Fandex: Deathwatch

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**noneoftheabove0** · 7E Deathwatch 11-15-14.pdf

When I read the rumors that they were releasing new Kill Team rules, I misunderstood it at first, and was very excited for a Deathwatch subcodex similar to the Inquisition one. When I realized my mistake, I decided to try and make my own subcodex. I don't know how well the format will carry over from Word to here, so pardon if it's initially a jumble. I'm looking for criticisms on all aspects including point values, potential additions or redactions, balance issues and clarity of wording.

NOTE: I initially posted the rules here, but they were poorly formatted and incomprehensible. Please see later posts for downloads of the rules.

I added the latest rules to this post to make it easier to find for those new to the thread. This will be updated as the rules get updated.

**noneoftheabove0**

I've added the original file for this as well for those that find the formatting on here as frustrating as I do.

**noneoftheabove0**

I've made a few modifications to the document, mostly wording changes where applicable. I also indicated items that are unique to the codex to prevent confusion. The Champion didn't seem required, it was sort of an in between step that added nothing from either a fluff or a gaming perspective, so he was removed as well. I increased the point costs on a few units to try and balance it a bit better. A few questions I had, though:

Should I include Relics? There are a lot of cool fluffy directions one could go with this, but this already an odd document due to its loose force organization and multiple unit types in a single squad. Also, I'm concerned with making something over powered.

Should I have an option to have the Commander be the Warlord? It makes sense from a fluff point of view, but should it be in the book?

What would be some cool Warlord Traits?

What are some other units that could go in there without just throwing in garbage for no particular reason? I didn't want to get rid of the Champion, for example, but he served no meaningful purpose. Same with the Keepers. I can't think of a way to add them in a unique and interesting way. Same with Black Shields.

**AnomanderRake**

I've been working on this as part of my Inquisition rules project; I tried to implement differing stats depending on Chapter of origin as well, but that turned into an overly complicated mess that in all honesty doesn't fluffwise reflect the Deathwatch. They have their own quirks, their own rituals, their own playbook, and most likely their own distinct chapter tactics rule (which I'd suggest should probably involve Preferred Enemy (xenos) and some advantage to making krak grenade attacks against Monstrous Creatures).

The different unit types are honestly unnecessary; I'd advise organizing it as follows:

1 Sergeant. The Sergeant may be replaced with a Captain for an additional investment.
4-9 Deathwatch Marines. 0-1 Deathwatch Marine may be a Specialist (improved statline, can be just a straight Champion or gain psychic mastery level (Librarian), a servo-arm and the repair rule (Techmarine), or a Narthecium (Apothecary), I've never seen reference to a Deathwatch Chaplain anywhere in the fluff). One per five may take a special or heavy ranged weapon, one per five may take an upgrade close combat weapon.

Give them all Veteran statlines, bolters/bolt pistols/chainswords, grenades, and special ammo; cut down on the excess special rules. Call them an Elites choice that doesn't count against the FOC normally, HQ that doesn't count against the FOC if they've got a Captain, and allow them to deploy either on foot, by Drop Pod, or Infiltrating. Consider making the Rhino/Razorback deployable by Deep Strike with the suggestion that there's a Thunderhawk Transporter involved, possibly drop a hull point or raise the cost to compensate. As far as letting them be the Warlord it's a reasonable suggestion, unsure about Warlord Traits or Relics.

**noneoftheabove0**

I put some more work into the project. I streamlined the rules significantly, though I did keep the chapter of origin. I just can't justify getting rid of it. I got rid of the convoluted mess I had of multiple unit types inside of a single unit type and I think it's much more clear and user friendly now. I also added an armory section similar to one that would be found inside of a 6E Codex, and in fact, organized it almost directly off the Inquisition codex. I added a few token xenos weapons for those that are into that sort of thing. I haven't yet added the Relic section, nor have I gotten the Warlord traits done. I also wanted to tinker with alternate forms of insertion. Rather than just Rhinos and Drop Pods and the standards, I wanted to play around with those Tick Tanks that are mentioned in the background, maybe some sort of Eldar warp technology; things outside the standard codex. Either way, this is what I have currently.

**noneoftheabove0**

Updated again. Added transports, relics, warlord traits. Also, it's now in a PDF format, so it won't be a jacked up text file. I've also formatted it to match a conventional codex to include a beastiary, armory, fluff and all that. It's still lacking art of some sort, so if anyone wants to contribute, that would be fantastic. Hopefully, this is a much more user friendly version.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

AnomanderRake wrote:
Insert good ideas here

I didn't specifically thank you because I'm remarkably rude, but I do want to say I ended up doing most of what you suggested. Thanks, and I appreciate it.

