So a thought occurred to me...

What if one could take other Unusual Comrades with the Unusual Comrade talent?

As a general guideline, they should definitely fit into some sort of archetype, as they are not player characters, not meant to be as detailed as player characters, and this'll make it infinitely easier to determine what they can do between the player and the GM, or us forum-goers.

Personally I was thinking of having minor tech-adepts as comrades (and yes this is the idea that sparked this thread). I would imagine they'd have some basic level of skill for technical tests, as for how to implement that I'm not entirely sure.

Two other ideas I've considered are fledgling psykers and low-level priests, whatever one would call the latter. The former is definitely borderline heretical, although it might be particularly fitting for a heretical psyker! The latter may lack the weapons to effectively participate in the Ranged Volley or Close Quarters orders, but might provide bonuses to faith talents.

Ideas? Thoughts?

Hmm....on one hand, I am imagining a Psyker PC having a number of PR 1 Psykers following him around, causing MANY double-takes. But I've never allowed Psykers in my OW games because I feel an average joe schmoe squad of losers doesn't get such a magnificent tool of the Emperor's Will, that is for command squads, so it could be said a Psyker PC would manage the weaker psykers in the regiment (or perhaps battlegorup even). On the other hand, I see a tribe of little Ratlings causing hell XD this might actually be a cool idea if it were fleshed out a little more.

and low-level priests, whatever one would call the latter.

Altar boys and space bishops I suppose.

I like the idea of more personalized comrades taking up arms to make them more personal for the PCs and thus it will hurt more if they die, and I also like the idea of an operator having a low level tech priest following him around fixing his vehicle and heavy weapons for the heavy gunner.

How about Commissar Cadets (some of them followed regular guardsmen, Ludd from GG is good example) or Psylakis Watchers/Wardens for Psykers?

Heh, interesting...

Well, I've got a very basic modification idea fleshed out for a good number of specialists:

-Cannot take part in the Ranged Volley Order

-Only grant a +5 bonus for the Close Quarters Order

-Can assist with appropriate tests for its type, at the GM's discretion, and may be capable of performing a single skill on its own.

This can be applied on top of any comrade type. So for example, for the Remedium Pattern Medical Servitor I use these rules for to simplify combat would be based off a Servitor Comrade, can't take part in the Ranged Volley Order (many of these unique guys don't even have ranged weapons!), but can assist with Medicae and can use Medicae on its own. It's medical tools are only somewhat effective for stabby stab stab as well. Minor tech-adepts would instead be based off of the guardsman comrade, with being able to assist with Tech-Use and do that themselves.

For minor psykers, I'd imagine one can apply something similar to the above to them--except the most promising benefit is a +10 to Focus Power Tests for assistance--which they may assist in. Altar boys and bishops would likely fall under the below too, maybe giving a +10 to tests based off of Fellowship when they're preaching the emperor's word.

Then there's those who not having a ranged weapon doesn't quite make sense, like the Commissar Cadets. For those, probably +10 to Intimidate and Command being the most direct benefits, but perhaps the most significant drawback is that the other guardsmen look at you warily, and this may impose a penalty on other social tests like Charm and the like.

I don't know a lot about Watchers/Wardens for psykers, but their presence and watchful eye may bestow a -10 to any psychic phenomena rolls. Maybe. I'm just spouting out quickly formed ideas off the top of my head.

But yeah, that seems like it's a workable basic concept there.