FoxPhoenix135 wrote:When is the living errata for Rogue Trader going to be updated? I would have thought it would have been updated soon after BFK, or has it not been as long as I think it has? I was barely aware BFK was on its way when I happened to see it in a local shop.

FoxPhoenix135 wrote:Aw c'mon, elected official? What, like the president of the local chess club? Keep it on topic, Baron. Keep personal issues out of it please. Keep this bull up and I'd be happy to report it.

BaronIveagh wrote:

FoxPhoenix135 wrote:Aw c'mon, elected official? What, like the president of the local chess club? Keep it on topic, Baron. Keep personal issues out of it please. Keep this bull up and I'd be happy to report it.

Auditor. Kan looked it up once, and was disgusted to find it true, IIRC.

Kanluwen wrote:
Why do you keep talking about me in this thread? I haven't "looked up" anything about you, nor do I regularly post at FFG's site(where I do have an account though, under this same name). Most of my posts there were in a Female Space Marine thread.

Kanluwen wrote:I can say without a doubt that I have not looked up anything regarding you. So stop your shenanigans, Baron.

FFG wrote:Best of Foes



Greetings, Deathwatch fans!

Today, we’re pleased to offer a designer diary by Andrew Hoare, in which he delves into the Tau psyche and shares insights into the type of campaigns a GM can create with the upcoming Mark of the Xenos. Thanks, Andrew!


A Dynamic expansion

The collectivist Tau represent a major threat to the Imperium’s ambitions in the Jericho Reach. In fact, the Achilus Crusade was originally conceived to expel the Tau Empire from the once prosperous region. It was once hoped that the Tau might be pushed all the way back to their home worlds, opening a new front and defeating them once and for all.
Tragically, the Imperium’s crusade to reclaim the Reach ground to a halt when its worlds failed to welcome their liberation from anarchy or xenos oppression. Worse still, entire human-populated systems took arms against the Emperor’s sanctified warriors and declared themselves for the Ruinous Powers. With the Crusade forced to deploy its armies against this unanticipated threat, the push into Tau-held space stalled and a bitter stalemate ensued. To make things worse, another xenos species has since reared its ugly head in the Jericho Reach, and one that may in the long run force the Imperium to make a very difficult decision indeed. With the arrival of Hive Fleet Dagon, will the Imperium continue to prosecute its war against the Tau, redirect those assets to stall the Tyranid invasion, or will it attempt to fight both at once? Those of a radical bent whisper in dark places of a third option – perhaps elements of the two species might join forces against the extra-galactic Tyranids…


Decisions, decisions

The Tau then represent a wealth of gaming opportunities for GMs looking to broaden the horizons of their campaigns. There are several main ways they can be used, and doubtless GMs will come up with many more.

The most obvious use for the Tau in games of Deathwatch is as the bad guys, plain and simple. Equipped as they are with a staggering range of exotic and devastating technology, Tau forces are a challenge even for the most experienced Kill-team. They are also very different from the slavering bio-constructs of Hive Fleet Dagon, in that they eschew close combat in favour of a lethal combination of firepower and agility, calling for a different approach in combating them.
The second use is far subtler, but allows many engaging narratives to develop. While the bulk of the Canis Salient is engaged against the Tau, fighting a bitter war across dozens of worlds, there are times when the crusade’s supreme leaders have deemed it necessary to circumvent local commanders and sent contact missions to the Tau. While many such missions have resulted in bloodshed and recrimination, some have led to cooperation, albeit hidden from the Imperium at large. Embroiling the player characters in a situation where they are forced to parley with the Tau makes for some truly memorable encounters.

The last use for the Tau is as an outright ally, with the Deathwatch’s finest actually fighting side by side with the collectivist xenos. Obviously, this doesn’t happen often, but when it does it should be a really big deal. There’s even a named Tau leader – Commander Flamewing – who espouses the belief that his Empire and Humanity should pool their resources to defeat the Tyranids, before both are consumed by the unending waves of slavering xenos!




