iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Choose the conviction that matches the character you want to play, then concentrate on that branch before it reaches Votary. Dogmatic suits an uncompromising Imperial loyalist, Iconoclast suits a compassionate idealist, and Heretical suits a character drawn toward Chaos and corruption. None is established as a universally strongest path or guaranteed best ending.
The important mechanical warning is that convictions are not just role-play labels. Dialogue, exploration, colony development and, for Heretical characters, corrupted items or forbidden knowledge can award conviction points. Each branch grants abilities as it rises through five ranks, and reaching rank III (Votary) makes that branch your main focus: the other two branches can no longer advance beyond rank II (Adherent), according to the community encyclopedia.
What the three convictions actually do
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader tracks three Soulmark convictions: Dogmatic, Iconoclast and Heretical. Your responses in conversations, decisions during exploration and colony projects can add points to one of them. The choices are often presented as ordinary dialogue options rather than a separate character-building screen, so your worldview develops through play.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Conviction ranks provide both narrative identity and mechanical rewards. The community encyclopedia describes five ranks for each branch, while an author-maintained GameFAQs guide lists these point milestones:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
| Rank | Guide-reported threshold | What it means for planning |
|---|---|---|
| Follower | 15 points | First branch ability becomes available. |
| Adherent | 45 points | Second branch reward; still possible to develop all three convictions. |
| Votary | 200 points | Rank III focus; the other branches are capped at Adherent. |
| Fanatic | 300 points | Fourth reward in the selected branch. |
| Zealot | 500 points | Fifth and highest listed rank. |
These figures come from the GameFAQs guide, not an official balance specification. A later patch changed the number of points awarded by many choices, so use the thresholds as a planning reference rather than a promise that a particular sequence will produce an exact total.
For the broad system description, see the WH40K Rogue Trader Wiki conviction overview. The guide’s rank and ability list is in GameFAQs’ Character Creation walkthrough.
Dogmatic: Imperial law above personal mercy
The role-playing premise
Dogmatic characters uphold Imperial orthodoxy, the authority of the God-Emperor and the institutions that enforce that order. They are prepared to destroy, suppress or punish what they judge alien, corrupt or unorthodox. This is the natural choice for someone who wants a severe, setting-forward 40K character who treats duty as more important than individual sympathy.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Dogmatic is not a simple “practical good” route. Imperial orthodoxy can demand ruthless actions, collective punishment or the rejection of people who might be saved. If your character believes that stability and obedience prevent a greater catastrophe, Dogmatic choices will usually feel coherent. If they value mercy even when it weakens authority, another branch will fit better.
Dogmatic rank rewards
The GameFAQs guide names five Dogmatic abilities:
| Rank | Ability | Guide-described emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Follower | Grim Determination | A chance to survive with one wound. |
| Adherent | Absolution | Burning or bonus fire-damage effects. |
| Votary | Path of Redemption | Reduced Momentum expenditure. |
| Fanatic | Piercing Resolution | Attacks that ignore armor. |
| Zealot | Instrument of His Will | Temporary immunity to daemon and xenos attacks. |
The names and broad effects above are guide-reported. They show why convictions can influence combat planning, but the available sources do not establish a current, complete damage-per-round ranking against every class, difficulty or downloadable-content configuration.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Who should pick Dogmatic
- Choose it if your character trusts Imperial hierarchy and believes forbidden influences must be eliminated.
- Choose it if you want a stern commander whose decisions regularly favor order over individual exceptions.
- Choose it if the listed survival, fire, Momentum and armor-piercing themes appeal to your build, while recognizing that no current source proves Dogmatic is the strongest branch overall.
Iconoclast: compassion and human possibility
The role-playing premise
Iconoclast characters try to preserve compassion, dignity and the possibility of noble action in a brutal universe. They may protect civilians, challenge cruelty by Imperial authorities or give people a chance when a stricter commander would make an example of them. This is the clearest fit for an idealist, reformer or protective leader.
Iconoclast does not mean that every merciful choice has a happy result. The setting remains dangerous, and sparing one person can expose others to risk. The conviction describes the principle behind your decision, not a guarantee that the story will reward it.
