Only War is a standalone Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game where players take on the roles of Imperial Guard soldiers․ The Only War RPG PDF provides a comprehensive system for exploring the grimdark universe through military conflict and squad-based storytelling․
Overview of the Game
Only War is a Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game where players embody Imperial Guard soldiers, immersing themselves in the grimdark universe’s military conflicts․ The game emphasizes squad dynamics, with a percentage-based skill system determining success․ Players navigate the horrors of war, utilizing weaponry and leadership to maintain morale․ The core rulebook and supplementary materials provide extensive resources for both players and GMs, fostering a rich storytelling experience․ The game’s design allows for character progression and customization, making it a unique entry point for new players to explore the Warhammer 40k universe․
Importance of the Imperial Guard in the Warhammer 40k Universe
The Imperial Guard represents the Imperium’s vast, militarized backbone, comprised of countless soldiers from diverse worlds․ Often viewed as expendable, they embody the grim sacrifices necessary to preserve humanity’s dominance․ As the frontline forces against threats like orks, tyranids, and Chaos, the Guard’s resilience and sheer numbers are crucial to the Imperium’s survival․ Their role in Only War underscores the harsh realities of war in the 41st millennium, where duty, loyalty, and sacrifice define their existence․ The Imperial Guard’s significance lies in their unwavering commitment to the Emperor, making them a cornerstone of the Warhammer 40k universe’s lore and gameplay․
Core Mechanics of Only War
Only War features a percentage-based skill system, squad dynamics, and tactical combat․ Players navigate the grimdark universe through task resolution, progression, and strategic decisions, emphasizing teamwork and survival․
The Percentage-Based Skill System
Only War employs a percentage-based skill system, where players roll dice to determine success․ Skills and abilities combine with context modifiers to create a target number․ Rolls are made at or under this number, allowing for tactical decision-making․ This system emphasizes teamwork and strategic use of skills, making each character’s abilities crucial in combat and exploration․ The percentage-based mechanic ensures a balanced yet dynamic gameplay experience, aligning with the grimdark tone of the Warhammer 40k universe․ Players can customize their skills, adapting to challenges and progressing through experience points, enhancing their role in the Imperial Guard․
Squad-Based Gameplay and Team Dynamics
Only War emphasizes squad-based gameplay, where players operate as a cohesive unit within the Imperial Guard․ Each character’s skills and roles complement the team, fostering teamwork and strategic coordination․ The game mechanics encourage players to support each other, covering weaknesses and leveraging strengths․ Squad dynamics are central to mission success, with shared responsibilities in combat and exploration․ This system promotes camaraderie and tactical decision-making, reflecting the grimdark tone of Warhammer 40k․ The squad buddy mechanic further enhances this, creating bonds and dramatic moments that highlight sacrifice and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds․
Character Creation and Progression
Character creation in Only War offers deep customization, with regimental backgrounds shaping abilities․ Progression is flexible, allowing access to all skills and talents, guided by XP and regimental influence․
Regimental Backgrounds and Their Impact on Play
In Only War, regimental backgrounds define a character’s origins, influencing skills, equipment, and XP costs․ Players choose from diverse regiments like hive-world, feral, or Imperial Guard, each offering unique traits․ These backgrounds shape starting abilities, reflecting the harsh environments and cultures of the Warhammer 40k universe․ Regimental choices also unlock exclusive talents and gear, adding depth to character customization․ This system ensures that each soldier’s background directly impacts gameplay, making every regiment feel distinct and immersive in the grimdark setting․ The Only War RPG PDF details these options, allowing players to craft unique characters tailored to their preferred playstyle․
Talents, Skills, and Experience Points (XP) System
