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I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader.

Posted by modestmouse
modestmouse
member, 267 posts
The Gods come summoned
or not-Jungs office sign
Tue 17 Dec 2019
at 03:40
  • msg #1

I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader

Who is interested in playing in a published Dark Heresy Game, (Apostasy Gambit Trilogy) and  if so why . Also reasons against Rogue Trader.

Who is interested in playing in a published Rogue Trader Game, (Warpstorm Trilogy) and if so why. Also reasons against Dark Heresy.
This message was last edited by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 05:52, Tue 17 Dec 2019.
Korentin_Black
member, 549 posts
I remember when all
this was just fields...
Tue 17 Dec 2019
at 05:16
  • msg #2

I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader

 I'd play either one of 'em:

 Dark Heresy has the advantage (and it is an advantage) of smaller scale and tighter focus. You can legitimately put a small street gang or a couple of bar toughs barring the way to a contact into the game without too much thought. Power levels are low (to start with), stakes high, resources limited.


 Rogue Trader is very much drawn on a larger scale and it's often difficult in play-by-post to justify keeping everyone busy at all times. On the other hand, you've got vastly greater resources and your party doesn't find itself scrabbling desperately to scrape up the money to by a lasgun cell.
This message was last edited by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 05:50, Tue 17 Dec 2019.
Alectai
member, 382 posts
Fri 20 Dec 2019
at 23:04
  • msg #3

I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader

I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of Dark Heresy, because it takes so bloody long to feel like you're mattering.
helvorn
supporter, 90 posts
Sun 5 Jan 2020
at 05:45
  • msg #4

I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader

I thought RT was too high powered to make a good roleplaying game.  It also has too many strategic aspects that make for a poor play by post game.
Turbo Beholder
member, 11 posts
Thu 6 Feb 2020
at 04:21
  • msg #5

Re: I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader

Korentin_Black:
You can legitimately put a small street gang or a couple of bar toughs barring the way to a contact into the game without too much thought. Power levels are low (to start with), stakes high, resources limited.
True, but elsewhere it needs only a bit more of effort.
Because are those really just local drunks who got belligerent, or was it set up by a serious adversary for some reason? And if they are, do PCs want to attract attention? Even if they don't care themselves, this may be bad for their contact.
When they try to be subtle, won't brandish high-end equipment. But if they aren't walking in power armor and with a small army of bodyguards, they need caution: “while you may command a flotilla of warships, the fact is that right here and right now there is just you and me and this hammer”.
Korentin_Black
member, 551 posts
I remember when all
this was just fields...
Thu 6 Feb 2020
at 08:00
  • msg #6

Re: I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader


 That's addressing the specific example over the intent however. My point was that I like Dark Heresy because you don't need to rely upon a narrative convenience to set up a challenge with relatively low-end opposition (like the way every episode of Star Trek had to come up with an excuse as to why they couldn't just Transport out of peril).

 Conversely, Rogue Trader does have the possibility for low-end difficulties, but your average RT character has the resources and power to roll right over minor obstacles under most circumstances - those greater resources give the player characters more freedom to act (good) but also increase the difficulty of gauging the right level of obstacle for them (bad).

 They're both good fun mind.
Turbo Beholder
member, 12 posts
Fri 7 Feb 2020
at 12:43
  • msg #7

Re: I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader

In reply to Korentin_Black (msg # 6):

My point is, it's type/subgenre of a campaign, not intrinsic in the game. It's a big continuum.
While obviously DH is more about subtle investigation/covert action style, and RT more about showy larger-than-life in-your-face style, neither is exclusive.
RT PCs may step carefully because of the enemies and/or authorities, DH PCs may run out of chewing gum, kick the doors and blast holes in the walls.
Nor is starting at level 1 is absolutely necessary (though a good idea).
This message was last edited by the user at 12:48, Fri 07 Feb 2020.
Korentin_Black
member, 552 posts
I remember when all
this was just fields...
Sat 8 Feb 2020
at 05:52
  • msg #8

Re: I.C. Dark Heresy v.s. Rogue Trader


 That's not entirely untrue, but it doesn't invalidate my point that the sheer gulf in resources between the two games is pretty wide. Those DH guys rocking up with guns blazing are doing so in a system where they have to buy ammo and are generally speaking, on their own except when they can draw upon local resources. The RT guys? Sure, they can go low-profile but even then, they have the option of bringing down fifty armed bosuns with shotguns to kick open a door without drawing on any resources other than their own.

 More importantly, it doesn't address the original question - which would you prefer and why?

 And on the question of 'why do you prefer this one', I (for once) actually get to be the final arbiter of the right answer. ^_^
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