**AnomanderRake**

Much more streamlined than the first document, a great improvement. My only gripe with this version is that the Subterranean Crawler seems entirely redundant when the Drop Pod's still in the list, it doesn't do anything different. You might also consider permitting Rhinos and Razorbacks to deploy by Deep Strike at a cost increase to represent getting dropped off by Thunderhawks if you're worried about them not seeming rapid-response enough.

**noneoftheabove0**

The Subterranean Crawler (good catch on the spelling), creates a ring of difficult terrain for one turn, admittedly pretty much the only difference. Good idea for drop Rhinos and Razorbacks.

**pk1**

All kinds of wording and rules cleanup to fit in more generic GW rules.

Overall Structure: I'm having trouble putting a clear wording together of all the structure changes I would make, but the general idea is that I would attempt to mesh Deathwatch into the Marine Codex as a Chapter Tactic to avoid some of the force org exploits.

A HERO AMONGST HEROES
You might want to specify A Hero Amongst Heroes (Deathwatch Sergeant only)* so it doesn't get interpreted as everyone in the squad is supposed to be a character.

OCULUS SIGNUM
All models in a unit equipped with a Oculus Signum have the Night Fighting and Split Fire special rule.
(Read the split fire rule details, its not that game breaking, no need to penalize it so much)

SUSPENSORS
A model equipped with Suspensors gains the relentless rule.

LUSTRATION
A model with a Lustration may not be upgraded with a Suspensor.

EXPURGATION
Not sure exactly which way you would want to fix it and what was intentional:
- its not a pistol in the rules, so no +1A
- The cost seems low for 2 instadeath fleshbane shots at 18". Considering it will be held by a char, it makes it a decent sniping weapon
- Also the fluff talks about exquisite craftsmanship yet its not Master Crafted.

REND AND SHATTER
A bit inexpensive for potentially infinite hits. Change it to ignores cover to give more of an anti-Nid feel and keep the cost the same.

XENOS ARTIFACT RTMV001
S3 or poisoned(4+) or take the cost down to 20

Subterranean Crawler
Its a drop pod in almost every way except that one minor detail. Go the tunneling route like with the Hades drill to make it seem more unique. A hole is created by the vehicle and reserves may exit via that hole. No need to make it a transport, its just a tunneler so it will seem very different from a drop pod.

**Ulfrik Snowfang**

How about different secondaries goals that explain the killteam's presence on the battlefield.

Assassination, 2+ poison agains a IC or monstrous creature chosen by the opponent

artifact, victory points if they control the artifact at the end of the game, basically like the relic

I'm having trouble thinking of a third maybe escort or extraction mission?

**flodihn**

I liked the idea of deathwatch a lot so I put it in my own custom DA codex.

However, I think there are some things in your version that goes against the fluff. The Deathwatch really don't use the chapters tactics, rather they abandon their normal tactics when they join the Deathwatch in favour of the new, which means smaller teams making surgical operations to take out xenos threats. Often equipped with non standard equipment.

Also, once a space marine is returning to his original chapter from Deathwatch service, they return to their chapter tactics again.

So here are my rules that adds Deathwatch Killteams as elite choices for DA/SM armies:

*Update, i think a good way of making a Deathwatch list would be to include the Deathwatch as a chapter tactics in the Codex Space Marines, making Deathwatch killteams troop choices instead of elite.

**AnomanderRake**

I am exceedingly hesitant to put missile launcher-Strength rounds as Rapid Fire shots in bolters; keep in mind the last canon Deathwatch rules (a White Dwarf article back in 3e) quite literally had the same Specialist Ammunition as Sternguard do today.

**noneoftheabove0**

Rapid Fire S8 shots sounds insane, as does Armorbane on a bolter. I hate to be disagreeable, but that's way outside of balance.

As to the question of tactics, it's unquestionable that they won't perform with tactics identical to the chapters that they're originally from, however, one would imagine that decades, possibly centuries, of training would leave an indelible mark on how one would train and fight. Also, the idea of what chapter one's from is at least partially backed by the Fantasy Flight books.

The argument can, and has, been made that a chapter tactics system is too complicated for this. I don't feel it's all that complicated. I've considered replacing it with something standardized, but I haven't found anything I like enough to replace this with. At least not yet.

