A Thousand Points of Light: Black Templars by Patrick Eibel
There are two basic tactics to choose when developing an army–stand back and shoot or charge into assault. The lists in this series have so far focused on assault armies, and here is another. The Black Templars are one of the most ferocious hand-to-hand armies available.

Remember, this list--like all the others in this series--is meant for brand new players or for players looking to start a new army. This list is not meant to be a "killer" list for winning tournaments or trouncing people at the local gaming shop. Rather, it is a foundation that players can build upon as they desire.

What To Buy

2 Blood Claw boxes	$50.00	£30
Assault Squad box	$25.00	£12
2 Storm Shields (from GW Mail Order)	$5.00	£2.50
Rhino	$25.00	£12
Scout Squad box	$20.00	£10
Land Raider Crusader	$50.00	£35
Total	$175.00	£101.50

All prices are from the Games Workshop website and may vary. Prices do not include taxes and are meant only as a guide.

1000 point list
Use the Blood Claws for your Initiates (just use the regular torsos instead of the Space Wolf ones).  Use the power sword and meltagun from the Space Wolf accessory sprue, but be sure to cut away the Wolf iconography. To attach the storm shields to the Assault Squad, just cut away the bolt pistols from the marine’s hand and glue the storm shield to the back of the hand. Use the two power axes from the Space Wolf accessory sprue for power weapons. 

You will note that there are no figures listed for the Emperor’s Champion or Marshal. This is because GW currently does not have special figures for these models. You can either use the remaining power weapons, special head, and torso from the Blood Claw box (the cheap method), or try and hunt down the out-of-print Emperor’s Champion and limited edition Marshal that was available through the Skulls program (the expensive method).
 

Black Templar tactics
Deploy Squad Alpha (9 initiates + 5 neophytes) with the Marshal inside the Land Raider Crusader. Deploy Squad Beta (9 initiates) and the Champion inside the Rhino. Always try to deep strike the assault squad and get them into close combat as soon as possible, where they will be getting 4+ invulnerable saves. If they cannot deep strike, deploy them in cover or behind the Crusader so that they will be protected from enemy fire.

Obviously, with a handful of troops and only two tanks, this army list is vulnerable to enemy fire. It will not stand up to an Armored Company very well. Against an Eldar army with an abundance of Bright Lances, deploy the big squad outside the Crusader and use it for cover as you advance. Against an Eldar army with Star Cannons, stay inside your rides until you reach the front lines of the Twinkies. 

Keep in mind the only anti-tank capability you have is the Crusader's multi melta, the meltagun in each squad, the Champion's sword, and whatever grenades you give the Marshal. Prioritize your targets for these weapons accordingly.

Some might question why I included such an expensive tank in such a small list. Mostly, to be "in character": what kind of Templar army doesn't have a Crusader? While it's true that the presence of the tank severely reduces your numbers, the good news is that in a small battle, your tank has little to fear except a lucky shot. "CHAAAAARGE!"
 

Related Pages
Introduction to the series
Other lists in this series
 

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© Copyright Patrick Eibel, March 2002. Used with permission.
 

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