Jump to content

When a DeathWatch Marine returns to his chapter


Kronk

Recommended Posts

When a Marine completes his tour with the Deathwatch, does he keep his armor black, with left arm silver, Inquisition shoulder pad, and Chapter shoulder pad?

 

I was wanting to throw a few sergeants and/or special/heavy weapons guys into my normal squads with Deathwatch insignia and wanted to keep it fluffy.

 

Thanks!

The retention of the special ammo is a reference to the old Chapter Approved rules, in which a Space Marine Sgt or Veteran could be upgraded to a Deathwatch Veteran, and make use the article's rules and equipment without having to take a full Deathwatch Killteam. It was explained Fluffwise that these were Astartes returned to their chapter after their service, and allowed to keep the arms and equipment that they had used.

 

As far as how they look, they returned to their normal scheme, keeping the deathwatch pad, and wearing their chapter iconography in place of squad markings. Or that's what I remember, anyway.

The retention of the special ammo is a reference to the old Chapter Approved rules, in which a Space Marine Sgt or Veteran could be upgraded to a Deathwatch Veteran, and make use the article's rules and equipment without having to take a full Deathwatch Killteam. It was explained Fluffwise that these were Astartes returned to their chapter after their service, and allowed to keep the arms and equipment that they had used.

 

As far as how they look, they returned to their normal scheme, keeping the deathwatch pad, and wearing their chapter iconography in place of squad markings. Or that's what I remember, anyway.

 

 

Here's how I represent Deathwatch veterans in my Red Hunters army: original armour colour, silver DW shoulder pad on the left side and chapter insignia on the right shoulder pad. They're carrying standard SM weapons but one has the metal DW bolter.

The retention of the special ammo is a reference to the old Chapter Approved rules, in which a Space Marine Sgt or Veteran could be upgraded to a Deathwatch Veteran, and make use the article's rules and equipment without having to take a full Deathwatch Killteam. It was explained Fluffwise that these were Astartes returned to their chapter after their service, and allowed to keep the arms and equipment that they had used.

 

As far as how they look, they returned to their normal scheme, keeping the deathwatch pad, and wearing their chapter iconography in place of squad markings. Or that's what I remember, anyway.

 

My take on this is that the Left Shoulder Pad indicates whom the Marine is serving with. Though the Shoulder Pad is gifted to the Marine for serving in the DeathWatch, I think it should move to the Right side when one returns to their Home Chapter. The honor of ones service is not diminished nor is it placed above ones service to their Chapter once one returns. The Armor color, as stated, returns to it's original Chapter colors. I think it is more fitting that the Chapter Pad be returned to the Left side and the Right be occupied by the DW Pad so as to avoid any confusion as to whom the Marine currently is assigned to. The honor to the Chapter is displayed by the DW pad in place of any squad insignia and as such, the individual Marine may serve as an example of distinction for having served and survived his time with the DeathWatch.

 

There have been a few examples of models in the Space Wolf section where individuals are modeled tis way to show that they have served and returned to the Fang. Their Great Company Insignia is rturned to the Left side and the DW pad is placed on the Right side. Seems fitting to me and that is the way I model such examples.

I do not know of any example to date. Not saying it isn't available though. It just seems logical, IMO, that the Chapter Insignia be restored to the left upon return and the DW would be moved to the right, retaining the distinction of service as well as a visible symbol of honor to his comrades back home.

 

It is the standard throughout the Astartes that the Chapter Insignia is dislayed on the left, indicating whom the marine serves with. When one is seconded to the DeathWatch, the DW Insignia is placed there but respect and honor are shown to the home Chapter by placing that insignia on the right. Does it not seem logical that when one rturns from their service that the home Chapter Insignia be replaced to the left and te same respect and honor to the DW be displayed on the right in lieu of any squad markings? That marine has served in the DW but is no longer representing that faction. He is once again an Ultra or Templar or whatever. It seems logical in that way to me but perhaps I am alone.

All the Deathwatch I've seen have the pads on the left, including the GW models.

 

No arguement.....when they serve in the DeathWatch Company. When they return to their Home Chapters, they no longer represent the DW but rather the Home Chapter. Thus the Chapter Insignia one represents is displayed on the left.

I think the whole Deathwatch pauldron moving to the right side is just a Space Wolf thing.

 

The rest of the Chapters are content to show their allegiance to the Emperor and his Imperium by keeping the Deathwatch shoulder where it belongs, but the Wolves put the Chapter first :)

GW has a forum now? When was this?

 

My bad. They HAD a forum but it appears tey shut it down in Nov 2006. I suppose they are out of the business of directly addressing their consumer base. Anyone know if any "official" representatives are members here who might pose this question to the "powers that be"?

gallery_23369_1806_24730.jpg

Here is the picture of two Deathwatch Marines from the Deathwatch Index Astartes article. Notice that the Ultramarine on the right is a current Deathwatch member, whereas the Space Wolf on the left is a Deathwatch Veteran (meaning he was in the Deathwatch, but has returned to his Chapter). I believe that this will be about as official as you are going to get.

Regards,

Valerian

What Ignis said.

 

To me, "Veteran" doesn't mean "returned to the chapter", it means, "has been in the Deathwatch a long time".

 

Exactly. Deathwatch members don't have a set service time, they can be members for a long time. The Space Wolf has simply reached "Veteran" status amongst the Deathwatch.

What Ignis said.

 

To me, "Veteran" doesn't mean "returned to the chapter", it means, "has been in the Deathwatch a long time".

 

Exactly. Deathwatch members don't have a set service time, they can be members for a long time. The Space Wolf has simply reached "Veteran" status amongst the Deathwatch.

 

It could be that the use of the term "veteran" was intended to mean a member who is still in the Deathwatch, but has reached a veteran status. You may be correct. However, I find it much more likely that they used the term to denote a Marine who previously served in the organization, in the same way that we describe veterans of the armed forces. If the folks who wrote the IA were simply wanting to show two different "current" members of the Deathwatch, I believe they would have taken a different approach.

 

Believe whatever you like, however.

 

V

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.