“Men, we are the first, last and often only line of defence the Imperium has against what is out there. You and that fine piece of Imperial weaponry you hold in your hands is all that is keeping humanity alive. Most of you will probably not live to see your second year in the Guard and most of you will probably never see your homeworlds again, but I can guarantee you that when you do fall, with a prayer to the most high and mighty God-Emperor on your lips, you will have earned the right to call yourself a man!”
–Staff Sergeant Vermak, 12th Cadian Shock Regiment

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to invite you to take part in the open beta test for Only War , the upcoming Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game!

Announced in April, Only War places each player in the role of an Imperial Guardsman, one of the countless billions of hardened conscripts constantly fighting on myriad fronts at the whim of the Adeptus Terra. Your squad might be responsible for guiding an important dignitary through a perilous warzone, or instructed to infiltrate a besieged fort to deliver important intelligence. With missions as varied as the galaxy’s innumerable warfronts, you and your squadmates must often rely on nothing but your own grim determination and your faith in each other.

Available for download through drivethrurpg.com and rpgnow.com, the Only War beta provides an abridged, electronic version of the upcoming core rulebook. This 268-page pdf document retains the core experience of Only War , but excludes certain thematic content that will be present in the final game. As part of the beta test, you’ll provide valuable reconnaissance for the war effort as you help us to craft the best possible product.

A Word From the Developers

For more on the Only War beta, here’s a word from the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay development team:

In 1987, Games Workshop released a sci-fi miniatures rulebook called Rogue Trader , and captured the imagination of gamers across the world with their depiction of a grim, dark future among the stars. For two decades, fans of Warhammer 40,000 clamoured for a roleplaying experience set in this deep and engaging setting. Then, five years ago, Games Workshop delivered Dark Heresy , the first of what would become a full line of roleplaying games set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Now, the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay line has been licensed to Fantasy Flight Games, and is doing better than ever with the addition of three more roleplaying games: Rogue Trader , Deathwatch , and Black Crusade . On drivethrurpg.com, you’ll find the beta version of the core rulebook for the fourth and latest addition to the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay line: Only War . This game places players in the boots of an Imperial Guardsman, thrust up against the greatest horrors the galaxy has to offer, with nothing but their wits, their lasgun, and their compatriots to survive until the next day.

This beta version allows players to test-drive the game before the official release, and it grants the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team a valuable resource in crafting the best product possible. The beta is a shortened version of the final core rulebook, and its layout and content are not representative of the final product. It has been condensed down to the rules necessary for playing through a complete campaign of Only War .

There are two main methods for you to submit your feedback about this beta. First, we have created a special section on the FFG website for the beta that will be updated weekly with the latest news and game updates from the development team. There is a public forum where players can discuss the beta test with the other people involved, post questions and feedback, and read news updates from the Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay team. Second, you can submit any specific reports or feedback directly to the development team at the beta test e-mail address ( [email protected] ). When submitting your feedback via e-mail, it is most helpful to us if you consolidate multiple questions and comments into a single message, rather than sending a separate e-mail for each question or comment.

We would like to include a note as to what constitutes useful feedback. Please provide precise, well thought out, and concise comments on specific issues that come up during your playtest sessions. Good feedback states the issue at hand and accurately cites page numbers and rules contradictions therein. We are primarily concerned with issues that affect gameplay, such as missing rules entries, examples that are inconsistent with the rules text, and balance or clarity issues.

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your enthusiasm and diligence during this beta test. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and we thank you for helping us in making this game the best it can possibly be.

Happy Gaming,
The Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay Team

Learn more about the beta process at our Only War beta test description page , then head to drivethrurgp.com or rpgnow.com today and man the front lines!