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Hello all,

I just decided to get into 40k, and after going through the books at my local game shop I have decided I like the look and fluff of the Black templars best. Right now I am limited on funds and since I have no real warhammer experience other than buying a good bit of Fantasy stuff then deciding I like 40k better, I was wondering what would be the best way to spend about 75-100$ on the start of an army?

Welcome Brother!

Im fairly new to the BT my self, warhammer 40k as well.

Look into getting the Space Mariner battleforce, has quite a bit of stuff in it.

Also you still gotta buy our 30 dollar codex, and maybe the 75 dollar rule book.

Definitely buy the BRB and read the rules thoroughly.
The BT codex you can find most likely online with a careful search, make sure to download the latest faq from the GW website.
As mentioned the SM battleforce is a good start, the BT upgrade pack is great if you wanna start making your army looking like BTs right away.
You could also look on ebay for a BT army already put together.
My army has the BT emblems/iconography but I have my own paint-scheme and I rotate between the BT, SM and DA codexes.

Welcome and have fun!

I went ahead and bought the BT codex and ordered one of the mini rule books from the dark vengence boxed set on eBay for 20 bucks. So the SM battle force would make for a decent foundation? What would have to be added for a playable, say 1000 pt army? Or do people play games below the 1000 pt level?

That box set I think, dont quote me on this lol is around 500 points or so, give or take depending on how you equip your guys.

You'll need a few things to make it complete and more competative, im still learning but You need an Emperor's Champ, probably a terminator squad, an HQ just to start.

I would recommend the battle force for sure and then going with a box of terminators to start with. Also the ec is a must for any list over 750. For an HQ go with a chaplain, they can be kitted out in a ton of ways and are the cheapest hq with an invul.

Emperor's Champion as mentioned. I personally prefer the Marshal over the Chaplain due to rites of battle.
Shootty termies will be good, try to find CML bits online to be able to stick 2 CMLs in a squad of 5.
Also at low point scale typhoon land speeders are awesome..

Welcome to the Crusade! I will agree with the above, Battleforce is the way to go as well as an upgrade box. EC and Chaplain are a must. Then shooty Terminators and a cpl Typhoons. From there out youll want to pick up more Marines and Scout boxes, CC Teminators, a Land Raider Crusader, and definitely a Stormraven. I would also recommend finding a Razorback turret for the Rhino included with the Battleforce. A Rhino is useless these days but a Lasback is great fire support for a group of shooting Crusaders.