Iconoclast rank rewards
The guide lists these Iconoclast milestones and abilities:
| Rank | Ability | What the available description establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Follower | Above the Thundering Guns | Named as the first Iconoclast unlock. |
| Adherent | Master of Command | Named as the second unlock. |
| Votary | Courage and Steel | Named as the rank III unlock. |
| Fanatic | Transcend the Potential | Named as a later-rank unlock. |
| Zealot | Excellence | Named as the highest listed unlock. |
The reviewed guide does not provide a complete, version-qualified explanation of each Iconoclast effect in the material available here. Treat the names as evidence that the branch grants mechanical rewards, not as a basis for declaring it better or worse than Dogmatic or Heretical.
Who should pick Iconoclast
- Pick it when protecting people matters more to your character than strict obedience.
- Pick it when you want to question cruelty or institutional decisions without abandoning humanity.
- Pick it when your preferred fantasy is a principled leader who takes risks for a better outcome rather than a sanctioned enforcer.
Heretical: the road toward Chaos
The role-playing premise
Heretical characters embrace Chaos, the Warp and the corruption of the soul. Their choices may begin as pragmatic compromises and progress toward deliberate transgression, forbidden knowledge or an alliance with powers the Imperium considers intolerable. This is the branch for a fall-to-Chaos narrative and the most overtly subversive role-play.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Heretical is not a morally neutral “third option.” The choices can represent genuine corruption and may carry narrative costs. The encyclopedia specifically notes that Heretical progress can come from decisions, corrupted items and forbidden knowledge, so a player pursuing it should pay attention to more than dialogue labels.
Heretical rank rewards
The GameFAQs guide names the following rewards:
| Rank | Ability | Available description |
|---|---|---|
| Follower | Resource Preservation | First Heretical unlock named by the guide. |
| Adherent | Destroy the Weak | Second unlock named by the guide. |
| Votary | Gifts of the Warp | Rank III unlock named by the guide. |
| Fanatic | Daemonopathy | Later-rank unlock named by the guide. |
| Zealot | Power From Beyond the Veil | Highest listed unlock. |
The source list does not establish a complete current explanation of every effect or how each performs after all patches and downloadable content. Select Heretical for the story you want to inhabit first; treat its abilities as additional reasons to commit, not proof that the branch dominates combat.
Who should pick Heretical
- Choose it if you want your character to investigate or embrace Warp power rather than merely oppose it.
- Choose it if a corruption arc, forbidden lore and transgressive decisions are central to your role-play.
- Choose it if you are comfortable with consequences that may make your character less redeemable in the eyes of Imperial factions and companions.
Dogmatic vs. Iconoclast vs. Heretical at a glance
| Comparison point | Dogmatic | Iconoclast | Heretical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core outlook | Imperial law, orthodoxy and suppression of threats. | Compassion, human potential and resistance to needless cruelty. | Chaos, Warp influence and corruption. |
| Typical decision | Obey authority; punish or eliminate what is judged dangerous. | Protect people; choose mercy or reform despite institutional risk. | Accept forbidden methods, knowledge or alliances. |
| Distinctive progression examples | Grim Determination, Absolution, Path of Redemption, Piercing Resolution, Instrument of His Will. | Above the Thundering Guns, Master of Command, Courage and Steel, Transcend the Potential, Excellence. | Resource Preservation, Destroy the Weak, Gifts of the Warp, Daemonopathy, Power From Beyond the Veil. |
| Advancement flexibility | You can mix branches early; after one reaches Votary, the other two cannot advance above Adherent. | ||
| Best fit | Uncompromising Imperial loyalist. | Compassionate idealist or reformer. | Chaos-bound or corruption-focused protagonist. |
| Ending certainty | No reviewed source establishes one branch as having the universally best ending or complete current ending requirements. | ||
Can you mix convictions?
Yes, especially during the opening portion of a campaign. You are not required to select one label every time a choice appears. Mixed decisions can reflect a character who is still forming a worldview, and they let you reach the early Follower and Adherent rewards in more than one branch.
