Yes, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is worth playing in 2026 if you enjoy long, turn-based RPGs with heavy choices. Owlcat's game launched in December 2023, has since added three story expansions, and is the best preparation for Dark Heresy, the studio's next 40K cRPG. It is not for you if you want quick sessions or real-time action.

Below: what the game is, where to play it, what it costs, how the DLC works, who should skip it and common beginner mistakes. Prices and platforms were checked on official store pages in November 2026.

Official Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader screenshot
Rogue Trader is Owlcat Games' first Warhammer 40,000 cRPG. Image: Owlcat Games

What is Rogue Trader?

You inherit the title of a Rogue Trader, a merchant noble with a warrant to explore beyond the Imperium's borders, and lead a dynasty through the Koronus Expanse. The game mixes three things: a party of companions you recruit and can romance, turn-based tactical combat on a grid, and big narrative decisions.

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Those decisions push you along three conviction paths: Dogmatic (loyal to the Imperium), Iconoclast (more humane and pragmatic) and Heretic (open to forbidden powers). The path you lean into unlocks dialogue, abilities and endings, which gives the campaign strong replay value.

Platforms and price

  • PC and Mac: Steam lists Windows and macOS versions.
  • Consoles: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
  • Price: $49.99 for the base game on the official Steam page (checked November 2026). Regional prices vary, and the game is often discounted during sales.

On PC, check the requirements on the store page before you buy. Our guide to reading system requirements shows how to compare them with your hardware.

Official Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader gameplay screenshot
Turn-based fights reward positioning and party synergy. Image: Owlcat Games

Rogue Trader DLC: what to buy

The base game is a complete story. The paid expansions add new adventures that plug into the campaign:

  • Void Shadows: the first story expansion.
  • Lex Imperialis: the second expansion, revealed at Warhammer Skulls 2025.
  • The Infinite Museion: released June 11, 2026 on PC, Mac, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It involves the Necron Overlord Trazyn the Infinite and adds the companion Eogunn Februs. Sold alone or in Season Pass 2.

Our advice: buy the base game first and only add expansions once you know you like the formula. Season passes are the cheaper way in if you already plan to play everything; check the store page to see which expansions each pass includes on your platform.

Who should play Rogue Trader, and who should skip it

Play it if: you liked Baldur's Gate 3, Pathfinder or XCOM; you enjoy reading and making moral calls; you are a Warhammer 40K fan; or you want to arrive at Dark Heresy already fluent in Owlcat's systems.

Skip it if: you dislike turn-based combat, want short sessions, or get frustrated by dense character sheets. The campaign runs for dozens of hours, and much of its appeal is in text and dialogue.

How to start Rogue Trader the right way

  1. Pick a build you understand: for a first run, a straightforward fighter or ranged character is easier to manage than a fragile support build.
  2. Read the tooltips: highlighted terms in dialogue and character screens explain the 40K vocabulary and the rules, which saves trips to a wiki.
  3. Talk to your companions often: their personal quests and reactions are a big part of the story, and they open up between missions.
  4. Leave the DLC for later: finish the opening chapters of the base game before mixing in expansion content, so you learn the systems first.

Rogue Trader vs Dark Heresy: which should you wait for?

Rogue Trader is available now, complete and expanded. Dark Heresy arrives on January 28, 2027 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a Switch 2 version later, and swaps the explorer fantasy for Inquisition investigations in the Calixis Sector. If you have the time before January, Rogue Trader is the natural warm-up. If you only want one, the choice comes down to tone: grand space adventure with a dynasty to build, or a darker detective story hunting heresy.

Official Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader screenshot from Owlcat Games
The Koronus Expanse is the frontier region your dynasty explores. Image: Owlcat Games

Common beginner mistakes

  1. Playing on a high difficulty first: start on a lower setting while you learn the systems; you can change it later.
  2. Spreading points too thin: give each companion a clear role instead of making everyone average at everything.
  3. Keeping one save file: rotate manual saves, especially before big story decisions.
  4. Ignoring your conviction path: committing to Dogmatic, Iconoclast or Heretic unlocks more than hopping between them.

FAQ

Do I need to play Rogue Trader before Dark Heresy?

No. Dark Heresy is a separate story in the Calixis Sector, but it builds on Rogue Trader's tactical systems, so experience helps. See our news on the Dark Heresy release date.

Do I need to know Warhammer 40K lore?

No. The game explains its world as you go, and newcomers can follow the story without prior reading.

Is the console version complete?

Yes. The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions offer the same campaign, and recent expansions such as The Infinite Museion launched on consoles alongside PC.