Greetings, fellow Acolytes and Inquisitors. I've been mostly lurking about the forums, and I've only just registered to take further part in your discussions. I have one particular inquiry.

I've rolled up a Noble-Born Assassin, raised up by his Rogue Trader mother as a secret member of a death cult while maintaining a genteel appearance to high society. Currently mulling over which of the secondary Peer options (from Supremely Connected) would best fit - the Ecclesiarchy, the military or the underworld. I'd like to hear your suggestions behind these choices.

Combat-wise, I'm thinking of choosing between a dual-melee combatant, a sword-and-pistol fighter, or just switching between styles as needs demand(having deep pockets and connections does help in one's personal mission of offering heretical blood to the Emperor, after all). I'm planning on avoiding the Moritat as the oft-selected choice of background, but given that, would a melee assassin still do fine even without the Bloody Edge? Secondly, how do sword-and-pistol combatants fare lately? I'm thinking of something like laying down suppressing fire with an autopistol then charging towards the nearest Pinned opponent, or something to that effect.

Hi there,

if you are a "loyal to the Emperor Death Cult" Assassine, I would suggest "Ecclesiarchy". This does not necessarily mean that the Church officially accepteds (or even knows) your cult. It just means that you feel that you and the Ministorium are "both of doing the same work..but on different levels" which resulted to your character mingling with them. He could be extremly pious, as well.

Thanks for the reply, Gregorius.

Thinking back on what you said, I had thought that the secondary Peer trait was to reflect his family's Rogue Trader roots. Perhaps the "Ecclesiarchy" peerdom was due to - as a theoretical example - his mother(or his mother's previous Trade Warrant holder) having accomplished a significant task for the Missionaria Galaxia. I imagine the Military one would be connected to a past Rogue Trader assistance in a crusade, while the Underworld is from having taken part in smuggling or, Emprah forbid, the Cold Trade.

Three more questions: While up to the GM, I can imagine that the Military can give you a good word when looking to requisition arms and armory, while the Underworld would mean dipping one's hands in the black market with some solid backing, what other material benefits can one gain from being on good terms with the Ecclesiarchy?

Second: I think I've heard on some other boards that, mechanics-wise, Noble born Assassins are rather weak. Does anyone here have opinions in the contrary though?

Third: I am also considering spending xp to obtain the Sons of Dispater background package, partly because of the extra stub automatic and clips(I was planning on using my initial funds to get a better mono-sword anyway), partly because of the added skills, and mainly because I wanted to reflect part of his backstory where his family had him go what is similar to on-the-job training under that assassin guild. Mechanics-wise, are the added skills and equipment worth the 100xp expenditure?

Having the Peer talent for an organization doesn't mean that you have their assistance -- it just gives you a bonus when interacting with members of that organization. A Peer of the military doesn't get any special access to gear, but the talent would give them a bonus when trying to Charm an Imperial Guard officer or quartermaster.

Noble-born Assassins aren't exactly weak, but the social bonuses provided by the background don't lend themselves to the Assassin class. If you go down the Assassin Palatine branch at higher levels (rank 6+), you'll be able to use these bonuses, but until then your social skills will be underutilized.

Getting a background package for the equipment isn't worth it -- skills and talents are much more valuable. Especially considering your character is noble-born, you'll be able to buy a silenced stub automatic in a short while. If the backstory, skills and talents are intriguing to you, then the Sons of Dispater are a good choice, but it sounds like that background isn't necessary for your character concept.

Having the Peer talent for an organization doesn't mean that you have their assistance -- it just gives you a bonus when interacting with members of that organization. A Peer of the military doesn't get any special access to gear, but the talent would give them a bonus when trying to Charm an Imperial Guard officer or quartermaster.

Noble-born Assassins aren't exactly weak, but the social bonuses provided by the background don't lend themselves to the Assassin class. If you go down the Assassin Palatine branch at higher levels (rank 6+), you'll be able to use these bonuses, but until then your social skills will be underutilized.

Getting a background package for the equipment isn't worth it -- skills and talents are much more valuable. Especially considering your character is noble-born, you'll be able to buy a silenced stub automatic in a short while. If the backstory, skills and talents are intriguing to you, then the Sons of Dispater are a good choice, but it sounds like that background isn't necessary for your character concept.

Mechanically speaking then, gaining access to Common Lore(Underworld), Security and Intimidate for 100xp is a good deal?

Also, I'll be honest, Covered in Weasels: I will likely be taking the Imperator-Mortis route, so I'll likely be thinking of other methods of attaining said social skills. Any possible alternate advances, cell directives or other options that you can suggest?

Would also still like to know how viable is the sword-and-pistol fighting style. Thanks!

Sword and pistol fighting is pretty much the 40k default of the setting.

Any character who doesn't use it to some extent is going to start having a very bad day as soon as their foe either wades through their gunfire or wanders out of melee range.

However in DH1 there is not systemic support for it, other gamelines have rectified this, (OWs sidearm talent springs to mind) but in DH it's pretty much a case of holding both but fighting with one or the other.

That said you can negate off hand penalties with talents but there are no specific bonuses or dual wield talents to make this style as useful as two swords or two pistols.

My forum hop came to a screeching halt when I looked and saw three of my favorite words in the same post title.

Stabby. Shooty. Assassin.

I'm probably the biggest fan of stabbity death you'll find. If you want to shoot the crap out of stuff while you hack people to bits...GOOD FOR YOU, SON! Brings a tear to my eye to see people so dedicated to bringing death to the Emperor's enemies in such a stylish way.

Though the others have more or less given you the business, this game isn't really about optimal builds. You can be a death cult alley shanker and still work on social skills. It just ain't cheap, or you need to know what alternatives to use. I think there are other paths available that grant social bonuses...some malfean thing, being rich you'd fit right in.

Lastly, kill from far away as a practice. But be scary as all get-out if someone actually makes it to you. Also, smoke grenades are your best friend.

Sword and pistol fighting is pretty much the 40k default of the setting.

Any character who doesn't use it to some extent is going to start having a very bad day as soon as their foe either wades through their gunfire or wanders out of melee range.

However in DH1 there is not systemic support for it, other gamelines have rectified this, (OWs sidearm talent springs to mind) but in DH it's pretty much a case of holding both but fighting with one or the other.

That said you can negate off hand penalties with talents but there are no specific bonuses or dual wield talents to make this style as useful as two swords or two pistols.

Will probably just have to talk to GM about it, see if he can houserule the Sidearm talent or some other arrangement.

Question: I see a lot of threads recommend the Hecutor as a recommended autopistol. Help a newbie out: What makes Hecutors shine?

Question: I see a lot of threads recommend the Hecutor as a recommended autopistol. Help a newbie out: What makes Hecutors shine?

Full range of firing modes, good range and damage, 15 rounds , reliable.