The Deathwatch Codex is just a week away and we have a big preview of the rules, stratagems, traits, and more for these Xenos purging elites!
Codex: Deathwatch promises one thing: to take a small, elite group of units and give them the tools they need to fight every threat to the Imperium. The codex itself is 104 pages, and contains 32 datasheets, 29 unique Stratagems, 6 relics, 6 psychic powers, and 6 Warlord Traits.
Thanks to winters SEO, we now have a better picture as to what these rules look like. For this article, we will be focusing on the information that has not been covered by Warhammer Community.
What that being said, let’s dive right in!
Weapon point costs are increased by 1-2 point to accommodate the addition of special ammo. Now the only units not able to take it are the Inceptors. There are no Lieutenants in the HQ slot, but there are now two new Troops for the Deathwatch: Veterans (the new Killteam) and Intercessors.
Stratagems
- Optimized Salvo: For 1CP, use this strat in your Shooting phase while choosing targets for a Deathwatch unit in your army with the Special Ammo ability. Different models in this unit can use different types of ammo for their attacks. Specify which model is using what ammo type before any hit rolls are made.
- Doctrine Strategems
- Xenos Disruption Strategems
- Mission Tactics
Relics
- Banebolts of (not clear): add +1 to any damage done by the special ammo fired by the bearer. In addition, each wound roll of a 6+ made for any special ammo fired by the bearer, the target suffers a mortal wound in addition to the normal damage.
- Beacon of Angelis: Once per battle, you can teleport a Deathwatch Infantry or Biker unit from any point on the battlefield to within 6″ of the bearer and more than 9″ from enemy models.
- Dominus Aegis: Models with a stormshield only. If the bearer does not move in the Movement phase, friendly Deathwatch units within 6″ of the bearer gain a 5+ invulnerable save until the next Movement phase.
- (Unclear) Key: For Watchmaster only. Enemy vehicles subtract -1 from their hit rolls when they are within 9″ of the bearer. Each turn the bearer fights, he can make an additional attack against enemy vehicles and do up to D3 mortal wounds.
- Thief of Secrets: a power sword with 2 Damage. At the start of the game choose Necron, Aeldari, Ork, Tyranid, or Tau. You then re-roll wound rolls against that type.
Warlord Traits
- You can re-roll wound rolls for your Warlord when attacking vehicles or monsters.
- Add +1 to the Damage characteristics of your Warlord.
- Watch Eternal: Roll a D6 each time a Deathwatch model from your army within 6″ of your Warlord loses their last wound. On a 6+, the wound is not lost.
- Nowhere to Hide: At the start of your Shooting phases, pick one enemy unit anywhere on the battlefield. That unit does not receive the benefit of cover against attacks made by Deathwatch units so long as they are within 6″ of your Warlord.
Point Costs
- Deathwatch Killteam Veterans now cost 16 points. Down from 19.
- Corvus Blackstar now costs 150 points. Down from 160.
Here are the pages for the Deathwatch Primaris and Veterans that were showcased in the video:
Deathwatch Veteran Datasheet
Deathwatch Primaris Datasheet
That wraps up the latest of what we know so far about the Codex: Deathwatch. This looking to be a strong codex and a great elite force builder. What do you think about this codex? Do you like the addition of the Primaris units? What were you hoping to see changed/ added to the Deathwatch?
