Editing Deathwing (section)

==Function and Strength==
[[File:Spacehulk_deathwing_final02.jpg‎|right|400px|thumbnail|If Stubbornness had a physical form, then it would look like the Deathwing.]]

They are part of the Dark Angels' Inner Circle, the secretive cabal that hunts the [[Fallen Angels]], members of the Dark Angels Legion who (allegedly) fell to [[Chaos]] during the [[Horus Heresy]] -- in fact, the ''traditional'' way to join the Inner Circle (and thus earn promotion to a [[Brother-Captain|Company Master]], [[Librarian]], or [[Chaplain|Interrogator-Chaplain]]) is to be inducted into the chapter's secrets during their time in the Deathwing. It should be mentioned that [[Azrael]] was inducted directly into the '''Deathwing Knights''' without passing through the "lower" ranks of Deathwing, meaning that there are exceptions.

The [[Ravenwing]] are the exception to the promotion rule, having their own Inner Circle in the Black Knights where their veterans are gathered, taught the truth and from which their new captain is chosen. It also explains how [[Sammael]] became captain without ever donning the old bone white blast suit.

The old 6e Dark Angels codex was sketchy about how many members make up the Deathwing, though heavily implied that it's more than just a "mere" 100. While the 7e codex played with this even more, on one page stating an exact number of squads that the Deathwing is reported to have while openly contradicting that number on other pages; [[Just as Planned|leaving just as much open to debate and assumption...]] The "official" list for 999.M41 denotes twenty regular squads and up to three squads of Deathwing Knights, plus the Command Squad. So if assumed to be at full strength could total around 235+ members, but the book also goes on to state that the <u>true number</u> is a carefully guarded secret and that: ''"as with Deathwing squads"'' the numbers of Deathwing's support assets are deliberately obfuscated to outsiders. By the way, this applies to the Ravenwing and Inner Circle too.

The 8th edition Codex plays with this ''even more'', stating that during the Siege of Dominus Prime, the Dark Angels and [[Angels of Vengeance]] both deployed their entire 1st companies, officially recording nearly two-hundred terminators as part of the action, but states that in truth their number was substantially higher than that.

With the fact that each of the Unforgiven chapters also appears to include a similar formation (though under different names) implies that the original Dark Angels Legion had a metric butt-ton of Terminator Armour lying around that no-one else knew about, which is ''"a luxury few chapters can match"'' and in fact other chapters like the [[Novamarines]] and [[Minotaurs]] are considered exceptional in that they can muster that many suits or Terminator armour for their veterans when the Unforgiven do it as a matter of course. I guess the Lion decided to run off with all the terminator armor because Leman [[Space Wolves#Other Assets|took all the Dreadnoughts and Ships.]] Or the Dark Angels were the only ones smart enough to ensure they were capable of producing their own everything. Certainly fits with their paranoia (or is it common sense in 40K?).

One weapon that Deathwing uses on their Termi armor that First Companies of other chapters don't are [[Plasma Cannon]]s. As sidegrades to [[Assault Cannon]]s, [[Heavy Flamer]]s & [[Cyclone Missile Launcher]]s. While situational in the [[Crunch]] and video games. There a few advantages to this. 
A direct energy weapon needs to be reloaded less often than Bolters, Gatling Cannons and Missiles Launchers. So a Terminator could operate for days or weeks on end without needing to replenish their ammunation. Another is that it allows Deathwing Squads to kill [[Chaos Terminator]]s or their [[Xeno]] equivalents at range before moving in and giving the unlucky survivors a [[Anal Circumference|nice fisting]].

There seems to be some merit to this as [[Deathwatch_First_Company_Veteran|Deathwatch Terminator]]s are also allowed to take Plasma Cannons.(on the tabletop at least). Dark Angels mounting energy weapons on their Tactical Dreadnought Armor is a practice that goes all the way back to the [[Great Crusade]]. As the Knights Cenobium used [[Plasma-Caster|Plasma Casters]] as their ranged weapons. While [[Dreadwing|Naufragia]] had Phosphex Incinerator Cannons in addition to Plasma Cannons. During the [[Horus Heresy]] , they also armed all of their [[Inductii]] with [[Volkite Charger]]s. If you have any doubts that Dark Angels really liked using direct energy weapons.

Despite the White Dwarf fluff of an Aggressor becoming a member of the Deathwing and accepting [[Bladeguard Veteran]] s among their numbers. 10th Edition fluff states that Primaris Marines can also wear Terminator Armor. So the lines between who is a Firstborn or Primaris Deathwing is now blurred. Which is probably how the Inner Circle prefers it. Now they just need to pester [[Cawl]] or [[Lion_El%27Jonson|Grandpappy Green]] so they can arm themselves with Plasma Incinerators or something cooler.

===Deathwing Strikemaster===
[[File:DeathwingStrikemaster.jpg|right|220px|thumbnail|If their wings were any bigger, they would become Polish.]]
As per Guilliman's recent reforms of the [[Codex Astartes]], each Company is now assigned two Lieutenants. The Lieutenants of the Deathwing are referred to as '''Strikemasters'''.

