[40K RPG] Combined news thread (UPDATE 30/01/16 Enemies Beyond is out!!!)

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**H.B.M.C.**

With all the hustle and bustle of 6th Ed 40K coming out in a week it would be easy to forget that there's another big 400+ page 40K-related rulebook coming out later this year (my guess is just after Gen-Con). I am of course talking about Only War, the 5th in the line of Warhammer 40,000 RPG's. And yes, I was part of the writing team for this one, so I get to brag (a little!) about it.

FFG have now released Only War's introductory adventure (and much quicker than they did for Black Crusade's one!) that was given out on Free RPG Day.

Enjoy!

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

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

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

Warhammer 40,000 developer Andrew Fischer runs Eleventh Hour

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

A Variety of Outcomes

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

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

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

Personally? I want to play an Ogryn!

**BrookM**

Always knew you were a BONE'ead.

But nice, thanks for the headsup, been looking forward to this one for ages now and was pretty miffed when the one FLGS in my country that partook in Free RPG Day didn't have this one.

**narked**

And on a related note, you can buy the beta ruleset it seems. FFG want your feedback, but only if you'll pay 'em!

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/103312?src=OnlyWarCmail

**H.B.M.C.**

[Post Removed]

**BaronIveagh**

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

As far as I know, no one in Pencil and Paper gaming has, it's usually more a 'video game' thing.

Then again, welcome to modern consumerism. Buy it, and then buy it again when it's released, you sheep!

**narked**

I got the email off DriveThruRpg and instantly thought "I'll have me a piece of that!" expecting a free PDF. But $20 to help them iron out any kinks? With no mention of a saving on the completed product? I'll pass and wait for the book to come out.

**BrookM**

$20 for a beta with no savings on final product or other perks? That's lame.

**PrimarchX**

As someone who just got a sizable refund from Paypal, I figured what the heck!

**BrookM**

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

edit.

From this place: http://spiritsofeden.com/2012/06/22/fantasy-flight-games-releases-only-war-beta/

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

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

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

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

This is gonna be pretty sweet.

**PrimarchX**

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

Well, I just finished downloading. Here's a very quick overview based on <5min of skimming...

Whole chapter on Regiments. Premade regiments include Cadians, Catachans, Death Corps of Krieg, Elysians, Maccabian Janissaries, Mordian, Tallarn and Vostroyan. Full rules for making your own of varying types - Infantry, Mechanized, Airmobile, etc.

Character types are Heavy Gunner, Medic, Operator (vehicles), Sergeant, Weapon Specialist, Commissar, Munistorum Priest, Ogryn, Ratling, Sanctioned Psyker, Storm Trooper & Tech-Priest Enginseer.

Stats for a Baneblade are included.

Psyker powers separated into Biomancy, Divination, Pyromancy, Telekinesis & Telepathy. Sound familiar?

PCs are often linked to 'Comrades', NPCs under their direct control like we've seen in other recent 40K RPG releases.

Adversaries are Chaos, Dark Eldar, Orks.

**BrookM**

Niiiiiiiice, thanks!

**warboss**

I find this somewhat strange. If they had offered a discount for the "beta" download and then, in return for verified help in testing, given you the actual download free... I'd think that was a good idea. But a visually gimped version with some beta rules for a full PDF price? Pass.

**PrimarchX**

I don't know. It lets me start my campaign at least a couple of months ahead of time. Any minor changes that occur between now and then should be easy to absorb. I also usually buy the .pdf versions anyway, so this actually saves me money (I probably won't buy the Only War final .pdf unless there are way major changes).

**Valhallan42nd**

God dammit, I've spent far too much Hobby money recently....

**the_dunner**

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

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

**BrookM**

Oh yes, here's hoping they can release a rulebook without the amounts of typos in them for once.

