So, while I was writing one of my Brutal Truth articles today, I had an idea and I rushed to Army Builder to put it down so I'd not forget it!  The original idea got amended a little bit (it had Dreadnoughts), but I believe this version is a far superior product.  Hell, I'd even take it for a test run myself to see how it ran!  Since every army needs a witty net-list name, I've dubbed it the "Templarbubble".  Here it is:

HQ:
* Reclusiarch w/ Crozius Arcanum, Storm Bolter, Terminator Armor, and Crusader Seals.  [125]
* Emperor's Champion w/ Black Sword, Bolt Pistol, Armor of Faith, and the Vow: "Abhor the Witch, Destroy the Witch." [110]

Elites:
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 10 Assault Terminators w/ Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields & Tank-Hunters.  [430]

Troops:
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]

Fast Attack:
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]

Heavy Support:
* Predator Destructor w/ Autocannon and Lascannon Side-Sponsons. [125]
* Predator Destructor w/ Autocannon and Lascannon Side-Sponsons. [125]
* Predator Destructor w/ Autocannon and Lascannon Side-Sponsons. [125]

Total Points: [2000]

So what are you seeing?  A fusion of proven effective units (MM Bunkers, Typhoons, Preds) with CC-oriented Terminators.  What?  How is that possible?  Well, we all know how the Vanilla Space Marines are good with TH/SS terminators, especially when a Null Zone Librarian is taken with them.  We won't have a Librarian, but we do have a Chaplain.  I believe we can replicate many of the aspects that a Librarian brings to the Vanilla SM, so we're going to try it out.

First of all, you're probably wondering why I didn't take AAC as my vow.  The thought was that because I had a Chaplain with my single CC unit, it wasn't needed due to Litanies of Hate.  It is only effective on the turn of the charge, but that is just fine for me.  Anyone that actually charges my unit of terminators is going to die a horrible death.  LoH will take allow me to produce a "torrent of fire", which will emulate a Null Zone casting.  Plus, let's be realistic.  There are billions of armies out there with Psychic Hoods right now.  I'd rather have the re-rolls.  In addition, while we might not have a Hood ourselves, we do have our "Abhor" vow which will give us at least some protection against psykers.  ;)

But what else does the Chaplain and "Abhor" combo gain us?  Well, against some armies, our vow will not come into play and that is just fine.  Against those armies where Psykers are in play (quite a few), we have both protection and an extra consolidation move to start the game.  This synergizes very well with the footslogging nature of the terminators by moving them closer to the enemy and can help you fix any errors you made during deployment phase.  If and/or when your opponent starts shooting at those terminators, you'll likely lose one or two eventually.  With the Chaplain, all is well.  You'll never fail that Righteous Zeal test and what's more, you'll not have to worry about getting led around the board by bait units.  RZ is actually a boon for this unit and the Chaplain's crusader seals will help you gain the maximum movement distance possible. 

Adversely, you can use this unit as bubblewrap or to deep strike in.  Obviously DS isn't reliable and can take the unit out of the game.  That is the last thing we want, but it is an option.  As a bubblewrap unit, you can protect our mid-field MM Bunkers from enemy assaults, which is their primary weakness.  While I chose to go with 10 TH/SS in the squad, you can get away with adding in a few Lightning Claws in there if you want.  The Chaplain will be able to cull a few wounds off of the enemy unit at I5 before everyone else strikes, just for giggles.

I opted to go for the MM/Flamer combo for my MM Bunkers, to give me some horde-control.  There are five squads of them, so the redundancy is definitely there and I'll have firm control over the middle of the board.  The Rhinos also have Searchlights for those Night Fighting missions we all hate.  The rest of the army is pretty standard issue:  three separate squadrons of a single Typhoon and three AC/Las Predators.  These will be the primary LRAT in the army, at least until those MM get into range.  Should be more than sufficient, especially if your enemy concentrates their fire on the Terminators or the MM Bunkers.

So lets hear your thoughts!  :D


UPDATED LIST:

HQ:
* Reclusiarch w/ Crozius Arcanum, Bolt Pistol, Frag Grenades, Crusader Seals, and 3 Cenobyte Servitors. [127]
* Emperor's Champion w/ Black Sword, Bolt Pistol, Armor of Faith, and the Vow: "Abhor the Witch, Destroy the Witch." [110]

Elites:
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 10 Assault Terminators w/ Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields. [400]

Troops:
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Flamer & 1 Multi-Melta. Mounted in a Rhino w/ Smoke Launchers and Searchlight. [150]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Plasmagun & 1 Lascannon. Mounted in a Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Lascannons. [191]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolters, 1 Plasmagun & 1 Lascannon. Mounted in a Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Lascannons. [191]

Fast Attack:
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]

Heavy Support:
* Predator Destructor w/ Autocannon and Lascannon Side-Sponsons. [125]
* Predator Destructor w/ Autocannon and Lascannon Side-Sponsons. [125]
* Predator Destructor w/ Autocannon and Lascannon Side-Sponsons. [125]

Total Points: [1999]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure how regular my blogging is going to be the next week or two.  There have been several things in that are going down for me that have really affected my mood for the worse.  I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate and to be quite honest, I'm a bit down in the dumps. 

