Justus Mortis Crusade

[vossyvo]

Hi Guys,

 

Jumped back into the hobby about 3 months ago and picked Black Templars to paint.

Since my Crusade is nearing a state where I can actually play some games, thought I would start to share its journey on the tabletop, and also share pictures as units are added. 

Really enjoyed reading through the posts in the BT thread, especially the back stories for your forces, so thought I would set the scene for my Crusade. I'm not as well versed in the previous BT history, so mine is mostly from the little bit of story we get in the current codex.

 

            In the wake of the Cicatrix Maledictum High Marshall Helbrecht is forced to relinquish his singled minded pursuit of Ghazghkull Thraka. Chaos forces roam rampant across the galaxy and undulating warp storms cut off entire subsectors from the Astronomican’s divine light. Helbretch is left with little choice but to heed Guilliman’s council and aid against the pressing Chaos threat. The High Marshall issues orders to form a new crusade, Justus Mortis - 2^nd Crusade of the Caton Sub-Sector.

 

                With a new Marshal Household command structure assigned, the Justus Mortis Crusade begins mustering on a small shrine world directly controlled by the Ecclesiarchy. Fighting Companies begin to form under the Crusade’s Banner, a relic that was ritually blessed by the priests of the Adeptus Ministorum. A handful of elite battle-hardened Initiates of the Aurilla 1^st Crusade are granted their laurels and promoted to the veteran squad ranks of Justus Mortis. A contingent of fresh Primaris Marines bolster the numbers, their Tacticus armour and Cawl pattern bolt rifles undergoing divine sanctification rituals of the shrine worlds Arch-Cardinal.

 

                The High Marshall has deemed that the Justus Mortis Crusade is ready for deployment in small scale patrol operations across the Caton Sub-Sector. The Marshall Household command are under strict orders to avoid large scale conflict until further war machine and mechanised support elements can arrive from out of sector.   

 

Justus Mortis Command Elements

 

Intercessor Squads

 

Crusader Squad

 

Veteran Squads with Castellan

 

Hellblaster Squad with Castellan

 

Mechanised Support

 

Reiver Assault Squad 

 

Inceptor Squad

 

Apothecary Support

 

Justus Mortis Crusade mustering (Apothecary is currently at a local painting comp so not in shot).

 

[Marshal Reinhard]

Welcome to the Eternal Crusade, Brother. 

 

Fine looking crusade you got there. I really like in particular how you spiced up your Apothecary base. Makes me question wether my own is too simple by comparison.

 

Can't wait to see more additions

Edited July 31, 2019 by Reinhard

[TheOneTrueZon]

An amazing set of work. Welcome to the Great Crusade, brethren! 

[Marshal Vespasian]

Some great stuff in there, welcome to the eternal crusade

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent work.

[The Spanish Inquisitor]

Great work brother !

[Marshal Mattias]

Way to make an entrance! Exceptional stuff :tu:

[vossyvo]

Thanks Brothers! really have me inspired to paint.

Trying to get through a unit or two a week.

 

Helbrecht himself has order that the non-primaris elements of Justus Mortis be immediately bolstered. Although thankful to Guilliman and Cawl for the Primaris additions to the Templar ranks, the fresh-faced young warriors are yet to be baptised in the fires of holy combat. Templar war has been waged for thousands of years upon oaths sworn over the bolter and chainsword, and it is here that Helbrecht’s trust lies.

 

The Black Templar crusade fleet responds, dispatching further Crusade Squad elements to Justus Mortis. The Initiates bring word that their Neophytes will also arrive in sector once they recover from recent multi-lung implants. Rumours abound that Centurion and Predator heavy support companies are also undergoing sanctification rituals aboard the fleet.  

 

Additional Crusade Squad Initiates 

 

10 Initiates available now, plan to add as many Neophytes and a few more initiates with other weapon options so I can make a legal blob, or provide lots of options for MSU.

They are a mix of the MK3 Marine Kit, BT Upgrade Kit, some Grey Knight bits, and some Space Wolf Heads.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The Initiates are well done. I'm glad Helbrecht has a realistic view of the Primaris- they're not "wonder weapons that will magically win the war for the Imperium" (despite Cawl's claims), or "guaranteed to fail in battle and then fall to Chaos," they're simply "new weapons that have yet to prove themselves."

