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So the new iOS game has me all a bit interested and has rejuvenated a plan I had a long while ago about putting together a Kill Team. I love the idea of members from multiple chapters united within one force to fight the xenos threat.

Now, I have an abundance of old minis that have never been painted and included within are the 20 marines that came with my copy of 40K 2nd edition. They are dull as dishwater and I would probably make a couple of statues out of them and put the odd one in to a more modern tactical squad, but using 20 this way is gonna get old real fast. So I got to thinking about the Deathwatch.

Before we go any further, my freehand is getting better, but not good enough to do lots of chapter icons, so I am going to be heavily reliant on moulded pads. I collect Dark Angels, so freeing up one or two is not gonna hurt. I ended up with some Iron Hands pads due to buying the upgrade set for a conversion project so there's two chapters represented. Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Black Templars and Crimson Fists/Imperial Fists are also around and obtainable. I've also seen some white scars pads on eBay.

And of course I will by the Deathwatch upgrade set for the left arms and some bolter swaps.

I have a bunch of arms left over from other sets so I can vary some of the postures through the upper body and transplanting some heads. I could even swap some of the torsos because I have some lying around.

However, none of these marines would have their original chapter flourishes - I'm thinking wolf pelts and priest gowns etc. Do people feel these are essential? I'm of the mind that they gave up that stuff when they started Deathwatch training but kept their pads.

I hate waste and with bits lying around and poor pathetic 2nd ed marines sat with nothing to do, I just feel a need to give them a new lease of life. However, rule of cool is vital, and will this relatively monoposed (even within conversion efforts) Kill Team strike fear in to the hearts of their enemies? I also don't want to spend £20 a shot to get a bunch of Space Wolves or Blood Angels just to get the specific torso and leg parts!

All views greatly appreciated.

Go for it! There's definitely a place for plainer Deathwatch lacking in Chapter-specific gear; they are essentially Space Marine black ops anyway and a great wolf pelt or robe flapping around is hardly conducive to that. Besides that you can do a lot just with paint. Some pack markings for Wolves or gold detailing for BA can provide plenty of character to otherwise plain minis.

Have you checked out Chapter-specific parts on Bits sites at all? You should be able to get a good selection without breaking the bank or having dozens of spare bits if you buy just what you need.

So what are you asking?

I recommend getting the new sternguard kit, it has many bits great for deathwatch related conversions.

Sorry Big Mac, basically. I suppose I'm asking will a relatively basic marine - generic legs and torso with chapter pad and deathwatch pad work visually? I think Paradigm's comment about black ops is where my head was at, I feel that all the chapter specific parts drown out that the goal of the mini is to have a force of different origins so stripping them down to basic armour would make sense to unify them.

Plus I can't be paying out bucketload a of cash on this side project

When building up my deathwatch marines I used a mix of sculpted pads, transfers, and freehand.


The Space Wolf and the Dark Angel are packed with their chapter’s iconography, just because I had the bits. The Ravenguard’s shoulderpad came from the VV sprue I think. If you have the bits, might as well put them to use.

I’m not sure if the fluff has the marines bringing their own gear, or using stuff from the DW. Even if they bring nothing but themselves, I’m sure the DW quartermasters are going to find them stuff fitting to their home chapter. Over the centureis, I’m sure they are going to have chapter specific gear donated. When a marine comes looking for armor/weapons, he’s probably going to be fitted out in stuff from home.

Or however you want to spin things so the Rule of Cool works for you.

Edit: On reading other posts:

Feel free to mix basic guys in with the fancy ones. My Crimson Fist and White Scar are nothing special as far as kits go. They might have sternguard bolters, but are otherwise just tac marines.

Nevelon - love your Kill Team! I think my fluff is gonna go with whatever bits I come across cheap will get added, otherwise go with barebones. I am tempted to make the Watch Captain fully regailed - ie use a robed DA with the armour plates painted black.

