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How do?

So by now, I'm sure you've seen the forthcoming Rogue Trader boxed game info. If not, it's in the News and Rumours. Don't worry, these words will still be here when you get back (provided I don't go off on one and get it locked, natch).

And yay! Just like Deathwatch Overkill, we're getting a Boxed Game return for one of the oldest aspects of 40k. So old, the game was named after them! Yes! Rogue Traders are getting model representation (and what representation. I'm counting four, possibly five female sculpts in what we've seen).

Now, just like Genestealer Cults before them, I'd shocked, surprised, taken aback, aghast and frankly crying, if this doesn't herald a Codex Rogue Traders at some point in the future.

Before much more wimbriling, here's a link to explain what a Rogue Trader is.

In short, they're part of the Imperium, but not part of it's formal military structure. In some respects, they have more freedom to act than an Inquisitor. But where an Inquisitor can simply seize command of troops they need, a Rogue Trader tends to hire them.

And that could make for a very, very interesting Codex - especially as it could easily include Inquisitors as well (after all, when exploring new systems, it's not at all unusual for Inquisitors to be amongst a Rogue Trader fleet, known or otherwise). And I christen that Codex, right now, as Codex; Imperial Agents.

A Codex to represent powerful individuals that operate outside of the usual Imperium channels - those that can and will go where they want, and do what they want. And how glorious it could be!

Your HQ would be Inquisitors and Rogue Traders - possibly their upper command staff (though those could be elites, ala Court of the Archon). Keywords? It was suggested in another thread that each entry would have Radical, Puritan, or both. If you've taken a Radical for your HQ, you get access to lots of things that would see the average Imperial Guard Commander strung up for. Like Xenos recruits, Daemonhosts, that sort of stuff. If you're a Puritan? Highly competent Imperial assets (such as Sisters of Silence, Astartes etc) - ones that don't play well with Radical elements.

All sorts of combinations could be made from that. And no need to Soup, as I envisage a fairly thick Codex. Think of how Dark Eldar are divvied up into Kabals, Wych Cults and Haemonculus Covens - just substitute Radical, Puritan and Meh.

Meh could include specific Imperial units - such as Guard Veteran Squads (nobody is going to take greenhorns with them), basic Marine Tactical Squads (because some Chapters are very flexible when it comes to dealing with Xenos. Others, not so much), Skitarii

Radical - Xenos units (Kroot, Vespid, Freebooterz, Eldar, that sort of thing. Possibly brand new units)

Puritan - SoB, Custards, Sisters of SIlence - you're more elite or aloof stuff. Maybe even Chapter specific squads?

Think an Imperial Soup book, entirely self contained.

What's your thoughts on this?

I think that sounds like a lot of fun.

My role-playing group are currently going through a campaign playing as more or less this. We the players are members of an Ordo Xenos inquisitorial retinue, working under an NPC inquisitor. We have, as players, a techpriest (me), a xenobiologist, a rogue trader captain, and a deputy / acolyte inquisitor. Would be cool to be able to put together a corresponding army...

Yeah, I think the Rogue Trader stuff would be a great fit in a Imperial Agents codex, together with the Inquisiton and Assassins

I think that's a superb idea.

It'd definitely add more depth to something that could otherwise be released as quite a shallow codex.

Let's hope someone at GW thinks along the same lines as you OP

Imo not interested in this. Rt's are traders. Getting involved in battles of 40k scale would be bad for business. Rt's would be more appropriate for inquisitor or necromunda or 40k 1st ed. Not in game where entire platoons, super heavies and ＰＲＩＭＡＣrch are fighting.

tneva82 wrote:
Imo not interested in this. Rt's are traders. Getting involved in battles of 40k scale would be bad for business. Rt's would be more appropriate for inquisitor or necromunda or 40k 1st ed. Not in game where entire platoons, super heavies and ＰＲＩＭＡＣrch are fighting.

Rogue Traders conquer planets as well as trade, they vary from struggling with a single small ship to entire Dynasties with fleets and armies. This has been true since day one of 40K - Book of the Astronomican had RT armies with companies of Space Marines.

Its the same argument that was levelled falsely at Ad Mech given the power of their forces and their exploratory fleets.

Sadly I think the Codex would be limited due to not having the model choice as has been the case with Ad Mech and Knights.

 Mr Morden wrote:

tneva82 wrote:
Imo not interested in this. Rt's are traders. Getting involved in battles of 40k scale would be bad for business. Rt's would be more appropriate for inquisitor or necromunda or 40k 1st ed. Not in game where entire platoons, super heavies and ＰＲＩＭＡＣrch are fighting.

Rogue Traders conquer planets as well as trade, they vary from struggling with a single small ship to entire Dynasties with fleets and armies. This has been true since day one of 40K - Book of the Astronomican had RT armies with companies of Space Marines.

Its the same argument that was levelled falsely at Ad Mech given the power of their forces and their exploratory fleets.

Sadly I think the Codex would be limited due to not having the model choice as has been the case with Ad Mech and Knights.

Mr Morden is quite correct. Combat it seems, is the price of doing business, and has long been part of the lore surrounding Rogue Traders:

"In the unlikely event that this initial show of force does not prove sufficient, then a more protracted campaign may be required. No Rogue Trader wishes to become embroiled in such a war, but sometimes it simply cannot be avoided. If the Rogue Trader's remit extends to actually dethroning the Planetary Governor in question, then many will proceed to such a course as soon as possible. This usually ends the matter in short order, a more compliant replacement being selected according to whatever political system put him in power in the first place."

Quite the military force you'd have to be packing to quell an entire planet...

And they can afford the very best equipment. And well protected bodyguards tend to survive for longer, only getting better at their jobs.

As for the model range? Doesn't really require a great many new units.

Transports would Rhino or Chimera. Tanks likely some form of Leman Russ (possibly Predators?? - and infantry is mostly pre-existing.

Add in maybe a half dozen entirely new, and you're most of the way there

Rather than 'soup', I'd prefer to see some new units that are unique to Rogue Traders - grizzled veteran gangs, rogue special ops forces with custom equipment, new aliens and so on.

Defo room for both Regular and exotic ratings.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
And they can afford the very best equipment. And well protected bodyguards tend to survive for longer, only getting better at their jobs.

As for the model range? Doesn't really require a great many new units.

Transports would Rhino or Chimera. Tanks likely some form of Leman Russ (possibly Predators?? - and infantry is mostly pre-existing.

Add in maybe a half dozen entirely new, and you're most of the way there

Transports - they could have done that with Ad Mech - new insignia Doors etc and job done. Be nice if they did but....

Eh, stylistic choice for their to be footslogging and slow.