As for the notes for corrections and issues, I've worked most of them into the newest rendition already. At this point, I'm basically turning the Crawler into a Deep Striking Razorback with the quake rules I made for its current version. If I'm still not satisfied with it, I'll ditch it all together, but I do still have a soft spot for the concept. Once I get the Crawler together, I'll post everything again.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Actually, an interesting thought, S4 Armorbane would result in an average of 11 for armor penetration, which wouldn't be awful. However, being able to take that en mass or Rapid Fire with it, would still be insane.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
One more thought that I'd meant to include. I didn't want to include Preferred Enemy: Xenos because I remember the pushback against Tyranic War Veterans for that exact reason. The only reason why one would take them is because there are Tyranids in their local meta. Rather than making a new and interesting unit, they just took Sternguard and gave them Preferred Enemy and Hatred. It was boring, it was unfair, and I don't think even Ultramarines players were happy about that one.

It was also suggested to me that I should make it Preferred Enemy with a roll off to determine what army they hate each game. That one just seems to diluted to mean anything.

I kind of liked the idea for using grenades as a uniquely Deathwatch attribute. Twin link grenades in melee against Monstrous Creatures, two or three members of a squad can throw grenades per turn (though why would they want to when they already have special weapons coming out of their ears).

Another idea I've had is to simplify the chapter tactics chart and divorce it from any actual chapters. Possibly three or four tactics to choose from to give buffs to melee, bolters, heavy weapons or whatever, and give names that don't tip hands to a chapter of origin.

**flodihn**

noneoftheabove0 wrote:
Rapid Fire S8 shots sounds insane, as does Armorbane on a bolter. I hate to be disagreeable, but that's way outside of balance.

Perhaps, it is, hard to tell without playtesting. But imagine a squad of 5 sternguard firing meltaguns, that is 5 STR 8, AP1 armourbane shots.
Compare that to 3 deathwatch firing 6 STR 8 AP4 amourbane shots, not much difference right?

However, I sort of agree that there is a bit too much STR8 land-raider killing stuff across the board for warhammer 40k, so I nerfed it to STR 7 to be safe from bolter shots (which I think it should be).

*Update
I found this wonderful information about the Deathwatch: http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Deathwatch_Tactical_Marine

According to the information there I did update their special ammunition profile and changed their unit profile as well (to include multimeltas, powerweapons and powerfists etc).

**noneoftheabove0**

So here's the latest.

Honor The Ancient Oaths has been streamlined to four non chapter specific tactics, though I'd like a better name than Training Protocols. If anyone has a better suggestion (though I don't want Deathwatch Tactics) I'm receptive.

Added Sergeant Only to Hero Amongst Heroes.

Did away with mandated psychic powers and now have Telekenesis, Telepathy, Biomancy, Pyromancy.

Added Defensive Grenades to the Kill Marine.

Subterranean Crawler has been changed to a modified Razorback with a flamer weapon built in. Also, not opposed to better names for that weapon.

Adjusted Hesh Bolter wording.

Oculus Signum now grants Night Fighting and Split Fire.

Suspensors now change Heavy to Salvo.

Added Deep Strike to Rhinos and Razorbacks for 10 points.

Changed description of Expurgation to needle rifle.

Adjusted Lustration wording.

Adjusted points for Rend and Shatter as well as Expurgation.

**Kain**

flodihn wrote:
I liked the idea of deathwatch a lot so I put it in my own custom DA codex.

However, I think there are some things in your version that goes against the fluff. The Deathwatch really don't use the chapters tactics, rather they abandon their normal tactics when they join the Deathwatch in favour of the new, which means smaller teams making surgical operations to take out xenos threats. Often equipped with non standard equipment.

Also, once a space marine is returning to his original chapter from Deathwatch service, they return to their chapter tactics again.

So here are my rules that adds Deathwatch Killteams as elite choices for DA/SM armies:

*Update, i think a good way of making a Deathwatch list would be to include the Deathwatch as a chapter tactics in the Codex Space Marines, making Deathwatch killteams troop choices instead of elite.

Where's the grav-guns?

**noneoftheabove0**

I was just patting myself on the back for creating the final version of this. I'm pretty happy with this, maybe put in a point change or two if it turns out it's required, but then I realized 7th is right around the corner. I'll revamp it when the new edition drops, but it's pretty much where I want it to be.

**noneoftheabove0** · 7E Deathwatch 11-7-14.pdf

I have finally gone back through and updated the Codex to 7th Edition. A large part of what I had done was formatting, but there have been some changes.

I removed the Crawler, it never really needed to be in there.
I added the ability for the Lexicanum to take Mastery 2.
I made the leaders Independent Characters, but limited them to only joining Deathwatch squads to minimize unreasonable combos.
I added Terminator Armor for ICs.
I added Terminator Strike Squads based largely on Paladins.
I added Dreadnoughts based largely on Venerable Dreadnoughts with some tweaks.
I added Land Raiders to the book, as well as full rules for Rhinos and Razorbacks to make it easier to reference.

