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Hey, new to the game but not to hobbying (not even sure I will ever play but am going to pick up the appropriate books). Planning on putting together a Deathwatch squad (an obvious choice for a customizer/modder/converter). Going for models that appeal to me and aiming at respecting a lot of history (Rogue Trader) and lore (especially weird stuff).

I do have a bit of a question tho. I will be getting a lot of stuff (model/paints) second market (in US there is a pretty good price hike) but have a local (enough) GW to go check out soon.

As a first timer what should I be looking out for in-store? Good/Best values, desirable items, rare/exclusive stuff? Any major pitfalls?

 MagFitch Majorum wrote:
Hey, new to the game but not to hobbying (not even sure I will ever play but am going to pick up the appropriate books). Planning on putting together a Deathwatch squad (an obvious choice for a customizer/modder/converter). Going for models that appeal to me and aiming at respecting a lot of history (Rogue Trader) and lore (especially weird stuff).

I do have a bit of a question tho. I will be getting a lot of stuff (model/paints) second market (in US there is a pretty good price hike) but have a local (enough) GW to go check out soon.

As a first timer what should I be looking out for in-store? Good/Best values, desirable items, rare/exclusive stuff? Any major pitfalls?

Do not feel bad about looking into getting different paint brands for your models. GW metallic paints can be notoriously bad in most circumstances, so I'd advise you to shop around on that for a bit.
Deathwatch is a difficult army for anyone new to the hobby to start with, though if you're ready to try it out. I can advise that you look into getting the "Start Collecting: Deathwatch", then going through several of the standard 2nd hand sites. Ebay, Bits-Barn and the like. Because you'll be looking for a lot of singular parts to completely outfit your forces.

So start with the concept of an army list that you want to try and then purchase the models to build it. That way you can at least control how much you're going to be spending and how much time you'll be allocating towards all of this.

You can always part out other bits from other armies to help complete your units. Mostly this means collecting the small bits from most other troops. Hand flamers from Blood Ravens, shoulders & swords from Space Wolfs, or even Grey Knights.
Their rules tend to keep changing, so you may want to keep your ear to the ground for that as well.

Hi Majorum,

Assuming that you have gotten your feet wet building other astartes squads (even if not, you can still do this), well, at this point you have many options. The easiest one is to get the Start Collecting Deathwatch as was previously recommended. With that you get all of their "bells and whistles" in terms of weapons and accessories. Or you can obtain a standard SM tactical kit and Include the Deathwatch upgrade kit (That would be monetarily equivalent). But If you are going to game with the squad, I would go with the former, simply because of the developed characters and "buffer" weapons.

Lore-wise, Deathwatch was used to gather up as many astartes to face some imminent threat in the shortest period of time, since recruitment, training and company-building was not an option. So theoretically, any astartes would do. So the latter option would have validity. You can buff them with anyting you have SM-wise in your spare bitz bucket.

Years ago I used the Latter option, but I did not like them because those 3rd ed SM models were way too short to be deathwatch in my opinion. But the Primaris kit would convert nicely to great Deathwatchers.

A third option would be to Scratchbuild them from recycled materials and spare bitz, which to me is more fun.

JD

 jdouglas wrote:
Hi Majorum,

Assuming that you have gotten your feet wet building other astartes squads (even if not, you can still do this), well, at this point you have many options. The easiest one is to get the Start Collecting Deathwatch as was previously recommended. With that you get all of their "bells and whistles" in terms of weapons and accessories. Or you can obtain a standard SM tactical kit and Include the Deathwatch upgrade kit (That would be monetarily equivalent). But If you are going to game with the squad, I would go with the former, simply because of the developed characters and "buffer" weapons.

Lore-wise, Deathwatch was used to gather up as many astartes to face some imminent threat in the shortest period of time, since recruitment, training and company-building was not an option. So theoretically, any astartes would do. So the latter option would have validity. You can buff them with anyting you have SM-wise in your spare bitz bucket.

Years ago I used the Latter option, but I did not like them because those 3rd ed SM models were way too short to be deathwatch in my opinion. But the Primaris kit would convert nicely to great Deathwatchers.

A third option would be to Scratchbuild them from recycled materials and spare bitz, which to me is more fun.

JD

I agree with scratchbuilding models more so than just going for stock examples. Though it usually works more for models that you wish to have more character. Sergeants, Captains and the such. Though for Deathwatch you could probably do that for each of your black shields and have a decent enough time of it.

So a small update...went to the GW...

That was a bit of a...uh...letdown.

Not going to hold it against them, there is a bit of a damn plague and all. Nothing for me there

The SM Codex is basically hunted to obscurity. Ordered a Company Command, a DW Vets, and the DW Codex.

Also ended up buying the SM Adventures sets that are around (minus recon) for play and figs (I am a sucker for crafted rarity).

I do plan on mostly getting more modern kits and using older bits in the long run

I am a sculptor and caster tho too

Hi,

Welcome to Dakka