Hello Everyone,

Like the title says I am brand new to the Dark Heresy world. My GM decided to run a game of Dark Heresy and I have never played in the 40k world so I am a little lost. My party elected me to play the Tech Priest. From what I gathered so far they are a pretty confusing class to play so I was wondering if there is a handbook on how to play a Tech Priest? Or is there any tips (ie. skills & talents I should take) that I should know when playing a Tech Priest?

Thanks everyone and looking forward to your feedback!

-Encanis

Some info on the Cult Mechanicus can be found here:

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Cult_Mechanicus
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Mechanicus

There used to be a good overview on wikipedia, too, but it's gone

They are a religious cult, worshipping Knowledge. They see Technology as sacred, because it is a physical incarnation of Knowledge. Their version of the 10 commandments are the 16 Universal Laws.

The Tech Priests favour logic over emotion, and tend to be cold and unfeeling. Some like to shed their "weak flesh", replacing as much of their bodies with cybernetics (true flesh). But like in any cult/religion there is room for all kinds, and you have sections who believe that the human body is the Ultimate Machine, and are quite happy to leave it as-is.

As a 1st Rank Tech-priest you will still be mostly human, no matter which direction you end up going. But the kind of person who devotes his life in service to the Machine God is logical and methodical, big on procedures and rituals, not so much on improv and rushing into things with no plan. He will likely be knowledgable, and Handy with a Wrench. He will probably not be much of a people-person, finding the unpredictable emotions of "normal" people confusing and illogical.

Spock from StarTrek would make an excellent Tech Priest

There are a few general tips on playing Tech-priests:

-You are partially autonomous/at least your organization is. The Cult Mechanicus is a parallel society to the normal Imperium, they have their own planets, faith, armies, fleets etc. That means that you can be different from the masses in your approach.

-Tech-Priests have access to knowledge. This point is very important, as the Tech-priests are some of the few people who actually understand natural sciences. Sure there is a lot of theological stuff in there too, but TPs are the guys who have the monopoly on knowing how a combustion engine works or how to make a plane fly. Stuff like chemistry, metal forging or machine use is your domain.

-With the right implants you can be a very tough nut to crack in combat. TPs have tendency to get strong and tough through implants, to the point of being able to carry a small car on their own while being washed with strong acids. Besides that implants are your friends, TPs have access to many unique and helpful implants that can double as weapons, tools, hands and senses.

-You can go in many ways, the TP is a very flexible Career. You can be a wise font of arcane knowledge, a hulking beast of war (there is an alternate career for that in the Inquisitors Handbook), a skilled craftsman with a knack for mechanics or a jack of all trades (save swimming).