a Rogue Trader's lot in life stems from the ability to travel freely—not just within the bounds of the Imperium of Mankind, but beyond the Emperor's Light as well. The Navis Primer will cover the journey through the spiraling delirium of the Warp, and Stars of Inequity is about the destination: the countless worlds of the Koronus Expanse.

Stars of Inequity is a guide to crafting encounters and experiences within the vast realm of the Koronus Expanse. It features the World Generator, a system that allows for the rapid generation new regions of space and the individual worlds within them, as well as rules and inspiration for challenges in unique locales on these worlds. These rules are designed to help Game Masters and players journey together off of the beaten path, and into the unknown.

Another major feature of Stars of Inequity is Colony Creation, a set of rules for Explorers who wish to establish their own colonies in the Expanse, all in the name of vast financial gain and, of course, the God-Emperor. The Colony Creation rules allow Explorers to personally manage the infrastructure of their ventures or leave them in the hands of trusted Representatives while they journey on to new stars, new worlds, and new dangers in the 41st Millennium.

Stars of Inequity is full of possibility, peril, and, of course, profit. I'm very excited to hear about the new worlds, adventures, and stories that people use it to create.

Look for Stars of Inequity later this year, and delve into the the unknown to discover the shrouded corners of the Koronus Expanse!

 BrookM wrote:
Intradesting.

 scipio.au wrote:
I read the page. Is that 24 maps at one a month for two years?

I also think it might be useful to be more specific on what kind, how many floorplans versus city maps versus comtinent versus solar system, etc, etc - even in a non-final version.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Thanks for the update! Much appreciated.

I'm guessing from the description these would have fully modelled... or, illustrated, really... interiors. So when it says 'quarters' it doesn't just mean a blank room with 'quarters' written in it, but you'll have bunks and whatnot drawn there.

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:


Detailed regional maps (yes please),

Announcing Ark of Lost Souls



“For my house. For my father. For my vengeance, and death to that which cannot die.”
–Unknown vox transmission, intercepted near Mideal in M34

The Space Hulk Mortis Thule drifts silently through the void of the Jericho Reach, and with it comes devastation, ruin, and woe. Do you dare breach its hull and uncover its sanity-shattering secrets?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Ark of Lost Souls, a supplement for Deathwatch! This unique tome is both a three-part adventure set onboard an infamous Space Hulk, and a Game Master’s guide to Space Hulks in general.

Told over thee gripping chapters, Ark of Lost Souls’ included adventure will take your Kill-team to the brink of both sanity and survival:

Peril on the Horizon—En route to break a siege at a newly-founded Watch Station, the Kill-team is waylaid and met with a terrible fate.
Survival—Stranded and alone, the Kill-team must find their way to salvation, locating unexpected allies along the way.
Darkness at the Core—The Kill-team must overcome the horrors of the Mortis Thule and make their escape, but it may cost more than they are willing to sacrifice.
What’s more, GMs can use the included Space Hulk Generator to create unique adventures set in the forlorn corridors of their own cursed Space Hulks!



A Word from the Developer

For more on Ark of Lost Souls, here’s a brief word from developer Tim Flanders:

One of the most iconic images of the Warhammer 40,000 universe is the Space Hulk. These floating masses of derelict ships, all conglomerated together by the insane energies of the Warp, have been a symbol of 40k for decades. In terms of Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay, a Space Hulk really offers Game Masters an amazing opportunity for creativity in his adventure writing. For that reason, imagine my delight when we decided to make an adventure that took place entirely within the heart of the infamous Space Hulk, Mortis Thule!

Set aboard that drifting wreck, Ark of Lost Souls is the latest adventure supplement for Deathwatch. Players are in for quite a ride aboard the Mortis Thule! They will face all manner of threats and uncover secrets from ages past as they delve its haunted corridors and cursed catacombs. Ark of Lost Souls offers Game Masters more than just a narrative adventure, too; it provides them with all the tools they might need to create adventures of their own aboard a Space Hulk. Needless to say, I think Game Masters and players, both, will enjoy the missions provided within Ark of Lost Souls, so long as their Battle-Brothers have the resolve to make it out of Mortis Thule with their sanity...

