704:
of modern technology." Rolston then wrote a lengthy article showing how this miniatures game could be converted to a role-playing system. He thought the mixture of sf and fantasy lent itself to role-playing, saying, "this choice of a future-fantasy theme has two appealing features as a role-playing setting. First, a future fantasy frees the game master (GM) from the challenging task of moderating and maintaining a plausible science-fictional universe... you can borrow liberally from the trappings and conventions of two popular adventure genres — medieval fantasy and science fiction — to create a fantasy campaign with its own peculiar and distinctive flavor."
630:
encountering new alien species, the Rogue Trader is very much a separate organisation from the
Imperium, so they must decide how to react to these new creatures. If they judge them unworthy, they can be destroyed or they can gather information on them and have someone else destroy them. If he deems them useful, he may make contact with them. If they are only useful for their technology or material wealth then they may be raided, the trader returning to
653:, to explore beyond the boundaries of Imperial Space. This writ passes to the Trader's descendants. The Rogue Trader and his family, and the vessels they command, which can comprise a small fleet in some cases, are exempt from many Imperial laws and regulations, but is still under Imperial scrutiny. Rogue traders that dabble too heavily in alien trade, or other "heretical" practices, could still be investigated and executed by the Inquisition.
426:
248:
36:
568:
703:
liked the setting of this game, pointing out that it "has more in common with fantasy role-playing than with most other science-fiction games. Sure, there are spaceships, lasers, and plasma guns, but in WH40K these marvels are treated more like fantasy magical devices than like plausible developments
637:
A Rogue Trader can be in charge of up to a dozen ships, including many transports with willing colonists and troops. They tend to be individuals who have reached a certain height in the
Imperium but for some reason are not considered fit for further advancement. By being offered Rogue Trader status,
625:
to search for planets outside of the established borders. A Rogue Trader is portrayed as a trusted
Imperial servant, and therefore given a ship, a crew, a contingent of marines and the right to go wherever they so desire. They generally survey uninhabited worlds near to the fringes of Imperial space
629:
The potentials of new worlds, such as material wealth or knowledge, has stimulated the growth of the Rogue Trader section of society. Some have even gone so far as to try to cross intergalactic space, although even a mighty psyker is not powerful enough to send back reports from that distance. When
478:
Supplemental material was continually published in White Dwarf magazine, which provided rules for new units and models. These articles were from time to time released in expansion books along with new rules, background materials and illustrations. Ten books were released for the original edition of
645:
This profile has been altered as the game (and
Warhammer 40,000 universe) evolved. For example, in many of the more recent Warhammer 40,000 novels, many Rogue Traders have been depicted as independent traders who tend to smuggle highly illegal or dangerous contraband by running Imperial blockades.
407:
was limited and the forces of Chaos were nowhere in the text. They were, however, referred to by game designer Rick
Priestley in the pre-release announcement, and did show up shortly after in expansion rule books which provided not just greater background for the various races and armies, but also
149:
646:
Some of these items include, but are not limited to, narcotics, alien technology, and warp-tainted items. However, some Rogue
Traders are more sympathetic to the Imperium, and many Imperial agents such as Inquisitors employ Rogue Traders when they require fast and stealthy transportation.
411:
The inside covers of the book were decorated with caricatures of members of Games
Workshop staff. The physical rule book itself was notorious for poor construction, as the pages almost invariably fell out of the binding.
578:
551:
contained a new system for vehicle management, including a target location system which used acetate crosshairs to simulate weapon hits on a silhouette of the vehicle.
547:
consolidated rules for the many weapons of the 41st millennium, and introduced new rules replacing the shooting and hand-to-hand combat phases of the game, while the
675:, this was merely a recommended option. A rogue trader is a human who has been licensed by the Imperium to travel freely across the galaxy and trade with aliens.
1639:
1156:
649:
Yet more recent canon depicts the Rogue
Traders as an amalgam of the two previous versions. Rogue Traders are given a writ from the Imperium, much like
1163:
1112:
1119:
590:
443:
269:
100:
53:
377:. Rogue Trader introduced some races that were later removed from the setting, such as the Space Slann (a humanoid frog-like race also found in
72:
1300:
1126:
1349:
79:
1384:
682:
24:
880:
737:
554:
Together, these manuals practically form an intermediate edition of the
Warhammer 40,000 rules, between Rogue Trader and 2nd edition.
