What would a Rogue Trader army look like?

[Mr Mystery]

How do?

I'm back with more idle chit-chat for a topic. This time, it's one about probably the least defined aspect of the Imperium, Rogue Traders.

To save space and typing waffle, [url=http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Rogue_Trader]you can read about them here if your unfamiliar with them[/url].

I'm actually kind of disappointed that they're not represented on the board. They play an important role within and indeed outside of The Imperium. They're incredibly diverse, from a single ship of a Merchant Adventurer, to full on, privately owned fleets with forces to rival the Astra Militarum in number. Some get what they want by guile, others by, well, basically, Exterminatus.

There's different warrants of trade. Some signed by The Emperor Himself (no, really!), others relatively modern, and not all are equal in terms of scope.

My take? A Rogue Trader army would be akin to an Imperial version of the Lost and the Damned from IA:13 (a truly superb volume. One day I may not praise it randomly or be inspired by it. This is not that day!), and not just a Harlequins/Skitarii type affair. It'd also be a way to field some Solar Auxilia stuff from FW in the 40k setting.

After all, the Imperium is trying to arm billions of men and women, and in a deliberately standardised manner. Whilst cost is hardly an issue for the most part, technical difficulties in production and use are.

Rogue Traders? They're self funding, and some of them are truly, insanely wealthy. And if the Rogue Trader himself is heading planet side, he'd likely be surrounded by their personal bodyguard. So equipment seen in the Solar Auxilia (better las guns, void armour etc) becomes a realistic possibility.

Then there's those who recruit the Xenos and the Mutant...

Well, hopefully I've given you some food for thought, and perhaps even inspired a few of you. So share with us the sort of Rogue Trader army you'd like to be able to field

[Morgrim]

I'm basing this off my experiences playing the Rogue Trader tabletop RPG.

Two kinds of basic troops: ratlings and marines. Ratlings are not abhumans, it's just the nickname given to the rank and file crew. They're the ones that live onboard in their thousands and keep the ship running, doing things like loading guns and moving supplies and operating low level systems. Presumably in a pinch you could arm them with something and throw them into battle. I'd suggest something like cultist stats, because they're not trained for warfare and have no armour and are presumably armed with something cheap and low maintenance. Stubbers or lasguns, probably.

Marines are not related to astartes. They're IG equivalent that are trained and equipped for ship-based combat. So flak or carapace armour, and either lasguns or flechette rifles. I don't know if the latter have any stats in 40k, but they're favoured in RT because they've got a good punch but short range, so they don't have to worry about missed shots piercing the hull/damaging vital components.

Some form of elite troops representing personal bodyguards or highly trained specialists would be good. Could crib off the inquisitor rules to represent the rogue trader themselves (or their chosen representative). Entourages for these HQ units could have some fun things. Astropaths, maybe a different sort of sanctioned psyker, various senchals and troopmasters or, of course, friendly aliens. I'd really, really want the ability to use kroot mercenaries in there somewhere.

Some Mechanium isn't out of the picture, there are always a bunch of techpriests maintaining the vital systems and one or two would want to tag along if there was potential archeotech to be found. Similar logic for having a priest of the Imperial Cult (preferably with flamethrower. Seriously, the priest class gets it as a preferred weapon option. XD )

Arvis lighters or some other small transport for getting people from ship to planet, and with a gun or two in case some air support is required.

I need to reread my splatbooks, that's all that's coming to mind right now.

[grimmas]

Treat yourself to a true army of the Imperium. Think a Great Crusade force much reduced in scale. Take a bit of everything. Astartes are frequently attached to Rogue Traders and Nagivgator houses (see Wolfblade). Tempestus Scions and AM Veterans would make good Household troops or hired Mercenaries. A platoon of attached Guard would be thematic and maybe some SoB. AD Mech either to represent and attached contingent or purchased servitors. An AM company command squad loaded with advisors would suit well for the Rogue Trader with associated flunkies.

I would avoid the big weapons of war Land Raidrers, Russ and artillery it's a explaration not a force for total war. May be stick to transports/sentinels.

If you don't have Astartes I'd also suggest abhumans and possibly aliens (Tau or Eldar )

It's a great project and fun because the variety would stop you getting bored.

[Haighus]

I'm basing this off my experiences playing the Rogue Trader tabletop RPG.

Two kinds of basic troops: ratlings and marines. Ratlings are not abhumans, it's just the nickname given to the rank and file crew. They're the ones that live onboard in their thousands and keep the ship running, doing things like loading guns and moving supplies and operating low level systems. Presumably in a pinch you could arm them with something and throw them into battle. I'd suggest something like cultist stats, because they're not trained for warfare and have no armour and are presumably armed with something cheap and low maintenance. Stubbers or lasguns, probably.

Marines are not related to astartes. They're IG equivalent that are trained and equipped for ship-based combat. So flak or carapace armour, and either lasguns or flechette rifles. I don't know if the latter have any stats in 40k, but they're favoured in RT because they've got a good punch but short range, so they don't have to worry about missed shots piercing the hull/damaging vital components.