As usual, I'm open to suggestion.

**Formosa**

things that should be added

Black shields.

All the deathwatch special issue ammo, witch bolts, implosion shell etc.

squad mode abilities, such as take a sergeant with X chapter and the unit gains X rule, so a ravenguard sarg would make the unit use the ravenguard usr's or something.

Deathwatch techmarine with acess to weapons from other xenos books.

1-3 deathwatch apothecaries as an elite choice.

ordo Xenos inquisitor as a HQ choice.

more Xenos relics.

Deathwatch champion, keeper, warden etc.

there is a lot that can be added to this book, and its a good start, id also drop the sternguard ammo as contrary to what others have said it is different to what DW had previously, there are so many SIA types in the DW books that you can make some really good ones.

Witch bolts: str4 ap5 rapid fire 24"
witchbane: always wounds deamons and psykers on a 2+.

very simple.

implosion rounds: str4 ap5 rapid fire 24"
Implosive burst: confers the ignores cover and pinning trait to the weapon.

again nice and simple.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
also something that has befuddled me about this fandex, why do the terminators have 2 wounds, do you have anything to justify this?

**noneoftheabove0**

I'd like to add Black Shields, but I don't know how to represent them in a meaningful way. At first I was considering going the Lone Wolf route, but that doesn't quite fit the background. If anyone has a good idea about it, let me know.

Regarding Chapter Tactics, I had Chapter Tactics in previous versions, but it's fairly unwieldy. I streamlined it to the Training Protocols to represent the tactical flexibility of the Deathwatch, but I sometimes even think that may be too much. If you want the Chapter Tactics, check out some of the earlier versions.

I really like that Techmarine idea. I'll look into good ways of executing it. I originally had Techmarines and got rid of them, and I originally had xenos weapons, but I got rid of them as well. If I can find a good way to make that happen, you'll see it.

Apothecaries are built into the squads already, or at least the ability to upgrade to an apothecary. No need to add another unit.

I'd like to have Xenos Inquisitors included, but I didn't want them to be able to mix and match with Deathwatch squads. Also, you can easily grab the Inquisitor Codex and add him in.

Six relics seems to be the standard, and in such a small codex, it could be argued that three would be more appropriate as in the Inquisitor Codex. Admittedly, I feel less affinity for the relic needle gun than I used to, and would not be upset with replacing it, but I haven't had an interesting take on a new weapon.

I also originally had a Champion in there, but it didn't feel like a necessary addition. It just felt like a slightly watered down Captain. I also looked into the other unit specialties, but I couldn't find an interesting way to represent them.

I know there are a million types of special issue ammunition that have been created, but four types of ammunition is plenty to cover virtually every situation. The implosion rounds you mentioned are just dragonfire with pinning. Witch bolts are just worse hellfire. Most versions of metal storm ammo is blast, and the idea of having eight blasts coming from a single unit every shooting phase makes me want to eat a metal storm bolt. The standard special issue ammunition does an excellent job of coving the major bases.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
The two wound terminators are largely to fall in line with Paladins. I've always figured Terminators are a bit overpriced for how easily they die and that the Paladin was a good fix for this. I've scoured threads of ideas in how to make Terminators better and most just consisted of upping the toughness or lowering the points or giving them Feel No Pain.

**Formosa**

All fair points and thanks for sharing, I have a few ideas on champions and I'll post them up in a bit

**mr. peasant**

noneoftheabove0 wrote:
Six relics seems to be the standard, and in such a small codex, it could be argued that three would be more appropriate as in the Inquisitor Codex. Admittedly, I feel less affinity for the relic needle gun than I used to, and would not be upset with replacing it, but I haven't had an interesting take on a new weapon.

Browsing through your relics, I notice that it's lacking a melee weapon of some stripe. Perhaps a relic Diresword taken off a slain Eldar Exarch? And to make it unique, you could say that while the soul within is still forced to fight for the weilder, it is still seeking to rebel and avenge the death of its original owner. It could have the profile of S: +1, AP: 2 with the "Soulrazor" and "Gets hot" special rules? And to help sweeten the deal, maybe give the user a +1 to Initiative as well?

**Quickjager**

This is a very nice fandex, I'm going to see if my local shop would deign to use it.

**noneoftheabove0**

mr. peasant wrote:

Fun and interesting idea

Thanks for the fun and interesting idea. I'll hammer that out, hopefully prior to getting into bed.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Quickjager wrote:

High praise

Thank you for the high praise. I want to mention that it has not been well playtested yet, just a few fluffy games between a friend of mine and myself. If you find any major issues or exploits that I haven't yet caught, let me know.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Here's the Eldar blade. Thanks for the idea. How do you guys like this?