1363:
1293:
1062:
86:
1069:
638:
they can be put somewhere out of harm's reach, though it strengthens their reputation as outcasts. They can include overzealous
1565:
1027:
68:
1038:
1202:
621:
The rule book for this role-playing game originally described Rogue
Traders as being freelance explorers employed by the
519:
1432:
1286:
1265:
1186:
814:
608:
465:
295:
119:
277:
1418:
1391:
1149:
1135:
663:
639:
20:
1613:
1411:
1279:
1142:
820:
Priestley, Rick (September 1987). "Warhammer 40,000: Games Workshop's Latest Tabletop Game - Hail the Emperor!".
93:
1634:
1531:
1425:
1342:
1179:
1098:
1083:
873:
447:
384:
Models which were released for Rogue Trader are no longer produced. Limited sales have taken place through the
273:
57:
1105:
338:
comic series. The game featured rules that were closely modelled on those of its older fantasy counterpart,
1321:
1314:
1237:
1230:
1216:
1193:
1076:
1053:
933:
1172:
622:
586:
1517:
1370:
1356:
1328:
1258:
1244:
1047:
537:
363:-oriented, with great detail placed on weaponry and vehicles and the inclusion of a third player (the
1500:
1402:
1377:
1209:
866:
714:
671:. In this RPG, the players specifically play the roles of a rogue trader and his retinue, whereas in
992:
927:
533:
529:
378:
340:
258:
1508:
1463:
1090:
436:
262:
46:
1457:
957:
508:
320:
was officially released at Games Workshop's annual Games Day event in October 1987. Created by
1335:
1272:
1223:
913:
373:
404:
511:
culture and physiology, and army lists for the major Ork clans, pirates, and mercenaries.
8:
1644:
1307:
400:
964:
1572:
1545:
1524:
1493:
999:
950:
810:
784:
695:
360:
1251:
890:
356:
226:
1608:
1602:
971:
920:
329:
309:
1486:
385:
368:
345:
321:
231:
179:
164:
1628:
1013:
789:
334:
168:
159:
1579:
1538:
1472:
678:
978:
779:
700:
364:
1020:
1006:
985:
450: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
312:
table top game in development by Games Workshop was made known through
211:
591:
explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective
1479:
650:
148:
761:
425:
247:
35:
1596:
1439:
858:
207:
626:
and on the Eastern Fringes where the Astronomican does not reach.
234:. The subtitle "Rogue Trader" was dropped in subsequent editions.
833:
Priestley, Rick (October 1987). "Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader".
738:"Rogue Trader is an RPG that dives deep into Warhammer 40K lore"
846:
Chamber, Andy (October 1986). "Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader".
631:
197:
809:, Rick Priestley, Berkley Publishing Group, London 1989,
532:
in all of GW's main systems of the era - Rogue Trader,
642:
Commanders, powerful navigators and even Inquisitors.
577:
describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily
493:
compiled articles previously printed in White Dwarf.
399:
universe, including the historical background of the
685:
and based on the Warhammer 40,000 universe in 2023.
153:
Rogue Trader - the first edition of Warhammer 40,000
60:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
634:laden with rich goods and undreamt of technology.
1626:
224:is the first edition rule/source book for the
874:
1640:Warhammer 40,000 rule books and supplements
483:Chapter Approved - Book of the Astronomican
276:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
25:Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (video game)
881:
867:
782:(September 1989). "Role-playing reviews".
344:. The majority of the book was written by
328:in order to clearly differentiate it from
832:
819:
609:Learn how and when to remove this message
466:Learn how and when to remove this message
395:rulebook mostly contained lore about the
296:Learn how and when to remove this message
120:Learn how and when to remove this message
828:. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop: 33–44.