**SpaceRatCatcher**

There is an incentive. From the DriveThruRPG page:

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

So it's effectively free for someone who goes on to buy the final product in PDF form. It does seem odd to charge for a beta, but I can certainly understand it. Otherwise, people who otherwise would have purchased the final version might decide instead to skip it and just use their mostly complete beta copy.

**PrimarchX**

At first look I'm pretty impressed by the character creation and advancement system in ONLY WAR. No class-based advancement tables! Characters get fixed skills per their archetype and also gain Aptitudes in certain wide areas (there are aptitudes linked to Characteristics, combat styles, social abilities, etc). When you buy an advance each skill, characteristic and talent has two Aptitudes associated with it. You pay differing xp costs to acquire that ability depending on how many Aptitudes you share with it. All characters get the General Aptitude for free.

Example: If your character has the Perception and Field Craft Aptitudes then gaining a Simple Characteristic Advance in Perception only costs 100xp. If they only have the Perception or Field Craft Aptitude it costs 500xp. If they have neither it costs 750xp.

Talents come in three Tiers (with Tier 1 being the least 'powerful' and Tier 3 being most). Again pricing depends on shared Aptitudes between your character and the Talent involved. Of course Talent prerequisites must be met as usual.

**warboss**

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

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

Both the alpha and beta versions of the Pathfinder were free. Since it appears you get a credit for the real product, I withdraw my previous lolwhut objection.

**H.B.M.C.**

Ok I'm going over the beta now. One of things about writing for FFG is how much we can talk about. One of those very strict rules is we can talk about the stuff we've worked on, but only if its been revealed (eg. I'd love to tell you all about Tome of Fate, but as all they've really done is announce it and show the 1KSons Sorcerer, I can't talk about my stuff yet). But, with this beta, pretty much everything I did is in there, so I can finally talk about the one thing I've been waiting to talk about since fething November last year:

VEHICLES!!!

Vehicles were not really revealed in the initial announcements, so I haven't said anything up to now, but now I can say that I wrote the vehicle rules (and Guard vehicle profiles) for this book. They're probably the thing I've had the most fun writing for FFG because I got to write them in the way I've always wanted vehicles to be. We're not meant to brag, and we're not meant to grandstand, but I will celebrate the fact that I love these vehicle rules and I hope everyone enjoys using them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

PrimarchX wrote:Stats for a Baneblade are included.

Damn straight stats for the Baneblade are included. You think I was going to write a basic introductory Guard vehicle section and not put in the Baneblade? HA!

**Alpharius**

Baneblade variants in too?

You know the greatest Super-Heavy of all time needs to be in there, right?

Yes, that would be the Stormhammer!

**H.B.M.C.**

Only so much room in the book. I prioritised and put in:

1. Leman Russ
2. Leman Russ Demolisher
3. Leman Russ Vanquisher
4. Chimera
5. Hellhound
6. Basilisk
7. Sentinel
8. Baneblade

**BrookM**

Get to work on that vehicle supplement right now!

**SpaceRatCatcher**

I really dig the vehicle rules, H.B.M.C., kudos on those! Only War definitely deserved a more in-depth treatment of vehicles. I foresee a lot of fun with the crit tables.

**H.B.M.C.**

Glad you like 'em.

**warboss**

So... how different are the vehicle rules from the Deathwatch vehicle rules? Are the two systems compatible and the stats just new or is it a reworking from the ground up?

**narked**

Well I caved and grabbed the pdf, before realising the bit about the $20 coupon for the final product. It's pretty much the full book minus the background sections from the very quick look I've had so far.

Looking forward to running through a few sessions with my club, and will definately throw some vehicles in to have a play!

**H.B.M.C.**

Warboss - I'll give a detailed reply on the vehicles in a second, but first, some housekeeping:

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Word From the Developers

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

• • •

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Gaming,
The Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay Team

• • •

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

And...

ONLY WAR BETA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**BrookM**

Just now going over the regimental creation process, all I can say is niiiiiiiiice!

**H.B.M.C.**

And for those wondering what Regiments would be in the final game, there are:

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

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