Lex Imperialis is the second premium expansion for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, available today either via a separate purchase or by acquiring the game’s Season Pass, where it comes in a bundle with Void Shadows.
The developers have also revealed another Season Pass, containing two more DLC, but that it is looking too far into the future. Instead, let’s focus on the new content introduced with Lex Imperialis, and there’s plenty to talk about.
Lex Imperialis continues breaking the curse of the Owlcat DLC. Those who have traveled to Rogue Trader from the two Pathfinder games likely remember that the studio’s early attempts largely involved a separate group of characters or were about dungeon crawling (with some notable exceptions, of course). Add in the weird timing of the separate cast-type of the DLC that would break your immersion, and it could be an exercise in frustration, even if narratively and mechanically the expansions were still great.
No more! Both Void Shadows and Lex Imperialis are seamlessly woven into the main game. Whether you are starting a new character, or picking up a save, you get to enjoy the new companion, new equipment type: Shields, new Archetype: Overseer and Origin: Arbites, new feature: Familiars, intriguing story, unique locations and interactions, interesting battles, and more.
This is our Lex Imperialis review. Beware, some light spoilers ahead – no discussions of quest endings or anything “big”, but a quick glimpse at how you meet the new companion still.
Let’s start from the beginning, if you were to start a new game after the release of the second DLC, what new content from it would you see, and how soon?
The surprises start in the character creation screen, including the new Origin, Arbitrator, with three possible specialties: Subductor, Vigilant, and Castigator, each with their unique bonuses. Needless to say, it also comes with unique interactions later down the line.
You will also be able to unlock the new second-tier Archetype, Overseer. Note that any first tier Archetype – Warrior, Officer, Operative, Soldier, and Bladedancer – has access to it, so even if you start with an existing character, you can retrain them to be an Overseer.
Overseers are flexible support specialists who deploy Familiars, newly introduced cybernetic creatures that can assist in battle and beyond in a multitude of ways. However, don’t expect them to behave as pets do in Pathfinder! Except for rare cases, they cannot be controlled directly as separate units, and are instead commanded by the Overseer during the Overseer’s turn. Solomorne can order his cyber-mastiff, Glaito, to act on his own, but even then the loyal Familiar will behave like an allied NPC instead of being controlled directly.
The game also introduced a new equipment type, Shields. And until I tried them, I didn’t know what I was missing all this time. It feels like Abelard got that one missing piece of the puzzle to become the perfect tanking machine. Seeing Abelard not only punch the eldritch horrors in the face, but also stand in front of the Rogue Trader as the literal infallible shield of the dynasty fills me with joy.
A shield is equipped in one hand but occupies the slot in both weapon sets, and has a chance to block an enemy’s attack. If a hit in a burst attack is blocked, all subsequent hits are blocked as well. Shields also grant the Stalwart Defense ability, which increases the wielder’s chance to block attacks of multiple enemies. If such an attack is blocked, the wielder also can counter-attack the corresponding enemy with their main weapon.
On Rykad Minoris in Chapter 1, you will have your first encounter with Solomorne Anthar, the new companion. Although, unlike Kibellah that joins your retinue practically right away, Solomorne and his squad of Adeptus Arbites have their own mission to accomplish, and will not be uniting forces with the Rogue Trader just yet. The Imperial Tithe and Lex Imperialis take priority, even in the face of the unfolding catastrophe and presence of a Rogue Trader.
You will run into them again, helping to fight your way out to reach the Starport. Having been left without a shuttle, the Arbitrators will ask to hitch a ride in yours. That will be the entirety of your interactions with Solomorne in Chapter 1, but there will be plenty to look forward to in the future, including a romance if you so wish!
Your paths will cross yet again mid-Chapter 2, when Adeptus Arbites ask for your help (which you can troll them for). Technically, it was Rogue Trader Winterscale’s duty to help them, but Calligos is too busy with his own matters, leaving the Arbites to seek aid elsewhere.
