Only War is a standalone Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game where players take on the roles of Imperial Guard soldiers. Published in 2012 by Fantasy Flight Games, it offers a gritty, immersive experience in the Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium. The core rulebook is available as a PDF, providing all necessary rules and background for a thrilling RPG adventure.
What is Only War RPG?
Only War is a standalone roleplaying game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, where players assume the roles of Imperial Guard soldiers. Published by Fantasy Flight Games in 2012, it allows players to experience the grim darkness of the 41st millennium through immersive storytelling and strategic gameplay. The game is designed to capture the essence of war in a gothic sci-fi setting, emphasizing camaraderie, sacrifice, and survival against overwhelming odds. Unlike other Warhammer 40k RPGs, Only War focuses specifically on the Imperial Guard, offering a unique perspective on the struggles of humanity’s armies. The core rulebook, available in PDF format, provides all the necessary rules, character creation options, and setting details to begin a campaign. Players can customize their characters with regimental specializations, skills, and talents, creating a personalized experience within the larger narrative of the Imperium. The game appeals to fans of tactical combat and narrative-driven RPGs, offering a gritty and intense exploration of the Warhammer 40k universe.
Historical Background of the Game
Only War, a Warhammer 40,000 role-playing game, was first released in 2012 by Fantasy Flight Games, marking a significant addition to the Warhammer 40k RPG series. It is a standalone game, distinguishing it from earlier titles that required supplementary materials. The game is set in the Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium, a gothic sci-fi universe where humanity teeters on the brink of collapse. Players take on the roles of Imperial Guard soldiers, offering a unique perspective compared to other Warhammer RPGs that often focus on Space Marines or Inquisitors. The core rulebook is available in PDF format, accessible through platforms like Scribd, making it convenient for players to access digitally. Only War was well-received for its immersive storytelling and strategic gameplay, providing a fresh angle on the Warhammer 40k experience; Its development reflected a shift towards more nuanced character creation and tactical combat, enhancing the overall RPG experience. This game stands out for its focus on the resilience and camaraderie of the Imperial Guard, enriching the Warhammer 40k narrative with a new layer of depth.
Setting of Only War RPG
Set in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, Only War immerses players in a gothic sci-fi universe where the Imperial Guard fights for humanity’s survival. The game focuses on the Spinward Front of the Calixis Sector, highlighting constant warfare and the struggle against alien threats.
The Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium
The setting of Only War RPG is deeply rooted in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, a gothic sci-fi world where humanity teeters on the brink of collapse. The 41st millennium is an era of unrelenting warfare, corruption, and despair, where the Imperium of Man struggles to survive against countless threats. Players are immersed in a bleak, dystopian future where the God-Emperor of Mankind reigns as a crippled, immortal figure, worshipped by billions yet unable to save them from the encroaching darkness. The grim darkness is characterized by constant conflict, with humanity beset on all sides by alien races like the Orks, Eldar, and Tyranids, as well as internal threats from heresy and mutation. The PDF core rulebook emphasizes the harsh conditions faced by Imperial Guard soldiers, who are often seen as expendable in the Imperium’s endless wars. This setting provides a rich backdrop for stories of sacrifice, duty, and camaraderie, where hope is scarce but the fight for survival is ever-present.
The Imperial Guard in the Warhammer 40k Universe
The Imperial Guard represents the vast, galaxy-spanning armies of the Imperium of Man in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Comprising countless regiments from diverse planets, the Imperial Guard is the Imperium’s first and often only line of defense against the myriad threats that seek to destroy humanity. These soldiers are recruited from the Imperium’s countless worlds, each bringing unique cultures, traditions, and combat styles to the battlefield. Despite their diversity, Imperial Guardsmen are united by their unwavering loyalty to the God-Emperor and their duty to protect humanity’s dominion over the stars. The Imperial Guard is often seen as expendable, with millions of soldiers being thrown into the meat grinder of war to hold the line against overwhelming odds. In the Only War RPG, players embody these soldiers, experiencing the harsh realities of war in a grim, dark future. The game captures the essence of their struggles, sacrifices, and camaraderie, offering a unique perspective on life in the Imperium’s armies.
Core Rulebook
The Only War Core Rulebook is a comprehensive guide essential for playing the game. Published in 2012, it provides detailed rules, character creation, and background for the Warhammer 40,000 universe, available as a convenient PDF for players.
Overview of the Only War Core Rulebook
The Only War Core Rulebook is a comprehensive guide for players and Game Masters, providing everything needed to embark on adventures in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Published in 2012 by Fantasy Flight Games, this book serves as the foundation for the Only War RPG, allowing players to take on the roles of Imperial Guard soldiers. The core rulebook includes detailed rules for character creation, combat, and skill progression, as well as extensive background information on the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. It also introduces the Spinward Front, a war-torn region of the Calixis Sector, offering a rich setting for campaigns. The rulebook is designed to capture the essence of being a soldier in the Imperial Guard, emphasizing camaraderie, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of war. Available in PDF format, the Only War Core Rulebook is a must-have for fans of Warhammer 40,000 and tabletop roleplaying games.