Talents and skills in Only War are acquired through a flexible XP system, allowing characters to grow based on their regimental background and in-game performance․ Players earn XP to purchase skills and talents, with costs varying by regiment․ The Only War RPG PDF outlines a wide range of talents, from combat prowess to leadership abilities, enabling diverse character builds․ Skills are percentage-based, reflecting a character’s proficiency․ This system ensures progression feels earned and tailored to each player’s role within their squad, enhancing the game’s tactical depth and narrative richness․
The Role of Comrades in the Game
Comrades are NPC squad members who add depth to the story and gameplay․ They can sacrifice themselves to protect players, enhancing the game’s emotional and tactical elements․
The Squad Buddy Mechanic
The Squad Buddy Mechanic in Only War RPG introduces loyal NPC companions who accompany players, often sacrificing themselves to protect their human teammates․ These comrades add emotional depth and tactical complexity to missions, as their deaths can motivate players․ The PDF details how these buddies are integrated into the game, offering unique story arcs and gameplay opportunities․ Their presence enriches the narrative, making each mission more personal and intense, while their sacrifices highlight the grim reality of war in the Warhammer 40k universe․
Comrade Customization and Development
In Only War RPG, players can deeply customize their NPC comrades, tailoring their abilities and gear to suit their playstyle․ The PDF outlines a robust system where comrades gain experience points (XP), allowing them to acquire new talents and skills․ Regimental backgrounds influence their progression, offering unique paths for development․ This creates diverse and dynamic characters, enhancing squad dynamics and gameplay․ Comrades can evolve into specialized roles, making them indispensable in missions․ Their growth adds layers of strategy and emotional investment, enriching the Warhammer 40k experience and providing endless opportunities for storytelling and tactical depth․
Combat and Tactics
Only War RPG emphasizes tactical combat, utilizing cover, positioning, and leadership to influence morale․ The PDF details how these elements create engaging, strategic gameplay experiences․
Weaponry and Equipment in Only War
Only War RPG PDF details an extensive array of weaponry and gear, from humble lasguns to heavy bolters․ Players can customize equipment to suit their squad’s needs, ensuring tactical flexibility․ The game emphasizes the grim practicality of war, with gear reflecting the Imperium’s industrial might․ Supplementary materials, like the Custom Expanded Gear List, offer even more options, allowing for personalized arsenals․ Weaponry and equipment choices directly impact gameplay, influencing combat dynamics and survival chances in the unforgiving Warhammer 40k universe․
Morale and Leadership in Combat Situations
Morale and leadership are pivotal in Only War, as they directly influence squad cohesion and survival․ The game incorporates mechanics to track morale, with leaders playing a crucial role in rallying troops under fire․ Commissars, for instance, ensure discipline and combat effectiveness, while sergeants provide tactical guidance․ Poor leadership can lead to routs, while strong leaders inspire resilience․ The Only War RPG PDF emphasizes these dynamics, making leadership a key element of strategy and storytelling․ This adds depth to the grimdark setting, where the psychological toll of war is as deadly as enemy fire․ Leadership defines victory or despair․
Setting and Lore
Only War is set in the grimdark Warhammer 40k universe, where humanity teeters on the brink of collapse․ The Only War RPG PDF immerses players in a war-torn galaxy, exploring the struggles of the Imperial Guard and the relentless conflicts that define the Imperium․ Key locations and factions shape the narrative, offering a rich, expansive lore for players to engage with․
The Grimdark Universe of Warhammer 40k
The Warhammer 40k universe is a bleak, gothic-horror inspired setting where humanity teeters on the edge of collapse under the rule of the God-Emperor․ The Only War RPG PDF plunges players into a galaxy consumed by endless warfare, corruption, and existential threats․ The grimdark aesthetic permeates every aspect of the game, from the battered armor of Imperial Guardsmen to the constant struggle against alien hordes, mutants, and heretics․ This oppressive, dystopian backdrop creates a unique narrative where survival is a daily battle, and sacrifice is the ultimate duty․ The setting’s dark tone and rich lore define the game’s identity and immersion․
Key Locations and Factions in Only War
