How Veil Degradation Works

Learn how Veil Degradation works in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Discover the effects of psychic powers, perils of the warp, and how to manage this dangerous mechanic.

Psykers in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader draw power from the Warp, an extradimensional realm of pure energy and madness. Using these psychic abilities causes Veil Degradation, a mechanic that can lead to dangerous consequences if not managed.

The Veil Degradation bar fills as psychic powers are used. At 15 points, negative effects called psychic phenomena and perils of the warp begin to occur. Veil Degradation resets to 0 at the start of each battle unless the story dictates otherwise. Minor psychic powers add 1 point, while major powers add 3 points to the Veil Degradation bar.

Veil Degradation Effects

Below 14 Veil Degradation (Normal State)

This is the safe state, with a low chance of negative events.

• Minor psychic powers: (5 + psy rating)% chance of psychic phenomena.
• Major psychic powers: (20 + psy rating)% chance of psychic phenomena.
• Sanctioned psykers (minor power): (5 + 2 x psy rating)% chance of psychic phenomena.
• Sanctioned psykers (major power): (10 + 2 x psy rating)% chance of psychic phenomena.

Above 15 Veil Degradation (Degraded State)

In this state, the chances of triggering negative effects quadruple.

• Chances of triggering psychic phenomena quadruple.
• Major psychic powers may trigger perils of the warp.
• Unsanctioned psykers (minor power): (20 + 4 x psy rating)% chance of psychic phenomena.
• Unsanctioned psykers (major power): (20 + psy rating + veil degradation)% chance of psychic phenomena.
• Sanctioned psykers (minor power): (10 + 2 x psy rating)% chance of psychic phenomena.
• Sanctioned psykers (major power): (10 + psy rating + veil degradation)% chance of psychic phenomena when perils of the warp do not occur.

Perils of the Warp

Occur when the Veil Degradation bar reaches 15 and a major psychic power is used. Effects include:

• Pushing party members away from the psyker.
• Damaging party members.
• Summoning hostile Daemons.
• Filling the area with Motive Force charges.
• And more.

Psychic Phenomena

These effects are more disconcerting than dangerous, reducing party morale and momentum. They occur more often with unsanctioned psykers.

Psy Rating

Psy Rating increases the number and strength of psychic powers. The maximum Psy Rating is five. For example, a calculation of "20 + 4 x psy rating" with a Psy Rating of five would be 20 + (4 * 5) = 40% chance.

How to Remove Veil Degradation

Veil Degradation decreases slowly over time when psychic abilities are not used. Certain talents can also reduce its effects:

• Stable Routes: Reduces veil degradation by -1 whenever a Navigator uses a Navigator's ability.
• Stabilizing Factor: The first psychic power used each turn increases veil degradation by 2 points less. If this reduces the effect to less than 0, veil degradation is decreased by 1 instead.