Hi fellow Explorers,

Could you please confirm our interpretation of the rules. As I read it, As long as the Rogue Trader (PC, official group leader) is visible, most of the group and close NPCs (limited by Fellowship bonus, and Air of Authority and similar talents), may reroll fear/pinning tests (Iron Discipline) ou be outright immune to it (Into the Jaws of Hell). However, the Rogue Trader himself benefits in no way of these bonuses, and may quite often act as a coward with his "low" 50ish Willpower ? (Currently, we are at Rank 4, so Fearless is still out not takeable)

I'm pretty sure it is the rules-as-intended, to have a charismatic coward leading fearless and devoted unto death followers ? Since this fearlessness is really loyalty and respect for the Rogue Trader, and not induced by brain surgery or drugs, the situation seems weird to my eyes (or at least that the "fearless" talent is so far in the carreer path).

Should the Rogue Trader also be affected by his own presence ?

Thanks for your help and may your holds be full of loot !

Max

The RAW does leave the Rogue Trader unprotected by his talents.

A cowardly leader who still inspires fearlessness in his followers does have precedent in the 40k fluff with Commisiar Caiphas Cain. Though he might just be lying about being scared all the time.

Yeah, just means that the RT is now super-awesome at inspiring his followers.

Yes, that's how we played it. When the PC's faced a Walking Nightmare (fear 4) only the Rogue Trader had to roll. Fortunately for the party, he only failed by a little so the group dug in and fought.

Cheers,

- V.

Thanks a lot.

Max

I've a houserule that gets around this, I allow my PCs to buy ahead on their skill trees by spending and extra +100xp per rank they skip ahead. I.e. If a rogue trader at rank two wanted to buy a 500xp advance at rank five it would cost him 800xp (500xp +300xp for skipping ahead).

I've found that this doesn't wreck the system, my players are usually unwilling to spend more xp than they have too, but it does allow you to buy ahead for the sake of character (i.e. to get the fearless leader who inspires his men).

I would rule that if the Rogue Trader breaks/freezes/runs, those talents won't work. So it behooves the leader to stand firm for the sake of their men.

That seems a very fair cop. A Rogue Traders morale boosting talents that only work if he is indeed heroic, not a gibbering coward in the rear. After all, we are Imperials, not stinking Skaven...ooops, system jump. But I guess the picture is clear.

Friedrich van Riebeeck, Navigator Primus, Heart of the Void

While you can't get Fearless until Rank 7, Jaded is available at Rank 2 which makes you immune to Fear Tests that don't originate from Terrors of the Warp. You are still subject to Pinning though.