Comments on: Going Rogue – Part One

By: Graham

Graham — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:10:48 +0000

You are quite correct Nex, when you say it will be mainly up to the GM to keep players personally involved in what goes on in a Rogue Trader campaign – as is the case in any RPG. I think maybe it’s my preferance to view things from the point of view of the low-level grunt rather than the general (I’m also someone who will play first person shooters as opposed real time strategy computer games). I also like it when the players have to scrimp and save for many sessions to get their hands on any really decent equipment; as it somehow makes for a greater sense of accomplishment. In this new game, at character creation it’s going to be more of a case of “you want a bolt pistol? Hell, have seven! Would you like some power armour with that? No worries”. Again though, this is personal preferance speaking and therefore a subjective issue.

I also have bad memories of a Battletech campaign that I was involved in years ago that all went horribly wrong, primarily because the other players had themselves an army of big stompy war machines and it all went to their heads in the worst possible way. Of course; they all displayed a similar level of leadership ability and strategic insight to Arnold Rimmer in the Waxworld episode of Red Dwarf (“a daylight charge across the minefields! It’s the LAST thing they’ll expect!”). That too was mainly the GM’s fault of course, as he let them get away with way to much…

Certainly the higher level of power and influence that Rogue Trader characters possess will provide plenty of opportunity for roleplaying. I think that I’m probably going to end up getting this game: When I actually get my hands on a copy I expect the desire to buy something shiny, new and full of geek goodness will likely override any reservations I might have (which will give my wife cause to roll her eyes as per usual).

By: Nex

Nex — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:50:59 +0000

Interesting points Graham, though I think it will be down to the GM to make sure that sort of detatchment doesn’t happen.

The bridge crew being accosted while in docks, and attack by an enemy vessel where the boarding party tries to storm the bridge, dinner with trade partners turning into a duel of honour.

Actually the more I think about it the more interesting it becomes, as you have scope to have situations ranging from a single player characters direct interaction, to the on the spot decision making of the whole group costing the lives of thousands of crew, and possibly the PCs themselves.

By: Graham

Graham — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:20:44 +0000

It’s like Star Trek, except you are encouraged to set fire to new life forms and new civilisations rather than bond with them. Oh, and guns settings range from kill to kill in a more messy fashion. And your “spaceship” is basically a steam-powered (alright plasma, but it might as well be steam) flying cathedral.

What puts me off a bit is the fact that the Rogue Trader PC has got him/herself a crew of over 9000 meat puppets who will essentially do whatever dangerous and unsavory task their boss requires of them. The other PCs in his “bridge crew” all have the rank and authority to command small armies of disposables. Where then, is the incentive for the PCs to do anything themselves? I like Dark Heresy because the characters have to get involved and have to get their hands dirty in close and personal battles with loony cultists, carnivourous aliens and the like. In Rogue Trader, they can have their gunners bombard planets from orbit with big laser cannons. Seems a bit detatched to me (not to mention a power gamer’s delight). I’ll have to give the book a flick through when my local Forbidden Planet gets a copy in stock.

By: Nullh

Nullh — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:35:23 +0000

Fun times!
My copy is waiting at the comic shop right now, and I’ve been reading my ancient school-battered copy Ian Watson’s Inquisitor to get in the mood.
It’s good to hear the character creation is good, from the pre-release stuff I wasn’t sure. Is it similar to Dark Heresy (which, I never picked up)?

By: Ralph

Ralph — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:31:01 +0000

Nice story, can’t wait for the second part.

Are you also going to show us footage of the book and or your gaming group playing?

By: Ed Bradley

Ed Bradley — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:31:32 +0000

As soon as I read about the ship-construction part I thought “Traveller!”. Does it bear much resemblance? Or will I have to tune in for the next part to find out?

Traveller + 40k milieu…my DMing gland is quivering.