Owlcat Games has released Update 1.5 for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, marking one of the most extensive updates since the game’s launch. This patch introduces a wide array of new content, including new NPC portraits, Xeno and Astartes equipment, and over two dozen new talents tailored for plasma, arc, and Aeldari weaponry. Each familiar type now also features conviction-based transformations, allowing for distinctive appearances and abilities based on the player’s moral alignment.
Beyond new additions, Update 1.5 delivers a sweeping balance overhaul and major bug fixes. Several class origins have been redesigned for better parity, level progression has been adjusted to reduce power creep, and numerous combat and system bugs have been resolved. The patch also improves the Lex Imperialis expansion, correcting quest inconsistencies, refining dialogues, and improving overall stability and visual presentation across platforms.
Full Patch Notes
Content Additions
- Added 4 new NPC portraits: Malice, Commissar, Clementia Werserian, and Abel.
- Introduced 45 new Xeno and Astartes items, including unique gear for Drukhari, Aeldari, and Space Marines.
- Added 25 new talents supporting Plasma, Webber, Arc Rifles, and Aeldari/Drukhari weapon classes.
- Introduced conviction-based familiar transformations with unique appearances and abilities for Iconoclast, Heretical, and Dogmatic convictions.
Major System Overhauls
- Origin Reworks: Complete redesigns for Astra Militarum Commander, Ministorum Priest, Commissar, and Navy Officer origins for improved balance and cohesion.
- Experience & Balance Adjustments:
- Exponential level-up requirements to offset DLC-related power scaling.
- Companion builds reworked to remove ineffective talents and enhance role synergy.
- Bladedancer/Executioner mechanics rebalanced; stacking debuffs and new scaling formulas added.
Weapon Class Improvements
- Plasma Weapons: Reworked overheat mechanics, new AoE patterns, enhanced visuals.
- Arc Rifles: AP cost reduced to 1, added weapon bonuses, and 6 new related talents.
- Webbers: Introduced new scaling with chapters, 5 new talents, and additional vanilla weapons.
Critical Bug Fixes
- Epilogue Fixes:
- Vladaym’s epilogue removed if character is deceased.
- Fixed contradictions in companion endings (Jae, Cassia, Kibellah, Argenta, Abelard).
- Heretical Rogue Traders can no longer ascend inconsistently as Dark God champions.
- Resolved conflicts in Xavier Calcazar’s ending.
- Yrliet Quest Line:
- Fixed teleportation bug during romance scenes.
- Prevented character revival after death in Act IV.
- Corrected Corsair ending logic and restored missing dialogue.
- Lex Imperialis Expansion:
- Extensive dialogue and tone adjustments for Thassera, Leethus, and Solomorne.
- Fixed overleveled recruitment bug for Solomorne.
- Corrected quest progression and NPC reactivity.
Combat & Mechanical Fixes
- Fixed crematorium softlock issue.
- Resolved Reckless Strike stun freeze.
- Eliminated two-handed shotgun talent crashes.
- Overseer abilities now interact correctly with familiars.
- Corrected Cyber-Mastiff diagonal attacks.
- Bloodletters now properly immune to fire damage.
- Fixed Take and Hold’s unintended turn duplication.
Quality of Life Improvements
- Auto-scaling skill check difficulties replace manual tuning.
- Added option to hide any equipment piece via character screen.
- Improved inventory filters for real-time updates.
- Consolidated redundant buff entries.
- Added hyperlinks to tooltips for cross-referenced abilities and items.
- Rebalanced colony projects with improved rewards and notifications.
Performance & Stability
- Fixed multiple PS5-specific crashes.
- Resolved burst shot and load screen freezing issues.
- Eliminated familiar disappearance bugs.
- Reduced lag in complex combat scenarios.
Visual & Audio Enhancements
- Implemented conviction-based familiar visual transformations.
- Applied new recolors to many item patterns.
- Improved space combat visual fidelity.
- Fixed animation issues for Talos Pain Engine, lance weapons, and servitors.
- Enhanced plasma weapon hit effects.
- Corrected mismatched voice assignments for default characters.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a party-based isometric RPG developed by Owlcat Games, immersing players in the grimdark 41st Millennium. As the heir to a powerful dynasty holding the Warrant of Trade, players command fleets, explore the perilous Koronus Expanse, and shape their destiny through Imperial loyalty, heresy, or moral ambiguity. Featuring tactical turn-based combat and branching narrative choices, the game was released on December 7, 2023, across PC (Windows and macOS), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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