Fan Made Black Templars 8th Edition Codex

[BloodWolves]

Im gonna see what I can take from the last Templar Codex, create a codex with some photoshop magic and send it to GW.. they dont even have to do the work or pay for it. Just review it and decide whether to put it out there. Ill put it on here for review. But in the mean time.. give me some ideas, artwork, and rules of what you would love to see in an 8th Edition Black Templars Codex!

 

Seeing how much traction I get, I'll probably do it up more like an "Index" vs a Codex (with a whole bunch of lore) first and after maybe make it into a full fledged Codex.

 

I think the main thing tp do is to try to keep things reasonable.. the most I could see the Black Templars going at is maybe a Mid Tier army, this is not to make them overpowered. The less outlandish and crazy things we ask for.. the more likely it will get taken seriously.

[Panzer]

I can already tell you, that's not going to work. Companies don't like it a lot when people do their work for them even if it's good work and they come up with something similar later on.

[Schlitzaf]

Honesty Renegade Knights give me hope for espacially Crusader Biker Squads, Sword Brothern and Durandal. Maybe maybe an Assault Marine Variant.

 

But as I posted elsewhere;

Vows and Emperor’s Champion- Give us one maybe two BT Specific Warlord Trait. That are Vow of X. If army is Imperium, Battleforged, with BT Warlord nominate Black Templar CHAMPION model to gain one of Warlord “Vow” traits.

 

The Vow Traits would be something to turn Power Weapons on 1A Models into something useful. Like model armed with an MELEE AP -1 or Greater Weapon may attack an additional time with that weapon.

 

Assault Marine and Biker Crusaders would be simple enough, have them

 

Biker Crusaders be able to take Power Weapons and Neophyte instead of Special Weapons and Attack Biker in Bike Squads.

 

Assault Marines may take Power Weapons instead of Plasma/Flamers, And/or Eviscerators (and have the size requirements for Evsicerators removed).

 

And give us a second Relic and Strategem due to being illegal for us to use the two Librarian/Pyskers ones.

 

Honestly the real question is what should we give up. Sense we give up Librarians for Crusaders (in a sense). My vote is Centurions.

[Marshal_von_Speer]

Im gonna see what I can take from the last Templar Codex, create a codex with some photoshop magic and send it to GW.. they dont even have to do the work or pay for it. Just review it and decide whether to put it out there. Ill put it on here for review. But in the mean time.. give me some ideas, artwork, and rules of what you would love to see in an 8th Edition Black Templars Codex!

 

Seeing how much traction I get, I'll probably do it up more like an "Index" vs a Codex (with a whole bunch of lore) first and after maybe make it into a full fledged Codex.

 

I think the main thing tp do is to try to keep things reasonable.. the most I could see the Black Templars going at is maybe a Mid Tier army, this is not to make them overpowered. The less outlandish and crazy things we ask for.. the more likely it will get taken seriously.

 

Now that's what I call ZEAL!

 

I think it's not primarily about them actually adopting it, but it's about sending a strong message! This is will be something that's sets itself apart from all the 0815-whinning and/or wishlisting they probably get everyday.

 

You have my support.

 

Here's a first idea:

Instead of a 1 CP one use a turn stratagem, abhor the witch should be a charcter trait for BT Chaplains, allowing them to deny the witch analoge to psykers.

[BloodWolves]

Chaplain:

Same stats as Chaplains

 

For 2 CP, A single Black Templar Chaplain may ascend to the rank of Reclusiarch for the duration of the game.

 

"Reclusiarch. Not Sir." - Chaplains may attempt a single Deny the Witch during the psychic phase but must be within 3" of the affected unit.

[BloodWolves]

I thank you all in advance for your support. I may call upon some assistance with this Index. I will try and get most of your ideas, but I apologize also if I don't add your idea. I will try to work with everyone though. Thanks again!

[BloodWolves]

Warlord Traits

D6

 

1- Blade Master: As a former Sword Brother, this warlords skill in the art of swordsmanship has very few equals in the entirety of the Imperium (Note: Marshal must take a sword only)

- Warlord may add 1 to attacks and reroll wounds in the fight phase.