Having been doing considerable research into all available sources on Imperial Navy personnel recently (have a project in mind...), are you sure you mean ratlings, or ratings? The sources I've been reading (mainly the old BFG rulebooks and expeansions, Rogue Trader: Battlefleet Koronus and old GW concept sketches from the Rogue Trader era) divide non-commissioned ship crew into two broad categories- armsmen and voidsmen (or shipmen), with ratings being the overall term for both. Armsmen being the marines entrusted with weapons at all times, who also function as the ship's police force, and voidsmen carrying out all the other roles within the ship. Voidsmen do get combat training in the event of a boarding action, but they are only issued weapons in these situations. So I think it is appropriate to count voidsmen as having a similar level of training as the average Guardsman, who has largely only received training whilst on route to a warzone, with Armsmen being veteran troopers that would use a Guardsman veteran statline.

There are also indentured workers, who from what I can gather are essentially ship slaves doing the really awful jobs with short life expectancies, and appear to not count as ratings, but with the potential to become a rating through good service.

These are lead by officers, mainly ranks of lieutenants, with junior lieutenants having very low level duties, such as leading a platoon of ratings in a boarding action, and more senior lieutenants having duties more akin to a captain of the Imperial Guard. The most senior ranks also appear to sometimes be given command of an escort ship, although this is more common to be given to someone with the commander or captain rank. Generally, very senior lieutenants (usually flag-lieutenants) can be the second in command on a capital ship. There are some discrepancies in sources over the number of lieutenant ranks- BFG mentions that Admiral Rath first came to prominence as a lowly 12th lieutenant in Battlefleet Bakka, yet Rogue Trader: Battlefleet Koronus has the primary lieutenant ranks being 3rd, 2nd and 1st lieutenant, with sub-lieutenant (or ensign) being the lowest rank of lieutenant, and lord- or flag-lieutenant being the highest. It may simply be differences between Battlefleet traditions, in that some give each rank it's own numeration, whereas others may just say a 2nd lieutenant, 1st class or a 3rd lieutenant, 2nd class or something. The Imperial Navy is noted as being unusually homogeneous for a galaxy wide Imperial organisation however. It is also possible that the Rogue Trader book just doesn't mention all the ranks available to lieutenants.

In terms of naval small arms, shotguns seem to be the most commonly mentioned weapon, and various military grade versions of autoguns and auto/stub pistols are mentioned in background sources. For some reason, lasweapons seem to be uncommon, despite them seeming to have many advantages over auto and stub weapons. I wonder if it is something to do with the combat conditions upon void ships and stations, in that there is likely to be a lot of debris and smoke and fog clogging the passages, possibly making lasweapons very short ranged, whereas solid shot would pass through the smoke easily. This last point is speculation though.


In terms of the OP, FW has mentioned Rogue Trader forces several times in their HH rules, so I think it is only a matter of time until they produce a Rogue Trader army list for 30k at least...

[grimmas]

Gordon Rennie's Relentless and its sequel were an excellent insight into life in the Imperial Navy. BL also did a series on a Rogue Trader Dynasty but the tittle escapes me it was rather good though.

Apologies Relentless was Richard Williams and Gordon Rennie was Execution Hour and Shadow point.

The Rogue Trader ones were by Andy Hoare and were Star of Domocles and Rogue Star.

All good though

[Captain Bubonicus]

If I were gonna try to represent 'em on the tabletop, I think I'd use the Inquisition list as a starting point just because it's so darned eclectic.

[Psychosplodge]

Gordon Rennie's Relentless and its sequel were an excellent insight into life in the Imperial Navy. BL also did a series on a Rogue Trader Dynasty but the tittle escapes me it was rather good though.

Was it not just a single book?
Was it a down on his luck rogue trader that has pissed away most of the family fortune? And an ecclesiarchy cardinal is trying to steal their charter as a relic of the emperor?

- - - Updated - - -

Oh and the original idea? It'd be awesome. maybe combat squad of marines, all painted as from individual chapters honouring debts to the trader family, or a squad of marines attached as they're voyaging beyond known space so want to go too? Theres your elite slot.

[grimmas]

Was it not just a single book?
Was it a down on his luck rogue trader that has pissed away most of the family fortune? And an ecclesiarchy cardinal is trying to steal their charter as a relic of the emperor?

There were two Rogue Star and Star of Damocles they were top reads.

[Psychosplodge]

Now I'm going to have look at my books to check I have both.

[Erik Setzer]

This is a "pet project" of mine that is ongoing... I think a combination of sources works best, and Imperials all being Battle Brothers really helps.

I've got a selection of character models to choose from - Rogue Trader (converted Commissar), female Commissar, psykers, Wyrds from Necromunda, Mad Donna; using Inquisitor rules, Primaris Psyker, or Commissar, as appropriate.

I have a unit of bodyguard Bullgryn who are converted Ogre Bulls with bits of scrap from tanks and such to use as shields. There's some "henchmen" made from Empire Militia with pistols added. Redemptionists as other henchmen.

I've got a bunch of old metal IG from different regiments, and old (like RT-era) Space Marines, to represent IG on loan, personal armed forces, Marines from a lesser chapter lending aid, stuff like that.

And once I get some AdMech, they'll help. Plus my oddly painted IG vehicles, and my dishonored Knight.

Basically, you can mix and match pretty much anything. Rogue Traders can requisition forces, they've got their own bodyguards, they hire mercenaries... It's not likely to be a terribly cohesive looking force.

Just roll with what you like. Convert units, go nuts, write a story for why each unit is helping the captain. It's a perfect army for Battle-Forged or Unbound play.