I thought Id share this pearl with you all. I just got a playing group together and of the 4 of them only two of them are even remotely familiar with the 40k Universe. I am pretty well versed as Ive been an avid fan for 20 years so I sell them on the idea. Being grim dark neophites they all have ideas that fit very easily into my plan and are about what youd expect for new players in a military campaign.... that is all except one.
One player wants to play...... wait for it....... a Ratling, Sniper, Psyker.
Now when I heard this a couple of things happened. The first that my mind screamed at the mental image of a hobbit looking psyker running around the battlefield, the second was I wanted to slap him for having asked to play such a non cannon character, then the last stage of my revulsion cycle was actual contemplation. Upon moderate inspection I could not find a rule based reason to deny him his request. He could be from a Ratling world which gives him some Ballistic Skill ability at a low level but enough to make him feel "sniper-ish" and then have developed powers only to be hauled off on a Blackship where he was then selected to endure the Sanctioning process. The Rules seem to back it but the side of me that loves cannon was still retching in disbelief of the concept. With further contemplation I had to admit that with most things involving "variety" in 40k; it is almost impossible to say something DOES NOT exist given the sheer span of human existance. Something may be exceedingly rare but on a long enough timeline with enough people involved you can find just about anything. Somewhere there has to be a Space Wolf Long Tooth Veteran sitting in a recliner eating chicken wings while watching My Little Pony and wearing a beer stained robe. Oh god my grey matter just popped again.