Anyone on here test play this? Does anyone know how compatable it is with the other 40K RPGs? Same degree of difference between this and RT that was between RT and DH?

Assuming the default NDA from FFG, until more is mentioned, no one will be able to talk about it, other than "I'm playtesting it". At least, that's how it is for the DH and RT playtesters.

It'll be interesting to see how well the D100 system handles it, while quite a lot of DH & RT are easily cross-compatible. I have noticed that the scaling of RT with high stats, skills and other abilities gets pretty sketchy to the point where that in the cycle of the game of some stats at 50-65 and potentially +20 to +30 in stats, that the 'challenge' of testing characters gets a lot harder, where even the seriously hard tests will be accomplished 50% of the time, unlike in DH where it was still a fairly consistant 25-30% chance of success for the very hard tests with advanced characters. In that regard I'm interested in playing just to see what its like, not so sure I'd be comfortable running that level of game though.

Compatability will not the problem I thing, the stats of a Marine will likely include the Unnatural Charackteristic trait, so the Marine is only a far more powerfull charackter,  Seeing forward for more inforamtation of that, the only reverence is the Marine from Purge the Unclean.

MILLANDSON said:

Actually we can say a little more than that. General views (I like it a lot), countering kneejerk derogatory opinions (it's involves a lot more than combat) etc.

We are allowed to give our general impressions of the book, but no details.

My general impressions are; that this game is freaking awsome!

I have playtested several DH and RT books, and this is by a clear mile my absolute favourite so far. The way they have presented Deathwatch characters, the options they have given for character generation and development, the equipment, the adversaries, the setting, the background...everything about it is well thought out, well written and well balanced.

Before playtesting started, I was quite worried about the 'sameness' and lack of individuality that would plague Space Marines. This proved to be an unfounded worry though; FFG have pulled this one off wonderfully, they have created a magnificent game, that has far exceeded my expectations.

I cannot wait to see the end product. No book that FFG has done so far that I have playtested has had me nearly as excited as this one.

Savage said:

My group went into it with much the same concerns. And I think it's understandable for anyone to do so given the 'sameness' of 50 tactical marines on a battlefield.

Instead, from the first session of testing my group were commenting on how different their characters felt from one another. That's something that's only developed throughout the process.

The book allows for various styles of play and campaigns and really supports the idea of roleplaying a Marine and them feeling suitably 'awesome' (as my group kept saying, one common comment was 'I feel like a Space Marine'.

The Jericho Reach is also inspired, there's some very clever things going on there for GMs to grab hold of and run all manner of campaigns with.

Peacekeeper_b said:

On the Deathwatch Description page:

"While Deathwatch focuses on a different aspect of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the rule system is compatible with Dark Heresy and Rogue Trader."

Hope that helps :)

 Okay,

DH characters start out with 400xp
RT characters start out with 5.000xp

Death Watch Characters will probably be the rough equivalent of 10k experience characters I guess.

-Except that 5k of Rogue Trader XP isn't worth anything near as much as 5k of Dark Heresy XP, when compared from the various costs and career advances in the two books. I am expecting this to continue similarly with DW, and as such I would not expect 'X XP' from DH or RT to be worth that same 'X XP' in DW.

I'm betting Ascension characters are about the same power level as Deathwatch characters.  They books are coming out so close to each other... if FFG can make an August release.  Maybe that's the secret purpose of Ascension!  Oh man... possibilities!

It's good to hear that you guys feel they dealt with the roleplaying concerns.  

My guess would be 10k xp as well. Plus another 5 points to add to the stats So you would roll 30+2D10. Then there will be the special Space Marine traits and implants. Unnatural Strength, Toughness and perhaps Agility are to be expected. I am sure that SM's will have lots of Fear and corruption resistant talents as well.

I have been entertaining this idea for a campaign involvong all three games. Each player could, if they chose, play three characters, an Inquistor or Cadre member, a Rogue Trader or Retinue member, and a Adeptus Astartes. Think of the possiblities, hardcore investigation and roleplaying, space combat and Xenos smashing! It would be alot of work but it could be awesome. You could run it an adventure at a time.

Drais said:

It is a lot of work.

And yes, it is awesome.

Evilref said:

     Oh yes. The possibilities...this really needs more thought.

It does sound like a damn fine idea!