735:
403:and xenos (alien) races. Information on
19:For the tabletop role-playing game, see
845:
778:
661:In 2009, Fantasy Flight Games released
1627:
1566:Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie
1028:Warhammer 40,000 Collectible Card Game
841:. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop: 2–3.
862:
854:. Nottingham, UK: Black Library: 2–3.
772:
888:
561:
528:, included background and rules for
501:Ere We Go - Orks in Warhammer 40,000
448:adding citations to reliable sources
419:
367:) in battles, a role similar to the
274:adding citations to reliable sources
241:
58:adding citations to reliable sources
29:
507:introduced background material for
13:
557:
415:
391:Like many later incarnations, the
348:who was also responsible for WFB.
14:
1656:
693:In the September 1989 edition of
762:"Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader"
566:
424:
246:
147:
69:"Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader"
34:
21:Rogue Trader (role-playing game)
16:1987 miniature wargame rule book
800:
667:, a role-playing game based on
435:needs additional citations for
45:needs additional citations for
807:Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
766:Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
754:
729:
673:Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
669:Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
357:its main modern-day descendant
353:Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
221:Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
1:
1063:Vengeance of the Blood Angels
736:Marshall, Cass (2023-06-01).
722:
408:the first proper army lists.
1322:Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2
688:
656:
491:Warhammer 40,000 Compilation
237:
7:
768:. Owlcat Games. 2023-11-03.
487:Warhammer 40,000 Compendium
10:
1661:
1350:Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters
1329:Necromunda: Underhive Wars
1259:Battlefleet Gothic: Armada
707:
538:Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
23:. For the video game, see
18:
1589:
1557:
1449:
1403:Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay
1401:
1037:
942:
898:
848:Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay
359:, in that it was heavily
203:
193:
185:
175:
158:
146:
139:
928:Codex (Warhammer 40,000)
534:Warhammer Fantasy Battle
341:Warhammer Fantasy Battle
1364:Shootas, Blood and Teef
1301:Gladius – Relics of War
526:The Lost and the Damned
958:Aeronautica Imperialis
374:Dungeons & Dragons
324:, The game was titled
1635:Handbooks and manuals
1336:Necromunda: Hired Gun
1273:Space Hulk: Deathwing
1224:Space Hulk: Ascension
914:Codex: Imperial Guard
681:released a CRPG with
230:miniature wargame by
444:improve this article
270:improve this section
54:improve this article
1308:Space Hulk: Tactics
1294:Inquisitor – Martyr
401:Imperium of Mankind
308:The existence of a
136:
1203:Storm of Vengeance
965:Battlefleet Gothic
521:Slaves to Darkness
479:Warhammer 40,000:
134:
1622:
1621:
1573:Hammer and Bolter
1546:Warhammer Monthly
1525:Damnation Crusade
