Games - Deathwatch

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	Games - Deathwatch

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.

Organisation

As the Order Militant of the Ordo Xenos, the Deathwatch is tasked with the study, and if necessary 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 unique amongst Space Marine Chapters 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 term of service is not fixed, and a Space Marine will remain with the Deathwatch until the Commander or Inquisitor leading the detachment deems the necessary tasks are completed.

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. If the situation offers no alternative, they will utilise 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.

Appearance

When a Space Marine is granted the honour of becoming a member of the Deathwatch, they will ritually repaint their 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, which is then moved to the right shoulder. The now vacant shoulder is covered with an ornate Deathwatch shoulder plate.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Deathwatch (Warhammer 40,000) ]

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