Deathwatch (Warhammer 40,000)
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In the tabletop wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Deathwatch are unique among Space Marine organisations. They act as the military arm of the Ordo Xenos, the alien hunting branch of the Inquisition.
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[edit] Organization
As the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos, the Deathwatch is tasked with the study and, if necessary, the extermination of alien races encountered by the Imperium. They are also tasked with the observation of alien races, and the acquisition of their technology for further study by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The Deathwatch are uniquely organized as the Marines that make up the Deathwatch are drawn from many different Chapters; specially trained alien fighters that are sworn to serve a term with the Deathwatch before returning to their Chapter of origin. The Space Marine Legions and subsequent Chapters were bound by ancient oath to provide troops to the Deathwatch. However, particularly among some of the more radical Space Marine Chapters this can be a great test of duty, especially for those that see the Inquisition as corrupt and an enemy of the independence of the Adeptus Astartes. Although there is no question of any Chapter or Space Marine failing to fulfill their ancient pledges Chapters like the Iron Hands, Dark Angels, Blood Angels and Black Templars have a notoriously fraught relationship with the Inquisition. It is not unheard of for radical Ordo Xenos Inquisitors to find the secondment of Deathwatch troops facilitated by aiding a chapter against the machinations of a puritanical Ordo Heriticus Inquisitor. Other Chapters such as the Ultramarines and Imperial Fists have a far closer relationship with the Inquisition as a whole and the Ordo Xenos itself. Marines from these Chapters are more frequently and in greater number inducted into the Deathwatch, although a Kill-Team may be made up of any variety of Marines as the resources of the Ordox Xenos Militant Order are moved around the galaxy. Marines making up a DeathWatch kill team can vary hugely in philosophy, culture and custom but are bound together by their loyalty to the Emperor and their zealous hatred of the alien enemies of mankind. A Space Marine will remain with the Deathwatch until the Inquisitor leading the detachment deems that necessary tasks have been completed.
[edit] Combat Doctrine
Deathwatch Space Marines will usually operate in individual Tactical Squads, known as Kill Teams. Each Kill Team will be led by an Inquisitor, Brother-Captain or Librarian. They will usually operate covertly, alone and without support, attempting to accomplish their goals with minimal combat engagement.
The highly perilous and vital nature of their missions means that Kill Teams have access to exceedingly rare or advanced equipment, such as Heavy Bolter Gyro Suspensors, M.40 targeters, and numerous types of specialist ammunition, such as the fragmentation Metal Storm shells or the high-powered Kraken penetrator bolts. If the situation offers no alternative, they will utilize alien weaponry and equipment to accomplish their mission.
Sometimes, the situation may be more than even a dozen elite Space Marines can handle, and because of this, Deathwatch members are able to freely requisition any and all Imperial forces they deem necessary to complete their task, from individual brother Space Marines to entire regiments of Imperial Guard.
The only permanent member of the Deathwatch is Captain Octavius, formerly of the Imperial Fists. He has appeared in several books, and is noted as an exceedingly brave, if narrow-minded warrior. His kill team usually consists of the best the Deathwatch can supply, and is considered by Inquisitors as the ideal 'tool' for alien hunting.
[edit] Appearance
When a Space Marine is granted the honour of becoming a member of the Deathwatch, he will ritually repaint his power armour black. As it is believed to be an insult to the armour's machine spirit if the armour is completely repainted, the shoulder plate bearing the original Chapter's symbol is left untouched and is moved to the right shoulder. The now vacant shoulder is covered with an ornate Deathwatch shoulder plate.
[edit] References
- (August 2001) "Index Astartes – Purge the Unclean". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (260). ISSN 0265-8712.
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