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My Black Crusade book just arrived and I've spent lunch time reading through the 8 different archetypes and none of them really fit the character idea that I want to generate for a story as the main villain, so I thought I'd throw it out here to see if there are any suggestions. Ideally I'd like to avoid major rework on any of the archetypes, but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

I'm looking to create a human who's been dabbling in genetics, more specifically the Fydae plagues, and is currently working his way across the Malfian region spreading it in his wake.
He started off life as a medicae with very little combat experience, quite shy and constantly on the run. He got caught up in an outbreak of the virus and was desperately trying to work out something to stave off the infections; eventually turning to Nurgle to prevent himself becoming one of the walking dead. In exchange he's now working to enhance the plague and travels across the region spreading it, desperately wishing that none of his gifts become too obvious before he reaches his goal of the sector capital and those that abandoned them to the plague.

In the BC book there are 4 human archetypes up for offer; Heretek, Apostate, Renegade and Psyker. Heretek assumes you were AdMech and will be replacing large chunks of your body; which he isn't. Apostate is far too preacher-y and social for this guy, though it does offer lots of Lore and Forbidden Lore skills. He's not a psyker and Renegade assumes you are a warrior, throwing lots of martial skills and stat boosts your way.

Ideally he's something more along the lines of an Adept from DH with lots of medicae/Chymistry knowledge and very little combat experience.

The closest on offer is the Apostate, but this gives him lots of charm/deception-y type skills to help work his way into society. This guy is a doctor who has been delving too far into chymistry and is constantly on the run/hiding from society... so half of the starting skills/talents are invalid.

From your description, Apostate still sounds somewhat appropriate: Being on the run is still going to require some deception and 'people' skills unless he's hiding in the wilderness all by himself.

If you're the GM: Who cares? Maybe use the AdMech description and say that instead of cyborg bits he's got weird custom-grown bioorganisms replacing his own. Mechanically it works the same (maybe swap any vulnerability to EMP with a vulnerability to soemthing else). Or just house-rule it. You're the GM. The player character rules are for players. Just don't be that GM.

If you're the player: Talk to the GM about the above ideas. Make sure the character fits the group. If there's a bunch of Chaos Marine types that are built to go chainswording into Imperial spacecraft, a reclusive scientist might be left twiddling his thumbs a bit. If nothing else, may go for a junior-league Fabius Bile type who in addition to plagues, is giving out 'gifts' to others and has some skills to fit in with a group.

Stick with apostate and look at the genator in the rogue trader into the storm book for inspiration and ask your gm to trade talents out.

You could always play a heretek that doesn't have bionics after all...

The Heretek sounds the closest to what you want. The thing with Black Crusade is that, unlike the other three games, all the Mechanicus Implants and stuff you need for specific Mechanicus Talents and abilities are not automatic. You don't start with all of them, so if you wanted to avoid taking lots of Mechanicus-style equipment you can.

Furthermore, as Black Crusade operates on a completely open XP/advance system you don't just have to take Mechanicus-related upgrades. You can tailor your character however you want really.

H.B.M.C. wrote:The Heretek sounds the closest to what you want. The thing with Black Crusade is that, unlike the other three games, all the Mechanicus Implants and stuff you need for specific Mechanicus Talents and abilities are not automatic. You don't start with all of them, so if you wanted to avoid taking lots of Mechanicus-style equipment you can.

Furthermore, as Black Crusade operates on a completely open XP/advance system you don't just have to take Mechanicus-related upgrades. You can tailor your character however you want really.

Are you looking at the same Heretek that I am?
With the Mechanicus implants, one additional implant, one mechandrite, Traitor to Mars and all the tech use skills/talents leads to a very specific feel to the starting character. At least with the Apostate you can select the 6 Lores, which means you've at least got plenty of knowledge to throw around.

At the moment I'm leaning more towards the Apostate, but replacing things like Disturbing Voice/Radiant Presence, Polygot/Mimic, command and Air of Authority; replacing them with Chymistry/medicae etc.... maybe a minor mutation/plague... we'll see.

thanks for the guidance!