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I'm a conversion fanatic and I'm now thinking of doing a small elite force of marines such as a full army of Deathwatch marines. Modelling wise it sound as I can use parts from all the marine kits and convert a variety of marines from different chapters and use the FW Inquisition doors and conversion kits for the vehciles.



My only concern is the army list itself. I don't own a copy of the marine codex so I'm looking for suggestions for an effective army list. Here are the two biggest issues regarding the Deathwatch list...

Which codex would be better suited for a Deathwatch theme; The Marine Codex with Pedro Kantor and Stern Guard or Space Wolves with Logan and Wolf Guard? The Sternguard have the specialised ammo but the wolf guard have a large selection of both ranged and close combat weaponary?

What could I field in the army (1500pts) to maximise it's effectiveness, I'm a guard and daemon player so marines are new to me, especially since I want to focus on the elite squads?

I'd be grateful for any help with this?

There's no such thing as a "Deathwatch army", first off. Deathwatch isn't a force that's fielded as an entire army unto itself--but as complimentary units for another force.

You'd be better off doing a standard Marine force, but painting your Sternguard Veterans as Deathwatch.

I am doing the exact same thing that you are..

My choice is to use Vanilla SM with Pedro..

Since Pedro makes the Stern scoring, (but not troops) I am having to go with scouts to cover that FOC. Using Logan you will not have that issue.

I also, for modeling reasons, am using Vanguard squads instead of Assault squads.. It is "backstory" driven in my case.

If you want to stay true to the DW, you need to avoid the tanks, with the exception of the Land Raider, if you can get it as a dedicated transport. I also am not using Dreads, or Chaplains..

Kanluwen wrote:There's no such thing as a "Deathwatch army", first off. Deathwatch isn't a force that's fielded as an entire army unto itself--but as complimentary units for another force.

Well thats a problem. The whole reason I wanted to collect a Deathwatch army is because I want to collect an Inquisitor themed army for my 4th army. Mainly because my 3 current armies can be best described as The Alien, The Mutant, & The Heretic! and I thought it would complete the collection nicely to have an army that would want to kill all 3.

But the fact is I already have a guard army and deamonhunters and witch-hunters aren't too good as a whole army without allies plus are currently being redone by GW for next year. I'm looking for alternatives and Deathwatch was the most obvious? I did consider a full Scout enforcer army but they're not very effective as a full army.

I did have an idea to create a chapter that had close tires to the Inquisition called the Purfiers but that would be too similar to the Grey Knights and Deathwatch.

Any other ideas?

Yeah don't listen to Kanluwen. If you want to make a Deathwatch force then go for it! I think for the force you should just use the vanilla SM Codex, and loading up on Sternguard may be expensive both money and points wise. You could simply use Tactical Marines with Sternguard representing Elite Deathwatch Kill-Teams (or an alternative name representing a very elite Deathwatch squad).

True, you can do what ever you want.
But if you want to do Deathwatch 'right' and to the fluff, then they are not an 'army'.

Much like Grey Knights...oh well, there goes the example.

Anyway, Sternguard are your best bet. Otherwise, tactical squads are too much fail to represent Deathwatch.

Deathwatch do make raids without help from SM. It's more common that they join other imperial forces, but that's the same with mosy inquisition forces.

I would suggest using Pedro marines as Deathwatch use a lot of specialist equipment, but still use power armour.

If you do start this force you may want to look at chapterhouse studios for shoulder pads. They have some very nice stuff which suits deathwatch well.