Warhammer Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - turn-based Warhammer 40k RPG from Owlcat Games - now with Void Shadows DLC

[Anonymous Ranger]

I bought this at launch and put around 9.5 hours into it before performance and bugs pulled me out completely. I haven't touched it since April 15th, but I haven't really played it since probably around Christmas. Is it in better shape now? I'm expecting I will have to start all over, which is fine, since I don't remember a fucking thing anyway.

Yes I beat it a month or two back. There were minor bugs here and there but it was nothing that would prevent you from finishing the game and it's nothing like it was at launch. Totally playable now unlike how it was before.

 

[skaraher]

I dare you to read Legion, Know No Fear and Prospero Burns and then tell me with a straight face that they are 'unreadable'. Fucking laughable.

I read them and they're shit. Legion is one of the worst pre-woke Abnett novel and introduced the most retarded concepts of HH.

I am looking into playing this, but if you can believe it, I know next to nothing about this 40k universe.
What is a good Codex approved introduction to this world? (video, audio, etc)

I read a few books, most were absolute dogshit, but the first Horus Heresy book was pretty good and it's a good introduction to the world. Gaunt's Ghosts was also enjoyable. Both are available as audiobooks.

For lore and quick introductions to the concepts, Luetin is like the ultimate sleep-to-this channel on YouTube entire:



I'm not that into 40K tbh but I enjoy having Luetin in the background while doing other shit

Only the first HH book is readable.

Complete nonsense.

There are at least 15 books that are excellent.

Name one, non slop warham novel.

Horus Rising (in fact most of the Horus Heresy series is p. gud)
Eisenhorn series
Ravenor series
vast majority of the Gaunts Ghosts series (I would perhaps not count Ghost Maker, as it is a collection of short stories)
Horusian Wars series
Shira Calpurnia series
Last Chancers series
Siege of Terra series
Inquisition War series
Execution Hour/Shadowpoint (I guess I could call them a Gothic War series too)
plenty of the old Necromunda books were p. good too - I would name Junction as an example

I mean this is already 30+ books right here, want me to keep going?

I asked about non-slop novel, not harlequins for men.

Eisenhorn and Horus Rising are mid-SF, Abnett is no Gene Wolfe. The rest is hot garbage.

Ciaphas Cain from Sandy Mitchell is good comedy and pokes fun at the retardation of the 40k verse.

The other authors can go fuck themselves.

I learned recently Gaunt Ghost was essentially ripping off Sharpe.

 

[Reinhardt]

I am looking into playing this, but if you can believe it, I know next to nothing about this 40k universe.
What is a good Codex approved introduction to this world? (video, audio, etc)

I read a few books, most were absolute dogshit, but the first Horus Heresy book was pretty good and it's a good introduction to the world. Gaunt's Ghosts was also enjoyable. Both are available as audiobooks.

For lore and quick introductions to the concepts, Luetin is like the ultimate sleep-to-this channel on YouTube entire:



I'm not that into 40K tbh but I enjoy having Luetin in the background while doing other shit

Only the first HH book is readable.

Complete nonsense.

There are at least 15 books that are excellent.

Name one, non slop warham novel.

deff skwadron

 

[Yosharian]

Ah my bad, I thought you were ignorant but it turns out you're just a snobby twat

Carry on

 

[Peachcurl]

I asked about non-slop novel, not harlequins for men.

define slop then

 

[La vie sexuelle]

I asked about non-slop novel, not harlequins for men.

define slop then

Definition in literature? Impossible. I can tell you about my associations, though.

Slop literature is a continuation of what was called "littérature de la gare", then pulp (I specifically avoid this term because it has associations with a certain type of subject matter, and I am less interested in the general nature of this type of literature than in subject matter). Another, more apt name is "industrial literature", born in the industrial era and produced like an industry.

Slop is convenient, easy, simple, easy to replace. It gives quick pleasure, empty calories. It is something worse than ordinary entertainment literature, which preserves the proper features of a literary work (or at least it used to be distinguishable), by which I mean an appropriately high technical, psychological level and avoidance of infantilism.

In other words, literature assumes that a mature individual operates a craft appropriately. This is what distinguishes Chandler (a writer) from Hammett (a sloper with the makings of a writer). For example - Eisenhorn or Gorek & Felix. Both series have their moments, even some depth, but too quickly they fall into very gamey brawls, inability to lead the action in a sensible direction or plain childishness.

Just like Harlequins.

And yet Gotrek and Eisenhorn are the better ones (I can also add books by Newman and Watson, forgotten nowadays). And yet there is the edgelord Bowden and the really weak Goto and a lot of nameless slopers.

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Peachcurl]

Definition in literature? Impossible. I can tell you about my associations, though.

