---
title: "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader: Complete Guide"
game: "Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/warhammer-40-000-rogue-trader"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
summary: "A guide to Owlcat's turn-based CRPG: character creation, archetype progression, companions, combat fundamentals, Dogma, colony and voidship management, DLC, and the mistakes that cost players hours. Researched…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/warhammer-40-000-rogue-trader-complete-guide-aa887d42"
published: "2026-09-27T16:20:12.149Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T16:20:12.149Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader: Complete Guide

A guide to Owlcat's turn-based CRPG: character creation, archetype progression, companions, combat fundamentals, Dogma, colony and voidship management, DLC, and the mistakes that cost players hours.

*Researched September 2026 — current as of Update 1.6 (Hotfix 1.6.1.514, July 2026) with The Infinite Museion DLC. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

> **Current state:** The base game launched December 7, 2023 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S; a Nintendo Switch 2 version followed on December 11, 2025). DLC so far: **Void Shadows** (September 2024), **Lex Imperialis** (June 2025), and **The Infinite Museion** (June 2026). The final story DLC, **Processional of the Damned**, was delayed in September 2026 from September to **December 2026**; it adds **Stella**, an unsanctioned psyker companion. Update 1.6 (July 2026) plus hotfix 1.6.1.514 is the current patch.

## Quick Start

1. **Choose difficulty honestly.** Normal is tuned for people who know CRPGs; Story/Easy is fine for a first run. You can change it anytime.
2. **Officer is the strongest support pick.** Officer abilities that grant allies extra turns and buffs power up the whole party. Have at least one Officer-line character in your group.
3. **Recruit companions as soon as you can.** Each brings a unique archetype and personal questline.
4. **Learn Momentum.** High Momentum unlocks **Heroic Acts**, low Momentum unlocks **Desperate Measures**. Killing enemies and doing damage builds it.
5. **Cover and positioning matter.** Stand behind cover, avoid bunching up (area attacks punish groups), and use the burst and cone shapes deliberately.
6. **Psyker powers raise the Veil.** Keep the Veil low to avoid Perils of the Warp.
7. **Profit Factor is your real currency.** It gates what you can requisition from the cargo/merchant systems. Invest in colonies early.
8. **Save before every big decision.** Many choices lock or open companions and quests.
9. **Don't rush Chapter 1.** Explore the Koronus Expanse, do colony and companion quests, and build up before pushing the main story.

## Character Creation

- **Homeworld and origin/background:** these give stats, talents, and dialogue options. The **Sanctioned Psyker** origin makes your Rogue Trader a psyker with psychic powers on top of an archetype.
- **Stats (characteristics):** Weapon Skill, Ballistic Skill, Strength, Toughness, Agility, Intelligence, Perception, Willpower, Fellowship. Pick the ones your archetype scales with.
- **Skills:** Athletics, Awareness, Carouse, Commerce, Persuasion, Demolition, Coercion, Medicae, Logic, Lore (Imperium/Xenos/Warp), Tech-Use. Spread your party so every skill check is covered by someone.

## Archetype Progression

You pick a **base archetype** at level 1, an **advanced archetype** at level 16, and the **Exemplar** track at level 36, which lets you push abilities from your previous two archetypes further.

### Base archetypes

| Archetype | Role |
|---|---|
| **Warrior** | Frontline melee, high durability, taunts and big hits |
| **Officer** | Support: extra turns, buffs, debuffs, positioning |
| **Operative** | Exploit enemy weaknesses, debuffs, crits |
| **Soldier** | Ranged damage, burst fire, attacks of opportunity |
| **Bladedancer** (Void Shadows DLC) | Agile melee specialist |

