So, myself being an entertaining gm when it comes to ideas had this one question: What do you guys think the starting Rank for DH Acolytes and RT Characters is going to be in relation to Deathwatch.

My guess is this: DH - Rank 7

RT - Rank 7

Pretty much the reaso for the RT is because they already start at Rank 5 Base for DH. So, I'm thinking it will be fun to see what all comes out of it and i'm open to everybodies ideas.

DrgnScorpion said:

I think it's already been mentioned that Deathwatch characters sit on roughly equal terms with Ascension characters, so Rank 9 Dark Heresy and Rank 4 Rogue Trader (13,000 experience or so) seems about right.

I reckon it is a bitter different from that because a Marine is qualitatively better than a Explorer or Acolyte. For a start, Marines have about double wounds, Unnatural Strength and Toughness, better gear (Astarte boltguns will mince an Explorer in one shot nearly) and power armour. That alone means that a single Marine is more than a match for a couple of Rank 5 Explorers. An Acolyte or Explorer will only get a max of around 20 wounds over the course of a career and only the very few will get Unnatural Strength or Toughness. A rank 5 Explorer will certainly have more skills but when it comes down to combat (which is where a Deathwatch Marine will always reign), a rank 1 Marine will outclass almost anything.

Having said that, there is real scope for a Kill-squad being supported by higher level Explorers (atleast Rank 5) and Acolytes (Rank 8) and Throne Agents, especially for less combat orientated missions.