Hi fellow Battle-Brothers,

finally I got my copy of Rites of Battle (RoB) - woooha!

Now my first question, not really a rule question, is about Imperial Assets. Although I like the idea very much I do not understand some of them. For instance Aquila Lander. Why should a Deathwatch pay additional Requisition Points to be transported wherever they like? I mean it feels like: 'You have a mission at location X.' - 'Accepted!' - 'Oh yeah, I forget to mention that it is up to you to manage transportation!'

I always thought that a Deathwatch Kill-Team 'normally' enters a system with something like a light ship (I am no WH40k expert about name and ship types!) and make planetfall with a Thunderhawk. And the ship in orbit and the Thunderhawk pilot are under the command of the Deathwatch Kill-Team.

Cheers,

TechVoid.

I've probably not played in quite as many games as a bunch of others here. But in my experience, the Kill Team has always deployed via Drop Pod.

But anyway, spending requisition on Imperial or Astartes assets allows the Kill Team to commandeer any military assets that they might need that are in the field in whatever operating area their mission takes place in.

Daisuke said:

Uh, I do not think that. Even in most space marine novels they are quite often deployed with a thunderhawk. Even look at the Ultramarines movie.

In comparison to that look at the first mission in 'the emperor protects'. There is explicitly written that the Kill-Team can use a thunderhawk freely or even ask orbital bombardment from a rogue trader.

So I am a bit curios that now they should have to pay for it. Do not get me wrong, I like the concept and there are plenty of nice assets. But for the imperial assets 'aquila lander', 'orbital insertion / extraction', 'orbital surveillance' and 'vox transmission net' I do not understand why the Battle-Brothers have to pay for. From my understanding this is somewhat standard to be able to complete a mission.

Cheers,

TechVoid.

Well, like I said, I was merely citing my own experiences on the subject of deployments. That Thunderhawk the team rode in on isn't always going to be available, there could be a pressing need for it somewhere else in Jericho Reach, or it could be on temporary loan for that matter. And sometimes a Kill Team needs to remain surreptitious, and a Thunderhawk is anything but. On the subject of orbital surveillance and the vox net, these things might not even be available, and in an active warzone the military outfits would need to keep the net secure and not spend time processing chatter from people who shouldn't necessarily be there. The whole insertion/extraction is more likely in reference to instances beyond the initial insertion of the Kill Team and the extraction to bring them back to the Watch Station. Either for a side mission that comes up or an emergency extraction from unexpected circumstances.

Also keep in mind that the various Imperial factions don't always play nice with each other. The Imperium is rife with infighting and the factions compete for the honor of accomplishing some great deed by destroying their competitors. (See Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, for example)

Good points indeed!

Thank you.

Cheers,

TechVoid.

TechVoid said:

Something else to consider is that many missions may come with gear given for free because it's essential to the objective (explosives during a sabotage mission, for example). Imperial Assets could easily be considered in the same light - if you're offered it for free, great, but if not then you're welcome to try and requisition it.

This sort of support would be great in the DW GM's guide mission.

Because the Kill-team is operating away from the DW and calling for support and rides could make the later parts of that mission much easier.

Personally I make deathwatch insertion/extraction issue more subtle. With my games since RoB I have made it so that the ship they are travelling on is a small ship with extremely limited weapons for two reasons, 1 it is less obvious when it enters a system, and 2 it means they cant just order a planetary bombardment.

Also I basically give them the aquila lander for free, so that they can get set down, but they might not be directly in the combat zone, if they want a better deployment they have to request it.

I give them truly basic conveyance and intel, with the option of purchasing more if they want it

Since RoB I will never give them command of a thunderhawk if only for the fact that the turbo-laser destructor has a reasonable chance of taking down a titan

This just occurred to me, what do people think of allowing limited selections of the Assets using Signature Wargear?

What would you allow in this case?

Would you have this available to individuals or as a pooled Kill-Team resource?

I... would not, frankly. All of the different assets are really things that would not be under the direct control of the Deathwatch.

And regardless of that fact, different assets are more appropriate for some missions than for others. The Kill Team should always be mindful of the sort of mission that is being assigned to them when choosing things to requisition. A Company of Imperial Guard Sappers, for example, would be ideal if the group needs some demolitions work done, but they're not much good for anything else.

TechVoid said:

I refer you to the Shadow of Madness mission in the GM kit. To quote: "The war-torm Jericho Reach needs the Spear of Fury far too greatly for it too idle waiting in orbit."

If they know their insertion ship cannot wait and will pick them up later, they may or may not want to request ressources to move around the planet.

Alex