### Advanced archetypes (level 16)

| Advanced | Available from | Role |
|---|---|---|
| **Assassin** | Warrior, Operative, Bladedancer | Burst damage and kills |
| **Vanguard** | Warrior, Officer | Tank and protect |
| **Bounty Hunter** | Soldier, Operative | Pick off priority targets |
| **Master Tactician** | Soldier, Officer, Bladedancer | Battlefield control and team buffs |
| **Grand Strategist** | Operative, Officer | Zone control and positioning combos |
| **Arch-Militant** | Warrior, Soldier, Bladedancer | Weapon mastery, sustained damage |
| **Executioner** (Void Shadows DLC) | Warrior, Operative, Bladedancer | Fear and brutal melee |
| **Overseer** (Lex Imperialis DLC) | Officer, Operative; also via the Sanctioned Psyker, Unsanctioned Psyker, or Arbites origins | Commands a familiar/pet |

**Rule of thumb:** combine a damage dealer with an Officer or Master Tactician/Grand Strategist feeding them extra turns. That is the backbone of most strong parties.

## Companions

| Companion | Description |
|---|---|
| **Abelard Werserian** | Your seneschal, a veteran officer who joins at the start |
| **Cassia Orsellio** | Navigator; key to warp travel and her own psyker-like powers |
| **Argenta** | Sister of Battle (Adepta Sororitas), heavy firepower |
| **Pasqal Haneumann** | Tech-Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus |
| **Heinrix van Calox** | Inquisitor and psyker |
| **Idira Tlass** | Unsanctioned psyker; powerful but risky with the Veil |
| **Jae Heydari** | Officer and former Cold Trader; dual-wields pistols, good at social checks and trade |
| **Yrliet Lanaevyss** | Aeldari ranger (xenos); optional |
| **Marazhai Aezyrraesh** | Drukhari (xenos); optional |
| **Ulfar** | Space Wolf; optional |
| **Kibellah** | Death Cult assassin, Bladedancer (Void Shadows DLC) |
| **Solomorne Anthar** | Adeptus Arbites Proctor-Exactant, Overseer (Lex Imperialis DLC) |
| **Eogunn Februs** | Xenarite Tech-Priest who drains and redistributes power (The Infinite Museion DLC) |
| **Stella** | A "Miraculist" raised by the Ecclesiarchy who is secretly an unsanctioned psyker (Processional of the Damned DLC, December 2026) |

- Some companions are **mutually exclusive or can leave** depending on your Dogma and choices. Xenos companions and heretical choices annoy the more devout party members.
- Companion quests carry across chapters. Talk to your companions on the ship after every major event.

## Combat Fundamentals

- **Turn order** comes from initiative. Plan around who moves next.
- **Action points (AP) and movement points (MP):** abilities cost AP; moving costs MP.
- **Momentum:** starts neutral. High momentum unlocks **Heroic Acts** (massive abilities). Low momentum (when you're losing) unlocks **Desperate Measures**, which are strong but costly.
- **Cover:** half and full cover reduce incoming ranged hit chance. Destroying cover is often worth it.
- **Attack patterns:** single shot, burst, cone, and area attacks. Burst and area hit allies too; watch your spacing.
- **Veil:** psychic powers raise the Veil; higher Veil makes Perils of the Warp more likely. Major powers raise it more.
- **Wounds and trauma:** characters who get knocked down take lasting injuries until treated.

## Dogma (Alignment)

| Dogma | Flavor | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| **Dogmatic** | Loyal and ruthless servant of the Emperor | Zealous, Imperium-focused talents and dialogue |
| **Iconoclast** | Challenging the status quo; more humane choices | Supportive and diplomatic talents |
| **Heretic** | Chaos-aligned | Chaos-flavored powers and outcomes |

Commit to one Dogma for strongest rewards; unlocks scale with how far you've leaned.

## Colonies and Voidship

- **Colonies:** you gain colonies in the Koronus Expanse. Run projects to raise **Profit Factor** and produce resources. Early investment pays off.
- **Profit Factor** gates requisition; it's your main long-term currency.
- **Voidship:** upgrade components for ship combat (weapons, shields per facing, armor, crew). Ship combat is turn-based with facing and momentum.
- **Warp travel:** Cassia navigates. Warp routes can be dangerous; upgrading routes reduces random events.