Thanks, Tim! The madness and despair of the Mortis Thule is brought to life in Ark of Lost Souls. Look for it in early 2013, when a Warp Rift is opens in your friendly local game store.

FFG wrote:Announcing Ark of Lost Souls
Explore an Ancient Space Hulk in this Upcoming Deathwatch Adventure



“For my house. For my father. For my vengeance, and death to that which cannot die.”
–Unknown vox transmission, intercepted near Mideal in M34

The Space Hulk Mortis Thule drifts silently through the void of the Jericho Reach, and with it comes devastation, ruin, and woe. Do you dare breach its hull and uncover its sanity-shattering secrets?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Ark of Lost Souls, a supplement for Deathwatch! This unique tome is both a three-part adventure set onboard an infamous Space Hulk, and a Game Master’s guide to Space Hulks in general.

Told over thee gripping chapters, Ark of Lost Souls’ included adventure will take your Kill-team to the brink of both sanity and survival:

Peril on the Horizon—En route to break a siege at a newly-founded Watch Station, the Kill-team is waylaid and met with a terrible fate.

Survival—Stranded and alone, the Kill-team must find their way to salvation, locating unexpected allies along the way.

Darkness at the Core—The Kill-team must overcome the horrors of the Mortis Thule and make their escape, but it may cost more than they are willing to sacrifice.

What’s more, GMs can use the included Space Hulk Generator to create unique adventures set in the forlorn corridors of their own cursed Space Hulks!


A Word from the Developer

For more on Ark of Lost Souls, here’s a brief word from developer Tim Flanders:

One of the most iconic images of the Warhammer 40,000 universe is the Space Hulk. These floating masses of derelict ships, all conglomerated together by the insane energies of the Warp, have been a symbol of 40k for decades. In terms of Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay, a Space Hulk really offers Game Masters an amazing opportunity for creativity in his adventure writing. For that reason, imagine my delight when we decided to make an adventure that took place entirely within the heart of the infamous Space Hulk, Mortis Thule!



Set aboard that drifting wreck, Ark of Lost Souls is the latest adventure supplement for Deathwatch. Players are in for quite a ride aboard the Mortis Thule! They will face all manner of threats and uncover secrets from ages past as they delve its haunted corridors and cursed catacombs. Ark of Lost Souls offers Game Masters more than just a narrative adventure, too; it provides them with all the tools they might need to create adventures of their own aboard a Space Hulk. Needless to say, I think Game Masters and players, both, will enjoy the missions provided within Ark of Lost Souls, so long as their Battle-Brothers have the resolve to make it out of Mortis Thule with their sanity...

Thanks, Tim! The madness and despair of the Mortis Thule is brought to life in Ark of Lost Souls. Look for it in early 2013, when a Warp Rift is opens in your friendly local game store.

FFG wrote:Final Testament
Announcing the First Adventure Supplement for Only War



“In the end, only the Emperor can judge you. Only He is qualified to weigh acts of righteousness against deeds of vile treachery and find a verdict for your soul. It is merely my humble task to commend you to His final justice.”
–Lord Commissar Salieri

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Final Testament, a complete adventure for Only War! Set to arrive on store shelves just a few short months after the upcoming core rulebook, Final Testament takes players to the war-ravaged mining world of Hervara, where they must do battle at one of the Imperium’s most brutal fronts.

Throughout the course of Final Testament, the Guardsmen will experience the tragedy of war and the harsh consequences of their own actions. While fighting savagely against a variety of enemies, they will navigate debriefing and interrogation sessions that require them to tread carefully amidst powers beyond their reckoning. In Final Testament, the players will constantly be challenged to innovate and overcome unusual obstacles, even as they strive to uphold the honor of the Imperial Guard—and perhaps even survive!

