Its time to get this ship rolling.  While I know that we don't actually have the codex in our hands yet, though pre-orders have been placed, we can do some early tactical analysis based on what we know from the rumors.  This is going to be more of a core list building exercise that revolves around the Heavy Support slot in our armies.  Many BT players in the past have scoffed at shooting, it cannot be denied that games are won and lost in this department.  So we better have the correct tools available to make that happen!  So let's get to it.

As the title of this blog post states, this is analysis on the rumored rules of the Emperor's Champion.  So nothing is "official" until we have our new book in our hands.  However, I think its safe to say the rules probably going to be very close to what we're getting.  Our other special characters are more straight forward, but the Emperor's Champion is bringing up quite a discussion on B&C so I'd like to transfer my discussion of him here.  For those that don't remember what the EC now does, here you go.  ;)

Helbrecht:

• 180 points
• WS 6 instead of WS 5.
• Once per game, you can give Hatred and Fleet to all friendly Black Templars in your army.
• He has access to Honor Guard
• All equipment is the same, including the Sword of Marshals.  No mention of special Warlord Trait.

Grimaldus:

• 185 points
• BS 4 instead of BS 5.
• 3 attacks instead of the 4 attacks he has now.
• 3 wounds instead of the 2.
• "It Will Not Die" replaces "Only in Death Does Duty End".
• All Black Templars units within 6" of Grimaldus gain Zealot.
• All Black Templars units within 6" of Grimaldus's servitors gain 6+ invulnerable save.
• Wargear the same.

The Emperor's Champion:

• 140 points
• Same stat-line.
• 2+ armor save and 4+ invulnerable save at all times.
• Same wargear
• Black Sword is AP2 and Master Crafted
• 1H Stance:  Causes Instant Death on roll of 6's to wound in CC.
• 2H Stance:  Unwieldly and +2 Strength.
• Now takes up a HQ slot, but is NOT mandatory inclusion.
  

In summary, if you're taking Black Tide, which seems to be what we're going to be more geared for...you absolutely must take Grimaldus.  Period.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  He makes your Black Tide function, similar to how bad ass he was in 4th Edition.  He also got a points reduction to help fit him in.  EXCELLENT rules now.

Also, as a side note...Black Templars Chapter Traits are (Note, they get all of them):

• Adamantium Will
• Crusaders
• Characters get re-rolls to hit and rending in challenges.

So with the new codex about 3 weeks away, I thought it'd be interesting to see what everyone's Black Templars armies contained.  That doesn't include allies or any other armies.  Just BT stuff.  And let's not even get started on how many boxes I've bought simply for bits purposes (i.e. Blood Angels Death Company/BT upgrade kits).  You don't have to post pictures and to be honest, there isn't really a way to manage it with the current Weebly comment system...but you can write it up if you so desire.  Anyway, yeah.  Over the course of the past 2 or 3 years I've downsized my army quite a bit, so that it doesn't take up so much room and is easier to move (as I've had to do that several times in that time span).  So let's get to it, shall we?

As most of my Black Templar brethren already know, BT are going to be put into the upcoming C:SM book.  Regardless of your opinion of that, it means we're going to have new rules to work with.  First off, until we have a codex in our hands...rumors are just that.  Rumors.  The most "accurate" ones to date are from a guy who playtested an early edition of the codex and is giving his notes on the codex to 40k Radio (and specifically BT).  A lot of time for things to change people.  So no freaking out on IN until the codex comes out.  Go do that on B&C.  I love my Black Templars and I WILL use them to win competitive games.  And I will hopefully help others do the same.  Even if the rumors turn out to be 100% accurate.  There is a lot of potential there.  Second:  I want Sternguard/Vanguard Veterans (I mean, Sword Brethren).  Badly.  Ahem.  :P

Next topic:  A good many of you probably have noticed my half-assed attempt at updating IN for 6th Edition.  Well, it was for good reason.  First, I was busy IRL.  Second, I didn't want to put in hundreds of hours of work into something (like the 1st Edition of BT 101) when birdies were telling me updates soon.  So, there ya go.  However, with that being said...we are a go once our "new" codex is released.  But I'll need help.  I simply don't have the free time anymore to do it entirely alone.  I don't know what form that "help" needs to be, as of yet.  But if I want to get everything up to par as quickly as possible, High Marshal Helbrecht will need to call a crusade to get it all finished!  A call to arms.  Without knowing specifics (because I don't really have any atm), are there any that would be willing to put a few hours or more into the project?  Again, I don't know what that help will entail, how much of it will be needed, or who of the volunteers I'll enlist.  But I'd like to know ahead of time what kind of reinforcements I can expect.  :D

Just an update here today.  So why haven't I posted the past few months?  Primarily because I knew that CSM was coming very soon.  And with it, I strongly believe our "re-release".  As I noted on the B&C BT subforum, I believe originally GW was going to release a codex for the Black Templars.  Hell, Phil Kelly pretty much said so to my friend's face.  However, with the shiny new supplements they've been releasing in 6th Edition, I think they opted to go this route instead and save the production costs (speculation).

In light of this knowledge, I didn't find it particularly useful to update a website that was going to be obsolete in a few months.  Is this doomsday?  Absolutely not.  Sounds like the popular rumor right now is that the BT have a special section in the CSM codex with their own rules.  If so, that's fine.  That is how we started out our lives in the 40k universe all those years ago.

I am forever a Black Templar.  I will create new tactical articles and help forge the way for our community no matter what form our rules reside in.  You will always have Implausible Nature to look to and discuss things with.  I sincerely hope that you guys stick with the army going forward, even if their is "Space Marines" on the cover instead of "Black Templars".  Just make sure you get the limited-edition BT cover artwork.  ;)