In today’s Warhammer 40k Flashback, we’re hopping into the cat tub time machine and checking out the first Deathwatch 40k rules!
They first came out in Chapter Approved back in 2002 and originally just a couple of pages at that. They compiled a lot of snippets from issues of White Dwarf and stuffed them all into the Chapter Approved, becoming the second edition of the book in the 2000s and the third installment overall.
The First Deathwatch Rules: 40k Flashback
I thought it would be dope seeing only the best of different chapters represented in my army, the Emperor’s All-stars so to speak. Turned out, this bit of propaganda wasn’t enough to sway me into playing the forces of the Deathwatch.
I ended up making a Black Templar army, which, for all intents and purposes was my first real army. I ran chaos in the 2nd edition, but unfortunately, it wasn’t what anyone would consider a real army. Things were different back then…
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Anyway, these guys counted as an HQ choice, and you could upgrade anyone! HQ, Veteran, Captain or Deathwatch for only 5 points a dude, that was sweet! It was also a steal because they got access to a lot of sweet wargear. It even gave them access to True Grit which was super cool.
These pages also go into a bit of the fluff. They were created to fight the Tyranids, but they limited enlistment to only the Ultramarines, Lamenters, and Scythes of the Emperor.
You’ll notice the stat lines aren’t nearly as awesome as they are now, which is to be expected. The heavy bolters profile is also different, it was assault 3 and it could do some work.
It is cool to see the old rules on how to field the deathwatch back in the day. In general, I’d recommend anyone interested in Warhammer 40k Classic to grab a Chapter Approved off eBay and look at it for yourself.
What do you think about Deathwatch in 9th vs 3rd? Have they come a long way? Are they moving in the right direction?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today!
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