The Only War RPG PDF introduces players to a vast array of key locations and factions within the Warhammer 40k universe․ From the industrial hive worlds that churn out Imperial Guard regiments to the forge worlds of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the game explores diverse settings that shape the narrative․ Factions like the Inquisition, Space Marines, and Chaos forces add depth to the conflict․ Key locations such as the Imperial Palace, the Eye of Terror, and the Astronomican provide iconic backdrops for battles and intrigue․ These elements create a rich, immersive experience, highlighting the complexity and diversity of the grimdark universe․
Resources and Tools for Players and GMs
The Only War Core Rulebook is the primary resource for players and GMs, offering comprehensive rules and setting details․ Supplementary materials, such as talent calculators and comrade cheat sheets, enhance gameplay․ Custom gear lists, derived from various FFG books and codex entries, expand equipment options․ These tools provide extensive support for character creation, campaign management, and in-game scenarios, ensuring a rich and immersive experience for both new and veteran players․ They are indispensable for mastering the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40k and preparing engaging narratives for the tabletop․
The Only War Core Rulebook and Supplementary Materials
The Only War Core Rulebook serves as the foundational guide for players and GMs, detailing character creation, combat mechanics, and the grimdark setting of the Warhammer 40k universe․ It is fully compatible with other Warhammer 40k RPG titles, allowing seamless integration of content․ Supplementary materials, such as talent calculators and comrade cheat sheets, assist in streamlining gameplay and character progression․ Custom gear lists, inspired by FFG books and codex entries, expand weapon and equipment options․ These resources are essential for mastering the game’s mechanics and creating immersive campaigns․ A free downloadable adventure is also available, introducing new players to the rules and setting․
Online Tools and Calculators for Game Mastery
Online tools and calculators enhance gameplay and streamline preparation for both players and GMs in Only War․ The Only War Experience Talent Calculator simplifies character progression, incorporating expansions like Hammer of the Emperor and Shield of Humanity․ A Comrade Cheat Sheet aids in managing squad buddies, while a Custom Expanded Gear List offers detailed weapon and equipment options, drawn from FFG books and codex entries․ These resources, available online, empower players and GMs to focus on storytelling and strategy, ensuring a more immersive and efficient Only War experience․
Community and Modifications
Fans of Only War actively create and share custom content, expanding the game’s possibilities․ The community develops tools, gear lists, and calculators, enriching gameplay for players and GMs․
Fan-Created Content and Expansions
Fans of Only War have created extensive custom content, including expanded gear lists, talent calculators, and scenario structures․ These expansions, often shared online, enrich the game with new weapons, races, and lore-inspired elements․ Players and GMs benefit from tools like the Only War Experience Talent Calculator and custom gear lists derived from 8th Edition Codex and Lexicanum․ The community also shares tips and resources, fostering a collaborative environment․ These creations breathe new life into the game, offering fresh challenges and storylines for enthusiasts of the Warhammer 40k universe․
Sharing Resources and Tips for New Players
New players can benefit from shared resources like the Only War Core Rulebook and supplementary materials․ Online communities offer tips, such as starting with the basics and familiarizing yourself with the grimdark setting․ Tools like the Only War Experience Talent Calculator and custom gear lists simplify character creation․ Engaging with forums and fan-created content provides inspiration and practical advice․ GMs can share scenario structures and prep guides, helping new players navigate the game’s complexities․ These resources foster a welcoming environment, ensuring newcomers enjoy their journey through the Warhammer 40k universe․
Only War RPG PDF offers a unique and immersive experience, blending the gritty realism of the Warhammer 40k universe with strategic squad-based gameplay․ Players and GMs alike can benefit from the wealth of resources, including the core rulebook and community-created content․ The game’s focus on camaraderie, tactical combat, and character progression makes it a standout title in the RPG genre․ Whether you’re a veteran of the Warhammer 40k universe or new to tabletop RPGs, Only War provides endless opportunities for epic storytelling and unforgettable battles in the grim darkness of the far future․