Key Features of the Core Rulebook
The Only War Core Rulebook is packed with essential content for both players and Game Masters. It includes detailed rules for creating Imperial Guard characters, with options for regimental specializations that reflect the diversity of the Imperium’s armies. The book also features a robust combat system designed to capture the intensity and chaos of warfare in the 41st millennium. Players can progress their characters through a skill and talent advancement system, allowing for customization and growth. The core rulebook provides extensive background information on the Warhammer 40,000 universe, particularly the Spinward Front, offering a wealth of setting material for campaigns. Additionally, it includes tools for GMs to craft engaging stories and challenges, ensuring a immersive experience. The PDF version of the core rulebook is conveniently accessible, making it easy for players to reference rules and background material. With its comprehensive design, the Only War Core Rulebook is a vital resource for anyone looking to explore the grim darkness of the far future through tabletop roleplay.
Character Creation
The Only War Core Rulebook guides players through creating Imperial Guard characters, offering detailed options for regimental specializations, backgrounds, and skills. This system allows for deep customization, ensuring each character is unique and tailored to their role in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium.
Building Your Imperial Guard Character
Building your Imperial Guard character in Only War RPG begins with selecting a regiment, each offering unique abilities and background lore. The core rulebook provides detailed options for customization, allowing players to craft distinct characters tailored to their preferred playstyle. You can choose from various homeworlds, each influencing your character’s skills, traits, and starting equipment. The system emphasizes the gritty realism of the 41st millennium, ensuring that every soldier feels like a vital, yet expendable, part of the Imperial war machine.
Players allocate points to attributes such as Strength, Agility, and Intelligence, shaping their character’s combat and skill proficiency. The game also includes a wide range of skills and talents, enabling further specialization. Regimental doctrines add depth, granting unique bonuses and playstyles based on your chosen faction. Whether you prefer the brute force of a heavy weapons specialist or the tactical precision of a scout, the character creation system in Only War ensures a personalized and immersive experience. This flexibility allows for endless possibilities, making every character a unique contributor to the battles of the Grim Darkness.
Regimental Specializations
In Only War RPG, regimental specializations play a crucial role in defining your character’s identity and capabilities. Each regiment offers unique traits, skills, and equipment, reflecting the diverse worlds and cultures of the Imperium. For example, the Molech Regiment excels in siege warfare, while the Vostroyan Firstborn are known for their heavy armor and plasma weaponry. These specializations are detailed in the core rulebook, allowing players to align their characters with specific military doctrines and playstyles.
Regimental specializations also influence character progression, providing access to exclusive talents and wargear. Players can choose from a variety of regiments, each with its own background lore and strengths, ensuring a high degree of customization. This system encourages strategic thinking and teamwork, as each regiment’s abilities complement others in unique ways. Whether you prefer the rapid deployment of a Drop Troop regiment or the resilience of a Siege Regiment, Only War offers a rich tapestry of options to craft your ideal Imperial Guard character.
Gameplay Mechanics
Only War RPG features a robust system emphasizing tactical combat and character progression. Players navigate the grim darkness through skill checks, morale management, and strategic warfare. The game mechanics highlight camaraderie and survival in a war-torn universe.
Combat System in Only War RPG
The combat system in Only War RPG is intricate and tactically oriented, designed to reflect the harsh realities of war in the 41st Millennium. Players engage in turn-based battles, utilizing a variety of weapons, armor, and specialized gear. The system emphasizes both individual actions and squad coordination, allowing for strategic teamwork and heroism. Morale plays a significant role, as soldiers can falter or break under intense pressure, adding a layer of realism to the gameplay. The rules also include detailed mechanics for resolving explosions, cover, and vehicle combat, making each encounter dynamic and unpredictable. The PDF core rulebook provides comprehensive guidelines for both players and Game Masters, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience. By focusing on the grind of war and the resilience of Imperial Guard soldiers, the combat system captures the essence of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Skill and Talent Progression
In Only War RPG, skill and talent progression is a key aspect of character development, allowing players to enhance their abilities as they gain experience. Characters earn experience points (XP) through completing missions, defeating enemies, and achieving objectives. These points can be spent to improve existing skills, unlock new ones, or acquire talents that grant unique abilities. Skills cover a wide range of areas, from combat proficiency with specific weapons to survival skills like navigating hostile environments. Talents, on the other hand, provide specialized capabilities, such as leadership bonuses or enhanced resilience in combat.
The progression system is designed to reflect the harsh realities of war, where soldiers adapt and grow based on their experiences. As characters advance, they become more versatile and capable of handling the challenges of the Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium. The PDF core rulebook and supplements like Shield of Humanity offer extensive options for progression, ensuring a high level of customization and depth. This system allows players to craft unique characters that evolve over time, making each campaign rich and dynamic.
Expansions and Supplements
The Only War RPG is supported by various expansions and supplements, such as Enemies of the Imperium and Shield of Humanity, which introduce new enemies, missions, and character options. These are available in PDF format, expanding gameplay depth and possibilities.