Slop literature is a continuation of what was called "littérature de la gare", then pulp (I specifically avoid this term because it has associations with a certain type of subject matter, and I am less interested in the general nature of this type of literature than in subject matter). Another, more apt name is "industrial literature", born in the industrial era and produced like an industry.

Slop is convenient, easy, simple, easy to replace. It gives quick pleasure, empty calories. It is something worse than ordinary entertainment literature, which preserves the proper features of a literary work (or at least it used to be distinguishable), by which I mean an appropriately high technical, psychological level and avoidance of infantilism.

In other words, literature assumes that a mature individual operates a craft appropriately. This is what distinguishes Chandler (a writer) from Hammett (a sloper with the makings of a writer). For example - Eisenhorn or Gorek & Felix. Both series have their moments, even some depth, but too quickly they fall into very gamey brawls, inability to lead the action in a sensible direction or plain childishness.

Just like Harlequins.

And yet Gotrek and Eisenhorn are the better ones (I can also add books by Newman and Watson, forgotten nowadays). And yet there is the edgelord Bowden and the really weak Goto and a lot of nameless slopers.

I expect it to be hard to define. It's a very subjective term. Which is exactly why it needs a definition or at least decent context / examples if you really want a sensible answer.

What do you think of:
- Pawns of Chaos
- Witchbringer
- Grim Repast
?

btw. there's a w40k book thread: https://rpgcodex.net/forums/threads/best-warhammer-40k-books.141884

 

[Tomas]

Since there are so many Warhammer 40k scholars here I have a question regarding a book I read a few years ago. The plot dealt with a human inquisitor who was sent by his boss into the depths of the undercity to investigate some cult or plot. During the investigation he was getting conflicting messages from his boss who was under the influence of an Eldar seer. The Eldar was trying to manipulate the boss and influence the investigation to prevent attack on a craft world. Chaos space marines were involved too. That is all I remember. Anyone know what is the name of the book?

 

[Dishonoredbr]

 

[Reinhardt]

iirc they also promised arbiter bro. any news?

 

[Dishonoredbr]

iirc they also promised arbiter bro. any news?

Starrok said that's going to be mostly likely delayed too

 

[La vie sexuelle]

Definition in literature? Impossible. I can tell you about my associations, though.

Slop literature is a continuation of what was called "littérature de la gare", then pulp (I specifically avoid this term because it has associations with a certain type of subject matter, and I am less interested in the general nature of this type of literature than in subject matter). Another, more apt name is "industrial literature", born in the industrial era and produced like an industry.

Slop is convenient, easy, simple, easy to replace. It gives quick pleasure, empty calories. It is something worse than ordinary entertainment literature, which preserves the proper features of a literary work (or at least it used to be distinguishable), by which I mean an appropriately high technical, psychological level and avoidance of infantilism.

In other words, literature assumes that a mature individual operates a craft appropriately. This is what distinguishes Chandler (a writer) from Hammett (a sloper with the makings of a writer). For example - Eisenhorn or Gorek & Felix. Both series have their moments, even some depth, but too quickly they fall into very gamey brawls, inability to lead the action in a sensible direction or plain childishness.

Just like Harlequins.

And yet Gotrek and Eisenhorn are the better ones (I can also add books by Newman and Watson, forgotten nowadays). And yet there is the edgelord Bowden and the really weak Goto and a lot of nameless slopers.

I expect it to be hard to define. It's a very subjective term. Which is exactly why it needs a definition or at least decent context / examples if you really want a sensible answer.

What do you think of:
- Pawns of Chaos
- Witchbringer
- Grim Repast
?

I haven't read any of those three, partly because two of them are from the modern Warhammer era. Why do you mention them? Has the level of GW books increased recently?

btw. there's a w40k book thread: https://rpgcodex.net/forums/threads/best-warhammer-40k-books.141884

I'll look through it. Although I have so many backlog books that if I decided to pick up a Warhammer book, I don't know when I'd read it :D

 

[Lodis]

Recruited Jae which I’m quickly coming to regret. Not sure who she’s meant to appeal to. Also not sure what role she’s supposed to play in terms of party composition.

 

[notpl]

Recruited Jae which I’m quickly coming to regret. Not sure who she’s meant to appeal to. Also not sure what role she’s supposed to play in terms of party composition.

Her story/romance actually gets better as it goes, I thought. She's meant to be kind of insufferable at first.

As for her role in the party, she's just a less blatantly overpowered Cassia if you (correctly) decide that using her is cheating.

 

[Parsimonious cook]

Recruited Jae which I’m quickly coming to regret. Not sure who she’s meant to appeal to. Also not sure what role she’s supposed to play in terms of party composition.