[vossyvo]

The Apothecary assigned to Justus Mortis arrives in system, escorting 5 Neophytes fresh from the operating tables of the fleet medicae decks, where they recently underwent Imbiber implantation. He watches closely to ensure each Neophyte accepts the new organ. The bodily strains of atmospheric entry are a good test, any sign of organ rejection and the Emperors Peace will be mercifully administered.

 

 

The Neophytes meet with their assigned initiates, the first Crusader Squad is formed. 

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent work on the Primaris Apothecary and his charges.

[vossyvo]

Thrusters whine, and red dust kicks violently into the air as a Space Marine Landing Craft hovers precariously above the shrine world surface. Through the swirl of dust, the clunk of releasing mag clamps can be heard, followed by the guttural roar of engines firing into life. The hulking form of a Predator Destructor pushes into view. Rolling forward to join the mechanised formations of Justis Mortis.

 

 

 

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent work on the Predator.

[Marshal Vespasian]

Looks really cool.

How did you do the greyish tint on the up turned surfaces?

[vossyvo]

Excellent work on the Predator.

Thanks Bjorn! 

 

Looks like I picked a good time to pick up Black Templars, excited for the new dex - even though I forked out for a physical codex and a digital enhanced codex less than 3 months ago  

 

 

Looks really cool.

How did you do the greyish tint on the up turned surfaces?

 

Hey Vespasian

 

So that tint is actually just layers of progressive dry brushing to build up the greys on the high points. 

Black undercoat > Eshin Grey > Dawnstone (focused more on the high points where light will hit), then I use a thin Nuln Oil wash to tie the three together.

Then I pick all the edges out once more with a small dry brush of Vallejo Gunmetal Silver.

The lower parts of the vehicle are then toned down with a mix of weathering pigments, MIG - Martian Dust and MIG - Volcanic Ash. Also a black weathering pigment on the tips of the guns (Think they call it Rocket Exhaust)

 

I would ideally do this a little different... with an airbrush and some glazing. I prefer a really clean finish, but live in a small apartment where I can't use my airbrush anymore. 

[vossyvo]

In addition to the Primaris Marines, the Mechanicus re-enforcement manifests include three suits of Centurion exoskeleton allocated to the Templars. Helbrecht partitions all Marshalls across the Crusade fleets to nominate their most senior and decorated Devastator squad members. From this number he selects three of which have the strength, focus, determination and mental fortitude to accept their Centurion Honors. The new squad is swiftly deployed to the Justus Mortis Crusade, bolstering their anti-tank capability and provide an armored anchor point for their fire support lines.

 

 

These are the last three minis I had to paint from my initial purchases, wanted to get them done before I start reading through the new codex in a few hours, was fearful that I would shelve them and start ordering something new haha. 

 

I'm still yet to play a game with this force, don't believe my army is very competitive at this stage, I might look to add some stronger options from the new dex - if anyone has any recommendations? 

 

Thanks!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The Centurions are well done.

[Marshal Vespasian]

It's Kind of difficult right now ID say as we are waiting to find out what our supplement t will do for us.

You propably wont be doing any mistakes with intercessors with any gun. Eliminators wont steer you wrong of you can get your hands on some.

Chaplains will be good.

 

I love dreadnoughts. So thats always a safe bet ;)

You dont have marshal law yet do you? That is propably one of the most effective things we can build right now.

Edited August 17, 2019 by Marshal Vespasian

[vossyvo]

                Warp storm disturbances are detected within the Canton Sub-Sector, distress signals are received from several shrine words around the system. The High Marshal mobilizes Justus Mortis, deploying as a strike force to meet a Death guard war host rallying on an abandoned imperial desert world. The initial spear tip battles to a costly minor victory, pushing the chaos forces back.

                During the battle a Craftworld starship materializes within system, having tracked the Death guard vessel through the warp. Due to the roiling warp storms the Templar fleet and ground forces are unaware of their arrival. Planeside the Marshal is surprised by the sudden appearance of an Eldar patrol force, unaware of their intentions, and throwing caution to the wind, the templars immediately engage the Xenos army. The righteous fury of Justus Mortis is unleashed in full; the Emperors will be done – the mutant psyker force crushed.

                The Death guard notice the ensuing battle and see opportunity. Consolidating their retreating force, they re-deploy to the planet surface. Once more the Heretic war host and Templar crusade clash on the arid desert terrain. The fighting is fierc, with both battlelines suffering heavy casualties but holding strong, until the Nurgle Lord of Contagion falls. The death of their Lord signals a second Death guard retreat, the warhost fleeing from the Canton Sub-Sector.

