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Recently I was asked why I haven't played space marines for so long, specifically my old black Templar army. And, seeing as how it was the person who got me the new SM codex for my birthday, I couldn't refuse a challenge to my men in black and white.

What I am curious about is what does the community think has changed for this chapter in how it plays? I see that the detachment rules are kind of right out as I use crusader squads and not tactical, but beyond that most things look the same. Should I just go crusaders in crusader land raiders, with my contemptor and centurions for anti armor? Any advise on how to optimize melee where more armies here have at least a few transports? I'm ignoring the player with 3 impknights, since that would just make me cry

The BT have become objectively better in this codex. Speaking as a fairly new BT player, the power step up from other melee forces is significant. You got your ObSec Av14 Methul Bawkses (LR Crusaders), you got handy bike cavalry, Honour Guard are your new Sword Brethren, Grimaldus is a baws, the EC shanks any/every MEQ in melee besides dedicated units/characters (anything with a Thunder Hammer).

The BT are fast, aggressive and need to be played right up in the enemy's face. Great fun this edition.

Pro Tip:
>If you use a Land Raider, take two.
>Black Tide is underpowered, unless everything can move over 12" on T1. If it can, T2 assault will net you wins.
>Don't be afraid to send a lone Dreadnought in a Drop Pod out on T1. It'll often feth up the opponent's plans.
>Mobility is key
>Put a neophyte out in front of all crusader squads, for fodder and bonus attacks.

 Selym wrote:
The BT have become objectively better in this codex. Speaking as a fairly new BT player, the power step up from other melee forces is significant. You got your ObSec Av14 Methul Bawkses (LR Crusaders), you got handy bike cavalry, Honour Guard are your new Sword Brethren, Grimaldus is a baws, the EC shanks any/every MEQ in melee besides dedicated units/characters (anything with a Thunder Hammer).

The BT are fast, aggressive and need to be played right up in the enemy's face. Great fun this edition.

Pro Tip:
>If you use a Land Raider, take two.
>Black Tide is underpowered, unless everything can move over 12" on T1. If it can, T2 assault will net you wins.
>Don't be afraid to send a lone Dreadnought in a Drop Pod out on T1. It'll often feth up the opponent's plans.
>Mobility is key
>Put a neophyte out in front of all crusader squads, for fodder and bonus attacks.

I'm going to second what Selym said here. BT got a nice boost with the new book. Suffer a casualty? You gain counter-attack and rage (I think, haven't look at the BT CT all that much, but I know they got better)

Yeah, dead BT unit members grant the unit Rage and Counter Attack until the end of the turn, if they die to shooting or overwatch.
You can also DTW on a 5+, and everyone has Crusader.