Know thy enemy

Mark of the Xenos contains a wide range of Tau Masters, Elites and Troops, as well as detailed rules for some of the species’ most iconic weapons and equipment. In addition to Tau adversaries such as Ethereals, Broadside Battlesuits and Pathfinders, the supplement describes the troops of several of the Empire’s subject races, including Kroot, Kroothounds, Great Knarlocs and Vespid. Each entry includes an Adventure Seed box, presenting the GM with one or more ideas that can easily be expanded into a full adventure.

The blue peril

Some amongst the Imperium’s most senior leaders would say (in private) that the real danger the Tau represent to Humanity is nothing to do with their rapid expansion into the regions of the Eastern Fringe. In reality, the Tau Empire is miniscule in comparison to the vast Imperium. Indeed, it has been argued that had Hive Fleet Behemoth not descended upon the Eastern Fringe, the Damocles Gulf Crusade would ultimately have conquered the Tau home worlds. While the species does not represent an existential, military threat to the Imperium as a whole, it does however represent something far more insidious. By necessity, much of Humanity exists under a brutal yoke, subject to the most totalitarian of regimes ever to have existed. Mankind is jealous and hateful of other species, and would, were it possible, cleanse the stars of any potential rivals to their destiny. The Tau Empire however, does not oppress its people, and welcomes all who would submit to it, regardless of species. The peoples of the Tau Empire appear content to serve their Tau masters, and will make the ultimate of sacrifices not because they are forced to or have no other choice. Rather, in the Tau’s collectivist and inclusive doctrines they see something truly worth fighting for and spreading across the galaxy to include every species that will submit.

For the Imperium, there can exist no greater xenos threat than one that fights not for territory or resources, or even for racial survival. The Tau fight to enlighten the ignorant, to recruit them into the truth of the Greater Good.

Stay vigilant, your chance to know your enemy is imminent. Look for Mark of the Xenos to appear in the Jericho Reach in the second quarter of 2011!

Ozymandias wrote:Man, the tau must have seriously pissed in your corn flakes.

Ozymandias wrote:Pretty cool about the contribution to the RT errata, do they mention you as HBMC or use your real name?

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Ozymandias wrote:Man, the tau must have seriously pissed in your corn flakes.

I've never trusted the Tau, and I never will. I can never forgive them for the death of my boy.

DW errata, not RT. And I used my real name.

FFG wrote:
Earn the Favour of the Ruinous Powers
Play a Black Crusade introductory adventure at Free RPG Day, June 18th


“Heresy: such a simple word for such a complex idea. And like so many of the titles bestowed by the followers of the Corpse-God, utterly meaningless."
—Karnak Zul



On route across the sector to a carry out a sentence of torture, interrogation, and execution, the Imperial prison barge Chains of Judgement has become lost in the warp, drifting far off course. Now, you and your fellow condemned heretics have awoken from stasis to find the ship in a state of chaos and ruin. Competing factions vie for control, including several members of the Inquisition intent on retaking the ship. Can you gain your freedom before the Imperium’s claws close around you once and for all?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to once again participate in Free RPG day, an annual event that encourages RPG enthusiasts to demo current and upcoming titles. This year, you’re invited to take part in Broken Chains, an introductory adventure for Black Crusade. When the dark gods show you an opportunity to escape certain death at the hands of the Imperium, will you have the cunning and strength to seize it?



Glory and Power Await

This free introduction to Black Crusade includes a full adventure, four pre-generated characters, and a set of basic rules to help players and Game Masters become familiar with the Black Crusade roleplaying game. See if your local retailer is participating at the Free RPG Day Retailer Locator.

Do you live in the Roseville, Minnesota area (NB: Don't we all? - HB)? In honor of Free RPG Day, the Fantasy Flight Games Event Center will be giving away free copies of Broken Chains, and RPG developers San Stewart, Ross Watson, Mack Martin, and Andrew Fischer will be in attendance to answer questions and run introductory sessions. Sign up now at the Event Center to play Black Crusade with a 40K RPG designer!

BaronIveagh wrote:Why does it say 'Free RPG Day 2010'? Are we taking this back in time?

Noisy_Marine wrote:Does that mean Black Crusade is already out.

FFG wrote:Brotherhood and Duty

Announcing The Achilus Assault, a sourcebook for Deathwatch.