She can be a good damage dealer, can be speced for both melee and shooting. Plus her romance stuff is p. hilarious tbh fam, can recommend.

 

[Harthwain]

Recruited Jae which I’m quickly coming to regret. Not sure who she’s meant to appeal to.

She's a human rogue/pirate with a hint of Arabica. I don't find her insufferable, as some do, but I didn't particularly care for her background either as it felt forced to me (and her voice actress is terrible).

Also not sure what role she’s supposed to play in terms of party composition.

The way I used her was equipping multiple-hitting Eldar (and, later, Dark Eldar) weapons after buffing her damage, which allowed for some really high amount of total damage. She is also a very good "skill monkey" (I swapped between her and Cassia).

 

[skaraher]

? Has the level of GW books increased recently?

Nope, golden age of Black Library was late 90s, early 2000s. It got worse.

 

[Dishonoredbr]

Recruited Jae which I’m quickly coming to regret. Not sure who she’s meant to appeal to. Also not sure what role she’s supposed to play in terms of party composition.

It's for people that like type of characters that are Rogue-ish/Scoundrel. IMO it's a huge downgrade from Woljif , her VA is not nearly as good and story is meh (outside of funny romance scene). And she's like a Mediocre Cassia gameplay wise imo.

But her Quest involving getting a Document and getting into know the amount of bullshit that's the Bureaucracy in the Imperium is quite funny.

 

[Peachcurl]

Definition in literature? Impossible. I can tell you about my associations, though.

Slop literature is a continuation of what was called "littérature de la gare", then pulp (I specifically avoid this term because it has associations with a certain type of subject matter, and I am less interested in the general nature of this type of literature than in subject matter). Another, more apt name is "industrial literature", born in the industrial era and produced like an industry.

Slop is convenient, easy, simple, easy to replace. It gives quick pleasure, empty calories. It is something worse than ordinary entertainment literature, which preserves the proper features of a literary work (or at least it used to be distinguishable), by which I mean an appropriately high technical, psychological level and avoidance of infantilism.

In other words, literature assumes that a mature individual operates a craft appropriately. This is what distinguishes Chandler (a writer) from Hammett (a sloper with the makings of a writer). For example - Eisenhorn or Gorek & Felix. Both series have their moments, even some depth, but too quickly they fall into very gamey brawls, inability to lead the action in a sensible direction or plain childishness.

Just like Harlequins.

And yet Gotrek and Eisenhorn are the better ones (I can also add books by Newman and Watson, forgotten nowadays). And yet there is the edgelord Bowden and the really weak Goto and a lot of nameless slopers.

I expect it to be hard to define. It's a very subjective term. Which is exactly why it needs a definition or at least decent context / examples if you really want a sensible answer.

What do you think of:
- Pawns of Chaos
- Witchbringer
- Grim Repast
?

I haven't read any of those three, partly because two of them are from the modern Warhammer era. Why do you mention them? Has the level of GW books increased recently?

Because I think they are well written, and not so much focused on the typical tropes of space marine superhero novels and mil-scifi guard novels that have been covered ad nauseam already.

I don't think the level has increased at any rate. Just that the occasional great books are swimming in an ocean of mediocre (but imo still entertaining) books.

 

[Yosharian]

IMO it's a huge downgrade from Woljif

JFC she must be fucking awful then

 

[La vie sexuelle]

Definition in literature? Impossible. I can tell you about my associations, though.

Slop literature is a continuation of what was called "littérature de la gare", then pulp (I specifically avoid this term because it has associations with a certain type of subject matter, and I am less interested in the general nature of this type of literature than in subject matter). Another, more apt name is "industrial literature", born in the industrial era and produced like an industry.

Slop is convenient, easy, simple, easy to replace. It gives quick pleasure, empty calories. It is something worse than ordinary entertainment literature, which preserves the proper features of a literary work (or at least it used to be distinguishable), by which I mean an appropriately high technical, psychological level and avoidance of infantilism.

In other words, literature assumes that a mature individual operates a craft appropriately. This is what distinguishes Chandler (a writer) from Hammett (a sloper with the makings of a writer). For example - Eisenhorn or Gorek & Felix. Both series have their moments, even some depth, but too quickly they fall into very gamey brawls, inability to lead the action in a sensible direction or plain childishness.

Just like Harlequins.

And yet Gotrek and Eisenhorn are the better ones (I can also add books by Newman and Watson, forgotten nowadays). And yet there is the edgelord Bowden and the really weak Goto and a lot of nameless slopers.

I expect it to be hard to define. It's a very subjective term. Which is exactly why it needs a definition or at least decent context / examples if you really want a sensible answer.

What do you think of:
- Pawns of Chaos
- Witchbringer
- Grim Repast
?