Did you just stick ten marines together and leave it at that? Because there is no up-to-date official stuff some people seem to talk like you need to have heavy weapons on them, which seems far too over the top. That said I'm not up to date on all the fluff, so maybe it's not over the top

I made 7, and then ran out of DW pads. My goal was a full 10 man squad. Unfortunately, the guys at my FLGS had a resonably long running Deathwatch RPG game, so had sucked all the spare pads out of the local area. As this was just a side project, I’m unwilling to shell out to bits sellers a/o shipping to get more.

Right now they are all basic bolters, with the exception of the DA and the salamander. The DA has a combi plasma, while the saly has a flamer-like object. It’s a GK incinerator, which can serve either as a normal or heavy flamer. The Mantis Warrior is a librarian.

The thought was to have them fieldable either as a tac squad or a sternguard squad. Tac squad would let me use an ally formation as a troop pick to get the MW Libi. This was more relevant under the last codex for access to divination shenanigans. Sternguard fits the fluff of Deathwatch better, and are better on the table.

If/when I get more pads, I’d bump them up to a full 10 man squad. Mostly bolters, so they could still function as tacticals. But I’d add an Imperial Fist with a heavy bolter. Not that he’d be useful played as sternguard, but would look cool and work well in a tac squad.

I’m a bit fuzzy on the fluff myself. Just the really old stuff dating from 3rd (which I haven’t reviewed lately) and the core book from the RPG (but no follow up materials) I’m just running with the Rule of Cool as I perceive it, and what I’d need to play them on the table.

For plain Deathwatch, you need generic Tactical Squad Marines, Deathwatch shoulder pads and guns, and plain chapter specific shoulder pad to represent whichever chapter the model originally came from. Other than that, you don't need anything.

For tricked out Deathwatch, you need as much chapter-specific stuff as you can get your hands on. Still, Deathwatch shoulder pad and gun trump all.

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Deathwatch-Kill-Team-Conversion-Kit

Cheers guys. I'll start quietly picking up some shoulder pads now then. I think I'll try and get some of the upgrade sets if I can to give me a couple of extra bits, but otherwise will just grab what I can find. If I start painting any up I'll post them here.

Deathwatch can be as blinged out or subdued as you wish.

I went for a more subdued look with mine:





Some models I went with a little more chapter influence such as the Iron Hand above, others I went fairly simple/basic such as the Crimson Fist (Kept his Fist red, in this instance)

Then there are others such as my Flesh Tearer Veteran Sergeant:





Or my Dark Angels tactical squad Sergeant:





What I came up with was each marine needed their own personality, and that's how I worked it up while painting each marine individually.

More of my deathwatch is available in my gallery.

Hope that helps, take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-

 Paradigm wrote:
Go for it! There's definitely a place for plainer Deathwatch lacking in Chapter-specific gear; they are essentially Space Marine black ops anyway and a great wolf pelt or robe flapping around is hardly conducive to that. Besides that you can do a lot just with paint. Some pack markings for Wolves or gold detailing for BA can provide plenty of character to otherwise plain minis.

They're not really "black ops" in the sense that black ops are something done where the point is to hide what you are doing and operate with no visible affiliations. Having a big honking Inquisitorial sigil and keeping their Chapter's livery kind of trump them just painting their armor black.

If someone is trying to do a Deathwatch Kill-Team, the best advice for them is to think about what Chapters they like the look of and how/what kind of Kill-Team we're discussing here.
A Kill-Team led by a Captain from a Chapter known for heavy ornamentation(like Imperial Fists or one of their Successors), consisting of members from the Space Wolves, Raven Guard, Ultramarines, and Dark Angels?
Each member would still be entitled to wear any Chapter trappings they were entitled to wear, they just repaint their armor black and leave the right shoulder pad in their Chapter's livery.

You could go a bit deeper into the Deathwatch lore from FFG and have Kill-Teams that are led and consist of nothing but individuals from the same Chapter and/or its Successors(a Dark Angels Captain leading a Kill-Team of Angels of Absolution, Angels of Vengeance, Angels of Redemption, and Consecrators) with them having shared Chapter trappings(in this case--their robes, which are considered a Chapter relic in the Deathwatch RPG) while still having the Deathwatch colors.