“The opportunity that we are offered is far too great to ignore. A brief foray, using the assets of the Calixis Sector, could spread the glory of the God-Emperor to millions who crave his light and return untold wealth and glory to Scintilla."
–Tiber Achilus, in his bid for command of the Crusade into the Jericho Reach



Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of The Achilus Assault, a sourcebook for Deathwatch! Coming in the third quarter of 2011, The Achilus Assault is a guide to the fires of war raging in the Jericho Reach, from the numberless tides of the Tyranids in Hive Fleet Dagon to the hellish legions of Chaos pouring forth from the Hadex Anomaly and the expansionist aggression of the Tau Empire. The threats presented in this tome provide Game Masters with a surfeit of antagonists and mysteries to confront a Deathwatch Kill-team.

The essence of war, brotherhood, heroism, and duty pervade the setting for Deathwatch. The task of the Achilus Crusade embraces all of these themes, yet it faces great challenges from both without and within. To live up to these ideals is a difficult task, yet it is the fate of the Deathwatch Space Marines in the Jericho Reach to shoulder this duty head-on—they are the first and last line of defence against a myriad of threats to the Crusade of which some commanders are not even aware.



On the front lines

For more on this invaluable resource, we present a few insights from Deathwatch’s lead developer:

The setting for the Deathwatch RPG is a massive war front—the Achilus Crusade—sweeping across the lost worlds of the Jericho Reach. The front lines of this interstellar conflict are a great backdrop for the adventures of the Deathwatch Space Marines battling alongside the Crusade forces, and the Achilus Assault is a brand-new sourcebook that brings all of this into focus for a Deathwatch campaign. The Achilus Assault provides detailed descriptions for some of the Jericho Reach’s most significant planets and warzones to allow players and GMs alike to plan new Deathwatch Missions.

Each of the three major salients of the Achilus Crusade have their own unique themes and deadly enemies. Some foes may be reasoned with, whilst others must be fought to the bitter end. This book describes the major threats to the Crusade’s advance and describes how the efforts of Deathwatch Kill-teams can tip the balance.

With The Achilus Assault, you can bring your Deathwatch campaign into the front lines of the Crusade, and choose which worlds shall be saved, and which shall burn.

Keep checking back for more on The Achilus Assault, and watch for it at your local game store in the third quarter of 2011!

H.B.M.C. wrote:Finally they announce this book!

H.B.M.C. wrote:You might have to PM me the answer, as I'm not sure if the contract allows you to say what bit you wrote.

the_dunner wrote:We're allowed to take credit for things after they're public. Like, say, that quote. However, I'll need to wait for the book to hit release to discuss anything else. Apologies.

FFG wrote:Bring Order to Chaos

Announcing the upcoming release of the Game Master's Kit for Black Crusade

“Make war upon the Imperium of Man? What is it you think the Legions have been doing for the last ten thousand years? War does not end with a single victory or a single planet. It is an eternal creature that outlives men and their tiny triumphs."
-Arzyn the Silencebringer, warrior of the World Eaters



Guide your players down the path of Chaos with The Game Master’s Kit for Black Crusade, coming in the third quarter of 2011! This helpful resource features a sturdy Game Master’s screen, displaying stunning Black Crusade art on one side and a wealth of useful quick references on the other. In addition, The Game Master’s Kit includes a 32-page full colour booklet with a complete adventure, a selection of useful NPCs, expanded rules for running Black Crusade adventures, and advice for how to run an extended campaign.

Rivals for Glory

Challenge your players with the included adventure, which takes a group of Heretics to the shattered ruins of an infamous pirate empire. Once there, they’ll find a harsh reminder that the Screaming Vortex teems with other servants of Chaos, and in each one burns the same bloody determination to earn glory by any means necessary.

While on a hunt for a cultural relic of great influence that was lost in the wreck of a mercenary transport ship, the Heretics will begin a race for power against ruthless competition. But rival fortune-seekers may not be the greatest threat they face; their prize is on the brutal world of Sacgrave, a warp-ravaged planet that’s home to marauding gangs, horrific mutants, and worse. Gather clues, coerce the local populace, and deal with the planet’s fickle overseer, and you’ll earn the favour of your dark masters.



Glory and power await those willing to learn forbidden knowledge. Look for The Game Master’s Kit for Black Crusade in the third quarter of 2011!