1518:Blood and Thunder
1450:Published fiction
951:Adeptus Titanicus
619:
618:
611:
536:3rd edition, and
476:
475:
468:
379:Warhammer Fantasy
306:
305:
298:
217:
216:
142:
130:
129:
122:
104:
1652:
1510:Warhammer 40,000
1501:The Horus Heresy
1465:Warhammer 40,000
1252:Eisenhorn: Xenos
1070:Final Liberation
891:Warhammer 40,000
883:
876:
869:
860:
859:
855:
842:
829:
794:
793:
776:
770:
769:
758:
752:
751:
749:
748:
733:
614:
607:
603:
600:
594:
570:
569:
562:
471:
464:
460:
457:
451:
428:
420:
397:Warhammer 40,000
351:The gameplay of
326:Warhammer 40,000
301:
294:
290:
287:
281:
250:
242:
227:Warhammer 40,000
151:
140:
137:
135:Warhammer 40,000
133:
125:
118:
114:
111:
105:
103:
62:
38:
30:
1660:
1659:
1655:
1654:
1653:
1651:
1650:
1649:
1625:
1624:
1623:
1618:
1609:Symbol of Chaos
1603:Grimdark Future
1585:
1553:
1445:
1397:
1287:Dawn of War III
1266:Eternal Crusade
1187:Dark Millennium
1033:
972:Dark Millennium
938:
921:Imperial Armour
894:
887:
803:
798:
797:
777:
773:
760:
759:
755:
746:
744:
734:
730:
725:
710:
691:
659:
615:
604:
598:
595:
587:help rewrite it
584:
571:
567:
560:
558:Character class
472:
461:
455:
452:
441:
429:
418:
416:Lore Expansions
314:Citadel Journal
310:science fiction
302:
291:
285:
282:
267:
251:
240:
154:
126:
115:
109:
106:
63:
61:
51:
39:
28:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1658:
1648:
1647:
1642:
1637:
1620:
1619:
1617:
1616:
1611:
1606:
1599:
1593:
1591:
1587:
1586:
1584:
1583:
1576:
1569:
1561:
1559:
1555:
1554:
1552:
1551:
1550:
1549:
1542:
1535:
1528:
1521:
1506:
1505:
1504:
1497:
1494:Gaunt's Ghosts
1490:
1487:First and Only
1483:
1476:
1461:
1453:
1451:
1447:
1446:
1444:
1443:
1436:
1429:
1422:
1415:
1407:
1405:
1399:
1398:
1396:
1395:
1392:Space Marine 2
1388:
1381:
1374:
1367:
1360:
1353:
1346:
1339:
1332:
1325:
1318:
1311:
1304:
1297:
1290:
1283:
1276:
1269:
1262:
1255:
1248:
1241:
1234:
1227:
1220:
1213:
1206:
1199:
1191:
1183:
1176:
1169:
1168:
1167:
1160:
1150:Dawn of War II
1146:
1139:
1136:Glory in Death
1132:
1131:
1130:
1123:
1116:
1113:Winter Assault
1102:
1095:
1087:
1080:
1073:
1066:
1059:
1051:
1043:
1041:
1035:
1034:
1032:
1031:
1024:
1017:
1010:
1003:
996:
989:
982:
975:
968:
961:
954:
946:
944:
940:
939:
937:
936:
931:
924:
917:
910:
902:
900:
896:
895:
886:
885:
878:
871:
863:
857:
856:
843:
830:
817:
802:
799:
796:
795:
771:
753:
727:
726:
724:
721:
720:
719:
709:
706:
690:
687:
683:the same title
658:
655:
617:
616:
575:This section
574:
572:
565:
559:
556:
549:Vehicle Manual
516:Realm of Chaos
497:Waaargh - Orks
474:
473:
432:
430:
423:
417:
414:
388:online store.
386:Games Workshop
381:at the time).
369:Dungeon Master
346:Rick Priestley
322:Rick Priestley
304:
303:
254:
252:
245:
239:
236:
232:Games Workshop
215:
214:
205:
201:
200:
195:
191:
190:
187:
183:
182:
180:Games Workshop
177:
173:
172:
165:Rick Priestley
162:
156:
155:
152:
144:
143:
128:
127:
42:
40:
33:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1657:
1646:
1643:
1641:
1638:
1636:
1633:
1632:
1630:
1615:
1612:
1610:
1607:
1605:
1604:
1600:
1598:
1595:
