Hello All,

I searched the forums and could not find a good post on my question. Are there any well laid out guidlines on brining Dark Heresy or Rouge trader charecters into DeathWatch (and have them be at a similar level). I'm mainly looking for mechanics and charecter building guidelines than fluff reasons.

Thanks!

There are a few guidelines in Rites of Battle, but it's almost all fluff. For rules integration, it's going to be pretty much all up to the GM's call. Some may like that, but for me it's a bit of a tiresome chore to have to convert from one to the other. Sorry that there's no too much good news on this.

Unforgiven88 said:

The Ascension book has guidlines on how to start a character at a level that would be close to a deathwatch character. Rites of Battle has some rules to convert the Psyker tables since RT and DW use a differant system. One thing to remember and to help out your non-space marine characters is that if they are from DH they are a Throne Agent and should be geared as such and a high level Rogue trader would certainly have gear.

The Deathwatch main rulebook and RoB both discuss this a bit.

Basically, starting DW characters are theoretically equal to a Rank 5/6 RT character or a beginning DH: Ascension character. In practice, it's not so simple. A DW character is far, far superior to the RT character, and will outmatch many Ascension characters as well (particularly when you start fighting hordes). Conversely, RT and DH characters will have many more out of combat skills, not to mention greater resources. The Space Marine may be individually more powerful, but the inquisitor can request the services of a company of storm troopers.

Ultimately, it's a balancing act. The GM must be careful to not let the SM outshine the other characters in combat, while making sure that the SM player is not bored out of his/her mind when the RT character is setting up trade routes or the inquisitor is investigating conspiracies.

I'm sure the fine fellows/fellowettes(?) may be able to provide you with more and better advice.

Cheers!

ddunkelmeister said:

This is, IMHO, a key point. Your players need to be open to the idea of playing in a mixed group, and have to be willing to let each character shine when it is his/her turn. Though I can say playing the outsider with little stomach for diplomacy during a diplomatic exchange (or the diplomat when things are coming to a head) can actually be quite a fun experience.

I think it would also be helpful to build the group from the ground up this way, that way a marine player doesn't start off trying to be the 'smart one' only to be out skill mastered by the Inquisitor, or the Combat Monkey Storm Trooper trying to get all the cool guns only to be out gunned by a marine with his marine sized weaponry.

All good points thank you. So it seems there are certain classes that would fit better than others.

I'm not new to roleplaying but I am to FFG RPGS perhaps I'll just tell the guy who wants to be something else he'll have to settle as a Angel of Death while we learn the rules more.

But from the sounds of it a base level ascension charecter would be the starting point to have an inquisitor join the group.

Thanks for the info. If anyone has experience with it please feel free to share it so I can prepare better!

The only DH character in my DW campaign is an adepta sororitas. And I must say those faith talents make up for lacking the wounds/stats and organs of an astartes. I only have done one session since she joined, but I must say she holds her own. Some have the miss-conception they will do poor vs a horde, I must say soul storm sure did pack a punch. One thing I did do for her to make it alil more compatible with DW system was to give her a specific Order and grant her bonuses from that simular to the chapter bonues for an Astartes and this replaced the DH homeworld.

Very good idea Nimon, thanks!

You essentially start everyone with the same XP, and it just so happens that a DH character will be at the start of Ascention.

I've played a Vindicare and seen my players play Marines, and the Vindicare seems like it would be able to hold ground as well in combat scenarios, especially after they get Unnatural Toughness at rank 3 (or is it 4?). I've not actually done it, but the abilities of the vindicare are as out of control as a marines are- they're definitely NOT geared towards hordes, but the half action conceal, immunity to detection, weapons that do close to bolt weapons in damage (and a -20 to dodge for their enemies, and special ammo), out of control dodges and initiatives, etc..

That said, if you guys are new to the system though I'd strongly encourage you to play the same thing. That way you're all working from the same book, reading the same rules, comparing mostly apples to apples. You won't have any competing psy power rules, your weapons will all be on the same level, and no one will have knowledge: everything.

Charmander said:

It's worth noting that the Vindicare Assassin is one of the few options from Ascension that can hope to stand alongside Marines. Interrogators, Judges, Desperadoes and several others... not so much.

JediChris said:

I am glad you like it. I did a write up for several differant Adepta Sororitas Orders based off information found on lexicanum. I posted this in the DH forums under house rules. My player Choose Argent Shroud, by the fluff they have encountered traitor legions so I kinda geared their order advancement that direction.

Actually I believe, as I always have, that you can use ANY Ascension Dark Heresy profession in a Deathwatch game. It just take a bit of common sense on the part of the player AND the GM. In one game I'm playing in there is a player using the Death Cult Assassin.

All you need to do is look at what the group will be facing and steer the character towards being a bit survivable against it....i.e. access to proper armor and weaponry, access to the skills needed, etc.

muzzyman1981 said:

I totally agree with that. On my last session the player that normaly plays the librarian can no longer make it, so I have another player coming in that is rolling a Primaris Psyker, his powers compaired to the Librarians are amazing, but of corse he is not a marine so I am anxious to see how this will work. With abilities like His Will Be Done from acension I think he is going to do just fine.

Well as long as the player doesn't try to be "super melee combat guy" and the GM (which I'm presuming is you) doesn't go out of his way to target the psyker at every turn the game should be enjoyable for all involved.