Editing Warhammer 40,000/9th Edition Tactics/Deathwatch (section)

===HQ===

*'''Watch Master:''' For footslogging, this is your top HQ choice. A Deathwatch 'Chapter Master' equivalent, his stat line is impressive with WS2+, BS2+, W6, Sv2+/4++. Has a Captain's Rites of Battle Aura (Deathwatch Core units within 6" re-roll hit rolls of 1) and a reskinned Chapter Master's ability (One Deathwatch Core or Character unit within 6" re-rolls all failed hit rolls). So whether at the front lines or in the back, there's a place for him. You get him for 130pts.
** His (quite good) loadout is fixed, but the guardian spear (master-crafted bolter with SIA and S+1, AP-3, Dd3 melee weapon) packs a punch both at melee and range. Furthermore, it can be improved substantially with the Spear of the First Vigil relic, which pumps the bolter half up to Rapid Fire 2, and the melee profile to S+2, AP-3 and a flat D3. The Clavis is now a stratagem, which is better to some and not to others.
**The big downside of this unit is if you like Primaris models, as this replaces your Chapter Master option in the army, and this model is not Primaris and cannot be put inside Primaris Transports. 

*'''[[Brother-Captain|Captain]]:''' Existing Entry in Codex SM for Captain (non-primaris, non-terminator, non-bike), but noting the Deathwatch specific option that he may take a xenophase blade (S+1, AP-4, D1, ignores invulnerable saves). Jump-pack is now an upgrade, not an additional datasheet, so he is your <s>best</s>Only character option for fielding a xenophase blade.
** We now have one of the best smash-captains in the game. At the cost of 1CP for 'A Vigil Unmatched' we can get two warlord traits, going with a Salamanders 'Paragon of their Chapter' and 'The Imperium's Sword' on a captain with jetpack, storm shield, and master-crafted xenophase blade. On the charge, you get six S8, D2, AP-4, ignoring invulnerable save attacks hitting on a 2+, and can reroll failed charge rolls. Even better on those times it combines with Xenos Hunters. SMASH.
**Also if in a pinch, don't forget you can pay 2CP to swap chapter tactics with 'Brotherhood of Veterans'. Notably, the Blood Angels +1 to wound or +1 to charge rolls can help with a hail-Mary charge on something big and nasty, or White Scars to fall-back and charge again if you get bogged down by a blob unit and to re-proc Imperium's Sword.

====Special Characters====

*'''Watch Captain Artemis:''' A throwback from the days of Inquisitor. Regular Watch Captain in terms of stats and rules, but also has Unstoppable Champion (ignores lost wounds on a 6). He's armed with the Hellfire Extremis (a Deathwatch combi-flamer whose flamer wounds non-Vehicle/Titanic targets on a 2+), a master-crafted power sword, and a stasis bomb (one-use grenade 1 weapon that inflicts d6 mortal wounds if it hit the target). An interesting alternative to a standard Captain at 110pts, so make his stasis bomb count.
** In terms of cost, a Captain with Power Sword and Combi-flamer is 95pts to Artemis's 110. You're paying 15pts for his FNP, a boosted Deathwatch combi-flamer, a master-crafted power sword (saving you a relic slot), and a fuck-you grenade. I'd say it's worth it, but only if you want that kind of kit - Artemis is good for killing infantry and exactly one tough thing up close, and he doesn't have a jump pack to get him in range with his more effective weapons. He's only useful if you can get him up the table. Put him in a Corvus Blackstar with a squad of Veterans outfitted with close-range weapons and he'll pay for himself quickly by one-shotting an enemy HQ. Save a command reroll if you really want to screw somethings day!

*'''Chaplain Cassius:''' Took a time machine and now back in Deathwatch, with his datasheet even suggesting that you don't use Primaris units in your army for a thematic fit. Compared to a normie Chaplain, he gains +1A, +1Ld, SIA on his bolt pistol, +1AP on his crozius, and yells his litany on a 2+ instead of 3+. Well worth the +20pts. 

*'''Codicier Natorian:''' New to 9th edition, he's a named Librarian from the Blood Ravens from the Kill Team Cassius box. WS2+, +1 to casting smite or witchfire, SIA on his bolt pistol, and +1AP on his force sword. Bargain for an extra 10pts. 
**Unfortunately locked to the Deathwatch psychic powers, which makes his +1 witchfire spells pretty meh. Still good for smiting, but is tooled for close combat with no speed to get there and only just better than Librarian stats. Give him a transport, or go with a regular jump-pack, primaris or terminator librarian instead. Like Cassius, very useful for smaller games where he can footslog his way around.