Aside From The Obvious Difference Of Being Better At Protecting Me From Xenos, How Does Deathwatch Affect

Aside from the obvious difference of being better at protecting me from Xenos, how does deathwatch affect my marine? I want to know if it’s good for me (I have a Lamenter I hold dear)

Great question! Most marines are amazing for Xenos prevention, control and trophy hunting, but the Deathwatch can't be beat! I'm also preparing a seminar for the care of Lamenters, which I'm sure you'll enjoy when I post highlights!

Aside from the glowing pros, there are some aspects of Deathwatch training that I consider cons.

It's very stringent, sometimes harsh. It's also a very prestigious clique that requires plenty of funding (the Administratum actually gives out grants, but don't tell them I said that!) Not to mention, I own two Blood Angels Successors and one Lamenter, and marines that heavily rely on their brothers may feel isolated and lonely. For Blood Angels, this can have negative consequences and even aggravate symptoms of Prion disease. In others, there is a chance of heightened aggression, restlessness, separation-anxiety and self-isolation as they reintegrate into more domestic assignments.

In a more positive light, I've seen some incredibly difficult marines flourish under Deathwatch, even marines with "problematic behavior." Something about the routine and a clear direction to channel any pent-up aggression just makes them come alive!

If you're willing to put in the months of 24/7 training, Deathwatch may be an excellent opportunity to join a historic community! The people there are wonderful, and they never turn away a marine that shows the spark for gunning down the alien threats of the galaxy!

Nothing worse than a stranger starting a comment by addressing me as op and writing a paragraph

So I have a thousand son, best thing that has happened to me, but my neighbor has a small pack of space wolves and I’m worried they will eventually fight. Is there any preventative action I can take?

Ooh this one is tricky. I would recommend collaborating with your neighbor on routines and schedules. Take care that your marines spend as little time as possible around each other! Thousand Sons do NOT get along with Space Wolves, and I have rarely seen a meeting that didn't eventually turn violent.

There ARE loopholes though! Space Wolves have an adorably brief short term memory, and very little object permanence. In a span of about three to seven days, those lovely Wolves likely won't remember ever encountering your Thousand Son, and are thus returned to square one!

The opposite is true for the Thousand Son, however. They have a frightening memory, and the trick to avoiding outbursts is--as much as it pains me to say--propaganda. Enforce in your Thousand Son that Space Wolves are beneath them (they aren't!!!) and that by interacting with them at all, even in thought, the Thousand Son are put at risk for corruption and mange.

Combined with coordinated, controlled distance, things should be kept civil. Hope this helps!

I've been in the Astartes Husbandry scene for a long time and have even earned my degree in Astartes Behavioral Science, with a minor in Gene-seed Speculation. I actually did my thesis on Flesh Tearers domestication and rehabilitation! And let me tell you, Blood Angels are not for the faint of heart! I'm a proud owner of three wonderful Angels--one of which is a Lamenter (I know, right?!), and I couldn't be happier. But, only because I put in the effort! They get a bad reputation due to their predisposition to Prion disease and HIGH maintenance--something people usually only find out AFTER they've adopted a scout for a Sanguinala gift. I run a charity reassigning Blood Angels, and I can't tell you how many Deathwatch companies I've visited and found that these poor marines have been abandoned right after the holidays--which is when they need the most support from their handlers. It's difficult, but I and my volunteers have dispatched marines to dozens of forever command posts, and we're only growing!

Most people are drawn to Blood Angels because of their stunning pedigree, excellent manners, psychic aptitude and nigh-effortless training. They make wonderful guards and are very docile around children, but these are about as far from family-marines as Iron Warriors! It's a common misconception, so as a little PSA, I'll let you know what to expect from Blood Angels, so you can decide if they're the right breed for you!

First thing's first: the Arch-Traitor in the room. They are all susceptible to a Prion disease scientifically known as B74CK-RG. It's tragic, but it can be delayed for as long as you are willing to put in the effort! Know the signs, and take action as soon as you can! They won't always let you know that they are suffering, so it's up to you as their handler to take initiative for their health! It sounds daunting, I know, but the secret is stress management! Blood Angels are highly susceptible to certain kinds of stress, so I've listed my top 3 Husbandry Hacks--guaranteed to ease behavioral issues in your Blood Angel! 1) Adopt in pairs! Blood Angels thrive on brotherhood, and they need each other for support, competition, inspiration and companionship. If you have the resources, I would encourage trios! Having at least one other Blood Angel in the home will make your new forever-marine feel accepted and understood. After all, there are some burdens us mortals aren't equipped to bear! 2) Grooming! As fun as braiding your Blood Angel's lovely golden hair is, their grooming habits get expensive! They are very clean and hypoallergenic, but require a stringent hair-and-skincare routine that MUST be maintained! If you plan on taking your marine to shows, you have already prepared for this, but if you are just looking for a casual adoption, add another category to your budget!

And speaking of your budget, to truly have a happy, healthy Blood Angel with a full lifespan, get ready to break your bank with: 3) Artistic expression! My Blood Angels spend hours at a time writing and reciting poetry, painting, drafting, singing and playing music, and a wide spectrum of other interests. Every Blood Angel is different, but all of them decompress through art. After battles, long missions, or even after a sleepless night, your Blood Angel will cope with stress through a hobby. But regular trips to JoAnn's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby won't do. Be prepared to contact professional suppliers or attend auctions to fund your marine's interests--otherwise they will often obtain "inspiring mediums" themselves. Just ask my neighbor what happened when my Chaptermaster ran out of supplies!

Blood Angels are a misunderstood legion, but I assure you, there are no bad Blood Angels, only bad owners! If you have any doubts or questions, sign up for one of my seminars or volunteer with us to make sure every Blood Angel has a purpose and a home. They are just as deserving of love as any Ultramarine-mix or pedigree Imperial Fist, and together we can create the homes they deserve!

post your astarteskeeping takes that will have you like this

I'll go first: I don't think it's possible to ethically keep thousand sons as pets. I know they're popular for their beauty and intense hobbies but their social needs are incredibly complex and hard to meet even for professional keepers, not to mention the psychic aspect

It's finally here!

With permission from the administratum, I've collaborated with Ultramar Civitas Press, Dominus House of Design, and a number of individuals who want to remain nameless, I'm proud to present the Ultima Spring/Summer Collection! Thousands of hours have gone into this project, and I'm not sure how I've managed to keep my mouth shut about it this long! Special thanks to Agriworld 662779-8 for supplying all of our ethically harvested, 100% natural and handmade materials!

Also thanks to Brother-Sergeant Cassius Salican for holding the pose while I sketched! Doesn't he look lovely?

Sometimes it works, too! This little rascal is quite the harlot

post your astarteskeeping takes that will have you like this

I'll go first: I don't think it's possible to ethically keep thousand sons as pets. I know they're popular for their beauty and intense hobbies but their social needs are incredibly complex and hard to meet even for professional keepers, not to mention the psychic aspect