 

2- Honour by Combat: The Black Templars are known for their skill and their belief in honour through close quarter combat.

- You may re-roll failed charge rolls for your warlord and any Black Templar units within 6".

 

3- Till the End: The Black Templars bind themselves to each other with words spoken of their Primarch before battle.

- Your warlord and all friendly units within 12" autopass Morale.

 

4- Abhor the Witch: The Black Templars hold hatred towards rogue psykers, sorcerers and witches. All shall meet their end.

- Your warlord may resist one psychic power in each of your opponents psychic phase and any unit within 3 inches of your warlord may only lose a maximum of 1 model during the psychic phase.

 

5- No Matter the Odds: No matter how outnumbered the Black Templars are, they are the personification of true zeal and will fight til their last breath.

- Your warlord gains +1 attack if outnumbered by 10 or greater by enemy models; also roll a D6 each time your Warlord suffers a wound, re-rolling wounds of 1. On a 6+, that wound is ignored and has no effect.

 

6- No Pity! No Remorse! No Fear!: The Black Templars march onto battle with this battlecry deep within their hearts.

- Any unit within 6" of your Warlord may reroll a single failed hit, wound, save, charge roll and a single spent CP may be regained on a 5+.

 

How is this for a Warlord Trait Chart?

What would you add or edit?

[BloodWolves]

I agree on giving up Centurions and Librarians Obvs..

 

I was thinking of taking something from the Deathwatch codex and maybe stating that Sword Brethern would be an elite slot, replacing Terminator Squads and Sternguard/ Vanguard Veteran squads (carry over same stats).

 

- "Sternguard" and "Terminator" Sword Brethren can mix and match in the same unit. (But having a terminator does not grant auto pass morale)

 

The unit may attack twice in the fight phase (Similar to Khorne Berserkers)

[BloodWolves]

For a Vow as a stratagem:

 

Eternal Crusaders (2CP): Only Black Templar Crusader Squads may roll 3D6 (Pick the highest 2 dice) on the charge. Crusader squads may also charge after advancing.

 

After giving out some ideas.. I feel like this might get overwhelming. Ive divided up the Fan Made Index into 3 working parts.

 

1.) Individual/ Special Units Rules.

- Replacement of names to suit Black Templars.

- Additional rules to models such as Traits

 

2.) Vows/ Stratagems.

- Additional Black Templar related Stratagems.

 

3.) Relics/ Wargear

- Additional Black Templar related relics and wargear.

 

Which should we work on first?

[Schlitzaf]

A Unit from the Black Templar Chapter can use any datasheet usable by a force constructed using Codex Spaces Marines with the (Chapter) or Black Templar faction keyword with the following exceptions:

-Adeptus Astartes Pyskers -Adeptus Astartes Centurions

-Adeptus Astartes Whirlwinds -Adeptus Astartes Scouts

-Adeptus Astartes Company Veterans -Honor Guard

-Sternguard Veterans -Vanguard Veterans

-Dreadnought -Venerable Dreadnought

-Devastator Squad -Assault Squad

-Tactical Squad -Bike Squad

 

In addition to the above restrictions, a Black Templar is also permitted to use the following units:

-Avalon Dreadnought -Durandal Dreadnought

-Sword Brothers -Sword Brothers on Bike

-Household Brothers -Conquistador Squad

-Cavalier Squad -Neophyte Ancient

-Marshall-Champion Almerich -Castellan Draco

 

The following datasheets unit keywords are replaced when they are taken as part of the Black Templar Chapter, the new keyword is noted by ():

-Adeptus Astartes Captains (Marshall)

-Adeptus Astartes Lieutenant (Castallen)

-Adeptus Astartes Company Ancient (Crusade Ancient)

-Adeptus Astartes Company Champion (Crusade Champion)

-Chapter Ancient (Household Ancient)

-Chapter Champion (Household Champion)

 

The noted datasheets below gain the unit keyword CHAMPION;

-Black Templar Crusade Champion

-Household Champion

-Emperor’s Champion

 

A Land Raider Crusader is taken by the Black Templar Chapter, it may be taken as a Dedicated Transport or a Heavy Support option.

