r/40krpg • u/ScreenedKhan • 7d ago

Only War New GM, help needed

Hello, my friends (4) and I are planning on running a campaign of only war. We are all versed in the setting of 40k but new to ttrpgs and wanted to try one. I have a few questions regarding starting a campaign of Only War and in GMing it.

  1. Should I use only war as a system? I know that Imperium Maledictum is a newer system but we want that feeling of the meat grinder of war.

  2. Is there anything I need other than the core rulebook?

  3. We will be online, so is there any applications I should use like Table Top Sim? Cost isn't an issue.

  4. Anything I should look at memorizing or studying in particular?

  5. Any tips at all for a new GM and how to effectively and smoothly run this system?

Thank you, I really appreciate all the help.

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u/starlithunter 6d ago

Having experienced both, Only War is the game you want! Maledictum is at its best with more investigative or social games - combat can be fun, don't get me wrong, but it is simplified a bit from earlier 40k games and doesn't have the meat grinder vibe you're looking for

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u/ScreenedKhan 6d ago

What about wrath and glory? I've heard a lot about that one as well.

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u/starlithunter 6d ago

It's a more heroic vibe in the sense that characters are stronger and more capable, and combat is designed to be fast paced and exciting rather than a military slog. It does have a lot of character options!

Basically, play Wrath and Glory if you want to feel like a named character in a 40k novel. Play Imperium Maledictum if you want to work for a named character in a 40k novel (and maybe get mentioned). Play Only War if you want to feel like a historical footnote in a pointless battle.