In June 2024, Cubicle 7 released the long awaited Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay: Imperium Maledictum Starter Set. While the core rulebook and Chemical Burn scenarios have been available for over a year (digitally, at least – physical copies having gone out in Fall ’23) this Starter Set brings even more resources and depth to Imperium Maledictum GMs.
The Starter set is very similar to Cubicle 7’s Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, 4th Ed (WFRP 4e) starter set in both form and function. It includes 6 pre-generated characters, and a pre-generated Inquisitorial Patron, Aegidius Halikarn – the same Patron recommended for Chemical Burn. These pre-generated characters and Patron take away from the step of party creation from the Core Rulebook, but simultaneously make it even quicker for a new party to get into the action – while also reducing rule burden on a new GM and group. The characters are also a wide variety, each filling one of the six possible roles within a Patron’s group – Penumbra, Zealot, Interlocutor, Mystic, Savant, and Warrior.
The starter set’s physical edition also comes with some tokens and other items that make playing around a physical table more engaging, such as a physical representation of Halikarn’s Inquisitorial Seal, but our group being digital finds no use for these. Other, new groups and new GMs may benefit from such visual aids at a table. Alongside the tokens, the 14 page “quick guide” to the rules is a good addition for groups both new and experienced. The detail on the rules is deep enough to resolve most issues to keep play moving forward, giving the GM and group the ability to either return to the larger core rulebook to review the rule while play continues or after the session. Thankfully, with our in house rules lawyer, we are often able to have questioned rules looked up while GM Brad keeps play moving.
Now for the part of the Starter Set that is worth it for all GMs, new and old – the 69 page (nice, Cubicle 7) Guide to Hive Rokarth. This supplement alone makes the starter set a purchase worth making for all GMs that intend to operate missions around Rokarth and want the excellent level of data that this guide gives. Covering everything from the actual physical hive layout to the Noble Families of the planet all being descended from a single Rogue Trader dynasty, you have a verifiable tome of information to benefit GMs. Now, is this a necessary guide? Of course not, any GM could easily create all of the information within Rokarth, from gangs, to families, to the number and location of Manufactorums per hive level – but it’s still a great resource for those who want to see how the world was laid out and planned by Cubicle 7. Again, similar to the WFRP 4e Starter Set that carried the guide to Ubersreik, this guide would have been a huge addition to have from the cuff, and perhaps more so than WFRP 4e because Chemical Burn was set within Rokarth. There are numerous items I found that I had thought of differently in my brain than Cubicle 7 – such as how the Generatorium was laid out and even how the Scarred Hands got their name. That said, no matter what this guide says Rokarth is yours to craft, to take what you want and need from these guides and use while replacing the rest.
Alongside the Guide to Rokarth was the pre-made adventure for the Starter Set: The Blazing Seraph. Avoiding spoilers, The Blazing Seraph is a well crafted starting adventure, and Cubicle 7 has hit what appears to be a good cadence for a new GM with their prompted tests and semi drip-fed rules introduction throughout this four part adventure. With themes perfectly in line with Warhammer 40,000 (corruption, chaos, subterfuge) and different arms of the Imperium working both in unison and against one another, The Blazing Seraph not only reads as a good adventure to this GM, but also seems to be a good introduction to the setting and themes of the Warhammer 40k universe for those who are new to it. While this is not a necessary adventure for experienced GMs, I personally found items I intend to carry forth into a later adventure for our crew – even if we do not run it as it is written.
Overall, the Starter Set is a non necessary but great addition to experienced GMs, if only for the Guide to Rokarth, Rules Overview, and to see The Blazing Seraph for inspiration. With a digital price point of $19.99 USD, it really is up to you, the GM, to determine if you want those resources. I find that they are worth having, but recognize that I also love having all of the lore and information about a setting. Personally, as an experienced GM with an experienced group I would not purchase the physical edition, as the supplements and resources are not likely to be a hardcover book for a collection. The details are great, the insights into the gangs and noble houses are fantastic, and for new GMs this is an excellent price point and introduction to the setting and system to determine if it is a fit for your group.
We can’t wait to get back to Rokarth with The Tainted Hive: Season 2 coming late 2024, with the guide to the hive being a great addition to the upcoming season.
DSC rates the starter set as an 8.5/10 – great resource, recommended buy for new groups and optional buy for experienced groups.
Digital Product received from Cubicle 7 to Dead Suns Company for review.
The Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay: Imperium Maledictum starter set is available for purchase now, with physical copies shipping Q4 2024 (https://cubicle7games.com/warhammer-40-000-roleplay-imperium-maledictum-starter-set).