## DLC Guide

| DLC | Released | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| **Void Shadows** | September 24, 2024 | New storyline, the Kibellah companion, the Bladedancer base archetype and Executioner advanced archetype |
| **Lex Imperialis** | June 24, 2025 | New storyline, the Solomorne companion, the Overseer archetype and Arbites origin |
| **The Infinite Museion** | June 11, 2026 | New storyline and the Eogunn companion; the newest release |
| **Processional of the Damned** | Delayed to December 2026 | Final story DLC; adds Stella |

**Season Pass 2** covers The Infinite Museion and Processional of the Damned. After the delay, Owlcat offered Season Pass 2 refunds on Steam through Customer Support (a refund also removes The Infinite Museion and breaks saves that use it). Check the Steam store for exactly what each pass covers before buying.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Skipping the Officer line.** Extra turns and buffs are the single strongest resource in the game.
- **Bunching up.** Enemy burst, cone, and area attacks punish tight groups.
- **Ignoring cover.** Standing in the open is the fastest way to lose a fight.
- **Letting Veil climb.** Perils of the Warp can wipe your own party.
- **Neglecting colonies.** Profit Factor falls behind and your gear suffers.
- **Pushing the main quest too fast.** You'll miss companion quests and side content.
- **Mixing Dogmas.** You'll miss the strongest Dogma rewards.
- **Not saving before big choices.** Some decisions lock companions or quests for good.

## Advanced Tips

- **Extra-turn chains.** Officer and Master Tactician/Grand Strategist abilities can give allies additional turns; chain them into your best damage dealer.
- **Build Momentum early.** Kill weak enemies first to reach Heroic Acts faster.
- **Use Desperate Measures deliberately.** When a fight goes badly, low Momentum can turn it around.
- **Debuff then burst.** Operative debuffs make crits and big hits land.
- **Cover skill checks.** Spread Tech-Use, Lore, Persuasion, Coercion, Medicae and Awareness across your party.
- **Plan Exemplar at 36.** Pick two archetypes whose abilities you want to push; the Exemplar track rewards committing.
- **Upgrade warp routes** to avoid random dangers.
- **Patch notes matter.** Update 1.6 changed ability behavior, narrative bugs, and combat mechanics; if an older build guide doesn't match, check the latest patch notes.

## FAQ

**Is Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader finished?**
The main game is complete. The final DLC, Processional of the Damned, is due December 2026.

**What's the best class for beginners?**
Officer or Soldier. Officer is the best support, Soldier is straightforward ranged damage.

**Can I play co-op?**
Yes, the game supports cooperative multiplayer.

**Do I need the DLC?**
No, but Void Shadows, Lex Imperialis, and The Infinite Museion add new story and progression.

**When do I get advanced archetypes?**
Level 16, and the Exemplar track at 36.

**What happened to Processional of the Damned?**
It was delayed from September to December 2026 and adds Stella as a companion.

**Is it on Switch 2?**
Yes, since December 11, 2025.

## Sources

- [Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_40,000:_Rogue_Trader_(video_game))
- [Rogue Trader Fextralife Wiki: Archetypes](https://roguetrader.wiki.fextralife.com/Archetypes)
- [Rogue Trader Fextralife Wiki: Companions](https://roguetrader.wiki.fextralife.com/Companions)
- [Rogue Trader Fextralife Wiki: Kibellah](https://roguetrader.wiki.fextralife.com/Kibellah) and [Solomorne Anthar](https://roguetrader.wiki.fextralife.com/Solomorne+Anthar)
- [Rogue Trader Steam store page (DLC list)](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2186680/)
- [Rogue Trader Steam news feed (Update 1.6, hotfix 1.6.1.514, Processional delay)](https://api.steampowered.com/ISteamNews/GetNewsForApp/v2/?appid=2186680&count=10&feeds=steam_community_announcements)