Deathwatch Watch Master

A Deathwatch Watch Commander is the senior ranking Battle-Brother within all the Deathwatch. Their role is equivalent to a Chapter Master of a Space Marine Chapter. They are the finest warriors at the very pinnacle of their abilities, for their tactical acumen and uncanny skill at combating the alien is nearly unsurpassed within the Adeptus Astartes. The knowledge and experience a Watch Commander has gained through centuries of combat, against the various xenos threats from his time spent throughout the various ranks of the Deathwatch, have taught him valuable lessons in the art of war, trained him in the various facets of military strategy and honed his martial instincts to a level nearly unmatched within the elite-xenos hunters of the Deathwatch. A Watch Commander acts with authority as he sees fit, according to his own counsel and judgment, answerable to no one except his fellow Watch Commanders, the Inquisition and the Emperor of Mankind himself.

Role
The Watch Commanders of the Deathwatch are amongst the most experienced Space Marine xenos-fighters in the entire galaxy. Prior to their secondment to the Deathwatch, a Watch Commander is likely to have progressed to the rank of Captain, and some have even served as Chapter Masters. The role of Watch Commander, like any other position in the Deathwatch is, in theory, only a temporary one. However, most of these who take up the position do so in the knowledge that they may never return to their Chapter again, such a vital and heavy burden is the rank. As such, the duty is a lonely one, for the Watch Commander sees countless Battle-Brothers serve under him before they return to their Chapter, and he knows that he will, in all likelihood never do so.

The process by which an individual is elevated to the rank of Watch Commander varies from case to case, but most have served in the capacity of Watch Captain. The promotion may come about by default, as the previous incumbent is killed in the line of duty and the most senior Watch Captain under his command simply takes over. Sometimes the process is driven by the Watch Captains electing one of their number to take overall command, while on other occasions an Inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos may make the appointment, which must be ratified by the Watch Captains and other Watch Commanders. In a handful of cases, a Watch Commander has actually joined the ranks of the Inquisition, appointing his replacement before he leaves the Watch Fortress. Watch Commanders hold a position of great authority and responsibility, for they have access to records and archives otherwise only available to the Inquisition. They have full knowledge of the terrible threats they guard against, knowledge that in most cases is only ever imparted to those whom the highest echelons of the Inquisition hold in great trust. They have the ear of the Inquisition and the Adeptus Astartes both, and on their authority entire sectors may burn. They, and they alone, hold the access codes to the sealed vaults at the heart of each Watch Fortress, and they hold the power of Exterminatus itself in their hands.

Wargear

 * Artificer Power Armour
 * Terminator Armour, Optional
 * Iron Halo
 * Bolter or Bolt Pistol
 * Chainsword
 * Frag Grenades and Krak Grenades

Optional Deathwatch Watch Captain Wargear

 * Storm Bolter
 * Combi-weapon, including Combi-flamer, Combi-melta or Combi-plasma gun
 * Close Combat Weapon - Power Sword, Lightning Claw, Plasma Pistol, Storm Shield, Power Fist, Relic Blade or Thunder Hammer
 * Melta Bomb
 * Digital Weapons
 * Auxiliary Grenade Launcher