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Hi I am starting a black templar army soon and think I know the basics of their style but are there any key points or useful tips I should know about them? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Salamandermarine

1. Realize that you will most likely be short on heavy weapons. Because of Zeal, it's somewhat pointless to put heavy weapons in your Initiate squads (unless maybe you embark them). All it takes is one casualty and then it won't be able to shoot the next turn. Look for alternatives like speeder squadrons, Las/Missle Dreads, etc.

2. The Marshall is a very cost effective way of granting the entire army LD10. The Command squad is also a good option. With 5th edition wound allocation (complex units) and the inclusion of an Apothecary, this unit has good survivability.

3. the BT Crusader is superior to the Vanilla one. You can move 12'' and fire the Hurricane Bolters + 1 additional weapon (via Power of the Machine Spirit).

4. BT Terminators can still carry 2 heavy weapons. You should definitely use this.

This army wants to assault. But since you can no longer sweep into additional units, you need to be a bit more careful in how you setup and execute your assaults.

-Yad

They are a CC army. They become fearless in CC (any unit)

Yad wrote:1. Realize that you will most likely be short on heavy weapons. Because of Zeal, it's somewhat pointless to put heavy weapons in your Initiate squads (unless maybe you embark them). All it takes is one casualty and then it won't be able to shoot the next turn. Look for alternatives like speeder squadrons, Las/Missle Dreads, etc.

2. The Marshall is a very cost effective way of granting the entire army LD10. The Command squad is also a good option. With 5th edition wound allocation (complex units) and the inclusion of an Apothecary, this unit has good survivability.

3. the BT Crusader is superior to the Vanilla one. You can move 12'' and fire the Hurricane Bolters + 1 additional weapon (via Power of the Machine Spirit).

4. BT Terminators can still carry 2 heavy weapons. You should definitely use this.

This army wants to assault. But since you can no longer sweep into additional units, you need to be a bit more careful in how you setup and execute your assaults.

-Yad

You can still fire HWs in the shooting phase after righteous zeal moves as it happens in enemy shooting phase and not in your own movement phase

Click me!

Yad wrote:1. Realize that you will most likely be short on heavy weapons. Because of Zeal, it's somewhat pointless to put heavy weapons in your Initiate squads (unless maybe you embark them). All it takes is one casualty and then it won't be able to shoot the next turn. Look for alternatives like speeder squadrons, Las/Missle Dreads, etc.

Except RZ doesn't prevent you from firing, as it's movement during the opponent's turn. In fact, a 5-man Crusader Squad with a lascannon and a plasma gun is one of the best objective-campers in the game.

Yad wrote:
2. The Marshall is a very cost effective way of granting the entire army LD10. The Command squad is also a good option. With 5th edition wound allocation (complex units) and the inclusion of an Apothecary, this unit has good survivability.

If you're gonna have a Marshal, at least give him a CML Terminator Retinue. That'll free up an elite slot.

Yad wrote:
3. the BT Crusader is superior to the Vanilla one. You can move 12'' and fire the Hurricane Bolters + 1 additional weapon (via Power of the Machine Spirit).

Defensive weapons only work at 6". The Templars LRC is only better than other Chapter's because it's cheaper and can have Blessed Hull.

Yad wrote:
4. BT Terminators can still carry 2 heavy weapons. You should definitely use this.
This army wants to assault. But since you can no longer sweep into additional units, you need to be a bit more careful in how you setup and execute your assaults.

Yes, this is the crucial point: dual CML Terminators with Tank Hunters are Gods of anti-tank. Along with lasplas squads and cheap Typhoon speeders, they make up your army core. The most competetive Templar lists are very shooty, with their assault potential working more as a counter-assault element.

Remember, RZ states that you MAY move up to x inches. You don't have to move all the way. Second, even if your army is mostly shooty, a great assault unit is 8 assault terminators, with mixed LC and TH/SS (more LC), in an LRC. Point at enemy, enemy dies (unless they have a good invuln save).

Also, Accept any Challenge is the only vow, ever. Rerolling against an entire army is downright amazing. Plus, with this vow, AT lightning claws reroll hit and wound.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I forgot aa huge bit of advice. Vindicators with Power of the Machine Spirit are hilarious. Move 12'' and shoot demolisher, enemy dies

BT are incredibly good now.

They are a shooty army now, that is also good in assault, somewhat like missile wolves.

Cheap Typhoons, Predator Annihilators, and Tank Hunting Termie Squads form the core of your army. With preferred enemy from the EC, your boys are great at shooting and assaulting (and remember, tank hunters works in CC too, making your fists str 9 against vehicles).

Your biggest weakness is a lack of psyker defense and lack-luster troops.

However, these are easily overcome with good play.

3 units of Tank hunting, dual cyclone termie squads is just incredibly good. Each unit can move and shoot, has 4 str 9 and 10 str 5 shots against vehicles, or can frag hordes to death, plus they are good in assault. Awesome, awesome unit.

Outside of that, as said, load up on the other cheap units, take just enough troops to take and hold objectives and you have a top tier army.

I won Ard Boyz prelims with them and just absolutely smashed all but the most powerful of lists I played against at the event or in practice.

If you want to change it up, you can take a unit of assault termies with furious assault, and they will chop most other units into bits, but they typically need a delivery system such as an LRC, which gets pricey. The shooty termies are more efficient, IMO.

Good luck with them!