To earn such an esteemed rank, members of the Deathwing must carry out deeds that is as pedantic as a [[Black Templars]] [[Emperor's Champion]]. We are talking max [[LARP]] here. As in, [[Role-playing|"MA HONOBURRU SWORD SWINGING SKILLS TRAINED IN DA WAYS OF DA CHIVALRIC CODE!".]] In battle, Strikemasters guide their Deathwing brethren with their LARP skills with enough pride to make a [[Red Scorpions]] look humble.

They all wear the typical bone-white Deathing [[Terminator Armour]]. Although they are differentiated by the two fuckhueg wings on the back which makes them look like [[awesome|Polish Hussars]]. They usually wield a [[Power Fist]] and a [[Storm Bolter]] to battle, although they can swap out both and become extra killy with two [[Lightning Claws]], a [[Thunder Hammer]], a [[Chainfist]] or a [[Power Weapon#Mace of Absolution|Mace of Absolution]]. All go full wall hugger with a Storm Shield.

On 9th Edition tabletop, as aforementioned, they are Deathwing Lieutenants equipped with Terminator armour. They have the usual Dark Angels Lieutenant fare abilities that you would expect coming from the Deathwing. Such as Inner Circle, Tactical Precision (6" re-roll wound rolls of 1 aura), and Company Heroes. Crux Terminatus gives them a 5++ invulnerable, making them one of the few Lieutenants with a built-in invulnerable.

Weapons are a plain Storm Bolter and Power Fist (neither are master-crafted). Both are swappable for twin lightning claws, the Bolter can be swapped for a master-crafted Power Sword, Thunder Hammer, or Mace of Absolution (Sx2, AP-2, D3, makes upgrading to a Thunder Hammer pointless because Mace's lack unwieldy), and the Power Fist can be swapped for a Storm Shield (4++ invulnerable and +1 to armour saves), Chainfist, or Storm Bolter (one per model)...[[derp|It's such a retarded way of wording the options.]]

On the other hand, the master-crafted power sword should be the MINIMUM upgrade if you're not swapping weapons for a Relic caddie. The Storm Shield is not a bad choice for this model either, effectively negating AP-1 and boosting the 5++ to a 4++.
{{Clear}}

===Deathwing Knights===
[[File:Deathwing Knight.jpg|right|220px|thumbnail|Fucking Deathwing Knights...]]

You thought normal Deathwings were bad. Oh boy, you do NOT want to meet this badass bro-force in battle, ''ESPECIALLY'' if you are part of the [[Fallen Angels|Heretic Astartes]].

Deathwing Knights are fierce warriors with ridiculously over-the-top armor that it loops all the way back to [[Awesome]]. These are the elites of the elites who are part of the fighting organization of the Dark Angels and their successors' Deathwing units. It is said that in them lives on some semblance of [[Lion El'Jonson]] himself and they embody his silent strength. These veterans are the most trusted and experienced warriors of the Deathwing and make up the Company's own exclusive Inner Circle, learning the some of the hidden truths of the Unforgiven.

Deathwing Knights are garbed in long robes, hold huge storm shields, and are most commonly armed with [[Power weapon#Mace of Absolution|Maces of Absolution]]. The squads are themselves led by a Knight Master, who wields the Flail of the Unforgiven. Deathwing Knights are also frequently accompanied by [[Watchers in the Dark]].

Deathwing Knights are considered as the Dark Angels answer to close combat superiority. As most Dark Angel players should tell you, it is essential to have at least a couple of Deathwing Knights to cover the rear as the rest of your forces spray a unholy amount of [[Dakka]] and plasma from far away.

In previous editions, Deathwing Knights were the monsters of Dark Angels' CQC specialists. However by 8th edition, they got hit with a [[Nerf]] bat to some decree. On one hand, they lost a whole bunch of special rules including the Fortress of Shields ability. On the other hand, they are still extremely beefy and ''scary'' close combat monsters. Their Maces of Absolution are still terrifying, striking at S8 AP-2 and doing THREE damage each, basically losing out to Thunder Hammers by a point of armor penetration but with no drawbacks to accuracy. Plus they have an extra wound for being Terminators. [[Awesome|This means a squad of these guys can theoretically take out any high value target in one turn of combat.]]

Unfortunately, their number of attacks are rather lacking and since damage does not carry over from dead models, it makes these Knights exceptionally vulnerable to being [[Tarpit|Tarpitted]] by a horde of cheap GEQs. [[Derp|Which is odd,]] since in previous editions, these guys ate GEQs like a [[Mawloc]] chowing down on some [[Meatbread|squishy Guardsmen.]] As such, the Knights require far more assistance from other Dark Angels troops rather than being a one-squad army all by themselves.

In a nutshell, the Deathwing Knights are still the elite choice for the Dark Angels. They are just far more effective being synergised with other Dark Angels troops that deal with hordes like the [[Mortis Dreadnought]] for example.