The strategic limit arrives at Votary. Once a conviction reaches 200 points under the guide-reported milestones, the encyclopedia says that branch becomes your main focus and the other two are blocked from progressing past Adherent. You can still encounter choices associated with those outlooks, but they cannot carry those branches to Fanatic or Zealot.
That makes rank III the practical commitment point. Experiment before it if the situation fits your character; decide which branch deserves the long-term investment before your point total approaches Votary. Do not plan on freely maxing all three branches in one playthrough.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Some individual choices are also conditional. The appendix to the GameFAQs guide records options that depend on an existing rank, are mutually exclusive, or require a particular companion or downloadable content. The complete list is in the guide’s Conviction Choices appendix. A decision that appears to fit your philosophy may therefore be unavailable in your current party, rank or edition.
Why older guides may give different point totals
Owlcat’s official Update 1.3 notes state that many dialogue options in Acts III and IV that awarded Dogmatic, Heretical or Iconoclast points were changed to award significantly more points. The same notes say projects that awarded conviction points were doubled.
The patch deliberately did not apply all missing points to choices already made or projects already completed. Owlcat explained that immediately adding them could switch a character’s conviction involuntarily; instead, the missing points would be granted the next time the player selected an option for that conviction.
This matters when you follow a launch-era walkthrough. A route that once required carefully counting every early decision may now reach a milestone sooner, while a completed project may not visibly update until you select another relevant option. The available material does not establish the complete point table for every later patch, edition or downloadable-content combination, so verify your game version before treating any rank-by-rank route as exact.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow to choose if you are undecided
Start with the character’s governing principle
- Write one sentence describing what your Rogue Trader protects above all else: Imperial order, human dignity or personal power through the Warp.
- Use that sentence to resolve ambiguous conversations. Choose the option your character believes, not the option that appears safest in isolation.
- Watch which branch is accumulating points naturally. If your actions repeatedly favor one conviction, it is usually more satisfying to let the character develop rather than forcing a different label for a reward.
Use rank III as the decision deadline
- Take compatible mixed choices while every branch can still reach Adherent.
- Before pursuing Votary, inspect your current ranks and identify which branch you would regret losing access to.
- Commit the remaining dialogue, exploration and colony decisions to that branch if its higher-rank abilities or story identity matter to you.
- After Votary, stop expecting the other branches to progress beyond Adherent and plan your build around the rewards still available to your chosen path.
Choose by combat interest only after role-play fit
Dogmatic’s guide-reported rewards include survival, fire damage, Momentum efficiency, armor penetration and resistance to daemon or xenos attacks. Heretical has named Warp-oriented rewards, while Iconoclast has command- and potential-oriented names. These themes can help break a tie, but the reviewed sources do not provide a current controlled comparison of the abilities. Difficulty, party composition, patch version and downloadable content can all change their practical value.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Treating conviction labels as a simple good-versus-evil meter
Dogmatic methods can be cruel, Iconoclast mercy can create danger, and Heretical choices can begin with apparently practical compromises. Read the complete option and its context. The label describes a worldview, not a guaranteed moral outcome.
Assuming every point appears immediately
After the patch 1.3 adjustments, previously completed choices and projects may not receive the missing points until you make another choice for that conviction. Check your rank after a subsequent qualifying action rather than concluding that the system is broken.
Waiting until after Votary to decide
The Votary threshold is the meaningful lock-in. If you care about Fanatic or Zealot rewards in more than one branch, the encyclopedia’s rule prevents that plan. Decide before crossing rank III.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Following a route without checking prerequisites
Conviction options can require a rank, a companion or downloadable content, and some are mutually exclusive. If a walkthrough describes an option you cannot see, verify those conditions before abandoning your planned path.
Expecting a universal best ending
The reviewed material supports broad themes and progression rules, but it does not verify every current ending requirement. Choose a branch for the experience you want, then use a version-specific guide if you need to target a particular late-game outcome.
Verdict
Pick Dogmatic for uncompromising Imperial authority, Iconoclast for compassion and principled resistance to cruelty, or Heretical for a deliberate descent toward Chaos. Mixing is safe while you are below Votary, but rank III locks the other branches at Adherent. If you are unsure, role-play honestly through the early acts, monitor your ranks, and commit before one conviction reaches 200 points.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
