here's a strange idea - how about (opponent permitting and in small games, which is pretty much the only place where Deathwatch make any sense fluff-wise) the Survivors of Isstvaan? great for mix 'n match, lotsa cool specialists to choose from, not many restrictions on squads and such which is ideal for representing Kill-Teams... and the rules differences represent your Deathwatch-quality wargear...
The bigger they are, the bigger the mess they make when they step on you. - Ahzek Ahriman, on Titans
Actually they were involved in some pretty big battles. They were at Macragge (of course, everyone showed up for that, new aliens no one has ever heard of). They are the militant arm of Ordo Xenos, everywhere Ordo Xenos is the Deathwatch isn't to far off. Just like with Grey Knight and the Ordo Malius. Sisters of battle and Ordo Herelius.
being in a big battle doesn't equal operating as a big strike force (which for Astartes means dozens of brothers with multiple vehicles) though - I don't recall reading anything about the Deathwatch fighting such a battle alone. Doesn't mean it's impossible for them - as you rightly say they are Inquisition, but it's far from their usual MO afaik. My "small battles" wasn't aimed at Kill-Team sized stuff either (should have made that clearer - sorry!), but to me anything much larger than say a 1000-1500pts pure Deathwatch force would feel odd.
The bigger they are, the bigger the mess they make when they step on you. - Ahzek Ahriman, on Titans
Most (about 70%) of the fluff about them can be found in the Deathwatch RPG. It doesn't say if they follow the Codex Astartes, but they do organize themselves into pseudo companies called Watch Stations, with a Watch Commander (Captain), Each Watch Station is self sufficient with motor pool, Codicers, Servitors, etc. The RPG's prewritten scenario is set in Jericho Reach and like all RPGs culminates in a massive world ending battle. Keep in mind, no Astartes truly fights alone, that's not their job, taking the enemy on head to head is the IG's job. Like in real life, the SEALs, SAS, Spetsnaz, Waffens etc. don't like going against an infantry division, that's the job of the regular Army/Marine Corps, the SEALs would rather be blowing up crap that hurts the war effort as a whole. I think a Watch Station could get a 2000-2500 point strike force.
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?52423-The-Blood-Pact-Chaos-Homebrew-Supplement&p=472214&viewfull=1#post472214
I pumped out seventeen pages today between breakfast and lunch. I'll probably start the wargear lists this evening.
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?52423-The-Blood-Pact-Chaos-Homebrew-Supplement&p=472214&viewfull=1#post472214
Here's what I got so far.
[url]http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?54242-Deathwatch-A-Space-Marine-Homebrew-Supplement-40K&p=483972[/url]
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?52423-The-Blood-Pact-Chaos-Homebrew-Supplement&p=472214&viewfull=1#post472214