Hecata build guide – Rogue Trader

If you don’t want to build your own character from scratch when you start in Rogue Trader, Hecata is one of your base options. She has an interesting mix of starting skills, so I’ve compiled this build guide to make the most of them.

Updated: January 2, 2024

This build is current to the 1.0.88 patch!

Hecata’s background sees her start the game with bonuses to Ballistic Skill (+10), Perception (+10), Persuasion (+5), Athletics (+5), and Medicae (+5). Hecata also begins with the Regimental Tactics skill (a one-shot-per-combat skill giving all units increased melee skills for one turn) but has downgraded Coercion (-5). 

Best Hecata Build in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

I’ve put together a list of skills, talents, and abilities to help you build a really strong Hecata character that will easily help take you through the first 15 levels of Rogue Trader, even on the tougher difficulty modes. However, remember that if this Hecata build doesn’t quite fit into your party, there is the option to respec at any time. 

Related: Abelard Build Guide – Rogue Trader

Best Hecata Characteristics in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

To get the best out of Hecata, you’ll need to understand how the main statistics affect her role so you can prioritize the right ones on gear and level-ups:

• Ballistic Skill: This build goes full laser rifle, so the Ballistic Skill is of number one importance. Ballistic Skill affects your ranged weapon accuracy, so the higher you can get it the better.
• Agility: Staying alive is, of course, also a priority! I like to boost Agility as much as possible too, often in line with (or just below) Ballistic Skill. Not only will you dodge more often, but you’ll also have improved initiative and reactions. 
• Perception: In combat, Perception reduces the chance your target will dodge, so is very useful. Outside combat it helps you spot hidden objects, so you’ll want at least one party member with it raised high. It is tied in with Awareness, which we also raise here, so this doubles down on that too.

Best Hecata Abilities in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

These are what makes a soldier a soldier, so be sure to get the best out of your abilities: 

• Firearm Mastery (Ultimate): This can only be used once per battle, but can change its course. You’ll get several free attacks, a guaranteed crit, and a free reload, alongside however you boost the skill at levels 9 and 15, so use it wisely. 
• Run and Gun: This gives you a second attack in a round, as well as +4MP. You’ll be Winded afterward, giving you a few negatives the following turn, but it’s usually worth it. 
• Revel in Slaughter: This allows you to immediately remove Winded (see Run and Gun above), but only becomes available after you’ve killed three enemies. But we can fix that with Swift Slaughter (see Talents below).
• Dash: Perfect for the sniper, allowing you to escape melee (or move back to cover) with an extra three-space move in your round. 
• Entrench: If you’re in a great sniper spot, use this to add 30 percent to your cover while also improving your next Run and Gun. You lose all remaining AP and MP, so use it wisely.  

Best Hecata Talents in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

This is where we truly define Hecata as an unstoppable sniper:

• Unpredictable: Adds +8 percent to your Crit Chance, or +16 percent from cover.
• Second Skin: Medium Armor no longer reduces your Dodge. 
• Las Weapon Expert: Targets lose -20 percent Dodge when you attack with a Las Weapon. 
• Trace the Trajectory: Succesful Dodges or use of Cover by you give you a guaranteed Crit when you next target the enemy who missed you.
• Swift Slaughter: Essential. Reduces the Revel in slaughter restriction from three kills to two.  
• Unflinching Heroism: Any Heroic Act used by your allies gives you +5 to all stats for the rest of the battle. 
• Rack and Ruin: After hitting three different enemies, your next attack deals bonus damage. 
• Suppression Fire: Improves your attacks while you have Regimental Tactics active.
• It Will Not Die: Bonus Wounds (half of your level) to help stay alive.

Best Hecata Skills in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

While there is a large pool of skills available in Rogue Trader, I like to keep Hecata focused on two main areas:

• Awareness: If you want to find all the cool hidden objects and passageways in Rogue Trader, you’ll want at least one character with high Awareness. Better still it's also the skill used to notice Traps, which can be massively annoying (and damaging) if you miss them.
• Medicae: As this Hecata build relies a lot on movement, it makes sense to also up her Medicae a little. Her ability to move around the battlefield makes her a solid backup (or even primary, if you lean into it) battlefield medic.  

Related: Soldier Build Guide – Rogue Trader

Best Hecata Weapons & Items in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

To make this Hecata build work best, you’re looking for a two-handed ranged las rifle with the Deadeye Shot ability.  The Longlas is an excellent gun you’ll find in the Sewers while completing the Starport quest (from the Herald of Tzeentch battle), It does 14-20 damage, has a 25 percent additional hit chance, and a range of 18.

As soon as you have Second Skin at level 5, start wearing Medium Armor. The Mesh Vest (random rare drop) is a good early option, giving 30 percent Armor with +5 percent Armor versus ranged attacks. 

Also, look out for the Sniper Gloves which also drop during the Starport quest, as these give a +5 percent damage and crit bonus to single-shot attacks.

Finally, I use the Tactical Goggles which give an extra improved hit and crit chance.

As for a second weapon, equip the best pistol you can spare and hope you don’t need to use it. 

How to play Hecata in Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader

Hecata is a single-target killing machine; she can move in and out of cover thanks to Dash, which also allows her to take up great positions on any battlefield. She needs to be kept well away from melee but otherwise has very few weaknesses. Her ability to move well also makes her a great medic, so be sure to give her med kits too.  

For more on Rogue Trader here at Pro Game Guides, why not also check out the Best Origin to choose in Rogue Trader and How to solve the Warehouse Puzzle in Rogue Trader!