 

My crusade finally saw combat yesterday guys, lots of combat! Got to play three games over the day.

 

1750pt – BT vs Death Guard, Dawn of War Deployment - Cleanse and Capture Mission.

We called it a BT victory but my opponent had to leave before the end. I was slightly up on victory points at the time, but to be honest things were looking pretty dicey for me if we continued – he had rolled some nice objective cards, and a couple of full-strength buffed pox walker units were munching through my lines.

 

1250pt – BT vs Craftworld Eldar, Search and Destroy Deployment – Retrieval Mission.

A solid win for the BT’s, my opponent had some poor dice rolling and conceded during my turn 4. My Vanguard Vets and Inceptors dropped into his backlines and really caused some damage, my Vanguard Vet Sergeant killed an Autarch and a Farseer. My large Crusader squad also did well just foot slogging up the middle of the field buffed by the Captain, Lieutenant and Primaris Ancient.  

 

1750pt – BT vs Death Guard , Front Line Assault Deployment - Secure & Control Mission.

Another hard-fought win against the Death Guard. Things were good for me victory point wise again, but I was losing the war of attrition. Probably would have lost if my opponent had not miss placed his Lord of Contagion at one point, I was able to charge/attack him with my Marshal, Redemptor and Primaris Ancient. Once I had Slay the warlord and first blood, I started to consolidate around my zone’s objective, not needing to take his. He conceded after this.

 

Few learnings I had from the games:

- I shouldn’t underestimate large units of Pox Walkers. My god.

- Loved the BT Charge Rerolls, saved me from around 3 failed charges across the game, and the Mortal wound 5+ helped me at some point in all three battles.

- I continually forgot about the new Doctrines across all three games. I usually remembered somewhere in turn 3 or 4, my opponents graciously allowing me to rotate through to the assault doctrine. I need to remind myself somehow.

- Shock Assault was great. In particular my Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with 4 Relic Blade attacks was doing work, and my Crusader squad Sword Brother with Thunder Hammer felt viable with his 3 attacks first round, don’t think I would bother with only 2 attacks.

- My Devastator Centurions LAS/Hurricane did a large component of my damage in the two 1750pt games, I wasn’t expecting much from them given the feedback I read online. They just trundled along behind my Captain/Lieutenant combo for the rerolls.

- My Apothecary did nothing in the two games I fielded him. I need to learn how to use him, or swap him out.

- In true BT style I was assaulting with every unit from my Intercessors, through to my Redemptor Dread and Inceptors. I got myself tar pitted a fair bit doing this though. Tactically I should hold back, but the desire to execute the Emperors Righteous Zeal in melee is strong.

- I really enjoyed the games with the BT army

[ThirtySixNights]

It's always great to see a full painted army of Templars on the field. A rare sight indeed! Did you consider running the sword brethren detachment at all?

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Congratulations on your victories over the xenos and the Traitor Marines!

[vossyvo]

...

You dont have marshal law yet do you? That is propably one of the most effective things we can build right now.

 

 

It's always great to see a full painted army of Templars on the field. A rare sight indeed! Did you consider running the sword brethren detachment at all?

 

I had only glanced over the Sword Brethren detachment rules previously, I think both of you are talking about making a Sword Brethren character? 

From the googling I did... is Marshal Law a BT Sword Brethren Jump Captain with Master Swordsman?

Pretty sure I understand the potential, looks good with Teeth of Terra. 

 

I'm onto it ! 

Starting him now, got a few more bits on the way.

My Vanguard Vet Sarg who killed the Farseer and Autarch is about to get a promotion. 

 

 

 

Edited August 25, 2019 by vossyvo

[Bjorn Firewalker]

That's an AWESOME-looking base. Did the severed head come from a Warhammer Fantasy Warrior of Chaos? Edited August 25, 2019 by Bjorn Firewalker

[vossyvo]

That's an AWESOME-looking base. Did the severed head come from a Warhammer Fantasy Warrior of Chaos?

 

I got it from the Chaos Space Marines Terminator Lord sprue. 

The kit comes with 5 head options, so I actually got lots spare for future decapitation displays 

 

 

 

Got the rest of my bits sorted out.

You can see where I'm going with it.

Time to prime, I'll paint him up over this week.

 

Edited August 26, 2019 by vossyvo

[Marshal Vespasian]

Is that a filed down chaoswarrior shield from fantasy? Because I got some of those left and all I need is to get my ass in gear and actually use my greenstuffmould if thats what it is.

 

Looks dope by the way