The mining world of Hervara is beset by war, ravaged by the conflict between the Severan Dominate and the Imperium of Mankind. Final Testament draws players in, pitting them against new challenges in each of its three chapters:

Planetfall—The squad’s arrival on Hervara is not a quiet one. However, the havoc of their landing uncovers an ancient secret capable of changing the fate of the war against the secessionists.

The Night Path—Separated from their own regiment, the squad must learn to work alongside new allies as they execute a number of critical strikes for control of key assets on Hervara.

The Horn of Mars—Beset on all sides by their foes, the squad’s only path to survival leads them to one of the grandest and most powerful Imperial weapons ever constructed: The Ordinatus.

A Word from the Developer

Developer Max Brooke took a moment to share his thoughts on Final Testament:

Final Testament is the first book-length adventure supplement for Only War. It drops the players into the action (literally) on the world of Hervara, where the men and women of the Imperial Guard struggle to retake this key mining world from the traitorous forces of the Severan Dominate and their separatist allies.

The course of the war in the Spinward Front hangs on wresting worlds like Hervara away from the Severan Dominate. However, even greater forces are at play here, and a deadly secret sleeps beneath the ash-choked wastes of Hervara's surface. Deep in the dark and rock heart of Hervara rests a cursed weapon of without peer: an Imperial Ordinatus. An ancient miracle of a forgotten age, this vast weapons platform is capable of scouring entire armies from the field and deciding the fate of the war on Hervara. If the Guardsmen can find a way to end up on the right end of the barrel, they can tip the outcome of the conflict in their favor—and they might even survive to tell of it!

I won't go into any more detail about the plot now, but I'm looking forward to hear how players handle the trials and dilemmas that their characters must face in this exciting adventure across a war-torn world in the Spinward Front!

Thanks, Max! Check back for more in the coming weeks (including previews of the Only War core rulebook), and look for Final Testament on store shelves early in 2013.

Team-Preston wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Thanks for the update! Much appreciated.

I'm guessing from the description these would have fully modelled... or, illustrated, really... interiors. So when it says 'quarters' it doesn't just mean a blank room with 'quarters' written in it, but you'll have bunks and whatnot drawn there.

Exactly. Full rooms with dressers, beds, wall hangings, bathrooms with toilets etc. Deck grates, lots of piping and mechanical details. I'll try and make it more SHOW and less TELL so folks can get the most use out of it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:


Detailed regional maps (yes please),

I hadn't considered this but I am now. (added to the list)
Anything else in shortage?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Basic rough of the first deckplan in posted (B&W). I'll update again once it's painted.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1894014851/dark-sci-fi-maps-and-deckplans/posts/320510

H.B.M.C. wrote:Unleash the power of Mars!

FFG wrote:Final Testament
Announcing the First Adventure Supplement for Only War

scipio.au wrote:

Team-Preston wrote:

Basic rough of the first deckplan in posted (B&W). I'll update again once it's painted.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1894014851/dark-sci-fi-maps-and-deckplans/posts/320510

Starting to look much more interesting. I'm keen to see a finished map or two, then may well decide to jump on board.

 the_dunner wrote:
For those familiar with my work - I wrote the adventure portion of this one.

FFG wrote:The Lost Worlds
A Preview of The Outer Reach, the Upcoming Deathwatch Supplement

“These distant orbs of earth and fire, wind and water, provide us some insight into the greater design which lies just beyond our imagining. Let us pray that we might learn their secrets before it is too late”
–Prognosticator Renin Tri’el

In July, we announced 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.

Now, with The Outer Reach coming to stores in just two more weeks, we’re pleased to present a glimpse into its disturbing mysteries!

