Squad and Types of markings.

[DAG42]

Been a Dark Angels player forever. (92) My question is what are the different color codes...ie... Battleline trim is black, assault is redish but what the hell is the trim color for the heavy / support ?  Sorry for a silly question but I don't like incorrect lore.

[redmapa]

I don't have my codex with me so correct me if I'm wrong but Black Templar heraldry is:

 

Black trim, white pad= Crusader Squads, battleline and fire support

Red trim, white pad= Close support and Assault units, like Outriders and Assault squads and I've always assumed things like close ranged fire support units like Eradicators could fit here, Apothecaries also have these colours with their office symbol replacing the chapter symbol

Red trim,black pad = Sword Brethren and Veterans

All black, white cross,= Chaplains

[CastellanDeMolay]

Traditionally BT don'ts use dedicated Heavy Support units, those roles tend to be reserved for Tanks, aircraft and Dreadnoughts, so so there isn't really any way to differentiate them from Battleline units. There are many crusades however, and your crusade may find it useful to make such a distinction for whatever reason, so don't feel straight-jacketed into what's in the Codices. 

 

Were they campaigning alongside your DA, perhaps they would adopt a codex-style Devastator symbol  on their right Pauldron, or display it elsewhere. Alternatively were they working alongside Blood angels, they might paint their helmets blue. Working independently they could feel the need to paint their weapons a different colour from the rest of the army, either symbolising the need to adopt unusual tactics [for BT] or as a mark of censure where brethren who fell below the Marshal's standards of zealotry were formed into fire support squads. There has been at least one occasion where BT, and other successor chapters, have contributed marines to rebuilding the strength of the IF after they suffered massive losses, so they could represent brothers earmarked for transfer to another chapter and preparing to fill the different roles that could be expected of them, in which case part of the heraldry of that other chapter may be appropriate. 

[Brother Richard]

One of the few bonuses for be a Divergent Chapter... burn the codex and Crusade as your visions guide you. As much as we are a Chapter apart, the lore supports the concept of whole Crusades showing support for others by adopting cool concepts. Declates Crusade comes to mind, Many Black Templar painted their left hands red, and Crimson Fists painted a Templar Cross onto their right knee as a symbol of solidarity. 

 

All this to say, go with what feels good to you. Just share a photo with us please!

[DAG42]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I got some homework to do.

[Sir Clausel]

On 6/8/2025 at 10:22 PM, Brother Richard said:

All this to say, go with what feels good to you. Just share a photo with us please!

I want to emphasize this. If you dont think something looks good. Dont paint it like that. Its your models and your hobby. 

Take my army for example. I dont like the red trim on assault marines and bikers. They simply have black trim. 

My sword brethren dont have a black pad with red trim and cross since i feel that makes them too dark. 

My Chaplains have blacked out shoulders with a white cross as the lore as i think it looks cool and helps me see where the Chaplain is. 

But then again i hsve just made a Bladeguard squad for a Chaplain that has the same shoulders. Thats not lore accurate but my headcannon is they are Chaplains in training.

No one and i mean no one as said anything like "actually thats not lore accurate and i wont play you". And if they did? I wouldnt even wanna play them anyway.