Your Service to the Imperium Is Not Over
Lord Captains, it’s time to report back to the bridge. Owlcat Games has just deployed what it’s calling the “Fifth Gargantuan Update” for its sprawling CRPG, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. This isn’t just a minor patch to squash a few bugs; the 1.5 update is a massive overhaul that rebalances huge parts of the game, adds a trove of new content, and completely redesigns several of the core character origins. It’s a testament to Owlcat’s commitment to supporting their games long after launch.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive back into the grim darkness of the far future, this is it. The update is so substantial that it fundamentally changes the early-game experience and adds new layers of depth to character building. Let’s break down the biggest changes that await you in the Koronus Expanse.
A Fresh Start: Core Origins Rebuilt from Scratch
The most significant change in Update 1.5 is the complete rework of four character origins. The Astra Militarum Commander, Ministorum Priest, Commissar, and Navy Officer have been redesigned from the ground up to bring them in line with the game’s more powerful origins and to give them a stronger, more distinct identity. This is a huge deal for anyone who felt these paths were a bit underwhelming before.
This rework introduces new mechanics and synergies that will make starting a new character feel fresh and exciting. And don’t worry about your current playthrough-to account for these major changes, Owlcat has granted every player a free character respec, so you can re-tool your builds without having to start over completely. That said, to truly experience the impact of the new origins, a fresh save is highly recommended.
New Wargear and Deeper Customization
An update wouldn’t be complete without new loot to hunt for. The 1.5 patch adds a wealth of new equipment and talents to discover:
- 45 new Xeno and Astartes items: Get your hands on unique gear for Drukhari, Aeldari, and Space Marine characters.
- 25 new talents: These new talents are specifically designed to support rare and exotic weapon types, including Plasma guns, Webbers, and Arc Rifles, making these previously niche choices much more viable and fun to build around.
- Major Weapon Rebalance: Speaking of those weapon classes, they’ve all received a significant balancing pass, with changes to their stats and even some new weapons added to the loot tables.
Your Familiar Just Got a Lot More Interesting
In a fantastic touch of RPG flavor, your trusty familiar can now evolve based on your moral choices. The update introduces conviction-based transformations for your little companions. Whether you walk the path of the Iconoclast, the Dogmatist, or the Heretic will now change both the appearance and the abilities of your familiar. It’s a small but deeply satisfying change that makes your alignment feel more impactful and gives you another way to visually represent your Lord Captain’s journey.
Hundreds of Fixes and Quality of Life Improvements
Beyond the headline features, Update 1.5 is packed with hundreds of bug fixes and balance tweaks that address long-standing community feedback. This includes:
- Experience Rebalance: The experience curve has been adjusted to smooth out the power creep that could occur, especially for players with the DLC.
- Colonization Overhaul: The colony management system has been rebalanced, with updated rewards to make it a more engaging part of the game.
- Companion Builds Reviewed: The starting builds for your companions have been tweaked to make them more effective right out of the gate.
- Stability and Performance: The patch fixes numerous crashes, softlocks, and quest-breaking bugs, including major issues with the epilogue and the companion Yrliet’s storyline.
FAQs
What is the Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader 1.5 Update?
It is the fifth major free update for the CRPG, featuring complete reworks of four character origins, new items and talents, balancing changes, and hundreds of bug fixes.
Do I have to pay for this update?
No, Update 1.5 is a free patch for everyone who owns the game on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox.
Which origins were reworked?
The Astra Militarum Commander, Ministorum Priest, Commissar, and Navy Officer have all been completely redesigned.
Do I need to start a new game to experience the changes?
Not necessarily. The update provides a free character respec for existing playthroughs. However, to see the full impact of the origin reworks from the beginning, starting a new game is recommended.
What new content was added?
The update adds 45 new Xeno and Astartes items, 25 new talents for rare weapons, new NPC portraits, and conviction-based transformations for your familiar.
Does this patch fix the game’s bugs?
It fixes hundreds of them. The patch addresses many stability issues, crashes, softlocks, and quest-specific bugs that players have reported since launch, making for a much smoother experience.
Conclusion
The 1.5 update for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is more than just a patch; it’s a renewal. Owlcat Games has clearly listened to community feedback and invested significant effort into refining the game’s core systems. The origin reworks alone make it a perfect time to start a new dynasty, while the massive number of bug fixes and balance changes make the overall experience better for everyone. If you’ve been holding off or were waiting for the game to mature, your time has come. The Koronus Expanse is calling, Lord Captain, and it’s never been better.