It's worth mentioning as well that there is not really "Deathwatch training"; any Astartes given over to the Deathwatch are full Astartes and at times they're members of the Veteran Companies for their parent Chapter--so the only real "training" they undergo is just exercises for the Kill-Team to get comfortable with each other.

TL;DR version of an answer for the OP:
It's going to depend entirely on how you want to do your Kill-Team and the backstory you want to give them. I'd suggest getting the Deathwatch RPG book and possibly "Rites of Battle" to get a bit more insight as to how Deathwatch Kill-Teams are organized and operate.

@red_thirst - awesome minis! Thanks for sharing. After reading others' responses I am leaning toward the more basic for the bulk with a few occasional bits of bling, but when I come across a SW or DA who I have all the chapter-specific stuff for I'd make them in to a character just as you have done.

@Kanluwen - Thanks for all of the information. I will definitely try to get hold of those texts to read. I think I'm leaning towards this project being an excuse to show off as many chapters on my shelf without having to get whole armies of each. So your suggestion regarding squad consistency probably means I would be looking at eclectic Kill Teams, but that can change depending on what I end up reading.

Those poor 2nd edition SMs need a purpose and looks like this will be it. Kind of appropriate that they are sort of veterans. I have picked up on some of the chapter-specific stuff like White Scars not using heavy weapons which I will need to brush up on when choosing wargear.

If anyone else has advice or Deathwatch minis to share I would love to see them. Thanks guys!

White Scars do use heavy weapons; they just don't necessarily field things like Devastator Centurions or really get famed for using them.

So it wouldn't be out of place to have a White Scars squad member in a Kill-Team with a Heavy Bolter or something of that nature(although I would go for a Lascannon or Missile Launcher in that instance; something that one could feasibly say is a "huntsman's weapon" that rewards precision rather than just hails of shots downrange).

There were rules floating around for Deathwatch Kill-Teams in a White Dwarf in 6th edition but I can't tell you more than that. I recall, at the least, that each model was essentially treated as a Sergeant/Captain and had access to individual wargear options--since you're basically fielding a squad of mini-heroes it works out quite nicely to take that approach!

I'm struggling to find those rules, most references talk about the 2003 set that was released. I don't actually play at the moment but will probably treat them as Sternguars veterans slotting in as "Counts as".

I only plan on 1 Kill Tean at the moment, but if more are created over time I'f have to look at how to field a complete Deathwatch force. That's above where I am right now though.

Thank you kindly, I'm glad you like my Deathwatch marines sir.

The rules he's referencing are the "movie Space Marines" rules, which you should be able to find online floating around. They're pretty cool actually, and would be an interesting set to use as a scenario with Marines vs. a large Tyranid swarm or Ork mob force.

For your Killteam, may I suggest the following:

Do up a couple of squads of them, each one 5 man strong. One set, run as as tactical squad killteam, with either a special or heavy weapon, along with the Sergeant armed however you please, and the second one do up as a Sternguard Squad, again armed as you like (Be it combi-weapons across the board, or a few mixed in with Bolters).

Then, all you have to do is create a Deathwatch Captain, or Librarian as an HQ option and you can slot them in as an Ally to your existing armies.

That's 11 models total, and gives you the HQ slot, plus one troops and one elite choice to field a cool, and fluffy Deathwatch force with whatever army you like.

I'm following this particular path and using the newer plastic deathwatch pads as my tactical marines, and the older metal and more detailed deathwatch pads as my Sternguard or other veterans (Such as my Deathwatch Captain.)

Here's a couple of examples:

Tactial Deathwatch Marine:







Sternguard Deatchwatch Marine:







And lastly, examples of a Deathwatch Captain, and Librarian:













The main thing I suggest is have fun with it. Have a few favorite chapters represented, and just enjoy the process. Give each marine a personality, and let them and, their parent chapter, shine through as you go and allow them to be a unique modeling and/or painting opportunity.

Note the expanded box magazine on the Imperial Fist's bolter above. It's subtle, but for a guy who prides himself on placing bolter rounds where they need go, he doesn't want to spend time reloading, he wants to focus on putting rounds on target. Or the Ultramarine, sprinting to get to a more tactically advantageous position while providing suppressing fire.

