Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is Owlcat Games' CRPG set in the grimdark far future where you play as a Rogue Trader — one of the few individuals with a warrant to explore, trade, and conquer beyond the Imperium's borders. The game features deep turn-based tactical combat, a conviction system (Dogmatic/Iconoclast/Heretical) that shapes your story, companion loyalty mechanics, and colony management across the Koronus Expanse. As a 40K RPG, it's the most authentic tabletop experience in video game form.
Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogue Trader Vessel | Entire game | Base of operations, crew management, warp travel hub | Operative |
| 2 | Footfall | Act 1+ | Merchants, quest hubs, political contacts, companion recruitment | Operative |
| 3 | Janus | Act 1 | Story progression, first conviction points, companion development | Warrior |
| 4 | Kiava Gamma | Act 2 | Major conviction decisions, colony establishment, unique loot | Warrior |
| 5 | The Warp | All acts (travel) | Random events, crew development, Warp-touched items | Warrior |
Rogue Trader Vessel — Starting Area
Your massive ship serves as the mobile base of operations. Contains crew quarters, armory, astropathic choir, and Navigator quarters. Ship encounters during warp travel provide crew management decisions. The ship is effectively your floating city.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Entire game |
| Key Rewards | Base of operations, crew management, warp travel hub |
| Recommended Build | Operative |
| Key Equipment | Bolt Pistol |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of conviction system — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Footfall.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Footfall — Early Game
A space station serving as the main trading hub in the Koronus Expanse. Contains merchants, quest givers, and political intrigue. The closest thing to a safe haven in the hostile expanse. Return regularly for shopping and quest resolution.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Act 1+ |
| Key Rewards | Merchants, quest hubs, political contacts, companion recruitment |
| Recommended Build | Operative |
| Key Equipment | Bolt Pistol |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering colony management — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Bolt Pistol if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Janus.
Janus — Mid Game
A key early-game planet with the first major story arc. Contains combat encounters, dialogue choices, and your first major conviction decisions. The events on Janus set the tone for your entire playthrough.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Act 1 |
| Key Rewards | Story progression, first conviction points, companion development |
| Recommended Build | Warrior |
| Key Equipment | Bolt Pistol |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Power Sword becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master turn-based combat for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Kiava Gamma — Late Game
A planet with a corrupted civilization that tests your moral compass. Major choices between purging corruption (Dogmatic), finding diplomatic solutions (Iconoclast), or exploiting the corruption for power (Heretical).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Act 2 |
| Key Rewards | Major conviction decisions, colony establishment, unique loot |
| Recommended Build | Warrior |
| Key Equipment | Power Sword |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Power Sword should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- warp travel mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into The Warp.
The Warp — Endgame
Not a location you visit voluntarily — the Warp is the psychic dimension traveled through for FTL transit. Warp events occur during travel, ranging from crew management to combat encounters with daemons. A Psyker-heavy party handles Warp events better.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | All acts (travel) |
| Key Rewards | Random events, crew development, Warp-touched items |
| Recommended Build | Warrior |
| Key Equipment | Power Sword |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Officer for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Rogue Trader Vessel → Footfall → Janus → Kiava Gamma → The Warp. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Guides
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Overview
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Best Builds
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Tier List
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Walkthrough
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Beginner's Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Tips & Tricks
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Weapons Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Combat Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Boss Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Crafting Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Maps & Locations — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Maps & Locations — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Maps & Locations — rpg game with similar mechanics