Enemies of the Imperium Supplement
The Enemies of the Imperium supplement expands the Only War RPG by introducing a wide array of adversaries for Imperial Guard soldiers. This PDF resource provides detailed descriptions of various enemies, including traitors, mutants, and alien threats. It enhances the game by offering new mission ideas and enemy statistics, allowing GMs to create more diverse and challenging encounters. Players can now face off against iconic Warhammer 40k foes, adding depth to the game’s narrative. The supplement is designed to integrate seamlessly with the Only War Core Rulebook, ensuring a cohesive and immersive experience. With this expansion, the grim darkness of the 41st millennium becomes even more perilous, offering countless opportunities for heroic sacrifice and camaraderie. Whether battling orks, tyranids, or heretics, the Enemies of the Imperium supplement enriches the gameplay and expands the lore of the Warhammer 40k universe.
Shield of Humanity Supplement
The Shield of Humanity supplement for the Only War RPG delves into the resilience and determination of the Imperial Guard, offering new character options and gameplay mechanics. This PDF expansion focuses on the human element of war, allowing players to craft unique characters with enhanced skills and backgrounds. It introduces specialized roles such as Sergeants and Medics, providing deeper customization and strategic depth. The supplement also explores the psychological and emotional toll of constant warfare, adding layers of complexity to character development.
Additionally, Shield of Humanity includes new missions and scenarios that highlight the sacrifices and triumphs of Imperial Guard regiments. It expands the game’s narrative by introducing personal stakes and camaraderie among soldiers, making the grim darkness of the 41st millennium even more immersive. This supplement is a must-have for players seeking to enrich their Only War experience with deeper storytelling and strategic gameplay.
Community and Resources
The Only War RPG community thrives online, with forums and groups dedicated to sharing strategies, fan-made content, and official resources. Players can find PDF supplements, character sheets, and guides on platforms like Scribd and Reddit, fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for enthusiasts worldwide.
Online Communities and Forums
The Only War RPG community is vibrant and active across various online platforms. Fans gather on forums like Reddit and Warhammer 40k Subreddits to discuss strategies, share homebrew content, and engage in lore discussions. These communities are invaluable for finding tips, character builds, and expansions. Additionally, platforms like Scribd and DriveThruRPG host a wealth of PDF resources, including the core rulebook and supplements like Enemies of the Imperium and Shield of Humanity. Players also share custom character sheets and campaign ideas, fostering creativity and collaboration. These online spaces are essential for both new and experienced players, offering a supportive environment to enhance their gaming experience. The availability of digital content makes it easier than ever to access and contribute to the growing Only War community, ensuring the game remains dynamic and engaging for all fans.
Official and Fan-Made Resources
The Only War RPG is supported by a wide array of official and fan-made resources, enhancing gameplay and immersion. Official resources include the Core Rulebook, Enemies of the Imperium, and Shield of Humanity supplements, available in PDF format from platforms like Scribd and DriveThruRPG. These provide detailed rules, expansions, and rich lore for players and GMs alike.
Fan-made content is equally abundant, with custom character sheets, regimental backgrounds, and adventure modules shared across forums and personal websites. Communities often create translations and adaptations, ensuring accessibility for global players. These resources showcase the dedication of the Only War community, offering fresh ideas and tools to enrich campaigns.
Both official and fan-made materials are instrumental in keeping the game dynamic and engaging, catering to diverse playstyles and storytelling preferences within the grim darkness of the 41st millennium.
Digital Availability
The Only War Core Rulebook and its supplements are widely available in PDF format. Platforms like Scribd and personal websites host these files, ensuring easy access for players worldwide. Digital versions offer convenience and space-saving benefits for tabletop enthusiasts.
PDF Availability and Platforms
The Only War Core Rulebook and its supplements, such as Enemies of the Imperium and Shield of Humanity, are readily available in PDF format. These files can be downloaded from platforms like Scribd, personal websites, and other online repositories. The PDFs are often hosted by fans and enthusiasts, ensuring accessibility for players worldwide. For example, the Only War Core Rulebook is a popular download, with files ranging in size from 40MB to 88MB, depending on the version and quality. Additionally, some platforms offer flipbook versions, making it easier to navigate and read the content digitally. These PDFs are a convenient option for players who prefer digital copies or want to save space on their devices. The digital format also allows for easy sharing and access, especially for international players who may not have physical copies available. Overall, the PDF availability of Only War ensures that the game remains accessible to new and veteran players alike.
Benefits of the Digital Format
The digital format of Only War RPG offers numerous advantages for players and game masters. One of the most significant benefits is convenience, as PDF files can be easily stored on devices like tablets, laptops, or smartphones, allowing access to rules and content anywhere. This portability is especially useful for on-the-go gaming sessions or quick reference during a game. Additionally, digital copies are space-saving, eliminating the need for physical storage and reducing clutter. The PDF format also enables search functionality, making it easier to locate specific rules or sections quickly. Hyperlinks and bookmarks within the documents further enhance navigation, streamlining the gaming experience. Another benefit is cost-effectiveness, as digital versions often cost less than their physical counterparts. Finally, the ability to share and backup files ensures that players can easily distribute content among their group or keep copies in multiple locations, reducing the risk of losing important materials. These features make the digital format a practical and efficient choice for enjoying Only War RPG.
