Argenta Heavy Bolter Build Guide: Companions

Discover the ultimate Argenta Heavy Bolter build for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. Optimize her Soldier and Archmilitant archetypes for maximum damage and effectiveness.

This guide focuses on building Argenta towards using Heavy Bolter weapons in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, with options for Aeldari and Drukhari variants later in the game. While her starting bolter is adequate, a regular Heavy Bolter with 8 rate of fire (doubling to 16 with Rapid Fire) can be acquired. This powerful weapon is a reward from the Chapter 1 final boss if you follow the Heretical path. Alternatively, a more general Heavy Bolter can be purchased from Drussian traders, requiring Reputation 4 and 36 Profit Factor. For an earlier option, the Heavy Stubber, obtainable from Chapter 1 enemy drops, serves as a useful Solid weapon type.

Soldier Build

The Soldier Build aims to equip you with key upgrades to enhance shooting and Area of Effect (AoE) capabilities. Talents like Rapid Fire boost these aspects, while Fired Up provides damage improvements that become more potent as fights progress and you gain more turns. Proficiencies in Bolters are crucial for better action economy, a vital aspect of the game. This build also grants talents that improve Argenta's utility in Awareness and Demolitions, and even Medicae if you wish to leverage her decent Medicae traits.

Archmilitant Build

The Archmilitant Build, combined with a crit pistol accessory and bonus turns, allows Argenta to stack Fired Up incredibly effectively using AoE attacks in turn 1, potentially reaching 56 stakes before turn 2. Preferred Targets is beneficial when allies like Idira, Pasqal, or Cassia are present to exploit weaknesses, increasing critical hit chance against targets for more effective Rapid Fire engagements. Exploit Weakness is also powerful, especially if an Assassin or another character is reducing enemy armor, making it effective against bosses and high-wound enemies. Reckless Rush doubles Versatility stacks, providing bonus damage when Controlled Shot isn't needed, synergizing with Adaptability for high critical hit chances during Rapid Fire engagements. Always Ready is also a useful talent for this synergy. Cautious Approach offers crucial defensiveness, important for higher difficulties.

For end-game weaponry, Chapter 3 offers the Shuriken Cannon, a high-damage Aeldari equivalent to the Heavy Bolter. You can equip an Aeldari Weapon Proficiency for Argenta to use this weapon. Alternatively, an improved Heavy Bolter is available by maxing out Drussian reputation. In Chapter 4, opening the locked container on Qutza Temer (on the metal base before meeting Calligos) yields the Tempestus Carapace Elite Backpack, an accessory that negates all recoil for 8-round burst fire weapons.

Exemplar Talents

Exemplar Talents offer bonuses not strictly required by the Soldier or Archmilitant trees. While some are essential, many post-Level 6 talents are optional, allowing you to customize Argenta's second weapon slot and party role. These talents are generally beneficial for her weapon choices and survivability. Consider taking Firebrand, for example.