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Space Marine Captains are clear-eyed enough to understand the necessity of the [[Deathwatch]]. When the time comes they dutifully set aside their own desires to remain with their company and undertake their [[Vigil]] with humility. The Deathwatch traditionally extends the rank of Captain to a Space Marine company commander during their Vigil, but most Captains entering the Watch refuse to accept such a lofty position until they have earned it. Thus, the scarred hero of a thousand battles will accept a role in a Kill-team as a simple Battle–Brother under the command of an individual centuries his junior until he feels he has learned the ropes.{{Fn|2}}
There is wisdom behind the pride of such an approach. A Deathwatch Captain must learn how to fight a new kind of war, a shadow war against opponents on a dozen fronts where a single Kill-team must tip the balance. The methods, tactics and targets of the Deathwatch are best learned in the field, and a Space Marine Captain will stand side-by-side with his Battle-Brothers to learn their way of battle before presuming to take command of them. Deathwatch Captains are also raised from Battle-Brothers that have served in the ranks of the Kill-teams with great distinction and undertaken many vigils in the watch. A particularly skilled [[xenos]]-hunter may be called to duty with the Deathwatch repeatedly. Eventually such a renowned Battle-Brother may be afforded the honour of assuming the rank of [[Watch Captain]] and leading the Kill-teams he has fought as a part of for so long.{{Fn|2}}
The demands on a Deathwatch Captain are very different to those found in other Space Marine Chapters. A Deathwatch Captain is usually placed in charge of several Kill-teams and given guidance on broad objectives by the [[Watch Commander]]. Beyond that and advice from [[Chaplain]]s and [[Librarian]]s the Watch Captain sets his own missions and organizes his [[Kill-team]]s appropriately. He is responsible for every detail of their recruitment, training, equipment and deployment. It is also his solemn duty to record their deeds in battle and, where possible, to return the remains of a fallen Battle-Brother to their parent Chapter with all due honour.{{Fn|2}}
==Notable Watch Captains==
*[[Esteban de DominovaArtemis]] {{Cite This}}*[[Bannon]]{{Cite This}}*[[ArtemisEsteban de Dominova]]{{Cite This}}*[[BannonSka Mordentodt]]{{Fn|3}}
==Source==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Deathwatch Core Rulebook]] by [[Fantasy Flight Games]], pg. 306
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Deathwatch: Rites of Battle]] by [[Fantasy Flight Games]], pgs. 126-129
*{{Endn|3}}: ''[[The Alien Hunters (Short Story)]]'' by [[Andy Chambers]]
[[Category:Troops (Deathwatch)]]
[[Category:Titles and Ranks]]
