Of course, we now know the Army as the Guard, and they have long since lost their grav tanks, Land Raiders, conversion beamers, and much more besides. In addition to the instantly recognisable, and massively profitable, Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes, the book also introduced the world to the Imperial Army, the Hammer of the Emperor. It was pulp, dark, space-opera pulling ideas and inspiration from sources as varied as Dune and Blade Runner to Tolkein and the Spanish Inquisition. In 1986, when I was busy developing as a foetus, Rick Priestly's seminal SF wargame, Rogue Trader, hit the shelves.