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So, interesting weekend: I went and visited my dad and step-mom in Lake George, NY and went skiing on Gore Mountain on Saturday. Turns out, as I was bringing back my rentals, I bumped into Tom Kirby. We got chatting, and he's actually quite a friendly guy. I met up with him later that night at the Adirondack Brew Pub (get the oatmeal stout if you ever go, it's great!) and we had a couple drinks. I let him know of my concerns that I heard Black Templars were getting folded back into the SM 'dex, and he told me to put my mind at ease. I asked him if he knew anything, and it turns out he's a fellow Templars fan too. He's been working with the design team on the book, and was willing to share a few tidbits. I hastily scribbled them onto a napkin, and typed everything up for your viewing pleasure. Without further or do, here's what he told me on Saturday, March 30th:

-Not folded into Space Marine Codex
-Two Warlord charts: one normal, one from the Emperor's Champion

-Emperor's Champion is a total badass and has gone back to being able to take out Bloodthirsters by himself. His attack value is equal to the highest WS of his opponent, with a minimum of 3. Carries the Black Sword still (+2S, power weapon), gains rending. Armor of Faith gives him a rerollable 3++. Still carries a pistol. 6 possible vows, roll to see which one your army gets: it's like a second Warlord table

-Crusader mixed squads remain, increase to 5-15 Initiates and up to an equal amount of Neophytes

-Assault grenades for all Black Templar units, but must buy defense grenades

-Crusader mixed squads cost 12 and 8 points for Initiates and Neophytes, come standard with bolter/shotgun. +1 ppm to swap for bolt pistol/chainsword

-Sword Brethren gain more weapon options, no weapon limits. They become a true swiss army knife.

-Three additional special characters, one was published before in White Dwarf: he's actually useful this time around

-Helbrecht gives his army Preferred Enemy: Necrons and can have a command squad up to 20 Initiates and 10 Neophytes. Neophytes in this squad must always use "Look out, Sir" regardless of where they are in the squad and re-roll failures

-Grimaldus has the rule "It will not die" and every Black Templar unit gains Fearless

-Crusader Seals allow you to roll 2 dice and pick the result you want when rolling to consolidate

-Every unit champion can purchase the Holy Orb of Antioch: small blast, wounds on 2+, AP3, one use.

-Bike squads go up to 3-10 models per squad, all have power lances, 30ppm

-Durandal Dreadnoughts: they're back

-Black Templars don't get any new fliers, they only have their recent Stormraven and Stormtalon

-Transport costs go down across the board

-Land Raider Crusader is 250 points: this includes Blessed Hull which has improved as well. It still ignores the effect of lances, but also ignores attacks that automatically glance on a 6 (Gauss, Plague Swords, etc). Each Black Templar unit is allowed to take a Crusader. Assault Marines that take the Crusader remove their jetpack and subtract 30 points from the cost.

Cool Story Bro.

Who's Tom Kirby?

I still say you should've stabbed Tom. Or at the very least told him we're all very, very disappointed with his brand of leadership.

And more subtle than most, but still April Fool's crud.

Can't wait till Natfka picks it up.

Or BoLS!

Sigh.

 BrookM wrote:
I still say you should've stabbed Tom. Or at the very least told him we're all very, very disappointed with his brand of leadership.

Really? This is why GW doesn't listen to the players.

Someone needs to turn his frown upside down or just press the friendship button.

Ok, Dakka Ted Nugent...

Cant tell if April troll or not