Welcome to the Grim Darkness of the Far Future
Creating compelling character groups in Warhammer 40,000: Wrath & Glory is like assembling a complex machine where every component must work in harmony despite their inherent differences. Think of it as forming a special forces unit where each member brings unique skills, but they all share a common mission in the Emperor's name.
The revised core rulebook gives you a tool for this: Frameworks. A Framework is a party concept (an Inquisitor's retinue, a Guard squad, a Rogue Trader's crew) that tells everyone why these Agents work together and which archetypes and keywords fit, so a squad of Guardsmen doesn't end up sharing a dropship with an Ork. This page shows how to pick one and fill it out.
The Great Wheel of Allegiance
The Warhammer 40K universe operates on a spectrum of allegiances, much like a complex political landscape where alliances shift like sand dunes in a desert storm. Understanding these relationships is crucial for creating believable character groups.
The Anatomy of Effective Groups
Creating a Wrath & Glory character group is like conducting an orchestra where each instrument plays a different melody, yet together they create a symphony of destruction and heroism. Each character should fill a specific role while maintaining their individual identity.
Party Roles
The Leader
Like a lighthouse in a storm, the leader provides direction and inspiration. Think of a Space Marine Sergeant or an Inquisitor's Interrogator.
The Specialist
The master craftsman of the group, bringing unique skills others cannot replicate. A Tech-Priest or Sanctioned Psyker fills this role.
The Warrior
The sword and shield of the group, standing between allies and danger. Imperial Guard Veterans excel in this capacity.
The Scout
Eyes and ears of the operation, gathering intelligence and striking from shadows. Space Marine Scouts, Aeldari Rangers, Ork Kommandos and Death Cult Assassins embody this role.
Power Tier Considerations
The revised core rulebook has four Tiers, and the Tier belongs to the campaign, not to one character. The GM sets it, every Agent starts with the same XP (100 × Tier), and each player picks an archetype of that Tier or lower. A Tier 1 Guardsman in a Tier 3 game is not a weak link: the XP their archetype didn't use goes into Attributes, Skills and Talents, making them a hardened veteran.
Mixing Archetypes of Different Tiers
- Close together: A Tier 2 game with Tier 1 and Tier 2 archetypes, like veterans and specialists in one squad, needs no explanation.
- A wider spread: An Inquisitor (Tier 3) leading Tier 1 Acolytes works well too; the Acolytes have spent their spare XP becoming very good at one thing.
- Watch the keywords: Keywords such as [ORDO] or [REGIMENT] gate Requisition and some abilities, so a party that shares one has an obvious place to get its gear.
- Raising the Tier: When the campaign moves up a Tier, Agents climb with it through Ascension.
Foundational Group Examples
The Inquisitor's Retinue (Tier 3 campaign)
Like a detective's team of specialists, each member brings unique expertise to uncover heretical threats.
A methodical investigator who treats heresy like a disease to be excised with surgical precision.
The group's digital archaeologist, uncovering technological heresies and maintaining equipment.
Faith made manifest in ceramite and bolter rounds, the Emperor's righteous fury personified.
A living weapon who strikes from shadows, embodying the Emperor's justice without mercy.
Astra Militarum Special Operations (Tier 2 campaign)
Picture a WWII commando unit dropped behind enemy lines, but with lasguns and facing literal daemons. The Guardsmen share a [REGIMENT] keyword, which ties them together and helps with Requisition.
A grizzled veteran who's survived three campaigns through grit, cunning, and an uncanny ability to keep his squad alive.
A walking artillery piece who channels the Warp's power while constantly battling its corruption.
Treats his heavy bolter like a beloved pet, knowing every quirk and maintenance ritual by heart.
Small in stature but deadly accurate, with an encyclopedic knowledge of weak points and blind spots.
The Group Creation Ritual
Building a character group is like forging a weapon - it requires the right materials, proper technique, and careful attention to balance. Follow this process to ensure your group functions as a cohesive unit.
Detailed Creation Steps
Campaign Tone Assessment
Ask yourself: Are you running a gritty survival horror campaign like being trapped in a space hulk with genestealers, or a grand crusade where heroes reshape sectors? The tone determines appropriate character types and power levels.
Choosing a Framework
Choose your Framework like selecting a military branch. Imperial Frameworks offer structure, superiors and Requisition; Aeldari or Ork parties bring very different goals; Chaos characters appear only in a sidebar of the core rulebook, so treat a heretic party as a variant the whole table agrees on. The Framework also suggests which archetypes and keywords belong.
Role Distribution
Ensure your group covers essential functions: leadership (decision-making), combat (threat neutralization), support (healing/technical), and reconnaissance (information gathering). Like a Swiss Army knife, each tool serves a specific purpose.
Try It at the Table
Theory without practice is like a bolter without ammunition - impressive but ultimately useless. Try these with your group before the first session.
Faction Mapping
Create a relationship map for three different factions that might work together in your campaign. Consider their goals, methods, and potential conflicts. Think about how a Tech-Priest might view a Sanctioned Psyker, or how an Imperial Guard Colonel might interact with a Space Marine Scout.
Mixed Archetype Tiers
In a Tier 3 campaign, build a party where a Tier 3 archetype leads Agents built from Tier 1 and Tier 2 archetypes. Decide where each one spent their spare XP and why they are valuable enough to work directly with such a powerful figure. What unique skills, knowledge, or circumstances make them indispensable?
Conflict Resolution
Identify potential internal conflicts within your group and develop narrative solutions. How does a faithful Sister of Battle work alongside a pragmatic Rogue Trader? What keeps them unified despite philosophical differences?
Beyond the Basics
The finishing touches that turn a functional party into a memorable one.
Dynamic Relationships
Character relationships should evolve like a living organism. The suspicious Tech-Priest might gradually develop respect for the Psyker's dedication to the Emperor, while the hardened Sergeant learns to trust the young Noble's tactical insights.
Shared Resources and Assets
Consider what the group owns collectively: a fortified base, a spaceship, specialized equipment, or influential contacts. These shared assets create investment and provide adventure hooks.
Group Flaws and Challenges
Perfect groups are like perfect weapons - they don't exist and wouldn't be interesting if they did. Give your group collective weaknesses: limited resources, conflicting orders, a dark secret, or a powerful enemy hunting them.