 

In addition to the various rules and permissions listed above when a unit is taken as part of the Black Templar Chapter using these rules replace (CHAPTER) on its datasheet replace with faction keyword Black Templar for all purposes.

 

Scion of Sigismund

If an army is IMPERIUM, Battleforged, and has a BLACK TEMPLAR Warlord it may nominate a Black Templar CHAMPION Model to receive another warlord trait. The CHAMPION can only be given the warlord traits Vow of Honor or Vow of Vengeance.

 

If an army is Battleforged and contains a Black Templar Detachment, all non-SERVITOR Infantry, Dreadnought and Bike Units gain the following rule:

Black Templar Units May Rerolled Failed Charges

 

If you have a Black Templar Warlord Trait, unless it’s a special character choose one of the following rules or roll a dice

1-Rite Of War: Black Templar Units within 6” autopass Morale

2-Oathkeeper: The character heroics intervention 6” instead of the normal 3”

3-Angel of Death: Enemy units within 6” of the character have a -1 to leadership

4-Master Craftsman: choose a Melee Weapon (or Weapons in case of Lighting Claws) that is not a Relic, wielded by the character, increase it’s damage by 1

5-Vow of Honor: Friendly Black Templar Units within 6” that contain models using an AP -1 or greater MELEE Weapon, those models may attack an additional time. If a Black Templar CHAMPION Model takes this trait via Scion of Sigismund, instead of 6” it affects every Black Templar model on the table if the Champion is on the table.

6-Vow of Vengeance: Friendly Black Templar Models within 6” attacking with an AP 0 MELEE Weapon, increase the AP of that Weapon by 1. If a Black Templar CHAMPION via Scion of Sigismund takes this trait every Black Templar Unit within 6” is affected instead of every model within 6”

 

If a Black Templar army is Battleforged it can use the stratagems beside Tactical Flexibility from Codex Space Marines and the following ones from listed below

-Champion Visions 1CP: Nominate a Black Templar CHARACTER before battle in your army beside Helbrect, Grimaldus, or Draco without the CHAMPION keyword. That model immediately gains the CHAMPION Keyword.

-Slayer of Champions 1CP: Use whenever a Black Templar CHAMPION slays an enemy CHARACTER or MONSTER model in close combat. Immediately gain 1d3 Command Points. If the slain model was both, CHARACTER AND MONSTER, gain 1d3+1 Command Points instead.

-Eternal Crusade 2-3 CP: Use after an enemy shooting phase in which a Black Templar INFANTRY or BIKE Squad lost 1 or more models. Before your enemy can declare any charges, pick a Black Templar INFANTRY or BIKE units that lost one or models it may charge as if it was your charge phase. If you spent 3CP you may with a second unit following the above criteria.

-Armored Tide 1CP: Use on a LAND RAIDER model at the end of the movement phase. The squad inside may immediately disembark regardless of normal restrictions, it cannot move further that turn. It may charge and shoot as normal, unless the Land Raider advanced, in which case the squad is also treated as having advanced.

-Accept Any Challenge 1CP: Use before declaring any charges, nominate a Black Templar Unit, add 2 to its charge roll, and during the following fight phase any time that unit rolls a 6 to wound, it immediately causes a mortal wound in addition to any other damage.

-Suffer not the Witch 1CP: During the Black Templar shooting phase nominate a PYSKER CHARACTER on the table. This turn Black Templar Units that see that unit, can shoot it even if it’s not the closest unit.

 

Relics of the Eternal Crusade

The Black Templar CHARACTERS when choosing a relic, can take any relic from Codex Space Marines (that the model be normally eligible for) except Standard of the Emperor’s Ascendent. They may also choose one of the two relics below

Holy Orb of Antioch: Marshall or Chaplain only. Once per a game when the bearer makes a shooting attack where it could use a grenade, it may throw the Orb instead of its normal shooting. Make a single shooting attack against an enemy unit within 6”. If it hits, the target unit suffers d6 mortal wounds.

