Initial chapter advice needed

[Wolfsrage]

I'm using the Black Templar codex to build my latest army, but I'm not interested in their paint scheme or fluff. I just want an all foot force with bolt pistol / close combat weapons. I plan on fielding a Marshall, EC, 2x5 Termies, and 3x15 Crusader squads. 

 

With that said, I want to make a custom chapter. However, I'm not sure how many other crusading chapters there are. Is this common? Are there others that already exist? I know the Black Templars have no successors.

 

I would justify the lack of librarians by claiming my chapter has few and they prefer to keep them off the battlefield unless absolutely necessary. They're viable assets.

 

I remember when any army could have an Emperor's champion. Do all chapters have one or should I just call him a Company champion? 

 

As for using close combat weapons and neophytes, I imagine they deviate from the codex when it comes to weaponry and they prefer to train recruits alongside the regular battle brothers. I remember "Traits" too. 

 

This can all be expanded upon. Just some initial thoughts and questions. Thanks!

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

First, I recommend the Guide to DIYing stickied at the top of the Liber.

 

Now, onto real stuff:

1. Don't write your fluff to fit the codex. Ever. It makes for a bad IA, and really restrains your creativity.

 

2. There are a sufficient number of crusading chapters for you to make one.

 

3. See point 1. You can still do this in your chapter, but you don't have to fit the army list.

 

4. There are Chapter Champions, which are the slightly scaled down equivalent of an EC.

 

5. Once again, see points 1. and 3.

[soddinnutter]

Most if not nearly all chapters start out as a Crusading Chapter and have to earn a Homeworld through conquest.

 

Many don't care about settling down. Like the Imperial Fists.

 

The usage of psykers varies greatly between Chapter from the Black Tempelars and Marines Malevolent at one end of the spectrum to the Silver Guard at the other with their Prognosticators to whom everyone pays heed.

 

No chapter needs to have an Emperors Champion. Nor do they need to select them in the same way. They could use the traditional way of waiting for a Brother to have a vision of the Emperor before battle and then after battle the EC Bling is put back in storage and the next one is waited for. or they could have a duel at the beginning of a campaign and that marine gets to be Champion until they are beaten in another Duel at the start of next campaign.

 

Recruitment and training also vary between chapters. You have Bolldclaw Packs with the Space Wolves, a sort of Apprentice & Master thing with the Black Tempelars, 'Everyone starts in the Scout Company' for the Ultramarines and anything else for everyone else.

[NightrawenII]

I remember when any army could have an Emperor's champion. Do all chapters have one or should I just call him a Company champion?

Back in the day(s) of 3rd ed. every Chapter could have a Emperor Champion... If the Crimson Fists Index Astartes is anything to go by, then this is tradition common to Imperial Fists and their successors.

 

As for using close combat weapons and neophytes, I imagine they deviate from the codex when it comes to weaponry and they prefer to train recruits alongside the regular battle brothers. I remember "Traits" too.

There was no such "Trait". But this could be easily explained.

 

Most if not nearly all chapters start out as a Crusading Chapter and have to earn a Homeworld through conquest.

 

Many don't care about settling down. Like the Imperial Fists.

Is this info from the Badad War books? I don't recall reading something like that.

 

Recruitment and training also vary between chapters. You have Bolldclaw Packs with the Space Wolves, a sort of Apprentice & Master thing with the Black Tempelars, 'Everyone starts in the Scout Company' for the Ultramarines and anything else for everyone else.

Name one Chapter without Scouts. This is not hard to justify.