1594:
1592:
1588:
1582:
1581:
1577:
1575:
1574:
1570:
1568:
1567:
1563:
1562:
1560:
1556:
1548:
1547:
1543:
1541:
1540:
1536:
1534:
1533:
1529:
1527:
1526:
1522:
1520:
1519:
1515:
1514:
1513:
1511:
1507:
1503:
1502:
1498:
1496:
1495:
1491:
1489:
1488:
1484:
1482:
1481:
1477:
1475:
1474:
1470:
1469:
1468:
1466:
1462:
1460:
1459:
1455:
1454:
1452:
1448:
1442:
1441:
1437:
1435:
1434:
1433:Black Crusade
1430:
1428:
1427:
1423:
1421:
1420:
1416:
1414:
1413:
1409:
1408:
1406:
1404:
1400:
1394:
1393:
1389:
1387:
1386:
1382:
1380:
1379:
1375:
1373:
1372:
1368:
1366:
1365:
1361:
1359:
1358:
1354:
1352:
1351:
1347:
1345:
1344:
1340:
1338:
1337:
1333:
1331:
1330:
1326:
1324:
1323:
1319:
1317:
1316:
1312:
1310:
1309:
1305:
1303:
1302:
1298:
1296:
1295:
1291:
1289:
1288:
1284:
1282:
1281:
1280:Sanctus Reach
1277:
1275:
1274:
1270:
1268:
1267:
1263:
1261:
1260:
1256:
1254:
1253:
1249:
1247:
1246:
1242:
1240:
1239:
1235:
1233:
1232:
1228:
1226:
1225:
1221:
1219:
1218:
1214:
1212:
1211:
1207:
1205:
1204:
1200:
1198:
1196:
1192:
1189:
1188:
1184:
1182:
1181:
1177:
1175:
1174:
1170:
1166:
1165:
1161:
1159:
1158:
1154:
1153:
1152:
1151:
1147:
1145:
1144:
1143:Squad Command
1140:
1138:
1137:
1133:
1129:
1128:
1124:
1122:
1121:
1117:
1115:
1114:
1110:
1109:
1108:
1107:
1103:
1101:
1100:
1096:
1093:
1092:
1088:
1086:
1085:
1081:
1079:
1078:
1074:
1072:
1071:
1067:
1065:
1064:
1060:
1058:
1056:
1052:
1050:
1049:
1048:Space Crusade
1045:
1044:
1042:
1040:
1036:
1030:
1029:
1025:
1023:
1022:
1018:
1016:
1015:
1014:Space Crusade
1011:
1009:
1008:
1004:
1002:
1001:
997:
995:
994:
990:
988:
987:
983:
981:
980:
976:
974:
973:
969:
967:
966:
962:
960:
959:
955:
953:
952:
948:
947:
945:
941:
935:
932:
930:
929:
925:
923:
922:
918:
916:
915:
911:
909:
908:
904:
903:
901:
897:
893:
892:
884:
879:
877:
872:
870:
865:
864:
861:
853:
849:
844:
840:
836:
831:
827:
823:
818:
816:
815:1-869893-23-9
812:
808:
805:
804:
791:
787:
786:
781:
775:
767:
763:
757:
743:
739:
732:
728:
717:
716:
712:
711:
705:
702:
699:(Issue 149),
698:
697:
686:
684:
680:
676:
674:
670:
666:
665:
654:
652:
647:
643:
641:
635:
633:
627:
624:
613:
610:
602:
599:February 2019
592:
588:
582:
580:
573:
564:
563:
555:
552:
550:
546:
545:Battle Manual
541:
539:
535:
531:
527:
523:
522:
517:
512:
510:
506:
502:
498:
494:
492:
488:
484:
480:
470:
467:
459:
449:
445:
439:
438:
433:This section
431:
427:
422:
421:
413:
409:
406:
402:
398:
394:
389:
387:
382:
380:
376:
375:
370:
366:
362:
358:
355:differs from
354:
349:
347:
343:
342:
337:
336:
335:Rogue Trooper
331:
327:
323:
319:
315:
311:
300:
297:
289:
279:
275:
271:
265:
264:
260:
255:This section
253:
249:
244:
243:
235:
233:
229:
228:
223:
222:
213:
209:
206:
202:
199:
196:
192:
188:
184:
181:
178:
174:
170:
169:Andy Chambers
166:
163:
161:
157:
150:
145:
138:
132:
124:
121:
113:
102:
99:
95:
92:
88:
85:
81:
78:
74:
71: –
70:
66:
65:Find sources:
59:
55:
49:
48:
43:This article
41:
37:
32:
31:
26:
22:
1614:Space Marine
1601:
1580:Secret Level
1578:
1571:
1564:
1544:
1539:The Redeemer
1537:
1532:Hard Choices
1530:
1523:
1516:
1509:
