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Well I was just about to call it a grimdark day when those rascals at GW released a new SM codex. I looked at the formations and got an idea about an army, and the Black Templars fit the bill. I used to know how to build a legal army with the FOC, but now with formations and detachments, I have no clue. So I'm gonna build it as a collection of formations. Also decided to make my own bases.

At any rate, I'm using the formations to build 3 Fighting Companies (based on demi-companies) the Marshals Household (1st Company Task Force) an Armored Strike Force and a Storm Wing. I'll come up with a Templarish name later on. I may add some more stuff cause I like SM tanks.

The first Fighting Company will be a classic Black Templar type force, big crusader squads with Neophytes. All the fixings. Focus on close assault and armed appropriately. The marshal will lead this company.

The second fighting company will be the siege host. Small, very heavily armed. Designed to sit in place and pound away.

The third fighting company will be mounted, fast attack.

So, here we go......

Really liking the bases! What grey did you use for the edge highlighting? I am restarting my raven guard and I am asking other black power armor players to get a general consensus.

Super stuff, as expected!

This is gonna be a good one!

Well I can't not follow this! Just started working on my Crusade after putting it away over a year ago

I will follow along. I will be working on my very own Black Templars here in a year or so after I clean up my backlog some . Maybe I can gather some inspiration from yours.

These guys look great so far. Nice work on the bases as well.

Off to a great start!

Well, thanks to everyone for all the interest. Ustrello and Paradigm always a pleasure. I don't have much of an update. I spent my time making a new batch of bases. Just wanted to be sure I could replicate the first batch. I started on the Rhino but haven't gotten to far. I made the ultimate models mistake, I sold all my bits. And there were a lot. So I'm slow going making these guys look Templarish.

Anyway, I do have enough to properly begin my siege company. All 3 crusader squads and the devestaor squad. All will by the small 5 man squads and loaded with heavy weapons. If I'm reading the codex correctly a 5 man Crusader squad can take a heavy and special weapon. Good times. I also scored no less than 4 Forge World Templar transfer sheets. Pretty sharp! I was thinking I'll reserve the tab bards for the ranking Templars. Sorta like Dark Angels and robes.

 40kFSU wrote:
I made the ultimate models mistake, I sold all my bits. And there were a lot.

Heresy!

Nice lot of bases!

did you work off a tutorial on those bases, or can you make one? They look fantastic!

Looking good FSU. My guess is that he let some sort of putty dry then sanded it down flat and cut the lines for the bricks

@Paradigm- Heresy indeed! the worst part is all the Black Templar stuff I parted with.........ugh

@sparkywtf and Ustrello- Close, I tried with putty but it made too clean of cuts. Its plaster, cut with a knife and sealed with GW Hardcoat. The paster naturally chips when its cut. Not sure if Hardcoat is intended as a sealant but it was on hand and if figured why not. Works well. Ill do a step by step with the next batch if yall are interested.

Templars now, still got plenty of black paint left over from the raven guard then I see

Basses look fantastic, interesting technique, sounds easier than sculpting them that's for sure, but you don't get nice round edges.

I've done exactly the same as you with space marine bits, however I have forbidden myself from buying or making space marines again, so I don't regret it yet...


Looking forward to more as usual.

Hey noodles, good to see you dropping by. I should have known better than to sell my bits. Marines are definitely my GW drug of choice.

Speaking of which, a minor update. The rhino is sporting one of the forgeworld transfers. I'm going to have to think on exactly how to use them. I have 4 sheets, but still. Waste not want not, right? I've decided the 3 crusader squads will have an extra guy to soak up a wound. 6th initiate for this one, neophytes for the others. Waiting on the tabard bits for the sergeant.

Looking very nice so far man, I just started using transfers myself (after almost three years in the hobby ) and I love them.

I know how it feels not wanting to waste transfers haha. I have the etched brass from FW and I think I only used 3-4 pieces off of it. Can't bring myself to use more haha

I hear you guys. Took a while to break down and use the transfers. But now that I have, can't work without them. I fell into the etched brass trap too. Got some for my Raven Guard, didn't use any because it looked so cool and I was "saving it" for the just right spot on the just model.

Speaking of which, the Templar sheet rocks. It includes scripture and crusade emblems which I am using to distinguish the fighting companies. I decided to build out the company before painting anymore, it will help me with the bits I need. I did manage to finish the 2nd assault squad and slapped some shields on the first.

Very nice FSU! Are you going to keep this army or sell it?

All looking good!

Thanks gents! And, well......Im gonna sell it. I may go for an AoS army next. The models actually look kinda cool.

I love your armies! I cant wait to see this one!

 40kFSU wrote:
Thanks gents! And, well......Im gonna sell it. I may go for an AoS army next. The models actually look kinda cool.

... and I thought that your Minotaurs were a short lived army.

Well, speaking of short lived armies.......this is very embarrassing since so many folks were kind enough drop by and leave a comment. I think I'm going to scrap this project. Thing is, sounds like a cool idea and I think I could pull it off, but the models don't look any better than any others I have painted. I don't feel like I'm pushing myself to get any better. These dudes look just like the Raven Guard I did over a year ago. I'm using the same techniques, colors, everything. So I'm gonna try to come up with a new scheme or something.

Noooo!!! One can never truly have too many black armies.

That's a shame to hear, I was really liking where this was going!

I know exactly what you mean, though, about not pushing yourself. Especially for those like you and (these days) me who don't really play the game, it can actually be very disheartening to be churning out more and more of the same, with the paradox that you want to improve, but any significant change/progression will look out of place in the stuff you've already done. When you're painting for the sake of painting, getting 'comfortable' is arguably one of the worst places to be.

I found myself in a similar hole earlier this year, where I could churn out mini after mini but they just weren't getting any better, and the way I got out of that was basically by saying 'hang the game that I never get to play anyway' and focusing on small projects, one-offs and different styles/types of minis. Perhaps that could help you; have you considered trying some fantasy minis, or some Eldar or something? Or maybe smaller groups to really push yourself with new styles, techniques and such?

Sorry, that's a bit rambling! Looking forward to your next project, though!

Well, I think your skills are gaining with every model. Especially the guys you just posted. I think Ill try a custom chapter using the Minotaur bronze. I think using the Crusader Squad structure makes for more options. For example, a "troop" squad can be equipted as close combat and has more weapon options. So maybe I will continue with this army structure jst for kicks.

Good point, there's a lot more you can do with the mixed squad setups of the Templars. If I didn't stick religiously to First Founding Chapters/Legions, I'd certainly have a Crusader squad or two! I'm tempted every time I see some nicely painted ones!

Maybe try the carcharodons? A fun chapter and you can mix melee weapons with guns etc in the squad.

Ok, so I stripped the Templars and found a big time formula I like for Minotaurs. I think the challenge will be getting the vehicles to look good. I don't have an airbrush, I think most Minotaur armies use one to get a smooth coat. Anyway, here are the first 5 WIP's. Pics are still a little dark. If I'm gonna do these right I will have to break down and get a light box or something.

Ok so the first 5 are complete. I used the tutorial from a blog called "From the Warp" I really like this because they look weathered and beaten. Also no doubt about the metallics. I see a lot of really nice Minotaur armies which look more brown or tan. Anyway, first 5 pics are with my phone so they aren't very good. The challenge will be getting vehicles to look like this.


GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Sorry about the sideways pics.