While only okay in 8th edition 9th edition makes these guys ''Insane''. While their offensive potential isn't that much greater (all they got was an upgrade from 3+ Ws to 2+ Ws) They're (along with regular Deathwing terminators) ridiculously durable due to their rule that prevents anything from wounding on better than a 4+ (and an extra wound like all terminators this edition. That means they essentially treat everything from Assault cannons to Volcano lances as plain old boltguns. They additionally have access to a special ancient banner that can subtract 1 from damage. All these buffs combine with the 1+/4++/6+++ granted via their storm shields and a nearby apothecary make for a squad that's nigh impossible to kill.

=== Deathwing Companions ===
[[File:Fe7a1ead.jpg|250px|right|thumb|When you're too goddamned knightly for the [[Grey Knights]].]]
Not to be confused with the [[Emperor|Emprah's]] [[Companion|closet friends with 'benefits'.]] The Deathwing Companions were the finest warriors from the Dark Angels Legion's Deathwing during the [[Great Crusade]] and [[Horus Heresy]].

These were warriors who were honour-bound to form the personal bodyguard of the Legion's officers. Each had taken an oath to lay down their lives before letting harm come to the one they were tasked to protect. Any among the Companions that took a death-blow meant for their charge and survived was granted the right to wear bone-white armour in recognition of their selfless devotion. Commanding officers were known as Oathbearers.

The Companions were equipped with Artificer ''Terminator'' Armour, not Artificer Armour or Terminator Armour, but [[AWESOME|''Artificer Terminator Armour'']], which goes to show how ''baller'' the Dark Angels were back in their heydays. They are armed as standard with either a [[Power weapon#Terranic Greatsword|Terranic Greatsword]] or Calibanite Warblade as well as [[Melta Bomb]]s, [[Power weapon#Powerfist|Power Fists]], [[Lightning Claws]], [[Thunder Hammer]]s, [[Grenade Harness|Grenade Harnesses]], [[Grenades & Explosives#Stasis Grenade|Stasis Grenades]], [[Combi-weapons|Combi-Weapons]], and [[Plasma Pistol]]s. They also had access to the unique Cytheron pattern Aegis.

It is unknown if any of these companions still exist in the 41st/42nd Millennium.

Crunchwise, on the Horus Heresy Tabletop, these are your Elite squads armed with either Calibanite Warblades or Terranic Greatswords, they all have [[Artificer Armour]] and the option of [[Terminator Armour]] (their choice of pattern) or Jump Packs if their Praetor has a Jump pack. Non-terminators can take Cytheron Pattern Aegis shields granting them a 4+ invulnerable save against shooting or a 5+ in melee (this would be redundant on Terminators anyway). Their special rules make them quite possibly the best bodyguard squad ever: they don't take up a Force Org slot (but can only be taken with a Praetor/Primarch); they are all Chosen Warriors and can accept challenges where they reroll hits thanks to the Scions of the Deathwing rule; and they always pass Look Out Sir rolls and their character cannot be picked out by Precision Shots.

===Deathwing Venerable Dreadnought===
[[File:Deathwing_Venerable_Dreadnought.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The most LOYAL of Venerable Dreadnoughts.]]

The Dark Angels Venerable Dreadnought or more simply called the Deathwing Dreadnought since the majority of the Dark Angels' Venerable Dreadnoughts seem to comprise almost entirely from the Deathwing. As such, they are the most secretive and quiet of the Venerable Dreadnoughts which is one hell of a feat by itself.

As part of the Inner Circle, these Dreadnoughts only seem to partake in battlefields when there is a <s>certain intel report on [[Fallen Angels]] activity</s> FILTHY HERETICS FROM THE TRAITOROUS LEGIONS! Deathwing Dreadnoughts are thus, only found in the Deathwing Redemption Force formation. This formation comprises of units entirely from the Inner Circle such as the [[Brother-Captain|Company Master,]] [[Interrogator-Chaplain]] or [[Librarian]], two to five Deathwing Terminator Squads, one Deathwing Command Squad, one Deathwing Knight Squad and a single Deathwing Venerable Dreadnought.

As one can imagine, having a entire force of Inner Circle Dark Angels members ''including'' a squad of the infamous Deathwing Knights ''and'' a Deathwing Dreadnought all coming to get you, is not the most pleasant of idea to any members of <s>[[The Fallen]]</s> FILTHY HERETICAL RUINOUS POWERS!

On tabletop, these Deathwing Dreadnoughts are similar to a classic Dreadnought but with WS2+ and BS2+ and a new rule where it can ignore unsaved wounds on a 6+. Not too shabby. Apparently, [[Derp|something went wrong in the Codex]] where the Dark Angels Venerable Dreadnoughts got demoted and [[FAIL|they're only Deathwing and Inner Circle if we spend a CP.]] Sigh. But otherwise you get all this for only a slightly higher price tag. Oh, Yeah. Weapon options for the regular Dreadnought apply here too.

While these guys got the ax in 8th edition, they're (kinda) back in 9th edition with a 10 point upgrade that gives them the Deathwing keyword. while they don't gain much in stats from this upgrade, it does let them benefit from Deatwhing Strategems and aruas, and fit into Deatwhing detachments without losing detachment abilities.