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[[File:Champion DWRB.jpg|thumb|right]]
==Overview==[[Deathwatch]] Champions are among the mightiest of the [[Emperor]]’s Chosen. A Deathwatch Champion fears no alien monstrosity or [[xenos]] death machine, his skills and armaments the equal of anything the foe can bring to bear. His coming is an inspiration to his Battle-Brothers and a terror to his enemies, for he is an all-destroying comet blazing across the battlefield in an arc of glory. A [[Watch FortresFortress]]s will often have several Champions operating with different [[Kill-team]]s in a range of missions, their presence fortifying and exhorting their fellow Space-Marines to greater efforts against even the most deadly deadliest of foes. Deathwatch Champions excel at killing aliens and are masters of dispatching them in close combat with expert blade thrusts and crushing blows. As a result of this fearsome martial prowess the Champion has the ability to outright kill xenos with a single well-placed blow.<sup>1</sup> ==Becoming a Champion==A [[Space Marine]] in the Deathwatch may be elevated to the status of Champion by several means. Most commonly, it is bestowed by a [[Watch Captain]] in recognition of a mighty feat of arms in battle. However, Champions can also be elevated based on the strength of their longstanding courage and steadfastness, by the turn of the [[Emperor’s Tarot]], or by common acquiescence of their [[Brother|Battle Brothers]].
A [[Deathwatch Champion might already be a hero of great renown before attaining his station, long noted as being destined for great things; or he could easily have been a newly arrived Space Marine]] in , just beginning his Vigil and virtually unknown among the Deathwatch may be elevated to , up until the point in which he performs a feat so daring it demands the status recognition of his peers. The celebrated Deathwatch Champion by several means. Most commonly it is bestowed by a [[Watch CaptainArrestus]] recognition of a mighty feat of arms in battle. However Champions are also , for example, was so elevated on the strength of their longstanding courage and steadfastnessafter his very first Kill-team mission, by the turn of the during which he killed a bull [[Emperor’s TarotVorasaur]] or by common acquiescence of their Battlesingle-Brothershandedly.
from ancient and deadly chain blades with glitter teeth of mica to flashing Thunder Hammers and power fists once wielded by great heroes of the past.
How to fight is the choice of the Champion himself but almost without exception they train and arm themselves for close combat. [[Hypno-indoctrination]] is redoubled to instill a subconscious understanding of a host of different alien species and their specific vulnerabilities. The finest combat masters of the Deathwatch will dedicate themselves to a Champion’s tutelage and their intensive instruction will include techniques drawn from the deepest mysteries of the Watch. The [[Seven Paths of Opening]], for example, were learned from [[Officio Assassinorum]] operatives long ago and are only taught to a select few in greatest secrecy. The Seven Paths are a series of devastating blows any one of which will cripple an opponent and leave them vulnerable to a follow-up attack. The [[Thirteen Ways of Ending]] is the result of centuries of study and teaches the Champion thirteen fatal points that will kill any even vaguely humanoid xenos in a single blow.
==Battle Tactics==
A Deathwatch Champion fights in concert with a select Kill-team commonly chosen from his comrades prior to his elevation. The Champion will seek out and destroy the strongest foes under the cover of his Kill-team, demoralizing the enemy with his deadly skills and dominating the battlefield. He will loudly proclaim his desire for the enemy to send their best to face him and will never refuse a challenge, no matter the odds. Few enemies can battle the Champion as an equal and lesser foes are dispatched with contemptuous ease.
With their Champion before them, Space Marines become nigh -unstoppable , and their combined fury will shatter all but the stoutest defences. They will give no thought to retreat until the battle is won. A Deathwatch Champion may fight on for decades in that guise, or endure for only a single engagement. It may be a Champion’s destiny to participate in a righteous purgation of xenos races beneath a dozen alien suns or to eliminate a single mighty enemy of sufficient stature to change the course of a war. Few Champions survive to eventually rejoin the ranks of their ChChapter and of those that do most bear terrible wounds.
==Source==