Theodora made a formal alliance with Adeptus Arbites, providing them with a headquarters on Dargonus and supporting them in the collection and guarding of the Imperial Tithe on several occasions. So who else but her illustrious heir? To ensure your cooperation, you will also be given some bountiful rewards, including a new ship that you can use as an escort or repurpose for other needs.
I have to give Owlcat Games a lot of credit for the character writing. When the Void Shadows DLC was initially introduced and I was just learning about the new companion, Kibellah, I wondered about how she’d fit in with the party. In particular, because we already had a religious zealot obsessed with murder, represented by Argenta.
But despite the similarities, the two couldn’t be more different in their beliefs, in their characters, and in their relationship with the Rogue Trader and the rest of the squad.
The same can be said about Anthar. He is an emotionally withdrawn man, so tightly bound by his duty that he doesn’t see any life beyond it, and is tortured by the thought of choosing between the Rogue Trader and his service if it comes to that. Sounds familiar?
Yet, he is quite a different type of emotionally withdrawn compared to Heinrix. For once, because the emotion that he’s hiding deep within is rage. You can learn more by doing his personal quests and simply interacting with him and his cyber-mastiff, GL-80, Glaito. He also joins Abelard in struggling to adapt to the Rogue Trader’s insufferable ways.
With Lex Imperialis being the second DLC for Rogue Trader, it feels fair to compare it against the first, Void Shadows, to see what was done differently. Perhaps better, perhaps worse.
Due to Solomorne properly joining your retinue and moving to your Voidship in the second half of Chapter 2, it feels like he has much fewer interactions with your other companions compared to Kibellah. Perhaps pushing all side quests and companion stories for after you’ve recruited him will fix the matter somewhat, but it still felt to me like he was more or less on his own.
Unfortunately for him and Glaito and fortunately for the gullible Rogue Traders, he is still recruited before Commorragh. Which means you can drag the poor man and his dog through the Drukhari hell with you and see how it affects him. Spoiler: it affects him a lot, just like it does every other companion.
On the other hand, the sheer amount of varied content feels like it outdoes Void Shadows quite handily. Due to the nature of the first DLC, most of the new areas that you’ve visited were set within your own ship. Of course the developers have tried to make them as different as possible, just compare the Astropathic Choir to the Death Cult base, but it was still set within the bowels of your dynasty’s ship and limited by that.
With Lex Imperialis, there is simply more to see. For example, one of Solomorne’s quests will take you to a feudal world that feels like stepping back into Drezen. Secondly, remember Jae’s mission taking you to the Administratum? Want to see more of that? You will, filled with biting wit, sarcasm, unexpected solutions and mountains of paperwork and bureaucracy.
Both DLC also give you a chance to learn more about von Valancius dynasty at large, and your predecessor, Theodora, specifically. Sometimes I mourn the character’s early death, as it would have been incredibly fun to act against or with her at some point. Other times, I am happy you never had to face her cunning and experience wielded against you like a dagger. For Lex Imperialis shows what happens when you make an enemy of Theodora.
To sum it up, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Lex Imperialis does not lower the bar set by Void Shadows. It seamlessly integrates into the main story, showing unexpected twists and turns and expanding the Lord Captain’s world. It does wonders to fill the position of Rogue Trader with more importance when you get to make decisions in court and outsmart intrigues aimed to get you, specifically. Alas, still no political battles between different Rogue Trader dynasties.
While there were some minor graphic glitches in the DLC, like characters briefly sinking into textures or cutscenes not ending unless you finish them manually, I have not run into any serious, let alone game-breaking, bugs.
Lex Imperialis is absolutely a reason for another full run, to get the most out of the new experience.
However, if you are someone who prefers to play the game only once or want to have as much content as possible for your eventual playthrough, Owlcat Games announced two more DLC that will add content to the main campaign, coming in April to June 2026 & July to September 2026, respectively. Is it worth waiting for? That is something only you can answer for yourself.
Note: an early access key for the DLC was provided for the purposes of this review, but the author is also a verified owner of the game and the Season Pass.
Similar to:
- Pathfinder: Kingmaker – Wildcards
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous – The Last Sarkorians
- Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Void Shadows