Banner of First Champion: BLACK TEMPLAR ANCIENT only. A model bearing the Banner of First Champion, gains the following rules in addition to any rules it normally has. It may attempt to deny enemy Pyskers once a pyshic phase. Black Templar Units within 6” of the banner roll 2 dice and take the highest for advancing.

 

Here is what I got.

UU Datasheets

Avalon Dreadnought (Uses Venerable Datasheet, changing keyword and name, Venerable Dreadnought to Avalon Dreadnought)

Durandal Dreadnought (Uses Dreadnought Datasheet, changing keyword and name, Dreadnought to Durandal Dreadnought).

Avalon and Durandal Dreadnought: In addition to the normal options, can replace its Assault Cannon with a Hurricane Bolter or second Dreadnought close combat weapon. If it takes the second Dreadnought close combat weapon, it increases its attacks by 1

 

Sword Brothers use apporiate Company Veteran Datasheet, changing their name and keywords as needed. Additionally it’s squad size is 2-10 instead of 2-5 and no longer has a sergeant.

 

Household Brothers use Honor Gaurd Datasheet changing the keywords once again as needed. The units squad size is changed from 2 to 2-10. Any model in the squad may take replace it’s Power Ax with a mastercrafted Power Sword. And gains the following rule “If a Black Templar CHARACTER is charged within 3” of this unit. The squad may heroic intervention as if it were a character.”

 

Neophyte Ancient is Company Ancient minus a wound, attack, save and leadership. Also it cannot take Power Weapons but 20 points cheaper.

 

Conquistadors are Assault Marines with keywords and named change that can take up to 2 Flamers/PlasmPistol/Power Weapons. The Evisc are no longer 1 per five and but can also be power weapons. Every initaite may take combat shields. The squad can have jump packs or 0-10 Neophytes. If it takes Neophytes it may outflank.

 

Cavalier Squad are Biker Squad with keyword and name changed, that can take up to 2 Special/Power Weapons And 0-8 Neophyte Bikers. It cannot take attack bikes.

[Brother Christopher]

I won't provide any feedback regarding rules, but I've an idea. If you want to send the finished thing to GW, what do you think about adding a showcase of our models to it? A selection from miniatures from the community could potentially send a positive message about the strength and of said community.

[BloodWolves]

Wow! Well done there! I like alot of your stuff you have and I will use it to assist in making the Index. However, I dont mean this in any offense or anything.. I just dont think GW would go for renaming a bunch of multiple units.

 

-Avalon Dreadnought

-Durandal Dreadnought 

-Sword Brothers

-Sword Brothers on Bike

-Household Brothers

-Conquistador Squad

-Cavalier Squad

-Neophyte Ancient 

 

I dont think I would do datasheets for these above units. I know they have the Space Marine equivalents but I think simplifying the units will make more of an ease for players who aren't well versed in the Black Templars.

 

- Marshall-Champion Almerich

- Castellan Draco

I do however like the idea of adding new named characters but again not sure if GW will accept new characters but I will still do up the data sheets for these 2 characters after I have read upon them.

[Schlitzaf]

They actually aren’t renames beside Liutanent to Castallen. And all the other units are relavently different. Even the Marshall rename is important because it means that Chapter Master Strategem is no longer legal for us.

[BloodWolves]

@Brother Cristopher if the index picks up some traction and is well received and probably after 40,000 (heh) revisions.. I would honestly love to host a painting competition or add a compilation of this communities Black Templar Armies. I do want as much feedback. But in the end, this will be a fan made Index, I will have my personal bias, there are limits to my writing and photoshop talent, and the old saying of "Better never means better for everyone... It sometimes means worse for some.”

 

I will do my best. That is my Oath towards this project.

