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k, I've been reading up on the deathwatch rules that I've wanted for a long while now.

BTW on GW site now: http://uk.games-workshop.com/spacemarines/deathwatch/1/

And I've come to the conclusion that in a SM army they are not worth their pts when SM are almost as good and a much cheaper(because of the compulsory captian). some of the special rounds are good but even the HtoH load out I came up with is less effictive than assult marines for cost.

The mobile HBs are nice but the 18" for 45 pts, makes for a very expensive moblie fire base.gak for 45 pts you could just buy basic land speeders for bout the same plus they are way faster.

so I scraped the SM idea but I've also got a WIP IG army that needs some more counter assault till I get around building my cadian rough riders.

Then I could kit out with libby w/might of heros and 1 PF and 4 or 6 troops.

I would ditch the PF to save on pts. if I can use a psker power and force swd the same turn but I don't think you can iirc.

Any ways if someone could tell me if I can do that it would help me decide.

Also pls discuss death watch cost effectiveness to tell me what you think as I've been out of the game a little while and very well could be missing something.

Deathwatch are for fluffy play, not effective play. You'd be better off taking allied Sisters or Grey Knights before the Deathwatch.

I have the same question as first poster. It seems in an IG army that you can take a lot of power weapons in a squad, then load them up in a rhino and send them at the enemy. I think if you don't spend the points upgrading to a librarian they are only around 300 to 400 points for a larger squad with a few buried power weapons.

Still not very cost effective, but if you just HAD to have a unit of marines in your otherwise all SOB list, this is the legal way to do it.

Deathwatch becomes an HQ choice, and is not 'allied'.


Hmmmm, sisters led by a Librarian. Interesting....

My main idea is DW in an IG army as CC tanks with a CC libby or very basic 10 man sqd(maybe rhino) for str 4 fire support.

so if they are an HQ and not allies is that a compulsory HQ?

Another question, no where do the DW rules state that you can fire heavy bolters at full range when not moving(excluding hellfires) I'm assuming that this means it is not possible because it give new stats for the "DW" heavy bolter.

I dont think they have to be totally uncompetitive. I am working on a marines pod army that incorporates deatwatch. If you wanted a libby with a retinue anyways, you can use a killteam to do it. Sure, you cant get the epistolary version, but it fluffy and fun. Deathwatch marines arent a terrible value, either. A marine with true grit via traits costs you 18 points, so for another 2 per model you get frag grenades, melta bombs, and the ability to deep strike. Add to that a couple assault heavy bolters that double as AP4 blast weapons that wound on 2's, and its not such a bad deal. I dont know where you get 45 points for that, though.

sry 35 for HBs and 45 for vet with power weapon.

I agree on the "getting a libby anyways" train of thought, but the compulsory attached hero seems a waste at range and to make them relly shine at CC you can spend TONS of points thus when compared to assualt marines point for point they are not as good. But the base cost is doable with out the hero and if you can resist the temptation to kit them out nicly

Also does the helfire have a blast zone I don't remember reading that?

Used a 400 point Deathwatch Kill team as part of an IG army. It was the second HQ and had very good luck against a necron army I faced. The special ammo is a little bit confusing when you are not used to it however.

Warrior 50

I'm looking at the rules, and if I'm reading them right, the DW team counts as a mandatory HQ choice?  How does the Librarian's wargear work?  With the changes to the SM list in 4th ed. can he still get a Force Weapon and Psychic Hood?

They updated the rules, now the Librarian is from codex SM, and can take all the upgrades therein. You can still outfit him with the upgraded bolter rounds, and he does come with the force weapon and psychic hood. Space marine players will find little attractive about Deathwatch. IG and Sisters stand to benefit from extra psychic protection and a rock hard CC unit. For about 400 pts you get a psycher, power fists and move and shoot bolters.

The only downside is that kracken and hellfire rounds are the only ones worth taking. 30' AP4 Bolter shots are a nasty suprise for most xeno races.