"Hey Kirby,
First off, even though you have heared it a thousand times, thanks for the great blog and all of the helpful info you and your team provide daily.
I am building a Deathwatch list, 2000 points, very fluffy but with enough kick to still be competetive. I know you probably won't like it, but an unbiased eye is much appreciated!
Watch Captain (Pedro Kantor)
Watch Librarian (Tigurius)
Scout Squad (x5)
Sgt Telion, x3 Sniper Rifles, Heavy Bolter w/ Hellfire Shells
Scout Squad (x5)
x4 Sniper Rifles, Heavy Bolter w/ Hellfire Shells, Camo Cloaks
Sternguard Squad
x9, Sgt w/ Power Weapon, x3 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Rhino w/ Extra Armor
Sternguard Squad
x9, Sgt w/ Lightning Claw, x3 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Rhino w/ Extra Armor
Vanguard Squad
x6, Sgt w/ Thunder Hammer, Lightning Claw, x4 Power Weapons, Plasma Pistol, Jump Packs
Land Speeder w/ Multi-Melta & Heavy Flamer
Land Speeder w/ Multi-Melta & Heavy Flamer
Predator w/ Twin-Linked Lascannon, Side Sponson Heavy Bolters, Extra Armor
Predator w/ Twin-Linked Lascannon, Side Sponson Heavy Bolters, Extra Armor
I'm hoping this list has enough fire power and support to have a chance, but your advice would be great!
ChacoStylez"
Two things scream Deathwatch to me - Legion of the Damned with their teleporting 'awesomeness' and Sternguard. Sternguard are the good choice IMO but there are a few things I don't like in the army. Vanguard Vets, Tiggy and all the Extra Armor.
Vanguard Vets, whilst could fit the theme of Deathwatch, are plain terrible without Descent of Angels or at the minimum, locator beacons. I'd rather more Land Speeders or LotD which fit the theme better in my opinion with their teleporting coolness.
Tiggy is just bad all-round and his only really good ability - reserve fun, isn't being taken use of. Legion could make use of it obviously to be more reliable or mass Drop Pods but mass Drop Pods generally works best in a Dreadbash list aka, not Deathwatch. Whilst having his cool factor adds a bit of weight to the Deathwatch theme, he's a real anchor on your list in terms of competitiveness currently.
Which brings us to the Extra Armor - it's not needed in 5th edition. It's too expensive and stuns aren't super common (nor that restrictive with multiple tanks). It's particularly silly on the Predators who have no need for such.
Otherwise the concept is okay though not hyper competitive. The Sternguard need some re-structuring (all but two should have combi-weapons and then give the other two direct special weapons) and you're going to be somewhat lacking on vehicle saturation without Tactical squads to add to the numbers with Rhinos and Razorbacks but Speeders and Preds help here. You're going to feel every Sternguard you lose though with so few numbers but that's what you get when you go with expensive generalists such as this ^^.