[Karack Blackstone]

 

-Adeptus Astartes Pyskers -Adeptus Astartes Centurions
-Adeptus Astartes Whirlwinds -Adeptus Astartes Scouts
-Adeptus Astartes Company Veterans -Honor Guard
-Sternguard Veterans -Vanguard Veterans
-Dreadnought -Venerable Dreadnought
-Devastator Squad -Assault Squad
-Tactical Squad -Bike Squad

In addition to the above restrictions, a Black Templar is also permitted to use the following units:
-Avalon Dreadnought -Durandal Dreadnought
-Sword Brothers -Sword Brothers on Bike
-Household Brothers -Conquistador Squad
-Cavalier Squad -Neophyte Ancient
-Marshall-Champion Almerich -Castellan Draco

 

Hello Schlitzaf, I greatly appreciate the effort it must take to type all of your post up. I just wanted to ask you to please consider only putting the - based items on one line each? Last I checked, most readers do not expect to have any nested list items in an unordered list such as this pair.l

 

Also, this is a great idea, and a solid point that one might start this discussion. Above all, the problems with the current 8th Edition iteration of the Black Templars Chapter is not so much what they can do, it is to me what the Chapter cannot do, but, should be permitted to do so, in order to play on the table according to their own fluff.

 

To sum this up quickly, as my personal army, the Space Wolves, currently lack a Codex, I can only imagine the sheer horror I might feel if my Codex were to be a mere shadow of what it should be, in terms of the lore, fluff, and table presence of my chosen force. I get that having things feel even remotely as such is a serious nightmare.

 

Things I wonder, and, to type it, I do not play Black Templars, so, food for thought, or not:

 

- I support the no Psykers concept; it is fluffy, fits the army, and makes perfect sense for a bunch of zealous crusading knights that think the only good way to slay a foe is getting up in their face

- I would expect Centurions to not be all that useful to Black Templars. Likely not used, however, a mini-Dreadnought might pan out; still, not up to me

- Dreadnoughts are, last I checked, an option for the Templars; remember Tankred? I don't even play BT's and I think he is a character worthy of being a Venerable Dreadnought

- Venerable Dreadnoughts also make sense

     - Oh, name changes, just the same; I do like the idea of the name changes, although just listing them as a name change seems best; still, why? Fluff reasons I get, but, what are they?

     - To both the Dreadnought and Venerable Dreadnought notes, I would expect there might be some need for an equivalent to a Fenrisian Great Axe and Blizzard Shield setup; as well, I figure that the BT's would have limited access to Dreadnought weapons, and, maybe even some others.

- I really enjoy the thought of Vanguard, Sternguard, and Terminator squads being able to be accessed, or, if not too overpowered, some limited ability to mix and match as needed

 

BT's I think would favor:

 

HQ:

Captain

Chaplain

Commander? (Could be restored, great concept, and, a reasonable go between if a Captain does not make sense)

Emperor's Champion

 

Elite:

Terminators

Vanguard Veterans

Sternguard Veterans

Dreadnoughts

Venerable Dreadnoughts

 

Troops:

Crusader Squads, just, rolled together with options for Tactical Squads, within reason and with sensible replacements.

 

Fast Attack:

Assault Squads

Bike Squads, Sword Brethren

Bike Squads, Neophytes

- Possible option: mix and match bike squad types, as in, a biker Crusader squad; sounds terrifying!

 

Heavy Support:

Land Raider Crusaders make perfect sense; maybe consider giving BT's the chance to take an LRC as a dedicated transport for TDA, both Veteran squads, and maybe Crusader squads?

All of the various HS units BT's have access to likely make sense

- Can BT's use Devastator squads?

 

Lords of War:

Spartans, likely could be DT's for TDA units? I am unsure, still, neat and fits well into the BT combat doctrine mindset

 

Anyway, I like a great deal of what I read thus far.

[BloodWolves]

I believe GW could put out a quick FaQ and equivilate...

 

Chapter Master = High Marshal

Captain = Marshal

Lieutenant = Castellan

I know this will be disliked but..

Sergeant = Sword Brother

 

I know it sucks but making things simple will make things seem easier to transition.

 

Im looking at the Dark Angels and Blood Angels Codeies and gauging how much can change before its too much and how much shoukd change to warrant a fully recognized Codex.