Tainted Worlds

There are worlds throughout the Jericho Reach that have, for one reason or another, never been settled, terraformed, or colonized by Imperial forces. Many of these worlds bear the marks of past xenos occupation, while others are little more than dormant rocks, devoid of all life or even geological activity. These are not the typical proto-planets that are found in every stellar system, but instead show signs of artifice and manufacture on a planetary scale. No sound explanation has ever been provided for these worlds, no theories have been put forth by the Magos Siderea of the Calixian Mechanicus, the first Explorators sent through the Warp Gate in the early days of the Achilus Crusade. Other unique stellar bodies, such as the Slinnar Drift star cluster and the Black Reef, are present within the Jericho Reach, providing yet more unanswered questions.

These are the worlds to which the Dead Cabal turn their attention, to which they dispatch the Kill-teams under their command, in their search for answers. Chapter Two of The Outer Reach explores these worlds and phenomena, their past and their present, providing Game Masters with necessary information to build missions and campaigns centered around exploration into the lost and mysterious places in the Jericho Reach. Each world can be used as the setting for any number of Deathwatch missions, and numerous adventure seeds are included to provide GMs with ample fodder for their creativity.

The Lost Worlds (pdf, 4.1 MB)

One such world, the chaos-infested planet Belissar, has been badly contaminated and influenced by the Ruinous Powers. Learn more in the excerpt linked above, and prepare to unravel its Belissar’s terrifying mysteries; The Outer Reach will be available soon!

 BrookM wrote:
Decided to pre-order Only War at Miniature Market, don't know when it might be released, but $38,97 for the book? That's a steal.

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 release of The Navis Primer, the upcoming supplement for Rogue Trader, is just two weeks away! 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!

To prepare for its release, we’re pleased to present a two-part article series focusing on some of its artwork. For more, here’s a word from developer Max Brooke:

A Navigator's Perspective

When The Navis Primer was in early stages of development, we knew that it should have a new map of the Koronus Expanse, this time through the lens of the Navigators. These strange and esoteric individuals wield a power that not only allows a Rogue Trader’s vessel to make its daring leaps into the stuff of Chaos itself, but also gives them an incredibly different view of the universe around them, and we wanted to reflect one way that this unique perspective might manifest itself.

However, we would be remiss if we didn’t first trace our way back to the original maps for the Rogue Trader RPG, and so that is exactly what this first article will do. To get a sense of what the thought process behind these maps and their creation, I spoke to Ross Watson, Lead Developer of the Rogue Trader Core Rulebook.


Click to enlarge.

Ross described to me how both maps in the Rogue Trader Core Rulebook were designed to evoke ancient nautical maps. Though the stylized map that has dutifully appeared in every Rogue Trader volume does this more obviously, emblazoned as it is with compasses, calipers, and menacing creatures that represent mankind’s fear of the unknown, both maps depict a realm influenced by historical periods of exploration. The Koronus Expanse is a realm very different from Earth today, or even hundreds of years ago, of course, but it carries the echoes of eras in which maps depicted the world with far less certainty and far more trepidation. Describing the Koronus Expanse, Ross recounted to me a description he had used early on:

“Imagine a dark room with a door that opens into a bright hallway. The room is the Koronus Expanse, and the hallway is the Calixis Sector. You can see a few things in the room where the light touches, and that’s what’s on the map, but it eventually fades off into shadow.”


Click to enlarge.

Places of Shadow

These places of shadow include vast realms such as the Rifts of Hecaton, into which ships vanish, never to return. Besides the most imposing of unknown places, though there are many other wells of darkness surrounding the rare points of light, some named and others marked only by cryptic warnings such as “beware the Siren Star” or renderings of dread beasts that one hopes were merely the artist’s embellishments.

These maps give us two views into ways that the Koronus Expanse is organized and interpreted by Rogue Traders and their daring crews as they shuffle from star to star, skittering through patches of darkness with the hope that they will someday reach light again. To them, the Expanse is a grand unknown and an even grander opportunity—assuming, of course, that they do not disappear somewhere in the uncharted swathes, their fortune and fame overshadowed by the vastness of the Koronus Expanse.

