Black Crusade, an upcoming roleplaying game that offers players a new perspective on the conflict between the Imperium of Man and the forces of Chaos, will be on store shelves in the third quarter of 2011. Today, we’re pleased to present a few pages from the book itself, along with an overview from its lead designer!

Hello, Black Crusade fans! In Black Crusade, each player character starts with an Archetype from which his or her character develops. Last time, we previewed two Archetypes, the Forsaken and the Heretek. This week, let’s take a look at two more, the Sorcerer and the Apostate.

Mastery of Body and Mind

Chaos Space Marine psykers are often referred to as Sorcerers. Many are former Librarians, either from the original Space Marine Legions before the Horus Heresy, or more recent traitors from current Chapters.

The Sorcerer is a remarkably competent individual, as he is both a Chaos Space Marine (and thus a formidable adversary in combat) and a psyker. Due to his multiple genetic enhancements and Space Marine implants, the Sorcerer is more robust than an average psyker, and has a better chance of keeping the energies coursing through him under control. Though this does mean the Sorcerer is slightly less powerful than “unbound” psykers and wyrds, his innate force at arms makes up for any difference in psychic abilities.

Leadership and Persuasion

The Apostate’s powers, on the other hand, stem not from personal combat ability, but the talents to sway the hearts and minds of the enemy. Apostate is a general term for high-ranking leaders of men who have betrayed the Imperium (or were never a part of it in the first place). Now they lead grand armies (or a warband of their peers, for starters) against Humanity, or corrupt it from within as a rotten core in otherwise whole fruit.

To accomplish this, the Apostate’s skill set is focused more towards leadership and persuasion. Although these leaders can become as adept at skill of arms as their fellows, a good Apostate knows it’s always better when someone else is ready to die for you.

Sorcerer Archetype (pdf, 488 MB)
Apostate Archetype (pdf, 568 MB)

Keep checking back for more on Black Crusade!

Black Crusade is a roleplaying game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, a setting in the grim darkness of the far future. Players take on the roles of Disciples of the Dark Gods, working against the rule of the galaxy-spanning Imperium of Man and in pursuit of personal glory.