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I'm not an rpg player, but my two younger brothers (age 21 and 27 so not all that young) are. They're always looking for new games to play and I would like to get them a gift of either of these two.

What are the differences between them and which would you suggest for someone new to the 40k universe but not new to role playing? Which is more fun, or are they both about the same?

The difference is mostly in scale.

In DH, you play as part of a smallish group of agents working for an Inquisitor.

In RT, you play as part of the command crew for a huge space ship with a crew in the tens of thousands.

Both are very good. I think DH is a better introduction to the 40k setting because it is chock full of the dark, medieval-esque tropes that make up the franchise. In RT, your characters have more freedom and power so they are less paranoid and maybe even a bit heretical.

DH is better for first time players, because RT is far too freeform, Because of this most players learn the system in DH and then later play RT or maybe deathwatch.

I've heard a lot of comments to the idea that RT is a bit more 'polished' in things like the syker abilities. I know I saw a lot of complaints that DH was so low-powered at first, but that seemed more like an 'expectations' issue than a true flaw.

It sounds like 'what the GM and players want to run/play' should be a big deciding factor. RT has some neat stuff so the GM can give the players a group objective and let them go about it, but I could see some players turtling and trying to build their characters up at a safe-ish planet instead of going out and doing Rogue Trader stuff if there's no incentive to do so.

Better? No, no, no. Not the right way of looking at it at all!

Different.

They are different games. Their intent and focus are on different subjects, and they play in a different way (despite sharing a common rules base). Your choice to play one or the other would depend on what focus you like more - investigation and cult-hunting, or exploration and profiteering.

The only real thing you can point to as being 'better' is how RT has refinements to the DH rules, but by that example DW is 'better' than RT, BC is 'better' than DW and (when you guys finally see it), how OW is 'better' than BC. Each game is an evolution of the rules that came before it, so DH obviously suffers from being first. Doesn't make it bad, just missing a few things.

Thanks for the input in this thread. I went ahead and got my brother Dark Heresy. I think I'm going to give him the Eisenhorn trilogy to get him familiar with the 40k universe as well as a couple books about space marines. I just haven't decided which ones yet. I have plenty to choose from on my shelf.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Better? No, no, no. Not the right way of looking at it at all!

Different.

They are different games. Their intent and focus are on different subjects, and they play in a different way (despite sharing a common rules base). Your choice to play one or the other would depend on what focus you like more - investigation and cult-hunting, or exploration and profiteering.

The only real thing you can point to as being 'better' is how RT has refinements to the DH rules, but by that example DW is 'better' than RT, BC is 'better' than DW and (when you guys finally see it), how OW is 'better' than BC. Each game is an evolution of the rules that came before it, so DH obviously suffers from being first. Doesn't make it bad, just missing a few things.

I might have worded my question better, but since I don't role play, I wanted to find out if one game had large rules issues, if one game was generally considered more fun than the other, which would possibly be better for someone experienced in role playing but unfamiliar with 40k, and what the differences between the games are.
I'm just trying to introduce this awesome universe to my bro and get him a gift that he will enjoy. So not trying to bag on one game or the other

DH and Eisenhorn? You're a good brother.

Manchu wrote:DH and Eisenhorn? You're a good brother.

Lol thanks. I take care of family

Great choice! The Eisenhorn books were some of the first stories I read from Dan Abnett, and is the PERFECT choice to really show the setting for DH!! I believe there were 2 Eisenhorn Omnibus.. get both if you can!!