But how might a Navigator, whose Warp Eye grant a truly unique perspective on the universe at large, see the Koronus Expanse? After all, for all the Rogue Trader’s flair or the helmsman’s skill, it is the Navigator alone who guides a vessel through the roiling dream-sea of the Warp. For that, you’ll have to wait for our next article; Mike Linnemann, Art Coordinator on The Navis Primer, will share his insights.

Keep checking back for more, and in just two weeks, unleash the power of the Warp in your Rogue Trader campaigns!

FFG wrote:Life as an Imperial Guardsman
A Preview of Only War by Lead Designer Andrew Fischer



“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

In April, Fantasy Flight Games announced Only War, a 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. 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.

With Only War’s beta at an end and its core rulebook coming to store shelves in a matter of weeks, we’re pleased to present the first in a series of previews. 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. Today, lead designer Andrew Fischer presents his insights into this unique play experience.

From the Designer

Imagine an army so vast that at any one time there is no exact record of its size, an army of such scale that the resources of millions of worlds must constantly feed it with fresh recruits and new weapons. This is the Imperial Guard, the human armies of the God-Emperor, and defenders of an empire that spans the entire galaxy. In Only War, you play as one of these Imperial Guardsmen, a soldier tasked with the defense of all humanity.

Capturing the feeling of being a guardsman was a unique challenge. Each individual soldier is just one amongst faceless billions, and yet without the individual contribution of every one of those men and women, the Imperium would be lost. Every soldier has a harrowing and exciting story to tell, and in designing Only War, we set out to explore those stories.

To better explore the unique lives of individual guardsmen, Only War does not focus on commanding massive regiments of troops in battle (after all, that’s what the table-top game is for!). Instead, it focuses on the struggles of individual soldiers and their squad, mere mortals forced to contend with the greatest threats of the 41st millennium. Throughout the course of a campaign, players in Only War will embark on critical missions, face seemingly insurmountable odds, and suffer tragic losses, but will triumph through their force of will and the strength of their camaraderie.



Assembling the Squad

When a group first starts a campaign in Only War, they are doing more than simply filling out individual character sheets, they are creating a unique squad with which to tackle the challenges to come. A squad can come from one of millions of worlds across the Imperium, be made up of fresh recruits or hardened veterans, and contain guardsmen with many different specialities. No two squads are the same, and the make-up of a group’s squad can help define their entire campaign. There are three primary elements that comprise the squad in Only War, and help make it such an integral part of the play experience.

First, every squad has a shared history and background, determined by their Regiment. This decides their focus in combat and where they may be assigned across a warfront. To decide on their Regiment, all of the players in the group work together, crafting common history for their characters. This shared history helps tie all of the characters together, and give them common ground as they face the harsh battlefields of the galaxy.

Second, each character within the squad has a unique Specialities. These Specialities determine the character’s role in the squad. From a field medic working in the trenches, to a Tech-Priest Enginseer helping to repair the Imperium’s war machines, each player serves a special role within their squad.

Lastly, each squad has a cast of supporting characters known as Comrades. Each of these characters helps out one of the players on the battlefield. Aiding him in his specific tasks and watching his back. Each Comrade has a distinct personality, and their interactions amongst themselves and the players can help strengthen the camaraderie in the squad, or create tension.

Thanks, Andrew! Check back for more in the coming weeks, and look for Only War on store shelves later this quarter.

 BrookM wrote:
Yeah, it's a shame, I'm fairly new to the scene and it is getting harder and harder to get into groups.

 Manchu wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Yeah, it's a shame, I'm fairly new to the scene and it is getting harder and harder to get into groups.

On the other hand, skype and similar services have opened up RPGing to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity. My first game of DH was played over the internet. In all honesty, my best bet for playing any of these games again will hinge on such technology.

I'd like to see a company like FFG take this into account when designing games. Perhaps they could work on some proprietary software to facilitate playing the 40k line over the internet? I know such programs exist but I find them to be generally cumbersome. People get together to play Black Crusade or Rogue Trader -- not to figure out some freeware.

