Deathwing Membership and Heraldry

First Company
Membership, veterans and shoulder placement← Collection overview
Company
Assignment to the 1st Company.
Initiation
Knowledge of chapter secrets.
Game rules
Keywords and datasheet eligibility.
Deathwing: membership and command
The Deathwing is the Dark Angels’ 1st Company. Company membership, initiation into chapter secrets and possession of a game keyword are overlapping but different identities. Neither a keyword nor the word ‘veteran’ identifies a warrior’s company on its own. Deathwing overview.
Which units belong?
Deathwing Terminators and Deathwing Knights
How to read it
Core 1st-company formations; Knights are an elite within an already veteran company.
Bladeguard, Sternguard and Vanguard Veterans
How to read it
Modern power-armoured veteran formations included in Deathwing-themed forces; older Terminator-only descriptions need their publication date attached.
Company Veterans
How to read it
Veterans retained by an individual company, often in its command retinue. Their experience does not automatically transfer them to the 1st.
Inner Circle Companions
How to read it
A distinct, mysterious bodyguard formation, rather than another name for ordinary Deathwing veterans.
Dreadnoughts and transports
How to read it
The vehicle’s company assignment is separate from its Deathwing game keyword.
GW’s February 2024 army feature includes the three power-armoured veteran types and a Bladeguard Ancient, while explaining that its army selection follows keywords. Company Veterans are a separate company-level category. GW describes Inner Circle Companions as dark-armoured protectors of important Unforgiven leaders.
Officers and squad leaders
Belial, Grand Master of the Deathwing, commands the company. Strikemasters are its Lieutenants; Knight Masters lead individual Deathwing Knight squads. An Ancient bears the standard, a Champion has a protective duelling role, and an Apothecary performs medical duties. These appointments do not create additional steps between Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. Official Strikemaster and Command Squad descriptions, pp. 13–16; GW’s Knight Master explanation.
The June 2026 faction pack places Strikemasters and Deathwing Command Squads in Legends. That rules status does not abolish their documented offices. A Librarian or Interrogator-Chaplain accompanying the company also retains a specialist institutional role.
Markings and shoulder placement
Use the wearer’s left and right:
Terminator
Wearer-left
Crux Terminatus
Wearer-right
Red Deathwing emblem · broken sword
Power-armoured Deathwing veteran
Wearer-left
Deathwing emblem
Wearer-right
Crux Terminatus
Ely’s armour-specific shoulder convention. Sculpted Knight imagery and personal heraldry allow further variation.
A squad’s heraldry is not automatically an officer-rank badge. No green shoulder edging is required for this army. This army’s sergeant shield designs are shown on our army scheme page.
Reconciling the references
Inventory totals and changing Deathwing descriptions
The supplied chart’s 30 Knights, 100 Terminators and 20 Land Raiders remain that image’s inventory, not a verified universal muster. Lexicanum’s chapter disposition instead records 20 Terminator squads and separates two Strikemasters from one Chaplain.
Ely’s Deathwing article traces the Terminator-only convention and later expansion. The page has been updated since its 2023 publication. His preferred Apothecary colours and views on company Chaplains are interpretations; historical organisation, modelling examples and game eligibility describe different aspects of the company.
Continue exploring
Collection overview · Our army scheme