That's how I look at it and approach each Deathwatch Marine I paint.

Hopefully it helps, and I look forward to seeing your Killteams take shape there Deputy.

Take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-

Great advice Red. Think I'll used the clam pack pads for all for consistency and I like how ornate they are, but getting pint on to model is the goal at the moment, so less worry about wargear would be great.

Actually, the rules I'm referring to were post-movie marines.

I think they were 2006ish?

But yeah, I think Sternguard are going to be your best bet. Or just run a bunch of Captains!

I've been doing some reading about allies and I wanted to clarify what you guys do. It seems to me that the allies matrix:

Says that any "armies of the imperium" units don't need to ally. So all I gotta do is follow the sternguard rules as has been suggested and stick them on the table.

Yeah?

Because my small, adled brain can actually cope with something that simple.

 TP^DC Deputy Manager wrote:
I've been doing some reading about allies and I wanted to clarify what you guys do. It seems to me that the allies matrix:

Says that any "armies of the imperium" units don't need to ally. So all I gotta do is follow the sternguard rules as has been suggested and stick them on the table.

Yeah?

Because my small, adled brain can actually cope with something that simple.

I can't quite understand the question.

Are you asking if you can just stick Sternguard units down on the table and be done with it?
If so, the answer is yes! They count as Battle Brothers to whatever Armies of the Imperium you're fielding, but if you are not fielding them as part of a Formation or Detachment then you are running an Unbound list.

Good news for you though is that there is a formation in the new Codex: Adeptus Astartes which consists of 3-5 Sternguard Veteran, Vanguard Veteran, Terminator, or Terminator Assault Squads!

It's called the "First Company Strike Force", and I'm building towards that and a 10th Company Strike Force(nothing but Scouts!) formation myself.

I was rushing writing the question, sorry. I have a DA army and don't play, but try to make my models legal for any future chance of a game because I would like to at some point. I have the 2013 DA codex, but not the 2015. I had heard about the formation of sternguard units and most people talked as though this was now included as a possibility in the DA codex. If it's not, because of the Deathwing (my understanding is that the sternguard are from the army's 1st company), it doesn't matter. By the looks of the codex I have, I would field them as a Veterans Squad.

Bought all the parts to make 10 Deathwatch plus enough pads and extra bits to probably make another 20 odd that I would only have to buy Deathwatch pads for. Well that and torsos!

So Black Templar sprue and Space Wolves pads arrived today. If I get some work done I might start adapting my first Deathwatch Kill Team member. For the first few I'm going to use chapter specific weapons if I have them.

My Veteran Sergeant is going to be a White Scar fielding 2 Power Lances in a very martial arts manner. Playing with idea of using an old Dark Eldar ponytail head or cutting the ponytail off and sticking to a Deathwatch helmet. I will play when his parts get here. Was going to have him positioned in a preparatory stance a la Bruce Lee (left leg outstretched, pelvis close to the ground, right leg bent to take weight) but it has been pointed out to me that in SM armour that position would not be possible.

Hopefully pics later.

So work commences.

Here are 3 of my good old fellas. Seems a lifetime ago when I first had these!:
Bottom half shows the post gun and backpack removal state. Didn't realise belt buckles were site of gun attachment. Will require careful gun positioning during this.

So I used bionic parts for a previous one of Paradigm's painting challenges when I was painting up Veterans. Of course the best way to do this was to use Iron Hands parts. Which meant I had a bunch left over for my Deathwatch Kill Team:

I was quite surprised how little the static nature of the legs had an effect. Torso replacement was easiest for this and I used one of the provided Iron Hands torso fronts attached to backpack and standard torso back for this. The head position is slightly slanted for effect, the body was a happy accident. The cut on the waist belt went slightly off course, so when he new torso was glued in place he is positioning himself to fire at some kind of flying Xenos filth.

Sorry for rambling. Deathwatch and White Scar parts not arrived yet hence why I started with this gent and he has blu-takked in place arms. Very pleased with outcome thought.

