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Thinking about ways of giving some fluffy long-range punch to GKs, and was thinking about adding Devastators, specifically Deathwatch. I then started pondering what else to do to fill some gaps - eg durable objective grabbers - and then started wondering about running them as counts-as SW. I know my local group's basically fine with it, and it feels right to me - elite, highly trained, occasional solo killers.

I appreciate it's tricky without a specific list, then, but was wondering (1) if this is a remotely decent idea (2) what HQ to run?

Sorry for being vague. I can run pretty much any GK build, just thought I'd throw this out there - I know next to nothing about playing SW so your thoughts, mighty dakkaverse, are much appreciated.

That would be pretty bad ass really.

A inquisitorial warband aided by a deathwatch captain and a small contingent? The lone wolf could even be a guy on a solo mission!

Too cute! Might play well on the table too!

Sounds like a sweet idea. With the transfer sheet that comes with tactical marines you could even have the diverse chapters represented. All you would have to do is paint the shoulder pad since the rest of the armor is pretty much black.

 inmygravenimage wrote:

I appreciate it's tricky without a specific list, then, but was wondering (1) if this is a remotely decent idea (2) what HQ to run?

I really like the idea.
Anytime someone is taking SW's I recommend a Rune Priest.

Thanks guys! I had thought a rune priest as it would work well as a DW epistolary. Any thoughts on troops?

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Thanks guys! I had thought a rune priest as it would work well as a DW epistolary. Any thoughts on troops?

Grey Hunters are easily in the top 3 troop choices in 40k.

Take 10 guys buy 1 special weapon, get the second free.

I almost always recommend dual plasma, however whichever you prefer. Depending on if you wanted to you can also add in a MoTW in each squad.

Or you could take Pedro Kantor, a 10 man squad of Sternguard, and a deckchair unit of cloak sniper scouts, backed by SM Devastators. The distinguishing feature of the Deathwatch was originally their special bolter ammunition. Using SM Sternguard lets to maintain that, with Pedro making them Scoring, and 90 points of Scouts to go to ground on a backfield objective.

Using Wolves is bad for another reason that has nothing to do with the actual nature of the Deathwatch. The Rune Priest is going to shut down all your psychic powers on a 4+, which will impede a bunch of GK builds.

A Lone Wolf might as well represent a Kill Marine, who according to FFG fluff are solo operatives.

jdjamesdean@mail.com wrote:

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Thanks guys! I had thought a rune priest as it would work well as a DW epistolary. Any thoughts on troops?

Grey Hunters are easily in the top 3 troop choices in 40k.

Take 10 guys buy 1 special weapon, get the second free.

I almost always recommend dual plasma, however whichever you prefer. Depending on if you wanted to you can also add in a MoTW in each squad.

Dual plasma does indeed seem to be the daddy! Has the advantage of plugging another gk hole.

DaddyWarcrimes wrote:Or you could take Pedro Kantor, a 10 man squad of Sternguard, and a deckchair unit of cloak sniper scouts, backed by SM Devastators. The distinguishing feature of the Deathwatch was originally their special bolter ammunition. Using SM Sternguard lets to maintain that, with Pedro making them Scoring, and 90 points of Scouts to go to ground on a backfield objective.

Using Wolves is bad for another reason that has nothing to do with the actual nature of the Deathwatch. The Rune Priest is going to shut down all your psychic powers on a 4+, which will impede a bunch of GK builds.

I'd thought about the Kantor build, actually, as it has a lot in its favour. I just fancied a change

Re: Rune priest. I thought it was only enemy powers it nullifies?

Alkasyn wrote:A Lone Wolf might as well represent a Kill Marine, who according to FFG fluff are solo operatives.

Yup. That's my thought

Rune priest, ten grey hunters, long fangs, and a maybe a lone wolf. Sounds like a starting point for a build. I think Sevrin Loth maybe for a rune priest...

