In this Rogue Trader build for Argenta, we're going to take her from a backline support/DPS to a frontline bruiser. Based on her initial stats, she is perfect for this transformation!
Best Argenta Build in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader
Argenta comes as a Death World Priest Origin and Soldier Archetype, making her perfect for this type of build so long as the right talents and gear are used. As a Bruiser, Argenta will focus on being in the frontline to deal massive damage through the constant use of her Heroic ability and draw enemy attention. She will not be in melee range, as her weapon of choice will be one of the variants of the Flamer.
Best Stats for Argenta
Her PrImary Characteristic priority should be given to Agility, Toughness, and Ballistic Skill in this specific order. These three stats help Argenta perform her role at the highest level of efficiency.
- Agility - For this build, Agility is Argenta's most important stat. Agility boosts her Dodge Chance and Initiative, both important factors that ensure she stays alive under fire and is first into the fray.
- Toughness - With this build, Argenta is intended to be in the thick of things. Toughness boosts her maximum health pool, letting her engage groups of enemies safely while maintaining a somewhat ranged advantage.
- Ballistic Skill - Ballistic Skill improves overall effectiveness when using ranged weapons. Argenta will be utilizing the Flamer in this build, giving this stat importance for her damage. Flamers are not heavily reliant on accuracy due to their chaotic nature, but there is still some value in this stat for them.
Now that you have an understanding of Argenta's core stats let's talk about the actual meat of the build: The Archetype.
Related: Abelard Build Guide – Rogue Trader
Argenta Leveling Guide
| Level | Unlock |
|---|---|
| 1 | Run and Gun (Feature |
| 2 | Demolition (Skill) |
| 3 | Revel in Slaughter (Feature) |
| 4 | Firearm Mastery (Ability), Second Skin (Talent) |
| 5 | Brutal Hunter (Talent) |
| 6 | Concentrated Fire (Ability) |
| 7 | Nimble (Talent) |
| 8 | Flame Weapon Expert (Talent), Demolition (Skill) |
| 9 | Firearm Mastery - Area Attack (Ability) |
| 10 | Trace the Trajectory (Talent) |
| 11 | Dash (Ability), Demolition (Skill) |
| 12 | It Will Not Die (Talent) |
| 13 | Hellish Life (Talent), Tenacity (Talent) |
| 14 | Combat Master (Talent), Demolition (Skill) |
| 15 | Firearm Mastery - Turn MP (Ability) |
With this build, Argenta is going to be her best when using Flamer Area attacks to deal as much damage as possible to as many enemies as possible. As such, the following selection focuses entirely on allowing her to dodge enemy attacks while dishing out critical damage as a result. Attacks that do get through are heavily mitigated by her large health pool and medium armor.
Best Argenta Skills
For Argenta, her stats allow us to conveniently focus on the Demolition Skill, which gives her focus as the party's 'lockpicker' in terms of a role outside of combat. Demolition has no real application in combat, so consider it a bonus and nothing more.
Best Argenta Talents
This Argenta build has a few core Talents that are worth bringing special attention to.
- Flame Weapon Expert - The value of this Talent enables Argenta to attack more often due to a reduced AP cost across all of her attacks. As she will be getting to attack several times per turn, this equates to a major increase in her overall damage, even if it looks minor or paper.
- Trace the Trajectory - Whenever an attack misses Argenta via Dodge Chance or Cover, Argenta's next attack against that target makes it an automatic critical hit. This is an insane Talent that favors Argenta being shot at so that her AoE Flamer attacks gain considerable effect for little cost.
- Second Skin - This Talent is taken to improve Argenta's survivability while wearing Medium Armor. It increases the overall effectiveness of Trace the Trajectory.
Best Argenta Abilities
This Argenta Build uses two core Abilities to function.
- Run and Gun - Though not an ability taken during the leveling process, this ability gives Argenta constant access to a second turn without outside support. Run and Gun lets her more easily position herself to make the most of her AoE Flamer attack as well.
- Firearm Mastery - Firearm Mastery is extremely potent by itself. However, with this Argenta build, we'll be taking advantage of War Hymn so that she gets access to it very quickly in a combat scenario. Firearm Mastery allows her to attack several times per turn so long as she as additional AP. It is for this reason that the Flame Weapon Expert Talent is taken.
Best Argenta Gear and Equipment
The best gear and items for Argenta will focus on ensuring she has staying power on the battlefield, regardless of whether or not she is in cover. While I don't have a set selection of items to give you just yet (will be added soon), there are a few general components that are must-haves for this build to function.
- Flamer Main Weapon - Argenta must rely on Flamer weapons as the Flame Weapon Expert Talent significantly reduces her AP usage per turn. This means repeated Flamer attacks when using Run and Gun and Firearm Mastery, which both get her extra turns/attacks.
- Medium Armor - Argenta must use Medium Armor for this build to function at its best. Due to the effect of Second Skin, she can use Medium Armor while maintaining a healthy Dodge Chance rating without penalty. Since Dodge Chance is not foolproof, her having Medium Armor equipped will greatly increase her survival ability.
- Dodge Chance Gear - Any gear that boosts Argenta's Dodge Chance will enable the incredibly powerful effect of Trace the Trajectory, which allows her to automatically critically hit the targets that miss her.
These three things make the core of Argenta's Brusier build, so do not skip out on them if you want this build to remain effective in the late game.
How to play Argenta in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader
As Argenta is a Priest, she gets to make use of War Hymn once per combat scenario. War Hymn generates Momentum based on how many enemies are near her and how many enemies she hits in the same turn she activates War Hymn. This means she can use her Firearm Mastery Heroic ability far more often than anyone else on average.
Since she will be using Flamer Area attacks constantly, Argenta can greatly boost her Momentum once per combat. The ideal scenario is to use the Flamer area attack to hit several enemies at once, then use War Hymn after hitting them. Using it before doing so will greatly diminish the effect.
Additionally, she will want to cast Run and Gun as often as possible so she can deal as much damage as possible. Couple this with positioning that allows her to take constant advantage of the Trace the Trajectory Talent.
I'll be updating this build with both Argenta's Advanced Archetype shortly, so keep an eye out if you like the guide and are a fan of the build!
For more great guides and useful information relating to Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader, check out Rogue Trader romance guide – Which characters are dateable?
Published: Dec 7, 2023 07:09 am