Only War is a standalone Warhammer 40k RPG by Fantasy Flight Games‚ where players embody Imperial Guard soldiers in a grim‚ war-torn 41st millennium.
Background and Overview
Only War is a standalone roleplaying game set in the Warhammer 40‚000 universe‚ published by Fantasy Flight Games. It focuses on the Imperial Guard‚ humanity’s vast armies‚ and their struggles in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. Players take on the roles of soldiers‚ navigating the horrors of war‚ political intrigue‚ and the constant threat of alien and traitor forces. The game emphasizes tactical combat‚ camaraderie‚ and survival‚ offering a unique perspective on the Warhammer 40k setting. The core rulebook‚ available as a PDF‚ provides a comprehensive system for character creation‚ progression‚ and gameplay‚ making it accessible to both new and veteran players.
Significance in the Warhammer 40k Universe
Only War holds a unique place in the Warhammer 40k universe by focusing on the Imperial Guard‚ offering a grounded perspective on war in the grim darkness; Unlike other RPGs that emphasize powerful Space Marines or Inquisitors‚ Only War centers on ordinary soldiers‚ highlighting their struggles‚ sacrifices‚ and camaraderie. This approach provides a fresh narrative lens‚ exploring the Imperium’s vast armies and their role in preserving humanity. As the fifth RPG in Fantasy Flight Games’ Warhammer 40k series‚ it expands the lore by delving into the lives of common soldiers‚ making it a vital addition for fans seeking a more military-focused experience within the Warhammer 40k setting.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
Only War features a robust system for combat and progression‚ with detailed rules for squad tactics and character advancement‚ set in the Warhammer 40k universe.
Combat System and Character Progression
The combat system in Only War emphasizes squad-based tactics and cover mechanics‚ with a percentile-based resolution for skill checks and combat actions. Players control Imperial Guardsmen‚ advancing through experience points to improve stats‚ skills‚ and unlock special abilities. The game master (GM) oversees the battlefield‚ guiding the narrative and controlling enemies. Character progression is gradual‚ with a focus on survival and camaraderie. The system reflects the grim tone of the Warhammer 40k universe‚ where the stakes are high‚ and every decision impacts the squad’s survival. This creates a immersive and strategic gameplay experience‚ blending storytelling with mechanical depth.
Role of the Game Master (GM)
The Game Master (GM) in Only War is responsible for creating and narrating the story‚ controlling non-player characters‚ and adjudicating rules. The GM sets the tone of the grim darkness‚ presenting challenges and guiding players through the Imperium’s struggles. They must balance storytelling with tactical combat scenarios‚ ensuring a cohesive experience. The GM also acts as the game’s referee‚ interpreting rules and managing pacing. Their role is crucial for immersion‚ as they bring the Warhammer 40k universe to life‚ creating an engaging and often brutal narrative that reflects the game’s themes of sacrifice and survival.
Character Creation and Development
Character creation in Only War allows players to craft unique Imperial Guard soldiers‚ choosing regiments‚ skills‚ and equipment. Development involves earning experience for advancement.
Imperial Guard Classes and Specializations
In Only War‚ players can choose from diverse Imperial Guard classes‚ such as Infantry‚ Heavy Weapons‚ and Tech-Priests‚ each offering unique skills and playstyles. Specializations further refine characters‚ allowing for tactical versatility. For example‚ a Heavy Weapons Specialist excels at suppressing enemy forces‚ while a Medic focuses on healing and supporting allies. These options enable players to tailor their roles within their squad‚ enhancing both individual and team effectiveness. The variety of classes and specializations ensures a rich and dynamic character development experience‚ fitting the grim‚ war-torn setting of the 41st millennium.
Customization and Skill Trees
Only War offers extensive customization through its skill tree system‚ allowing players to tailor their characters to fit specific roles or combat styles. As characters gain experience‚ they can spend points to unlock new skills or improve existing ones‚ ensuring a high degree of adaptability. The Core Rulebook provides detailed options for advancing characters‚ from enhancing combat prowess to developing non-combat abilities. This system encourages players to craft unique individuals‚ whether they excel in close quarters‚ ranged warfare‚ or leadership. The depth of customization ensures that each Guardsman can stand out‚ even in the grim‚ unforgiving universe of the 41st millennium.
The Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium
The 41st millennium is a grim‚ dark era where humanity struggles for survival amidst constant warfare and unimaginable threats in a desperate‚ war-torn galaxy.