Since Grey Knights aren't Battle Brothers with Wolves (or anyone else), they are considered "enemy units" with the caveat that you can't target them. Based on that, and on Runic Weapons being compulsory use items, you screw yourself over.

DaddyWarcrimes wrote:
Since Grey Knights aren't Battle Brothers with Wolves (or anyone else), they are considered "enemy units" with the caveat that you can't target them. Based on that, and on Runic Weapons being compulsory use items, you screw yourself over.

Ugh never realized it was a must ability.

Wolf Priest isn't a bad addition though, Gaining preferred enemy with plasmas is pretty sweet.

And the Wolf Priest can grab Saga of the Hunter so that they can Outflank, and he gives the squad he joins Stealth.

Wolf Priests are inferior to Rune Priests in nearly all respects and should not be taken, especially when consider that the Divination Primaris power lets you reroll all misses instead of just ones.

Except that the Rune Priest stops all the GK psychic powers within 24" on a 4+, since Grey Knights aren't Battle Brothers.

Meanwhile, the Wolf Priest lets you reroll failed wounds, gives a squad Stealth, makes it Fearless, lets it outflank, and doesn't have a chance of killing himself to do any of those things. Plus, he doesn't actively impede the function of your Primary Detachment.

In a situation where you are bringing Wolves at Battle Brothers, Rune Priests are better. As Allies of Convenience in an army that has a lot of psykers, take the Wolf Priest.

Just like to say thank you all for your excellent ideas! I'm definitely going to do some variation of this. The wolf priest's stealth/outflank seems a potent addition to give more flexibility to the hunters, as well as nicely fluffy for the DWs. Tbh I don't tend to stray far outside P&M and DCM forums; it's been a very pleasant visit.

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Just like to say thank you all for your excellent ideas! I'm definitely going to do some variation of this. The wolf priest's stealth/outflank seems a potent addition to give more flexibility to the hunters, as well as nicely fluffy for the DWs. Tbh I don't tend to stray far outside P&M and DCM forums; it's been a very pleasant visit.

Well tbh Tactics is usually pretty nice. YMDC get's troublesome from time to time.

Don't forget the all important preferred enemy. Rerolling 1's is smexy.

DaddyWarcrimes wrote:
Except that the Rune Priest stops all the GK psychic powers within 24" on a 4+, since Grey Knights aren't Battle Brothers.

Meanwhile, the Wolf Priest lets you reroll failed wounds, gives a squad Stealth, makes it Fearless, lets it outflank, and doesn't have a chance of killing himself to do any of those things. Plus, he doesn't actively impede the function of your Primary Detachment.

In a situation where you are bringing Wolves at Battle Brothers, Rune Priests are better. As Allies of Convenience in an army that has a lot of psykers, take the Wolf Priest.

There's little reason to take Space Wolves allies without Rune Priests, though. The Pedro Kantor allied detachment mentioned earlier would be much stronger.

I've been thinking of a Vulkan Detachment
Vulkan-190
2xTac mg/MM/C-Melta(possibly)Pod-480
Dread MM/HF/Pod-150


Only thing is it's 820 pts if my math/memory are working right

That is spicy! Like it a lot. I have the luxury of being able to build/field pretty much anything (it's painting that slows me down!). I take the point about rune priests, thinking I'll try it and see. I really like the idea of Sevrin in DW scheme! In a 2k+ game I reckon I can keep them 24" away.

Plasma grey hunters with priest (of any kind) is great, to bad you need a landraider to fit them in a transport.

The wolfpriests skills are really good for long fangs as well, especially if the stand on top of a bastion. Rerollable ones and 2+ cover save.

Well wolf priest will allow me to scout them with Hunter, right? So that's an option. Good call on the long fangs. I'm plotting builds etc as we speak!

Saga of the Hunter gives you Outflank, not Scout, and not Infiltrate. I guess you could use it on a pack of Long Fangs, but it seems like overkill. In addition, you do have to declare a unit type for your Preferred Enemy at the start of the game.