Direblade of Victus 35 pts
This Eldar Direblade was first recovered by Victus Tybolt, an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor, when assistance against a Corsair raiding party was requested by the Imperial Navy. The blade contains the spirit of a particularly bellicose Eldar, and though it must bend to the will of its weilder, the soul is always watching for a moment of weakness to exploit and take revenge.

Range -
S +1
AP 2
Type Melee, Soulrazor, Spirit of Vengance

Soulrazor: When a model suffers one or more unsaved Wounds from this weapon, it must pass a separate Leadership test for each Wound suffered or be removed from play.

Spirit of Vengence: When using this weapon, a model must take a separate Leadership test for each To Hit roll of 1 or suffer a single wound with no armor, cover, invulnerable saves allowed.

**Formosa**

Here's a concept for blackshield units.

They are out to redeem themselves and would do almost anything to achieve this, so give them a special rule like "xenos" weaponry, something like this

Xenos weaponry
roll a d6 at the start if the game, the unit gains the following bebefit.
1: necron: the units shots gains the gets hot and can glance any vehicle on a 6 to penetrate
2: tau: the unit has str5 ap5 range 30" guns.
3: dark eldar: poison shots
4: eldar: bladestorm
5: orks: the unit gains a ccw and furious charge
6: choose one

Very basic idea, chop and change it all you like and it's just a suggestion

**noneoftheabove0**

Formosa wrote:
Here's a concept for blackshield units...

I like the idea, but I think that it would work better for the Techmarines. I'll check the records for some elite advances in the books that will be compatible with that.

**mr. peasant**

noneoftheabove0 wrote:
Here's the Eldar blade. Thanks for the idea. How do you guys like this?

Direblade of Victus 35 pts
This Eldar Direblade was first recovered by Victus Tybolt, an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor, when assistance against a Corsair raiding party was requested by the Imperial Navy. The blade contains the spirit of a particularly bellicose Eldar, and though it must bend to the will of its weilder, the soul is always watching for a moment of weakness to exploit and take revenge.

Range -
S +1
AP 2
Type Melee, Soulrazor, Spirit of Vengance

Soulrazor: When a model suffers one or more unsaved Wounds from this weapon, it must pass a separate Leadership test for each Wound suffered or be removed from play.

Spirit of Vengence: When using this weapon, a model must take a separate Leadership test for each To Hit roll of 1 or suffer a single wound with no armor, cover, invulnerable saves allowed.

Glad to know you liked the idea.

As a side note, are you still looking into how to incorporate Black Shields? A look at the fluff seems to suggest that the Deathwatch don't really deploy them as distinct units and they aren't meant to be particularly better than the average Marine in any meaningful way. Instead, they're just out to redeem themselves. As such, I thought what about incorporating them into your Kill Team unit? Perhaps for 11 points, up to 1 Deathwatch Marine may be upgraded to a Deathwatch Black Shield. The model then becomes a character and gains the Rage (+2 attacks on a charge) special rule. The Deathwatch Black Shield is otherwise a regular Marine and may take squad options as per a Deathwatch Marine.

In terms of role, the Black Shield is primarily meant to eat challenges - particularly when coming from a more powerful close combat character - in place of the Sergeant in order to protect the latter's Leadership bonus.

Incidentally, this upgrade could also work for Terminators. Here, the function would be to help improve survival of a challenge; by having either the Black Shield or Terminator Sergeant declare a Glorious Intervention and swap places with the other when one gets wounded during a challenge.

**noneoftheabove0**

To take your idea and streamline it some, it could easily just be an upgrade for the Sgt that gives him Hatred in a challenge, but it honestly doesn't feel like it's required. There are already a boat load of special rules involved. I think I'll leave Black Shields out. You can model your units however you'd care, but I don't think they need their own rules.

**mr. peasant**

noneoftheabove0 wrote:
To take your idea and streamline it some, it could easily just be an upgrade for the Sgt that gives him Hatred in a challenge

That's not quite what I was thinking. My idea was to have someone other than your Sergeant to fight/be sacrificed to a challenge - particularly one that cannot be won - in order to preserve the Sergeant's leadership bonus. Giving the Sergeant Hatred would not accomplish this at all. In fact, I'd say it would have the opposite effect by encouraging the Sergeant to accept a challenge.

**noneoftheabove0**

Sorry, I kind of skipped the middle part where I dug the idea but found it complicated for a squad with so many special rules already. So I tried to take the fluffy justification and simplify it. Then I typed the part where I found even something simplified unnecessary. In a squad where there were fewer rules, that would be pretty cool.