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Deathwatch: Murderers in Black So, basically I was brainstorming for a new story to write, and I came up with a fairly vague idea for a Deathwatch-based murder mystery style novel/novella. I did a bit more work to create an outline, but then I realised… …we haven't got a 'proper' DW game in the PBP at the moment!* So I wondered if maybe it would be more fun to use the idea as a starting point for a oneshot DW RPG adventure? *A Time of Reaving is obviously DW-based in rules, but not setting, and Blackthorn/Swordhand hasn't played since early 2022, if you can believe that - almost 2 years! This game would be your typical DW fare, with plenty of xeno-killing, but hopefully with a bit more to the plot as well, with an edge of intrigue and investigation to keep things interesting! I'm not quite sure how it would work in terms of whether the story would develop along the same lines that I had originally imagined, or if it would go off in a completely different direction, but I think it would be interesting to try it out? Even with Vulgar Display now on hold, there is plenty currently happening with Archaeotech 2 and Time of Reaving (and then Silent Architect still to come) so I might hold it back for a while? But I figured it couldn't hurt to see if anyone thinks the idea is interesting enough for me to start developing a few bits in the background? So, does anyone fancy a bit of DW?

So we don't even know for certain that Deathwatch will get anything in 11th (ideally they do, we kicked up enough of a fuss as a community to revive the faction). Assuming we do tho, and the rumours that 11th is basically going to be 10.5 are correct, this is what I personally think Deathwatch would get in that Codex: Firstly, I think Talonstrike will get access to Suppressors (called "Intercessor with Autocannon" on the datasheet or something). No real reason why other than that it was in a Killteam unit before so it might as well get moved to the dedicated Jump Pack team. For new Datasheets, I could see a "Deathwatch Scouts" datasheet being added. As we see with Space Wolves, Veteran Scouts are a thing and Deathwatch certainly do use them, so since they can't take normal Scouts why not get give them a bespoke Scout unit? For what it would have, obviously it would have the Killteam Keyword (to benefit from Detachment rules like the DW Terminators) and a different ability (maybe a psuedo Lone Op like the Legends Scout Sniper squad?) but weapon wise it'd probably be mostly the same as the main Scout Squad, maybe with a Power Sword for the Sarge and the ability to take both the Heavy Bolter and the Missile Launcher in the same unit? Additionally, there's rumours of a Multipart Outriders kit on the way soon, so if that turns out to be real then Deathwatch Outriders may be a possibility (probably with Power Swords for the whole unit like Veterans), also with the Killteam keyword and a new ability. Now since neither of the above or any of the Killteam units could really be sold as a kit on the webstore, we'd need at least something to release for Deathwatch that isn't just a book. The obvious answer here would be a Primaris Veteran Killteam, but I personally think that's being saved for a Kill Team release. Instead, how about some more Characters? A Watchmaster in a different Armour Mark (or Terminator Armour) would be a good call, even if the ability remains mostly the same. For something else tho, we could take inspiration from the older Legends stuff and give Deathwatch a bespoke Psyker character. Previously, Deathwatch had access to Codicier Natorian as a named HQ, so maybe they could get a generic Codicier character now KT Cassius and it's associated characters are gone. Of course, despite all of that, Deathwatch may instead just get rolled into IA again, but "better" this time (i.e. also moving the Killteam Datasheets over to IA as well or something). Feel free to reply with any wild speculation of your own and tell me just how far off-base I was for the kind of stuff you want for Deathwatch.

It's been a while since I did a blog post, in fact I haven't posted since completing my Call to arms vow back in the summer. I'd like to say I had a great excuse for not posting, but it was mainly just being distracted by other things such as playing Space Marine II. I have still managed to carry on building and painting a fair few models in this time and having a free time over the Christmas holidays I've gotten quite a bit more finished. 2024 Completed: Following on from my Tau army additions with my Call to Arms pledge I just wanted to add a couple of things to finish off the army with a second broadside suit with magnetised weapon options and with the release of Hivestorm I had to get the Vespids both for my Tau army and as a Kill team in their own right. I now don't need anything else for my Tau (with the exception of a Taunar supremacy suit and a Tiger shark, but they will have t wait until I win the lottery). Next up is the additions to my homebrew Primaris marine army starting with an infernus squad using the Combat Patrol magazine exclusive miniature and the start collecting set one. A converted Captain in terminator armour using one of the ones from the 2 copies of Combat Patrol issue 1 and spare parts from the multi part captain kit and lastly a Phobos strike team for Kill Team with a small amount of kit-bashing to add two reivers to the squad and give the medic a full apothecaries back pack and accessories. I also revisited my Deathwatch, using the other terminator captain to create this rule of cool Deathwatch captain. I also had the idea of building a custom primaris killteam for the deathwatch, kit-bashed from numerous kits and including some 3d printed parts many of which I created myself (and available here if you are interested). Looking at the updated rules for primaris killteams in 40k I might even be on the right path for when they ever get around to updating the Deathwatch in Kill Team. On a whim after seeing numerous Death Guard army lists that included sorcerors in terminator armour, I kitbashed this one to add to my army. Lastly, I also manage to get quite a bit of scenery tabletop ready as well. Into the New Year: Looking forward, I already have several miniature partially painted on my desk, to hopefully complete in the next couple of weeks, namely 5 infiltrators and 5 incursors along with the company heroes squad to add to my marine army. I want to participate in the "Knives in the shadows" Kill team painting challenge, but don't fancy painting up the Tempestus Aquilons from the Hive team box and was intending to sell them. Fortunately I got the Inquisition Agents kit for Christmas which should make for an interesting Kill-team, to bring them up to full numbers I have just ordered a box of Sisters of silence to fill out the team. While on the subject of the Inquisition, I also have sitting round waiting for paint the Warhammer+ Inquisitor and cohorts along with the previous years Kasrkin sergeant and a random sister of battle, that want to get painted and off my desk. I also have this xmas present to myself, I hope to get painted up and find a suitable place to display it. Looking forward to the rest of the coming year I expect much of my hobby time to be Eldar focused with the new miniature due to arrive in the not too distant future. I also need to play more games, rather than just amass more unused armies and kill teams. With it seemingly more difficult to get together with the couple of friends I usually play with, I intent to try and join a local gaming club to hopefully address this imbalance. Anyway, thanks for reading and Happy New Year

The recent Deathwatch Recruitment Thread has shown there is an acute interest in taking part in play-by-post games here on the Bolter and Chainsword. That's intensely gratifying - and to me, I think it demonstrates that we can sustain multiple games here. This thread is intended to serve as a resource both for players looking to join a game, as well as GMs looking to recruit. This is not really designed for conversations - if you find enough players looking for a specific game, start a new thread and PM them to join. Name: Interested in Playing: Dark Heresy 1st Edition / Dark Heresy 2nd Edition / Rogue Trader / Deathwatch / Only War / Black Crusade / Wrath & Glory / Other Knowledge/Experience of Rules: Have you played in campaigns before? Do you own the rules? Are you familiar with the rules? Other Pertinent Information: You might consider here notes on your availability; on your 40k interest, armies and hobbies; or anything else you'd like other forum members to know. You might consider thinking about , as this might help you think about the style of game you'd like to participate in.

Just saw this. Is this the first we've heard of a re-work since the Imperial Agents codex?