In the early stages of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, players are thrust into a whirlwind of unexpected challenges. You start aboard the vessel of the Rogue Trader, who views you as a potential successor, contingent upon your ability to demonstrate your worthiness. However, before you can prove yourself, a shocking betrayal occurs at the hands of Kunrad Voigtvir, the ship’s Master of Whispers. With a heretical army at his back, he attempts a mutiny, forcing you to rush to the upper decks to join the struggle.
As you navigate through the chaos, a fire erupts, blocking your path. Just when hope seems lost, Lady Theodora, the Rogue Trader, appears through the flames. Yet, a strange flicker in her gaze suggests something is amiss. She unleashes a mysterious blight that incapacitates some of your allies and offers you a choice: accept her aid, forge ahead through the flames, or prioritize evacuating your comrades from the bridge. Each decision will have significant immediate consequences.
Consequences of Walking Through the Fire (Dogmatic)
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Dogmatic Path
Choosing to walk through the fire allows you to confront danger head-on and reach Edelthrad. This decision, designated as “Dogmatic,”earns you 15 Dogmatic points and secures the approval of Argenta, your lone Dogmatic-aligned companion. This path also leads to the annihilation of your other allies on the bridge.
Additionally, if you previously resisted Kunrad’s influence, you may find a warp entity inside your mind. Walking through the fire will eliminate this entity, setting you on a clearer path to reunite with Edelthrad and potentially gain experience through a successful Lore (Warp) test. However, despite the advantages of this route, you cannot prevent Edelthrad from meeting a grim fate. Your mission then shifts to “Reach the Secret Lift,”merging with the Iconoclast option.
Consequences of Accepting the Offer of Help (Heretical)
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Heretical Path
If you opt to accept Theodora’s assistance, it effectively translates to utilizing her power to bypass the flames, categorizing this choice as “Heretical.”Like the previous option, this also awards you 15 Heretical points and gains the favor of your Heretical companion, Idira.
This route teleports you to Theodora’s secret chamber, granting access to some generic loot and, notably, the Corrupted Inferno Pistol. Boasting damage between 13-16 and a 60% armor penetration rate, this weapon is a considerable upgrade—although it can only be used by those of Heretical alignment.
While the Heretical choice paves the quickest path through this quest, it compromises your opportunity to collect valuable loot along the way, potentially hindering your wealth in the long run. Furthermore, it does not alter the fate awaiting Edelthrad.
Consequences of Getting People Off the Bridge (Iconoclast)
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Iconoclast Path
By choosing the Iconoclast option, you temporarily set aside your primary goal to save those trapped on the bridge—this is the only choice that guarantees their survival. You earn 15 Iconoclast points while receiving validation from Abelard, your Iconoclast companion.
However, this decision sets you back, necessitating a new route across the bridge. You’ll need to execute a Demolition test to bring down a half-collapsed column nearby, which presents another chance for experience. Afterward, the saved soldiers will pledge their loyalty and fight alongside you against the chapter’s final boss, bolstering your ranks, even if they’re not as formidable as your party members.
Recommendation: Choose the Iconoclast Path
The Optimal Route Overall
For this quest, I urge players to embrace the Iconoclast route for rescuing everyone on the bridge. This strategy significantly aids when facing the chapter’s boss, providing substantial support, especially in higher difficulty settings. While the Corrupted Inferno Pistol may be tempting, it isn’t crucial at this stage, and the Dogmatic route rewards minimal benefits aside from a moment’s approval from Argenta.
In the grander scheme, the Iconoclast path is likely the most rewarding, especially for first-time players. It exemplifies the traditional good route, though players may encounter challenges for their virtuous choices within the Warhammer universe. Each path holds its merit, but Iconoclast tends to yield richer narrative experiences and paves the way for a more satisfying ending. Nevertheless, players can still shift alignments as they progress through Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader.