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So I really love the color scheme of the black templars, and am inspired to make an army. I also like to win however, and with specialist armies this can be nigh impossible without the right build/grasp of strategy. If I made an army with 2 big units of innitiates and neophytes with a chaplan each with servitors for farther movement, supported by a land raider crusader with terminator backup (not sure which would be more devastating, assault or regular) would this be an effective core to my army? Also what would I use for filler? Im told land speeders with assault cannons are sure fire, and mabye smaller squads of marines with las cannons and plasmaguns.

Anyone offer me a build around my core choices that would be effective as an all comers list (only build armies to fight everyone, no real specialized forces like say anti nids).

Normal Termies are a lot more effective, because you don't need a LR to deliver them safely. Assault Termies aren't good for deepstriking if you decide to not bring the LR to a battle.

Preds, Land Speeders, and always 1 Ven Dread. Every marine army should have one, just to have it.

I guess you need to decide what you want to do with your army. I find the threat from crusader squads much less potent if there aren't assault squads moving forward.

Land Raiders don't scare me.

You can provide LR fire support with termies (another threat) or sword brethren.

Personally I'd go with the AC/las preds, a LS (or two in a squadron), couple assault squads, a ven dread, and then decide if you want termies or not.

I think termies, crusader squads, and assault squads moving forward really messes with targeting. Esp if you have vehicles in the back providing cover fire. What do you shoot?

Not sure how many points you are looking at but I have been having decent success with this at 1750 - 2000
HQ
marshal in termie armor with lightning claw and 4 termies, 2 heavy flamers
or
marshal with command squad with apothecary and 2 missile launchers

chaplain with 3 servitors, bolt pistol, termie honors and teleport homer (get the marshal in close safely)

EC with either +1str vow if fighting eldar, guard or tau, AAC for most others

TROOPS
9-10 initiates with pf/melta and 5-6 neos that the chaplain leads
2x7-8 init and 1-2 neos with pf/melta or pw/flamer (depending on enemy) in drop pods
a fire support squad with either ML or LC in a lascannon razorback if I have the points

FAST
either 3x1 LS Tornadoes or 3 HB attack bikes (still trying to figure which I like better

ELITES
Venerable Dread with smoke and armor in a drop pod (heavy flamer if I get the points)
5 sword brethren termies with 2 assault cannons


A few thoughts on how I play it and why I have chosen what I have chosen.

First up, you will notice that I deploy very little at the start of the game. This forces the enemy to shoot at my large crusade and with the servitors and crusader seals I typically go 7-9 extra inches. Of course, use terrain to limit fire as much as possible but still leave a few out there to die. The chaplain also lets you choose the direction you go in which is hugely beneficial.

Next up, I feel that a marshal is almost required since if you take a single wound you can end up falling back if you fail the morale check.

When the drop pods start showing up use them to further limit LOS from the more painful weapons of the enemy and remember that if they drift into an enemy unit that they will stop 1" away. You can block LOS for the majority of a dark reaper unit (if not all) quite easily and hide the squad behind the pod. Or you can also use it to get a melta within 6" of a vehicle pretty easily. Those units are cheap enough to sacrifice and if they survive shooting it is likely that they will consolidate into close combat, which is where you want to be.

Adding venerable to the dropping dread really helps him survive - often I will forego shooting when he lands to pop smoke and get a charge in on the following turn to tie up units.

Uhhh that is most of it off the top of my head, feel free to ask if you have questions and I will answer to the best of myh ability.

The key to Black Templars is to use the units that give your army it's punch. Chaplains are the best choice for an all around Templar list. I run two in my list. Marshals are okay, but usually Rites of Battle isn't worth much when at least two units are fearless and your champion is leading another. If you are focusing on a shooting Templar army (which I don't recommend) a marshal is a better buy. Your main support units should come in the form of mobile shooting elements..i.e. anything that can support your advance without losing firepower. So your army will have either dreads, preds, attack bikes, or in some cases crusaders. If you are fielding a predominently foot-slogging force Grimaldus is a huge force multiplier. I run a mixed force and I still include him. He's a great bargain for the points. My list of late has included a crusader. I haven't had to test it out much, but I find that it helps my Assault squad and Jumppack Chappy get to where they need to go in tact since the crusader draws so much attention. Lastly, one of your chaplains should always have a jumppack, powerfist, mantle. He is such a great beatstick/ independant problem solver. The only thing that can really hurt him is a Hive Tyrant.

Capt K

How large does a Crusade need to be to include Grimaldus?

snorkle wrote:How large does a Crusade need to be to include Grimaldus?

I don't believe he has any restrictions.

No, I meant how large would it have to be for him to be a viable choice?
I own the BT codex. Sorry for writing the question in an unclear manner.

Three large Crusader squads, with 8 Initiates and 8 Neophytes, with power fist and melta.
Add Marshall, Reclusiarch, and mandatory EC, and you have a decent core.
The rest should be able to give fire support.

Anything over 1500pts. He's a pretty good buy.

Capt K

snorkle wrote:No, I meant how large would it have to be for him to be a viable choice?
I own the BT codex. Sorry for writing the question in an unclear manner.

I'd take 2 Reclusiarchs with bolt pistol, frags instead of Grimaldus, costs the same (1 pt).

I think drop pods are the way to go with BT. I also concur with Captain K that Chaplains are the best HQ... seeing that special characters are in now I would always field Grimaldus.

- G

Drop pods sorta take away the biggest strenght of the templars, which are the large squad sizes. Coupled with a chaplain + cenobytes or Grimaldus, they will be covering ground very rapidly. Don't forget that Grimaldus gets to come back to life, and has the Holy Relic included in his retinue, for the +1 attack goodness.

Also led by the chaplain they will get to Re-roll their hits on the turn they charge if they actually charge.

In 5th edition, they only get faster, and since "Preferred Enemy" will allow re-roll of hits instead of "hit on 3+", if they are going to be led by the chaplain, you will be free to take another Vow.

I've played Templars for a long time and I think the most unique and powerful thing for the army is Storm Shields on your Assault squad. 2 squads geared like this and your opponent is going to spend the entire game getting them out of his gun line.