Setting and Lore in Only War
In Only War‚ the setting is deeply rooted in the Warhammer 40k universe‚ depicting a grim‚ dark future where humanity teeters on the brink of collapse. Players embody Imperial Guard soldiers‚ fighting across war-torn planets and aboard battered starships. The lore emphasizes the Imperium’s unending struggle for survival‚ with humanity beset by alien threats like Orks‚ Tyranids‚ and Eldar‚ as well as internal corruption. The game captures the bleak‚ militaristic atmosphere of the 41st millennium‚ where hope is scarce and sacrifice is constant. This backdrop immerses players in a universe of relentless warfare and moral ambiguity‚ defining the game’s tone and narrative.
Key Enemies and Factions
In Only War‚ players confront a myriad of enemies threatening humanity’s survival. The Orks‚ with their brutal Waaagh! tactics‚ and the Tyranids‚ relentless bio-engineered horrors‚ serve as primary antagonists. Eldar forces‚ with their advanced technology and mysterious motives‚ add depth to the conflict. Additionally‚ Chaos-tainted legions and traitor guard regiments pose internal threats‚ blurring the lines between friend and foe. Key factions like the Adeptus Mechanicus and Space Marines provide crucial support‚ while the Inquisition’s shadowy operations add layers of intrigue. These enemies and allies shape the grim narrative‚ immersing players in the Warhammer 40k universe’s eternal struggle for dominance.
Gameplay Features and Expansions
Only War offers unique gameplay mechanics‚ ensuring compatibility with other Warhammer 40k RPGs‚ and features various expansions that enhance the core experience with new content.
Unique Mechanics and Innovations
Only War introduces several unique mechanics that set it apart from other RPGs. Designed by Andrew Fischer‚ it offers a standalone experience within the Warhammer 40k universe‚ focusing on the Imperial Guard. The game’s compatibility with other Warhammer 40k RPGs by Fantasy Flight Games allows seamless integration of content. Unique features include a robust squad-based combat system‚ emphasizing unit tactics and command‚ and innovative character progression paths tailored to the Imperial Guard’s military structure. The game also introduces a “Rank” system‚ enabling players to climb through military hierarchy‚ and a “Momentum” mechanic that enhances strategic decision-making. These innovations‚ along with a focus on the grim darkness of the 41st millennium‚ provide a fresh and engaging experience for players new to the Warhammer 40k RPG series while maintaining depth for veterans.
Compatibility with Other Warhammer 40k RPGs
Fantasy Flight Games designed Only War to be fully compatible with their other Warhammer 40k roleplaying titles‚ such as Dark Heresy‚ Rogue Trader‚ and Deathwatch. This compatibility allows players to seamlessly integrate characters‚ rules‚ and storylines from these games into their Only War campaigns‚ creating a unified and expansive Warhammer 40k RPG experience. The shared game system and settings ensure consistency‚ while the unique focus of each title adds depth and variety. This integration enhances gameplay by offering players and GMs a wealth of resources to craft rich‚ interconnected stories within the grim darkness of the 41st millennium.
PDF Availability and Resources
The Only War Core Rulebook PDF is available for download‚ offering a comprehensive guide to the game‚ with hyperlinks and searchable content for ease of use.
Where to Find the Only War Core Rulebook PDF
The Only War Core Rulebook PDF is available for download from various online sources‚ including official retailers and community platforms. Fans can access it through Fantasy Flight Games’ official website or platforms like RPGGeek. Additionally‚ some enthusiasts share the PDF on forums and file-sharing sites like 4shared. It’s important to verify the source’s legitimacy to ensure the file is authentic and free from malware. The PDF is also noted for its hyperlinked content and searchable format‚ making it convenient for players. For those seeking additional resources‚ supplements and expansions are often bundled with the core rulebook or available separately online.
Additional Materials and Supplements
Beyond the core rulebook‚ Fantasy Flight Games offers numerous supplements for Only War‚ expanding gameplay and lore. These include campaign books‚ enemy compilations‚ and gear expansions. Notable supplements like Hammer of the Emperor and No Surrender provide new career paths‚ wargear‚ and mission ideas. Players can also find fan-made content and community-created scenarios online. Many of these materials are available in both print and digital formats‚ with PDF versions accessible through platforms like RPGGeek or DriveThruRPG. These supplements enhance the game’s depth‚ offering fresh ways to engage with the grim darkness of the 41st millennium and the Imperial Guard’s struggles.