Viray Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Greetings, brothers, I just have a quick question concerning ranking within the Deathwatch. As I understand it, there are Captains present in the Deathwatch. However, as the Deathwatch is comprised solely of seconded units, do Chapters actually second such valuable individuals, or are they promoted within the organization itself? It just seems counterintuitive that a Chapter would willingly part with such a key individual. Considering the importance of Captains within a Chapter's structure, as well as the Deathwatch's variable size and wide dispersion, the idea that Captains are promoted within the organization itself rather than seconded seems quite appealing. Which is it exactly? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casual Heresy Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 I think that assignment to the deathwatch is actually a punishment for some captains. For example I think Shadow captain Koryaede (Spellling?) was sent to the deathwatch for failing at Kastoral Novem. So it could less of a case of a chapter losing a key individual and more of a case getting rid of them for a bit. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/#findComment-2709907 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrion Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 I always thought it was secondment whatever your rank and whichever captain (or librarian etc) is best suited to the task in hand takes command. The IA article is unclear, but either a captain of Chapter X, killer of all Tyranids is seconded to the deathwatch for a mission against the Tyranids so he takes command, whilst Captain Ork Killer leads a foray against the orks somewhere OR the Deathwatch maintain a permanent command structure which cannot be left OR a semi permanent command structure where Captain Tyranid Killer is in command for say 50 years, then another Captain Tyranid Killer takes his place, so there are always X amount of Captains. I suppose I could have just said 'I don't know'..... Edit to say that the IA article says '...with the completion of their service, the Space Marines are free to return to their chapter...' (emphasis mine) That implies the marines have a choice and may elect to become a permanent DW marine, in which case you could easily have a career progression akin to a codex chapter. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/#findComment-2709912 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkchild130 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 As there are not set time spans for Deathwatch service, that suggests there would be a constant turn around of Marines coming/leaving/dying within the Deathwatch command structure. To me, the most sense would be to set a fixed number of teams within the organisation, with the most experienced/able member of each team being "Captain" until killed/replaced. This would be regardless of rank, as Captain x of one chapter may be well suited to lead a company of marines, but Sergeant Y of another chapter may excel at small scale special ops. This is how I view the Deathwatch, a special ops type Marine force, whos structure would be very flexible out of necessity. Darkchild Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/#findComment-2710004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Captain Kezef Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 The Deathwatch RPG expands their rank system somewhat. Watch Captain seems to be more an appointment than a rank. An experienced Brother is appointed to oversee a wider scope of operations and is appointed to the position of Watch Captain for the duration of his service or the requiremnts of the position. Watch masters appear to be Marines who have permanently joined the Deathwatch (a similar analogue could be the Elday Aspect Exarchs). The Deathwatch is not a punishment, but a marine who feels he needs to atone for some mistake or sin by facing Xenos in self-imposed exile may well join the Deathwatch as the Ravenguard Captain did. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/#findComment-2710009 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkchild130 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Hmm, I need to buy this deathwatch RPG, as they are my favourite arm of the Inquisition. After buying the Grey knight codex, I plan to make a Deathwatch Strike force out of it, using proxys (no terminators, dreadknights etc) as the Ordo xenos have had no love since the WD deathwatch rules :) . It will be mainly mechanised strike squads (I feel storm bolters+psybolts replicates special ammo+bolters quite well), with Dreadnoughts and a purgation squad (psycannon = HB with suspensor unit) in support, led by an Inquisitor (obviously) Yay for the Inquisition! Darkchild Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/#findComment-2710376 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkangilos Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Yeah, the Death Watch rpg has some pretty good stuff in it. It also goes in detail about some of the chapters and why they would send people to the Death Watch. Again, really great. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/#findComment-2710649 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viray Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Thanks for the help, buys, it's much appreciated. The Deathwatch RPG expands their rank system somewhat. Watch Captain seems to be more an appointment than a rank. An experienced Brother is appointed to oversee a wider scope of operations and is appointed to the position of Watch Captain for the duration of his service or the requiremnts of the position. Watch masters appear to be Marines who have permanently joined the Deathwatch (a similar analogue could be the Elday Aspect Exarchs). The Deathwatch is not a punishment, but a marine who feels he needs to atone for some mistake or sin by facing Xenos in self-imposed exile may well join the Deathwatch as the Ravenguard Captain did. That makes sense. I suppose I should pick up the book as it seems that it would answer a lot of my questions. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/226301-promotion-within-the-deathwatch/#findComment-2711638 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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