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I'm thinking of starting the FF game Rogue Trader, and was wondering if anyone could give me some starting info i.e.

Should I start?
Roughly how you play
What models are good
etc.

I'd recommend starting it as it's gone down really well in my local gaming club. It can be a bit difficult to get used to scale and options available if you've only done D&D / Pathfinder style games before e.g. sending in hundreds of mercenaries is a viable solution to a problem as are orbital lance strikes. Scaling encounters can be a bit tricky too at first.

It works on the percentile system rather than the D20 system and relies on other actions, equipment and circumstances to boost your stats rather than them progressing each time you level up since even in you score max rolls for your BS it's never going to get naturally better than 60. We've found in our group combat seems to take a bit of a back seat to the other interactions and thinking outside the box to solve problems (last session they vented atmosphere in the station to avoid the guard patrols) though that might be us.We just use some bfg models for space battles and 40k ones for the encounters on the ground.

OK, thanks. Is it as complicated as Inquisitor? I read the first page of the Rule book and put it down, and walked away.

We've found it a bit more straight forward than inquisitor which we tried a couple of times. Some bits of the rules though especially with the campaigns do seem to be more guidelines than set rules and we've found a few bits that the GM has had to make a call on as it's not really covered. The fantasy flight site does have a contact section and the developers are really good with giving official rulings on particular rules or interactions if you mail them.

If you're GMing it I'd recommend talking through the ship build for the party beforehand to figure out what they want from it as some of the ship combos can skew space combat a bit e,g, murder servitors and a teleportarium.

Hi,

Welcome to Dakka!

Ive been playing Deathwatch lately, and have looked at Rogue Trader which is the same system, so I wouldn't be able to comment on anything but the generalised game system, but they're definitely based on inquisitor but far better developed- inquisitor was a good idea but simply broken and unsuitable for a traditional party campaign. It's a reasonably good system, IMO maybe a little under D&D 3.5 standard but not by much (and that may be more deathwatch than Rogue Trader, which has a real melee v ranged balance issue) and to me the fact you're playing in the 40k world has a lot of appeal.

However if you are interested in playing things outside the 40k world we all love, i'd personally suggest one of the simpler systems like World of Darkness or the Firefly RPG- I've played a few RPGs over the years and invariably find the ones with the fewer, more straight forward rules accommodate roleplaying better and dont actually slow you down or limit you at all. although it is really personal choice- D&D or FFG games allow for more in depth, tactical combat, while the simpler ones promote an overall story better.

if you have played D&D i'd say while the system is on a d100 rather than a d20, as far as the rules go, you'll know what you're in for. most of the basic rules, like turn structure and skill checks work in a very similar manner.

lza269 wrote:... a real melee v ranged balance issue...

How do you mean?

H.B.M.C.
Post 2011/04/18 11:38:27 Subject: Re:Rogue Trader?

lza269 wrote:... a real melee v ranged balance issue...



How do you mean?

My experience in Deathwatch is that ranged is far superior to melee. This is only my experience though, and may pertain more to DW as everyone starts with bolters. I'd rather not take this thread off topic though so I wont go into details, probably better to start a DW thread, and I'd be happy to discuss.

No, no. That's what I thought you meant. I happen to agree.

Astartes Bolt Weapons are ludicrously overpowered, to the point where melee is pointless (as are every other weapon beyond the ubiquitous Astartes Heavy Bolter).

We can only hope that one day that'll change...

Astartes Bolt Weapons are ludicrously overpowered, to the point where melee is pointless (as are every other weapon beyond the ubiquitous Astartes Heavy Bolter).

That sums it up pretty well. Still, seeing as there's no Astartes players in Rogue Trader I'm guessing this issue simply doesn't exist.

Therefore it's a pretty damn good system. Enjoy.

One of the biggest perks (IMO) for the RT game over, say, Dark Heresy, is that you get a starship! It shifts the focus a bit. In my group, it allows us a lot more freedom to play in a more sandbox form. Also it is quite epic to get into space battles, putting together the skills of the group to overcome long odds.

Models are not necessary, but helpful. The space combat does not lend well to the actual models, since they take up a lot of space, but they are definitely nice to look at. 40k models are abundant as well, and the number of plastics make conversion easy. So YMMV when it comes to models. One thing that will drive you nuts: don't try to make them WYSIWYG. Your characters will change weapons and armor at some point, and if you have real sticklers it can be maddening when the models don't match up. My suggestion: Invest in a dry-erase board and some wet-erase markers, especially for the space battles. You can make magnetized icons or markers for ships, debris, etc if you are so inclined.

Roughly how you play: using 2 ten-sided dice, you roll them as a percentile, with one die representing the "tens" and one representing the "ones" digits. This is great, I love percentiles as opposed to the d20. It lets you really fine tune things, and makes the narrowly-successful rolls all the sweeter. Do over to FFG and download the free sample adventure. It is a great introduction to how you play, and is a great taste of the setting.

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Astartes Bolt Weapons are ludicrously overpowered, to the point where melee is pointless (as are every other weapon beyond the ubiquitous Astartes Heavy Bolter).

...

that is like me an eldar farseer rips it out your hand and you end up spending 20 rounds trying to kill him with your combat knife (Damn pesky psykers)

Doesn't matter if he takes you Bolter. You just hit 'im with your Bolt Pistol next round and wait for the team's Heavy Bolter to come by in the initiative order.

The Heavy Bolter can one shot anything with 150-wounds or less in a single round.

It took my pistol HB and bolter.........................

Thanks very much. I est v enlightened lol...