Dark Heresy companions: all 10 confirmed beta characters
Meet all ten confirmed Dark Heresy beta companions, their announced combat and investigation roles, and what remains unknown for release.
Ten Dark Heresy companions are confirmed for the closed beta, with more promised for the full release. The roster includes an Ogryn who acts as mobile cover, a surgeon with combat injectors and a Kroot whose way of gathering information is decidedly unpleasant. Their skills matter during investigations as well as turn-based fights.
In Owlcat’s party-based RPG Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, you command a retinue as an acolyte of the Inquisition, investigating heresy in the Calixis Sector. This guide compares the confirmed characters and their roles in combat and investigations, so you can see which specialists might suit your party. The Rogue Trader developers have not revealed every recruitment route or final build.
The ten confirmed names: Epione Spes, Haymar Devos, Cogg, Ra'akhti, Laarthyr Cairnareth, Saro, Aspyce Chorda, Touma Ortos, Hypatia and Discordance. Owlcat's June beta overview names all ten; the six detailed profiles on the main website are only part of that list.
Epione Spes: medical support and forensic knowledge
Epione Spes is a Chirurgeon, one of the Inquisition’s top Medicae specialists. Her work covers diagnosis, medicines and surgery. She is pursuing a mysterious illness on Scintilla, where her former research station's owners came under inquisitorial scrutiny.
In combat, she uses fast-acting substances from combat injectors to help wounded comrades and defends herself with scalpel claws. At a crime scene, her medical knowledge and analytical approach give you another way to examine what happened.
Haymar Devos: suppression fire and survival skills
Haymar Devos is a former Astra Militarum soldier from the Catachan Devils. He fights in close combat or provides suppression fire, using rapid-fire weapons and his Catachan knife.
His survival knowledge also contributes to investigations. You can call on a trained survivor’s understanding of the evidence, although Owlcat has not detailed the checks or bonuses involved.
Cogg: an Ogryn who changes your positioning
Cogg, formerly Conscript O-118-B of the 27th Scintillan Fusiliers, is a Bone'ead Ogryn with cortex augmentation.
Cogg occupies four squares, serves as a melee tank and provides mobile cover. His position matters to the whole warband: you can use him to protect other characters while he holds the line.
Xenos allies and a sanctioned psyker
A Kroot, an Aeldari corsair and an Imperial psyker bring very different knowledge and powers to the retinue.
Ra'akhti: Kroot scout
The Kroot scout has been exiled from her tribe and declared Inedible. Her official profile says she can perceive feelings and memories by eating flesh. In combat she uses a rifle and is accompanied by the Pech’ra Yuka. Yuka is not an eleventh confirmed regular companion.
Laarthyr Cairnareth: Aeldari Way Seeker
An Aeldari corsair and Way Seeker with his own archetype. He brings knowledge of xenos behaviour to investigations. Owlcat describes a choice to attack him or accept his help; accepting him pushes your acolyte towards a radical reputation. His Webway background is not a confirmed fast-travel system.
Saro: sanctioned psyker
Saro is a sanctioned psyker and long-serving member of the Tyrantine Cabal. He uses pyromancy for the Inquisition, with a unique “rhyme” mechanic. Owlcat has not explained enough of that mechanic to build a dependable combo guide. Like other psykers, he is particularly sensitive to the Tyrant Star.
Rogue Trader Aspyce Chorda and three more companions
These four are also confirmed for the beta. Touma Ortos is an Officer; the others’ combat roles remain less fully documented.
| Companion | Confirmed background | What we can say about their role |
|---|---|---|
| Aspyce Chorda | A Rogue Trader and Lord Captain from a Scintillan noble dynasty, previously active in the Koronus Expanse. | A warp storm has stranded her on Scintilla. Inquisitorial investigations offer a new diversion. Her introduction does not establish a finished combat build. |
| Touma Ortos | An acolyte of the Inquisition. | Owlcat explicitly identifies him as an Officer in combat. |
| Hypatia | A Magos Biologis of the Genetor Order, sent with a diplomatic mission to Bastion Serpentis. | Her combat abilities remain unconfirmed; her background alone does not establish a healing or poison build. |
| Discordance | A Pariah whose soulless nature shields her from the Warp, daemons and psychic phenomena. | Her presence changes the rules within her zone, but the exact effects remain unexplained. |
How Dark Heresy companions help with investigations
Owlcat says each companion has a unique background ability, and its beta overview describes switching companions during a mission to use their specialist knowledge. The October detective-system announcement specifically names Epione's medicine, Haymar's survival skills and Laarthyr's understanding of xenos behaviour.
Companions can help gather evidence during conversations or suggest another approach, according to the developer interview with Veronika Larionova. Their opinions are personal: they will not solve the mystery for you. You decide which interpretation to trust.
For the journal, evidence and accusation rules, read our Dark Heresy investigation system explainer.
Can you recruit everyone, and are romances confirmed?
Complete recruitment steps and romance options remain unconfirmed. You can accept Laarthyr’s help or attack him and part ways permanently. His choice does not establish how everyone else joins. More companions are planned for release; these ten are the confirmed beta roster.
The closed PC beta began on 21 May 2026. Access comes with eligible Founder purchases on the game’s website. The beta is English-only with partial voice acting; full voice acting is planned for release. The final game's date and broader platform information belong in the Dark Heresy hub.
Sources and character introductions
Checked 24 October 2026. Roles above come from Owlcat's beta overview, character profiles and developer interview. Images are official pre-release material, not our own gameplay captures.
