Overview

Deathwing is an expansion for Space Hulk, published by Games Workshop in 1990. It introduces the Deathwing Company (First Company) of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter, including the Captain and Librarian characters. The expansion adds new weapons (Assault Cannon, Thunder Hammer, Lightning Claws, and more), multi-level gameplay with pitfalls and ladders, solitaire rules, and additional tactical options for the Terminator player. Requires the base Space Hulk game. Deathwing won Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Boardgame of 1990 at the Origins Awards.

Components

• Base Space Hulk game (required, not included)
• Additional Terminator miniatures (Deathwing Company)
• Captain and Librarian character pieces
• New weapon cards and counters (Assault Cannon, Grenade Launcher, Power Sword, Chain Fist, Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield, Lightning Claws, Force Axe)
• Multi-level board sections (with pitfalls and ladders)
• Solo play rules cards
• Additional mission booklet
• Rules supplement

Setup

1. Set up the base Space Hulk game board as normal.
2. Replace or supplement the standard Space Marine squad with Deathwing Company Terminators.
3. For multi-level missions, add pitfall and ladder sections to connect board levels.
4. Select a Deathwing mission from the mission booklet.
5. Equip Terminators with the expanded weapon options.
6. For solo play, set up the automated Genestealer behavior cards.

Turn Structure

Follows the base Space Hulk turn structure with additions:

1. Space Marine Player Turn: Spend action points to move, shoot, and perform actions with Terminators. New weapon options expand tactical choices.
2. Genestealer Player Turn (or Solo AI): Move and attack with Genestealers. In solo mode, automated behavior patterns replace the Genestealer player.

Actions

New Weapons

• Assault Cannon: Heavy rapid-fire weapon with increased firepower at range.
• Grenade Launcher: Indirect fire capability for hitting targets around corners.
• Power Sword: Enhanced melee weapon for close combat.
• Chain Fist: Specialized for cutting through bulkheads and sealed doors.
• Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield: Combination melee weapon and defensive equipment.
• Lightning Claws: Paired melee weapons for devastating close combat attacks.
• Force Axe: Librarian-exclusive psychic melee weapon.

Multi-Level Movement

• Units can move between floors using pitfalls (drops down) and ladders (climbs up).
• Moving between levels costs action points and adds vertical tactical considerations.

Teleporting

• Terminators can teleport into the Space Hulk, bypassing corridors.
• Teleporting risks scatter – landing in an unintended location or inside a wall (fatal).

Ambush

• Set up surprise attacks on enemy units moving through specific corridor sections.

Solitaire Play

• The Genestealer forces follow automated behavior patterns, allowing single-player games.

Character Abilities

• Captain: Provides command bonuses and has enhanced combat statistics.
• Librarian: Wields psychic powers (Force Axe) and provides unique tactical abilities.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory depends on the mission selected. Missions have specific objectives such as:

• Clearing all Genestealers from designated areas
• Reaching and activating specific terminals or objectives
• Surviving for a set number of turns
• Escaping the Space Hulk with surviving Terminators

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Not Standalone: Requires the base Space Hulk game to play.
• Teleport Scatter: When teleporting, there is a chance of scattering – landing in an unintended location or fatally materializing inside a wall.
• Multi-Level Missions: Moving between floors is tactical; enemies may await at ladder tops or pitfall bottoms.
• New Weapons Balance: The expanded arsenal gives Terminators more options but does not make them invincible against the Genestealer swarm.
• Solo Play Quality: The automated Genestealer behavior provides a challenging solo experience.
• Origins Award: Won Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Boardgame of 1990.

Player Reference

New Weapons: Assault Cannon

Grenade Launcher

Power Sword

Chain Fist

Thunder Hammer + Storm Shield

Lightning Claws

Force Axe

New Rules: Multi-level maps (pitfalls/ladders)

Ambush

Teleporting (with scatter risk)

Solo play

Characters: Captain (command bonuses)

Librarian (psychic powers, Force Axe)

Requires: Base Space Hulk game