1499:
1492:
1485:
1478:
1473:Ciaphas Cain
1471:
1464:
1456:
1438:
1431:
1424:
1419:Rogue Trader
1417:
1410:
1390:
1385:Rogue Trader
1383:
1376:
1369:
1362:
1355:
1348:
1343:Battlesector
1341:
1334:
1327:
1320:
1313:
1306:
1299:
1292:
1285:
1278:
1271:
1264:
1257:
1250:
1243:
1236:
1229:
1222:
1215:
1208:
1201:
1194:
1185:
1180:Space Marine
1178:
1171:
1162:
1157:Chaos Rising
1155:
1148:
1141:
1134:
1125:
1120:Dark Crusade
1118:
1111:
1104:
1099:Fire Warrior
1097:
1089:
1084:Rites of War
1082:
1075:
1068:
1061:
1054:
1046:
1026:
1019:
1012:
1005:
998:
993:Horus Heresy
991:
984:
977:
970:
963:
956:
949:
926:
919:
912:
907:Rogue Trader
906:
905:
889:
851:
847:
838:
834:
825:
821:
806:
801:Bibliography
783:
780:Rolston, Ken
774:
765:
756:
745:. Retrieved
741:
731:
713:
694:
692:
679:Owlcat Games
677:
672:
668:
664:Rogue Trader
662:
660:
648:
644:
640:Space Marine
636:
628:
620:
605:
596:
576:
553:
548:
544:
542:
525:
520:
515:
513:
504:
500:
496:
495:
490:
486:
482:
481:
477:
462:
453:
442:Please help
437:verification
434:
410:
396:
393:Rogue Trader
392:
390:
383:
372:
352:
350:
339:
333:
325:
318:Rogue Trader
317:
316:in 1986 and
313:
307:
292:
283:
268:Please help
256:
225:
220:
219:
218:
198:Dice rolling
186:Years active
171:, and others
141:Rogue Trader
131:
116:
107:
97:
90:
83:
76:
64:
52:Please help
47:verification
44:
1458:White Dwarf
1412:Dark Heresy
1190:(cancelled)
1164:Retribution
1106:Dawn of War
1094:(cancelled)
1039:Video games
835:White Dwarf
822:White Dwarf
701:Ken Rolston
579:in-universe
505:Freebooterz
365:Game Master
1645:1987 books
1629:Categories
1426:Deathwatch
1315:Mechanicus
1238:Deathwatch
1231:Armageddon
1217:Space Wolf
1195:Space Hulk
1091:Gorkamorka
1077:Chaos Gate
1055:Space Hulk
1021:Space Hulk
1007:Necromunda
1000:Inquisitor
986:Gorkamorka
899:Rule books
747:2023-07-07
723:References
718:#35 (1988)
651:privateers
212:Arithmetic
176:Publishers
110:March 2014
80:newspapers
1558:Animation
1480:Eisenhorn
1173:Kill Team
1127:Soulstorm
943:Spin-offs
934:Datasheet
790:TSR, Inc.
715:Challenge
689:Reception
657:Spin-offs
456:June 2023
361:role-play
257:does not
238:Rule book
189:1987-1993
160:Designers
1597:Grimdark
1440:Only War
1371:Darktide
1357:Tacticus
1245:Regicide
792:: 32–41.
623:Imperium
489:and the
405:the Warp
286:May 2023
208:Strategy
1378:Boltgun
1210:Carnage
788:(149).
742:Polygon
708:Reviews
585:Please
518:books,
330:2000 AD
278:removed
263:sources
94:scholar
1512:comics
1467:novels
1197:(2013)
1057:(1993)
813:
785:Dragon
696:Dragon
485:, the
204:Skills
194:Chance
96:
89:
82:
75:
67:
1590:Other
632:Terra
581:style
530:Chaos
101:JSTOR
87:books
979:Epic
811:ISBN
543:The
524:and
514:The
503:and
261:any
259:cite
73:news
852:171
589:to
509:Ork
499:, '
446:by
371:in
332:'s
272:by
56:by
1631::
850:.
839:94
837:.
826:93
824:.
764:.
740:.
540:.
210:,
167:,
882:e
875:t
868:v
750:.
612:)
606:(
601:)
597:(
593:.
583:.
469:)
463:(
458:)
454:(
440:.
299:)
293:(
288:)
284:(
280:.
266:.
123:)
117:(
112:)
108:(
98:·
91:·
84:·
77:·
50:.
27:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