 Manchu wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Yeah, it's a shame, I'm fairly new to the scene and it is getting harder and harder to get into groups.

On the other hand, skype and similar services have opened up RPGing to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity. My first game of DH was played over the internet. In all honesty, my best bet for playing any of these games again will hinge on such technology.

I'd like to see a company like FFG take this into account when designing games. Perhaps they could work on some proprietary software to facilitate playing the 40k line over the internet? I know such programs exist but I find them to be generally cumbersome. People get together to play Black Crusade or Rogue Trader -- not to figure out some freeware.

 BrookM wrote:
On the one hand, I'd love to sit around a table with actual dice in hand, but on the other, I'd rather not get cancer from the other PC's and their chain smoking. Choices, choices.

FFG wrote:Fathom the Unfathomable
The Outer Reach, a Deathwatch Supplement, Is Now Available
Deathwatch



"And when the final seal is broken, when the final star is aligned, when the final drop of blood is shed, then shall those who sleep the sleep of the dead yet dream not arise, and the death shall cover the void…”
–Disputed translation of runic text unearthed on the third moon of Freya IV

Something far older than the Imperium slumbers on the edges of the Jericho Reach, and when it awakens, it will cast humanity into eternal darkness. In the face of a threat more violent than Orks, more insidious than Tau, more sadistic than Dark Eldar, what hope exists for mankind? There is but one: the Deathwatch.

The Outer Reach, a supplement for Deathwatch, is now on sale at your local retailer and though our webstore! 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.



Foes from Ages Past

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.

Do you dare face the encroaching darkness? Head to your local retailer to join the Dead Cabal, learn what secrets they keep, and uncover their shrouded history within the Deathwatch.

 BrookM wrote:
Hehe, that's the Mad Men mentality the GM has, it's his house, here's a box of cigars and whatnot, enjoy. At least he cracks open a window for me, gracias.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

But think of it like this: How many tank commanders (and their tanks) get drafted for paratrooper duty?

 Makaleth wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Hehe, that's the Mad Men mentality the GM has, it's his house, here's a box of cigars and whatnot, enjoy. At least he cracks open a window for me, gracias.

That's tough.
We only have 1 smoker in the group... and he is relegated to the balcony for such breaks.
I am sure he has finished more books on that balcony alone than most people read in their lives!!

 BaronIveagh wrote:
Well, if the tank you command is air droppable, possibly every damn day.

 BaronIveagh wrote:
HBMC, in large scale wars, it happens all the time. Ad Hoc formations were so common in WW2 that the German's had a word for it, Alarmeinheiten (alarm units), and they were put together of scraps of everything that happened to by handy.

vic wrote:
Only War looks great. Anyone got a release date?

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Technically yes, but the Regiment you're from determines a lot of your base stats, abilities, equipment and so on. It has a fairly profound effect upon the characters you play, and playing multiple regiments would require you to do that over and over again for each individual character and then the GM would have to determine how requisition works. Some Guardsmen might be Cadian and prefer Grenade Launchers over Plasma Guns, but the guy playing the Tallarn prefers Plasma Guns and wants one. So what regiment are you part of?

I think you'd have to be like remnants from other regiments inducted into one single regiment. So you may have a Tallarn, who gets all the benefits of being a Tallarn, and a Mordian who gets the same, but you've been inducted into a Catachan regiment, so the group ends up being two Catachans, a Tallarn and a Mordian, and you obey the Catachan setup for requisitioning items and what extra kit you get and so on.


But think of it like this: How many tank commanders (and their tanks) get drafted for paratrooper duty? Or do troopers from different regiments in today's militaries regular get assigned to weird conglomerate units?

 Ehsteve wrote:
Those Necron Lords ain't so tough. I think our current kill count is what? 5 (Admittedly one of those involved a flying kick in the face from a marine travelling at ~100km after being launched from the top of a rhino stopping on a dime)?

