Overview

Rogue Trooper is a board game based on the 2000 AD comic strip, published by Games Workshop in 1987 and designed by Richard Halliwell. Players take on the roles of Genetic Infantrymen (GIs) – the last survivors of the Quartz Zone Massacre on the war-ravaged planet Nu-Earth. Each player hunts for the identity of the Traitor General who betrayed the GIs, then must track down and eliminate the traitor to win. The game features mission-based gameplay, encounters, and dice-driven combat.

Components

• 1 map board depicting Nu-Earth
• 6 plastic GI playing pieces
• 6 character sheets
• 1 Traitor playing piece and base
• 1 counter sheet (70 counters)
• 283 playing cards (encounters, items, weapons, clues)
• GI’s Battle Manual (rules booklet)
• GI’s Orientation Briefing
• 6 dice

Setup

1. Unfold the map board and place it on the table.
2. Each player selects a GI figure and takes the matching character sheet.
3. Place the Traitor piece on its designated starting space.
4. Shuffle the encounter and clue card decks separately.
5. Deal starting equipment and items to each player as specified.
6. Determine a starting player.

Turn Structure

On each turn, a player:

1. Move: Move their GI figure across the map, following paths between locations.
2. Encounter: Draw and resolve an encounter card if entering a new location (combat, events, discoveries).
3. Investigate: Search for clues about the Traitor’s identity by collecting clue cards.
4. Equip/Trade: Manage items, weapons, and equipment on their character sheet.
5. Mission Objective: Work toward completing the current mission objectives.

Actions

Movement: GI figures move along connected paths on the Nu-Earth map. Different terrain types may affect movement speed.

Combat: When encountering hostile forces (Norts, mutants, or other enemies), resolve combat using dice rolls modified by weapons and equipment. Compare attack values to enemy defense. Take wounds if combat goes poorly.

Clue Collection: At certain locations or after certain encounters, players collect clue cards that gradually reveal the Traitor’s identity. Players keep clues secret from others.

Equipment Management: Weapons, items, and special equipment are tracked on the character sheet. Equipment affects combat ability, movement, and special actions.

Traitor Hunt: Once a player has gathered enough clues to identify the Traitor, they must locate and defeat the Traitor piece on the map.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to correctly identify the Traitor General and then defeat them in combat wins the game.

If a player incorrectly accuses the Traitor (guesses the wrong identity), they suffer a penalty but may continue playing.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• The Traitor’s identity is determined randomly at the start and kept hidden. Clue cards provide elimination information.
• Nu-Earth is a hostile environment; random encounters can wound or kill GIs even without direct combat.
• Character sheets track wounds, ammunition, and equipment. Running out of ammunition limits combat options.
• GIs have biochips (from fallen comrades) that can provide special abilities.
• The Traitor piece may move on the board according to specific rules, making the hunt dynamic.
• Multiple GIs can cooperate in encounters but ultimately compete to find the Traitor first.

Player Reference

Turn: Move GI > Resolve encounters > Collect clues > Manage equipment.

Win: Identify the Traitor + defeat them in combat.

Penalty: Wrong accusation = penalty but not elimination.

Player count: 2-6 players, approximately 120 minutes.