I haven't read any of those three, partly because two of them are from the modern Warhammer era. Why do you mention them? Has the level of GW books increased recently?

Because I think they are well written, and not so much focused on the typical tropes of space marine superhero novels and mil-scifi guard novels that have been covered ad nauseam already.

I don't think the level has increased at any rate. Just that the occasional great books are swimming in an ocean of mediocre (but imo still entertaining) books.

For me, the biggest problem with the Warhammer books was how uneven they were. Eisenhorn starts off great (for a fantasy thriller), but somewhere in the middle Abnett gives up trying and goes for a regular Warhammer brawl (Eisenhorn not fucking a willing telepath is censorship in the style of Marvel comics, where it's "adult" until it has to be shown).

In this respect the 2000AD related books (Judge Dredd and so on) were better.

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Infinitron]

https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/41

To Become the Flagship's Blood​

---

The Imperium is founded upon death and bloodshed, and maintained only by the further sacrifices of Humanity. There are those for whom death is a way of life, and death cults of many types can be found on worlds across the Imperium. They revel in holy slaughter, dedicating their victims’ souls to Him, offering up blood sacrifices to the God-Emperor so that He might answer their prayers.

The practices of these Death Cults are dark and terrifying. Common folk maintain a superstitious fear of ruthless assassins who specialise in ritual murder, self-mutilation and bloody communion. Vague omens can make these zealots target seemingly innocent people just as easily as obvious enemies of the Imperium.

One such cult lurks within the bowels of the von Valancius flagship. For years, the ascetic and inscrutable servants of the Bloodspun Web have protected the dynasty from enemies aboard the vessel, stalking the threats hiding in lower decks and spraying the bulkheads with the blood of their victims.

Kibellah is a masterful assassin whose talent and fanatical devotion to the Undying Emperor has earned her the title of the Second Spinner of the Bloodspun Web. Since childhood, she has dedicated herself to rigorous training of mind and body, perfecting the art of the blade dance and mollifying her emotions. Kibellah has no desires, only duty; no fear, only purpose. She is the perfect instrument of death, and this undying servant of the Undying Emperor has left the shadows to become the Rogue Trader's personal bodyguard.

Her specialised blades and ritualistic arts are at the Lord Captain's service, as is her sophisticated mind. She recognises the signs sent by the Emperor, even through the veil of mundane reality. Her world is a realm of riddles and blood that interweave and resolve into momentous insight. To that end, she bears the greatest relic of the cult: a sacred deck of the Emperor’s Tarot. The cards speak the will of the Undying One and reveal the names of those who must depart. Every new reading reveals ever more clearly that the greatest moment of her life is at hand. The Immortal Emperor holds an exceptional destiny in store for His servant, who is now ready to step into the future.

 

[ArchAngel]

https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/news/en/41

To Become the Flagship's Blood​

---

The Imperium is founded upon death and bloodshed, and maintained only by the further sacrifices of Humanity. There are those for whom death is a way of life, and death cults of many types can be found on worlds across the Imperium. They revel in holy slaughter, dedicating their victims’ souls to Him, offering up blood sacrifices to the God-Emperor so that He might answer their prayers.

The practices of these Death Cults are dark and terrifying. Common folk maintain a superstitious fear of ruthless assassins who specialise in ritual murder, self-mutilation and bloody communion. Vague omens can make these zealots target seemingly innocent people just as easily as obvious enemies of the Imperium.

One such cult lurks within the bowels of the von Valancius flagship. For years, the ascetic and inscrutable servants of the Bloodspun Web have protected the dynasty from enemies aboard the vessel, stalking the threats hiding in lower decks and spraying the bulkheads with the blood of their victims.

Kibellah is a masterful assassin whose talent and fanatical devotion to the Undying Emperor has earned her the title of the Second Spinner of the Bloodspun Web. Since childhood, she has dedicated herself to rigorous training of mind and body, perfecting the art of the blade dance and mollifying her emotions. Kibellah has no desires, only duty; no fear, only purpose. She is the perfect instrument of death, and this undying servant of the Undying Emperor has left the shadows to become the Rogue Trader's personal bodyguard.

Her specialised blades and ritualistic arts are at the Lord Captain's service, as is her sophisticated mind. She recognises the signs sent by the Emperor, even through the veil of mundane reality. Her world is a realm of riddles and blood that interweave and resolve into momentous insight. To that end, she bears the greatest relic of the cult: a sacred deck of the Emperor’s Tarot. The cards speak the will of the Undying One and reveal the names of those who must depart. Every new reading reveals ever more clearly that the greatest moment of her life is at hand. The Immortal Emperor holds an exceptional destiny in store for His servant, who is now ready to step into the future.

Even SMs are afraid of these people.