I won't really go into specifics, but one of my primary sources of happiness in life has gradually been removed from that prominent place over the past month or so.  I feel helpless to change this fact, even though I do try, but its something that I'm simply going to have to wait out.  I don't want to replace this happiness; it is of the utmost value to me.  But life isn't fair.

Nevertheless, I'm going off on a tangant.  Tomorrow I'll be leaving town for a few days, which really cuts into my painting time.  But its something that needs to be done, if not for me, for my Dad.  Pretty sure you'll not see anything at least until Saturday, but I might surprise myself.

While it might be the case where I may not blog for a couple weeks while I deal with this stuff, I may also blog as normal.  Just be warned, if I do, I will likely be a little more "short" than I normally am.  Still, I have never been one to mince words to make people happy so you might not see a difference.

So what was this blog post about?  Pretty much nothing, as I contradicted myself several times.  But it is what it is.  Feel free to email, as I'll still be replying to those as normal even if I'm not blogging.

Oh, by the way, I really do appreciate all of you that have stepped up to the plate the past few months with helping new players or directing them here.  By the time I step foot in many threads, you guys are already throwing links around and giving solid advice.  Not only does it show that ya'll are definitely improving your game, it shows we are a more unified and educated community.  So props to you.  :)

Wow!  I didn't think that the first Brutal Truth article would be as such a hit as it was.  In fact, I wasn't even sure that it'd be a series at all.  I simply wanted to get that topic off my chest, so it was somewhat rant-y, but I kept my opinions fairly well grounded in supportive arguments.  Well, it definitely had the type of response I was expecting:  shock and awe.  Dozens of links pointing at the article and thousands of hits later, I'm continuing the series.  It didn't have the most comments, but it certainly was the most popular article I've written based on hits.

A great many people didn't like what they were reading, but I think that article started to make people think about what they were doing with their armies.  That was the point, even if I did get several negative emails about it.  Some second-guessing is much more preferable than ignorant assumptions.  ;)

I'm going to try and keep the same feel as the first article, so be warned that some of you won't like what you're about to see.  While what you'll be reading is obviously my opinion, I will not pull any punches in these Brutal Truth articles.  Don't get all offended over our little plastic and metal space dudes.

Expect to see these articles soon!  :)

I think there comes a time in every gamer's "life" when they question the reasons and motivations behind what they do with their time.  Why do they spend so much time and money on things that don't further our goals in life?  Whether its raid times on World of Warcraft, buying the latest cards for the current Format in Magic the Gathering, or building an army with the newest codex to be released in Warhammer 40k.  It all takes time and energy.  In many cases, it also takes significant capital to maintain your past-time.  So why do we do it?  I cannot claim to know the minds of my readers, but I can let you into mine.

Hello there!  First off, I have to thank everyone for their support over the past couple years.  Its has meant a great deal to me knowing that my efforts have helped many of you get better at the game.  That is all I've ever wanted from this website.  We're well on our way to building a strong competitive community for the Black Templars and it is thanks to you guys.  Without the emails, the comments on the blog, the critiques, encouragement, voiced support, and even messages on Facebook, Implausible Nature would not be what it is today.  All my contributing members deserve as much credit as I do.  We've got a bright future ahead of us!

Now, to the meat of the subject.  Recent IRL expenses have caused my savings (money) to cease to exist.  Those funds were going to be used to get me to Nova Open 2011 to represent the competitive Black Templars community.  I was really looking forward to going, but alas, I'm not sure that I'll be able to make the needed money to buy plane tickets and pay for the hotel in a month.  So several readers suggested that I create a donation button.  I was iffy about it because I feel bad taking money from my readers, but to be honest, my intense desire to attend this tournament caused me to relent.  There already has been an out-pouring of support and I truly appreciate it everyone!

So here is the deal:  Below this entry, you'll find a Paypal donation button that is linked to my verified account.  By clicking that button, you'll be brought to a website in which you can make a donation to send me to Nova Open.  I will not spend any money received until I have sufficient funds to buy the plane tickets and pay for my hotel (or other arrangements).  If for some reason I'm not able to attend the tournament due to insufficient funds, I will refund all donations to the persons from whom they came.  I will not keep a cent if I don't make it out to Nova Open.  There is zero obligation to donate.  But every little bit helps!  Thank you all very much in advance and I hope that if I do make it to Nova Open, I can do our amazing Chapter justice!

Two months to go, still have army to paint for Nova.  But more importantly, I'm running low on funds to purchase my plane tickets!  Some unexpected RL expenses (blasted cars) have pretty much rocked my savings (money), so let's hope that I can earn enough to buy my tickets/pay for the hotel.  Its going to be close...  I'm going to be pissed if my car was the reason I can't go to Nova.  *grumbles*  :(

In the meantime, I'll continue my painting because that is the only thing I can currently control.  I'm going to have to look over my stuff to see if I can put some of it on Ebay to create a little cash flow.