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Ok so I just started playing 40k after finding some of my brothers old unbuilt stuff around...

I chose the Black Templar for the way their models look (the sets were space marines), this was an uneducated choice but I really knew nothing about the game... Anyways I started painting some of the units, after coming up with an army list with someone I met who works at a local game shop. The list I have so far is as follows below. I have no idea what a crusader squad and command squad is or how the squads are supposed to be broken up so I will just name the units and what weapons they have and the total points value. All ideas very much welcome as I don't have much prior knowledge to go on. I would also like to know how a Black Templar's army is supposed to be broken down into squads and what not. Also are any other units necessary? Thank you!

High Marshal Helbrecht
Total: 175

First Squad
10 Initiates
9 w/ Bolters
1 w/ Bolt Pistol and Chainsword
Total: 160

Second Squad
10 Initiates
9 w/ Bolters
1 w/ Bolt Pistol and Chainsword
Total: 160

Third Squad
10 Neophytes w/ Bolt Pistol and Chainsword (what other weapons or upgrades would be useful? Should I add or remove any units? I haven't assembled these yet)
Total: 100

Heavy Support
2 Predator Annihilators w/ Twin-Linked Lascannons and Side Lascannons
1 Predator Destructor w/ Autocannon and Side Heavy Bolters
2 Dreadnaughts w/ Lascannons and Close Combat Weapons
1 Dreadnaught w/ Lascannon and Missile Launcher
1 Land Raider Crusader

Total: 1030

Overall Total is 1625 and it is going to be a 1850 army so what else could I put in, and what could I take out and replace or change to make it better? Thank you all for any ideas, criticisms, opinions etc.
I have only just started learning the game and have not played in a battle yet so if you don't want to explain all the details and stuff I understand ;P

Welcome to the wonderful world of 40k, and may God have mercy on your soul. Hope you didnt need that disposeable cash.

Anyways,

If you want to learn this game with what you've got, I REALLY suggest you begin play in games consisting of...

1. Your leader
2. two "troops" choices
3. at most 1 or 2 choices from other catagories in your codex.

....making for 500 or so point games. This is honestly the best way for someone who is just learning right now. You cant possibly really know the game so how could you possibly know what you want to build? Sure, someone else can tell you what they think will be effective, and you can also scour the boards for tactics with marines in general and BT specifically, but the bottom line is that this army will be YOURS and you need to feel comfortable with IT, not uncomfortable with someone elses list, they arent going to be standing behind you while you decide where to move and what to shoot with/at.

Starting out this game with an 1850 pt list is a VERY daunting task. You have no idea how things work in battle. (perhaps you've read what they do in the book, but you dont know how they 'practically' work on the battlefield, that sort of thing takes experience in the game)

I suggest your next purchases be the rulebook (out next month), and your codex. You didnt mention that you have either yet and if you want to build a Templar army, you need that codex FIRST THING.

After that, play some smallish games. People might need some convincing to tear away from their 1850 pt games but once you get in on some "rapid fire" 500 pt games they become most enjoyable, and they're the best way for you to learn. After a couple you might think "I could've really used a land raider to get my guys into combat quicker" or "some mobility might be useful, maybe I'll proxy in a speeder and try that" there are many things you might want to try, and thats the best way to build your first army....

.....The worst way, of course, to build your first 1850 is to have someone tell you what to put into it. Listen to advice, but make your own decisions.

Well, that sounds like a plan I suppose, I guess I will make plans to visit the local game shop soon.

Btw, all the models I currently have were my brothers, most of the models that make up this list, save the 20 painted templars with bolters and the unassembled neophytes, have not been purchased yet

your list is illegal...Neophytes could not hold a whole squad without initiates...

most templars need big infantry squads.

The 4th, before you make any additional purchases, I'd really recommend what Deadshane has already suggested, and that is:

BUY THE CODEX FIRST

Give it a read. Make sure you both like and understand the army you're about to play. I know some people say that once you've seen one Power Armored army, you've seen them all, but in all honesty Black Templars is one of the most distant relatives of the Sv3+ family.

That said, a couple of things you should know about the list:

Crusader Squads do best when everyone is packing a Bolt Pistol and Close Combat Weapon. When you take 10 Initiates and 10 Neophytes in the Squad, with the basically prerequisite Meltagun and Power Fist on two of the Initiates, you get 39 attacks in the Assault Phase, and 59 on the charge. Toss in a Chaplain with some Cenobytes and suddenly you're looking at a squad that is going to Move, Run, and Zeal very quickly into Assault, and when it does, it will pack quite a nasty punch.

Helbrecht, while fairly nice in his massive, expensive, Furious Charging Command Squad, is pretty overpriced for his abilities on his own. I'd recommend tossing him in favor of an inexpensive Chaplain (Reclusiarch, specifically) with a Bolt Pistol. You also need to get an Emperor's Champion (or convert one yourself, since this is both cheaper and much more fun).

Once you've got a Reclusiarch, an Emperor's Champion, and a couple squads of Marines, play some games. At MOST, buy one more unit of whatever suits your fancy that won't break a 500pts game (a small Sword Brethren Squad or some Assault Marines is nice). Once you've done that, expand slowly towards units you see as good and towards units you like.

Other than that, good hunting.

CK