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
I'm actually interested to see the final stats. From our experience the Necron Overlord wasn't exactly a tough adversary to fight. The Warscythe was about the only way he could hurt the Marines, and he went down pretty quickly. Both times.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

And how many Guard tanks are air-droppable?

 BrookM wrote:
Bah, I hate it when real people apply real logic to my make-believe game!

 BaronIveagh wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Bah, I hate it when real people apply real logic to my make-believe game!

Or, even worse, look for consistency in it.

SpaceRatCatcher wrote:
Hrm, was he alone or supported by other Necrons? In my experience, there are few things that won't go down quickly to a Kill-Team, particularly with clever use of Squad Mode Abilities.

FFG wrote:The Cartography of Chaos
A Preview of The Navis Primer, the Upcoming Rogue Trader Supplement



The Navis Primer, a supplement for Rogue Trader, is almost here! Last time, we heard from Max Brooke and Ross Watson regarding philosophy behind Rogue Trader’s use of maps. Today, Art Coordinator Mike Linnemann joins the discussion, delving into the process and psyche of the Navigator as he previews some of the art from The Navis Primer:

Rogue Traders make their fortune by traveling the cold gaps between the light of the stars. To do this, they require the assistance of Navigators, specialized, sanctioned mutants who use their pineal eye to guide vessels through the hostile Sea of Souls that is the Immaterium. Their ability is to see into the Warp, navigating giant ships across the universe for the Imperium. These practices are often too terrifying for most to even comprehend, let alone conduct without simply going mad. But the Emperor’s will shall be done, and the Navigators alone can make it happen.



These men and women, though able to see and decipher the Warp directly, cannot simply lead a ship along a line to a destination. They need maps. Journeys can take months, years, decades, or even centuries with the best Navigators guiding a ship into and successfully out of the Warp. But their maps do not mark routes and destinations with linear distances or landmarks. Such things have no sway in the Warp.

The Warp is not like a highway, easily accessed from an onramp. It is not even like the Autobahn. Imagine it more like a stream. Imagine then, a Navigator guiding the ship through the current of Warp energy, fighting storms and undercurrents, and guiding the ship past the dread realms that swirl in the wake of the Chaos gods. Navigators cannot follow the canned instructions of a GPS past familiar landmarks; a Navigator must feel the planets within the Warp and knows that a storm is near, that a star has been passed, and that the ship is near its destination. Therefore the map needs to be emotional and turbulent, shifting and uncertain.

Art direction started with that foundational idea: one Navigator’s personal map.

This is not a painted representation; this is a living map, a thing that a navigator would paint and repaint dozens if not hundreds of times during a voyage, feeling the emotional tugs of relationships between celestial bodies.

A Navigator’s Map of the Koronus Expanse[/i]


Click to enlarge.

Notice the vibrant color within the map. Planets are not circular masses but rather absences of Warp energy: holes in the fabric of the Immaterium. Through the hole, one can see the color of the paper that a Navigator is painting upon. Unlike on the maps in the first article, these planets are not presences in the darkness but are instead absences in the Warp. If you inspect the map closely, you will see the Navigator’s paint moving around these omissions, just as the Warp ebbs and flows around it.



Click to enlarge.

A Navigator does not see asteroid fields or massive storms. He or she sees the Warp disturbances that roil around the danger, like a section of rapids in a river. Something stirs the current into a churning frenzy from below and the Navigator, through practice, knows the difference between benign disturbances that arise around an asteroid field and rifts through which Daemons of the Chaos Gods can tear their way into reality, even through a Gellar Field. Through their training in the ways of the Warp, Navigators come to understand the emotional currents that flow through environments and organisms alike. When something lies beneath the surface, they simply know.[/i]

Thanks, Mike. Next week, navigate your way to your friendly local retailer; The Navis Primer is coming soon!