So, got a bit bothered that very detailed torso wasn't visible, so corrected that:


And here is my White Scars Kill Team Veteran Sergeant (Using Sternguard Veteran Sergeant profile) with 2 Force Lances:

Top knot is a Dark Eldar one glued on to my favourite head sculpt (love the mask). Will add scars after glue dried. Tried to go for a martial arts feel, I know they are more based on Mongols, than Japanese, but hey, they are my models!!

Still waiting for Deathwatch and White Scars pads to arrive. When they have I can glue pads to shoulders and start base spraying separate components.

Feedback welcome.


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Woohoo! Great surprise from the postman this morning. We have supplies!

Not sure if anyone is even following this but for those who are. The third up is a Dark Angels Heavy Bolter. I understand that this is the favoured heavy weapon according to the Deathwing role play rule book.

Never thought of it before, but because the army pad is on the left normally, GW have the left arm appropriate to take it, but the right had a pad moulded on to the arm because of the shell belt. But of course, the Deathwatch have their army pad on the right - Doi! - so having carved away the moulded pad and gluing on a Dark Angels pad, we ended up with this:

No photo of the final construct, blu-talking the heavy Bolter parts together does not work well, I'll post when paint on parts.

Unfortunately the carving up of the 2nd edition body for the heavy Bolter was going very well, but due to tiredness I cut in the wrong place, and made the torso narrower than standard. I wouldn't have cared except the Heavy Bolter requires the standard width!!!!! Aw well. I've just used the legs from that guy and a torso, using up my last leftover torso rear. It's no big deal, but I'm going to have to either buy more torso rears or just use the 2nd ed bodies only. It's less variety, but not the end of the world.

I'm entering these guys in to Paradigm's painting challenge for September versus some Necrons. May get the Kill Team finished but doubt it.

Again thoughts/views/mocking/corrections/ridicule welcome

Coming along nicely!

Thanks Para.

I'm not really using the full 2nd ed bodies very much, but now the heavy Bolter and captain/vet sergeant are done I'll be having more standard load-outs (Bolter/storm Bolter) so there's less need for elaborate positioning

I was looking at Forge World today and remembered the offer of free postage before the end of September and the exclusive centurion. And then remembers Red_thirst's comment re a Deathwatch Captain as a HQ. And then I put two and two together . . . . .

and came up with a headache:

Deathwatch Captain anyone? Artificer Armour, Power Fist and master-crafted bolt pistol?

So I've made a little progress (microscopic more like). I've pinned all the components which is the first time I've ever done it. Wanted to have better detail on the torsos beneath arms etc:

Blocks are home-made from left-over wood
I've also decided that the Deathwatch are in a derelict building/spaceship so have made these bases:


They are all primed now, will start painting tonight.

Hey.
Just finished my first ever power weapon blade:

I am well aware that it is not the best example, but am pleased for a first effort.

I was going to do the lightning effect but bizarrely when showing my wife the blended version or the lightning she immediately chose blended?!?!?! She reckons that the Lightning works when you have CGI around the weapon, but painted on it looks too cartoony. Funny huh? She's probably right actually. She's good like that - she really doesn't get science fiction the way I do, so brings a measure of common sense to my fantastical viewpoint.

I always love seeing some Deathwatch! I made a diorama myself that I'm also planning to use as a Killteam on the tabletop. Here is the group, made of one of each of the First Founding Loyalists (except Iron Hands):

Being a fluff monster, I made the Space Wolf Haryk Thunderfang from one of Gav Thorpe's short stories, and technically my Ultramarine is a BlackShield modelled on a one Captain Titus (so is that where he wound up? )


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And a few shameless individual shots. Thanks for looking (and any CC is heartily welcomed!)
















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 Big Mac wrote:
So what are you asking?

I recommend getting the new sternguard kit, it has many bits great for deathwatch related conversions.

+1 This. Sooo much this. If you can't or don't want to get the DW specific bolters from GW, the special ammo ones here in the Sternguard kit make awesome subs, among a slew of other bits.