Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader’s Final DLC Pushed to December, Debuting a Blood-Crying Psyker Companion

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader’s story-concluding expansion, Processional of the Damned, has been officially delayed to December 2026, developer Owlcat Games announced, while simultaneously unveiling the companion at the heart of the DLC: Stella, an “unsanctioned psyker” whose porcelain skin bleeds and who weeps tears of blood. The studio confirmed the shift in an update posted to Steam, explaining that the expansion could not be delivered by its originally intended September launch and that the new window “is not expected to move any further.”

The delay comes after Owlcat’s best efforts to meet the September deadline fell short, and the developer has responded with a mix of compensation and reassurance for its player base. Beyond the rescheduled release, the expansion’s central figure offers a striking departure from the game’s usual roster of companions, blending the grimdark lore of the setting with a deeply personal narrative hook that promises to shape how players approach their party.

A Miracle Sent by the Emperor

Stella is described as a dread priest-like Miraculist whose very presence defies the boundaries of the game’s world. According to her in-game bio, “Her eyes bleed, and the cracks of her cold porcelain skin haemorrhage when she becomes a conduit of His will, yet such is the price of bringing retribution to the xenos, the mutant, and the heretic.”

Raised by the Ecclesiarchy to serve as a living weapon, Stella is a “unique asset — one whose life was never truly her own.” The twist, however, is that her order does not perceive her for what she truly is. “Although, unbeknownst to them, the reality is that she is an unsanctioned psyker, her order does not see her as a witch or a mutant. For them, she is a miracle sent by the Emperor himself, bathing in His light.”

Players are handed a meaningful moral choice with her inclusion: they can cultivate Stella and her Psychic Trail ability into a powerful weapon, attempt to save her from her grim fate, or lean fully into her “madness and damnation.” This decision-making framework signals that Processional of the Damned will lean heavily into character-driven storytelling, a hallmark of the base game that Owlcat has cultivated since its launch.

“Despite our best efforts to deliver the expansion by September as originally intended, it has become clear to us that it won’t be ready in time. That’s why, to ensure we deliver the experience players deserve, we have decided to delay the launch. The release window will be set to December 2026 and is not expected to move any further.”

Owlcat Games

The studio’s transparency about the delay is paired with concrete support for affected players. Owners of the game’s Season Pass 2 who purchased it via Steam will be eligible for refunds through Steam’s customer support. Owlcat clarified that this refund process “will remove Processional of the Damned and the Infinite Museion from your Steam account, and break any saved games made with the Infinite Museion DLC content activated.”

For those wishing to preserve their progress, the developer noted that players can obtain the Infinite Museion DLC separately if they want to continue their previous save after a refund. Meanwhile, the Appearance Pack bundled with Season Pass 2 will be made free and integrated into the base game for everyone, with the studio confirming that this change “will not affect your saves.” Owlcat also flagged that this compensation will roll out to the other platforms slightly later than the Steam update.

More Than Just a Companion

For players who remain committed to the expansion despite its tardiness, Owlcat has outlined a broader suite of additions beyond Stella. The DLC introduces a new archetype centred on a bludgeoning, weapon-focused zealot, alongside a fresh feature called Madness that will affect all companions in a party. New enemies drawn from the ranks of the Arch Enemy and Aeladari will also appear, expanding the combat and narrative scope of the final chapter.

These mechanics suggest that Processional of the Damned will not merely serve as an epilogue but will actively deepen the systems players have grown to rely on. The Madness feature, in particular, hints at a more pronounced psychological dimension to companion management, reinforcing the game’s reputation for morally weighty choices and consequences.

With the release now firmly anchored to December 2026, players who have yet to experience the base game may want to consider diving in first. Owlcat’s work on Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader has earned a devoted following, and the final expansion promises to deliver on the “Damned” promise that has built anticipation for this concluding act.

Looking Ahead

As the community digests the delay and the reveal of Stella, the focus for Owlcat will be on delivering a polished, complete experience when the December window opens. The studio’s commitment to refunds, free content, and a clear communication strategy reflects an effort to maintain trust with its player base during the wait.

For those curious about the game itself, reviews of the base title remain available for anyone weighing whether to jump in before the final chapter arrives. With a compelling new companion, expanded mechanics, and a grimdark narrative to close out the saga, Processional of the Damned is shaping up to be a fitting end to one of the year’s most acclaimed RPGs.