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

Seems like they've put a whole lot of thought into this one. Really nice to see Navigators finally getting an in-depth look.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Lemme guess, you didn't like it?

 BrookM wrote:
There's also some chatter about the vehicles and how great the rules are, but I think we'll save the inevitable ego stroking until the book is finally released.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

There's no need to delay that at all.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Yeah I saw the lovely two-page spread we got in this month's WD on Saturday. Quite nice of them to do that.

 BrookM wrote:
There's also some chatter about the vehicles and how great the rules are, but I think we'll save the inevitable ego stroking until the book is finally released.

There's no need to delay that at all.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Given you never like anything, I can safely put it out of mind.

 Alpharius wrote:
Are your reviews posted on any of the 'big' RPG sites?

I'd like to catch up on them!

SpaceRatCatcher wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
I'm actually interested to see the final stats. From our experience the Necron Overlord wasn't exactly a tough adversary to fight. The Warscythe was about the only way he could hurt the Marines, and he went down pretty quickly. Both times.

Hrm, was he alone or supported by other Necrons? In my experience, there are few things that won't go down quickly to a Kill-Team, particularly with clever use of Squad Mode Abilities.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Gleemax?

FFG wrote:The Spinward Front
A Preview of Only War by Contributing Writer Andy Hoare



In April, Fantasy Flight Games announced Only War, a 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. Today, we return to a series of previews examining the Only War play experience.

In our last preview, we read the insights of Andrew Fischer, Only War’s lead designer. Andrew shared his thoughts on the Imperial Guard, and the challenge of designing a game focused on this particular role in the Imperium. Today, we turn our attention to the game’s setting: The Spinward Front. Contributing writer Andy Hoare took time to offer his input on this war-ravaged front.


Enemies Abound

The Spinward Front is a region that will be both new and familiar to players of Dark Heresy. The warzone that forms the central setting for Only War is located just off of the Calixis Sector map players and game masters will know and love, taking as its basis the worlds on the edge of the Periphery Sub-Sector and expanding out into the inter-sector void beyond. Not one of these worlds is untouched by war, each claimed by one of the three major belligerents laying waste to the region.

The first of these combatants is of course the Imperium. Ordinarily, the worlds of the Emperor are able to draw upon numberless hosts, committing regiment after regiment to the relentless meat grinder of war. All is not well in the Spinward Front however, for the wars of the distant Jericho Reach take priority and draw ever more resources through the Jericho-Maw Warp Gate. The Imperium’s efforts are focused on the world of Kulth, but they extend for many light years along the inter-sector Warp routes to form the hellish warzones of the Spinward Front.



The second of the combatants are the Orks of Grimtoof Git-slaver. This barbarous greenskin horde has smashed into the outlying worlds just beyond the Periphery and is on the verge of entering the dreaded second stage of any Ork migration. Having unleashed unprecedented slaughter, Warlord Genghiz Git-slaver now seeks to consolidate his power. He has enslaved countless millions of humans and is laying the foundations of a new Ork stellar empire, right on the borders of the Calixis Sector.

The third of the major combatants are the forces of the Severan Dominate. The Dominate is headed by the bitter and twisted Severus the Thirteenth, a man whose line earned glory during the Angevin Crusade but whose rewards were overshadowed by the rise of Saint Drusus. Severus’ line has nurtured this hatred for generations, the invasion of Waaagh! Grimtoof affording him the long-waited excuse to secede from the Imperium and claim his birthright once and for all.

It is into this cauldron of bloodshed and betrayal that the men and women of the Imperial Guard are pitched. At first, player characters may care little for the intrigues of their superiors, fighting merely to stay alive against a warzone intent upon killing them in a myriad of unpleasant ways. Should they survive their first tour of duty however, the players will soon enough discover that the Spinward Front provides a wealth of opportunities to make war upon the foes of Mankind, or to die horribly in the attempt!

Thanks, Andy! Check back for more in the coming weeks, and look for Only War on store shelves later this quarter.