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I've recently started working on a Black Templar army but have come to a bit of a roadblock and need help from the collective minds of Dakka.

I absolutely despise the scout models. Like really. So I need alternatives to use as Neophytes for my crusader squads as I assume that scouts are what people usually use as BTs don't have actual scouts.

I'm seriosly considering using the Tempestus Scion models with either their regular masked heads or with space marine heads. Mostly because I love how they look. Fluffwise I imagine that my Templars have very little in the way of resources after a long time crusading and therefore make use of what gear they can get, also represented by the actual marines using a mix of power armor marks (Because the BaC MK4 looks so much better than the regular MK7s). Is this a no-go? I've been quite a bit out of the loop regarding SM fluff for a while.
What'd be your opinions on this both fluffwise and gameplay-wise? They will ofc be modeled with appropriate weapons and gear. No lasguns here, no. Anything in particular that would make them feel like BT neophytes and not just Scions in the wrong place?

Any other suggestions for replacements for the scout models to use as Neophytes?

Should I base them on 32mms like the marines or keep the 25mms, presuming I end up going with the Scions? It feels like the Scions will look really small on 32mms but at the same time it might look weird if the Initiates are on 32mms and the Neophytes are on 25mm while belonging to the same squad.

The only thing I don't like about SM scouts are the Duke Nukem jarheads.

I've seen some really nice Neophytes with Blood Angel Death Company bare heads;


Bretonnian Errant Knights bare heads;


I'd also look at the Bretonnian Men-at-Arms and Bowmen, Empire sets like Greatswords, etc. There's a lot of good medieval style swords, weapons, and bits and bobs in the WFB sets which can add a lot of fluffy character and reinforce the whole, Initiate = Knight and Neophyte = Squire, thing.

It's sadly not just the heads that's the issue for me tbh even though they are the worst offenders.

I've tried making scouts before with guardsman heads and while it does look better the whole torso shape still makes me think of Quasimodos with guns.



I'm thinking scions with either the beret heads or regular marines helmets, without their backpacks and equiped with the proper weapons with maybe some loincloths, templar crosses and other Black Templar markings.

I agree, the SM scouts are the worst models in the SM range.

I use the Anvil Industries BlackOPS for snipers at least: http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Exo-Lords/Black-Ops/Black-Ops-Sniper-Recon-Team