 

Im reading a ton of Black Templar stuff.. Ive read Helsreach over 5 times (hence alot of references to it). 40k wiki and even that one comical 40k wiki page 1D something chan

[Schlitzaf]

Marshall not being equivalent to captain important here because the rules are directly calling to those in Codex Space Marines means that Marshall’s are not able to be valid targets for Chapter Master Strategem sense they lack the Captain keywords to exchange

[Ishagu]

This unit is a must, imo:

 

Primaris Zealots

Battlefield role: Elites

Cost per model: 22 points

Unit strength 5 - 10

 

M6" WS3+ BS3+ STR4 T4 W2 A3 LD7 S3+

 

Wargear: Auto Bolt Rifle, Chainsword, Frag and Krak Grenades

 

Special rules:

Righteous Fury - This unit may declare a charge even if it has advanced this turn. In addition, on the turn in which this unit has charged add 1 to the strength characteristic.

 

 

 

Blurb: Primaris Marines who have fought alongside the Templars over the last century and dedicated themselves to bringing righteous chainswords upon the enemy's ranks. These warriors have been inspired by the examples and legends of Sigismund that still echo throughout the ranks of the Black Templars.

[BloodWolves]

Schlitzaf i apologize for my lack of knowledge on that. Could you list me an example? I just want to make sure I get that straight.

 

Well that unit you described sounds exactly what a templar would be as primaris.. but for everything we add.. we must suffer. Maybe that could be the new profile of Primaris Reivers? We have to lose something.

[BloodWolves]

I think to help balance wants and wishes..

I will create 2 books.

 

1.) 8th Edition Index (Something easy for GW to release and other armies to adopt. We will avoid adding new units and characters, but I welcome Stratagems, Wargear, Traits etc. On existing units in the current GW range)

 

2.) A New "Dream" Edition Codex (This can be made wholly brand new. We can introduce new units and characters to give GW an idea to create some models and units.)

 

I prefer to work on the first one first but of course, keep thinking ideas for #2. I want to make the 8th Edition aw competitive as say the Blood Angels.. i dont think we will get to Ultramarine level of competitiveness. But hey, Zeal counts for something right?

[Marshal Arthur]

While I commend this effort and am excited to its completion the difficulty in removing some units from a Templar codex is the lore has already confirmed the Temples used many of them. Crusaders of Dorn explicitly mentions Black Templar neophyte scout squads and assault centurions. That said I have no problem going back on some of the recent lore but I highly doubt GW will do so.

[Kinstryfe]

I like the zeal and initiative shown here, but I would recommend if you undertake this, do it for your own fun and not as an example to GW. With copyright laws, sending unsolicited written works means that they are very likely to be ignored by policy, or outright discouraged. The reason being if you send in a completed work and a later work of theirs has some similarities, they open themselves up to potential litigation and claims that they stole the ideas. In a lot of cases, this will actually make companies /less/ likely to pursue a project, as they need to have ironclad proof that they didn't use the fan project in the event of accusations, which can prove more costly than just not releasing the project in the first place.

 

As a fan tribute/codex though, I'm sure you guys can get a really spiffy looking project going, and +1 to the idea of including the forum users' models as a showcase.

[Schlitzaf]

Schlitzaf i apologize for my lack of knowledge on that. Could you list me an example? I just want to make sure I get that straight.

 

Well that unit you described sounds exactly what a templar would be as primaris.. but for everything we add.. we must suffer. Maybe that could be the new profile of Primaris Reivers? We have to lose something.

No codex beside C:SM has a chapter master stratagem upgrade. To avoid adding more rule exceptions and future proof other interactions, changing the Captain keyword to Marshall, would prevent the chapter master strategem from being used, sense it calls it for specifically “Captain” units.

[BloodWolves]

So could we create a Stratagem that states a Marshal may elevate to a High Marshal?

I feel like the rank should be:

 

Deputy Marshal ascend to Marshal.. just so we dong step on Helbrecht. But ive seen Ultramarine captains take over Chapter Master.. instead of Calagar

[Schlitzaf]

NO! We should have no strategem for making a DIY chapter master, we already have Helbrect. The whole point of the name change beside flavor is to make it so that chapter master strategem is now illegal to use.

 

Also because as I said it’s a Codex Space Marine Only strategem. If you want to get particular the champion strategem is the equivalent here.