How to Play Black Templars in Warhammer 40K 9th Edition

Today take a look at some basics of how to play and get started with Warhammer 40k Black Templars. Suffer Not the Unclean to Live!

The Black Templars are knightly Space Marines in Warhammer 40K. They consist of Crusades of zealous Space Marines, motivated by belief in the God-Emperor and their righteousness of purpose. Below we will offer some tips on how to play Black Templars and get started with the army.

Who Are The Black Templars?

After the Horus Heresy, Roboute Guilliman, the primarch of the Ultramarines, ordered the breakdown of the Space Marine Legions into chapters. Dorn thought Guilliman a coward for not being present during the defense of Terra. Guilliman, in turn, thought Dorn a rebel for refusing to accept the dictates of the new Codex Astartes. Neither would give in. Again, civil war threatened to split the Imperium.

Sigismund solved the stalemate and led the more zealous of the Imperial Fists with him to the founding of the Black Templars, becoming their first High Marshal. He swore an oath upon leaving Terra, that he and his new chapter would prove their loyalty by never resting in his duties against enemies of the Emperor. Sigismund spent much of this time remaining vigilant over the Cadian Gate, insisting that Horus‘ Traitors would one day return to plague the Imperium. He was proven right when Abaddon returned in the First Black Crusade. The Black Templar fleet was waiting, and a massive battle erupted that saw Sigismund slain by Abaddon himself.

Since his death, every High Marshal has renewed Sigismund’s oath of never-ending crusade and as such, the Black Templars’ Crusade has continued for over ten thousand years.

Why Play Black Templars

Black Templars take the most classic archetype of Space Marines, the knightly crusader, and turns it up to 11. What’s left is a gothic and brutal version of the valorous Astartes that is best suited to getting into the thick of it. If this sounds like your style, then the Black Templars may be for you.

Strengths of the Army

Powerful unique combat units.
High flexibility for missions due to variable Templar Vows.
Powerful wargear options for each unit.

Weakness of the Army

No option for Psychic Powers.
High point costs result in often being outnumbered.

Black Templars Signature Rules

The army has a number of special rules, the key ones to remember are:

Templar Vows – This rule provides a highly flexible and powerful army-wide rules suite.
Relic Bearers – This rule allows any Black Templar unit to have Relic level wargear for a modest point allotment.
Litanies of the Devout – This is a special set of Litanies for Black Templar Chaplains to choose from.

Key Black Templars Units To Know

Warhammer 40K Black Templars have a sizable unit roster and knowing what units to take can be tricky. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right track.

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1. Emperor’s Champion

The most iconic model in a completely iconic army, the Emperor’s Champion fights in style. Wielding the Black Sword and with a panoply of wargear and rules suited to taking on the best, this leader is a character-killer extraordinaire.

2. Templar Castellan

Though it’s really just a fancy name for a Black Templar Primaris Lieutenant, that does nothing to dull the effectiveness of the Castellan. His aura of re-rolling wounds is even more helpful up close and personal with the Black Templars! Plus, it’s an absolutely gorgeous model.

3. Primaris Crusader Squad

The core of a modern Templar crusade, the Crusader Squads are unique among the Space Marine Legions. Mixing full battle brothers with young Neophytes into on-foot horde units is highly effective in this formation.

4. Sword Brethren

The elite veteran combat core of a Black Templar force, Sword Brethren all pack superior weaponry and the skills to back it up. If they can make contact with the enemy, watch out!

5. Crusader Squad

Classic but not forgotten, the Crusader squad also comes in Firstborn flavor. While they are less fearsome than their Primaris brothers, they are also a cheaper, more efficient power-armoured horde.

Sample Starter Warhammer 40k Black Templars Army

Army: Black Templars

Patrol Detachment

HQ: Emperor’s Champion . 1 Model. He is equipped with: bolt pistol; Black Sword; frag grenades; krak grenades.- 100 pts

Troop: Primaris Crusader Squad. Fifteen Models (7 Neophytes). The Primaris Sword Brother is equipped with: heavy bolt pistol; power sword; frag grenades; krak grenades. Every Primaris Initiate is equipped with: auto bolt rifle; frag grenades; krak grenades. Every Primaris Neophyte is equipped with: bolt pistol; Astartes chainsword; frag grenades; krak grenades- 264 pts

Troop: Primaris Crusader Squad. Ten Models (4 Neophytes). The Primaris Sword Brother is equipped with: heavy bolt pistol; power sword; frag grenades; krak grenades. Every Primaris Initiate is equipped with: auto bolt rifle; frag grenades; krak grenades. Every Primaris Neophyte is equipped with: bolt pistol; Astartes chainsword; frag grenades; krak grenades- 178 pts

Total: 542 pts.

Let’s Take it to 1000 pts of Templars!

Patrol Detachment

HQ: Emperor’s Champion . 1 Model. He is equipped with: bolt pistol; Black Sword; frag grenades; krak grenades.- 100 pts

Elites: Redemptor Dreadnought. 1 Model. It is equipped with: 2 fragstorm grenade launchers; heavy flamer; heavy onslaught gatling cannon; Redemptor fist. 185 pts

Total: 998 pts.