BT fluff got me hooked on these guys, and I enjoy a challenge. I know they aren't as "broken" of a codex as some others, but that's kindof what I like about it. But, in playing a back-table codex like this, it makes it all the more important to play a tight game- and that starts with list building. I think I could use a bit of help in that department. This is what I'm working with currently:
Unnamed 1850 Pts - Black Templars Army
1 Emperor's Champion @ 140 Pts Bolt Pistol, #Black Sword [0] #Crusader Seals [0], #Frag Grenades [0], Accept any Challenge [50]
5 Swd. Brth. Terminator Assault Squad (Elites) @ 509 Pts Thunder Hm. & Storm Sh. (x2); Two Lightning Claws (x3); Furious Charge
1 Land Raider 'Crusader' @ [294] Pts #Extra Armour; #Frag Launchers; Smoke Launchers; Searchlight; 2 'Hurricane' Bolters; Linked Assault Cannon; Multi-Melta, #Power of the Machine Spirit [0], Blessed Hull [25]
8 Crusader Squad (Troops) @ 231 Pts Bolt Pistol & CCW (x6), Bolt Pistol & Power Fist (x1), Meltagun (x1); 2 Neophytes @ [20] Pts Bolt Pistol & CCW (x2)
1 Rhino @ [58] Pts Smoke Launchers; Extra Armour; Repair; Storm Bolter
8 Crusader Squad (Troops) @ 231 Pts Bolt Pistol & CCW (x6), Bolt Pistol & Power Fist (x1), Meltagun (x1); 2 Neophytes @ [20] Pts Bolt Pistol & CCW (x2)
1 Rhino @ [58] Pts Smoke Launchers; Extra Armour; Repair; Storm Bolter
8 Crusader Squad (Troops) @ 231 Pts Bolt Pistol & CCW (x6), Bolt Pistol & Power Fist (x1), Meltagun (x1); 2 Neophytes @ [20] Pts Bolt Pistol & CCW (x2)
1 Rhino @ [58] Pts Smoke Launchers; Extra Armour; Repair; Storm Bolter
5 Crusader Squad (Troops) @ 196 Pts Bolter (x3); Lascannon (x1); Meltagun (x1)
1 Razorback @ [91] Pts Searchlight; Twin-linked Lascannon
5 Crusader Squad (Troops) @ 186 Pts Bolter (x4); Lascannon (x1)
1 Razorback @ [91] Pts Searchlight; Twin-linked Lascannon
1 Predator Destructor (Heavy Support) @ 126 Pts Searchlight; 2 Sponson Lascannon; Turret Autocannon
Models in Army: 59 Total Army Cost: 1850
I'm still reading through the various Tactica online, but I think this list is already reasonably competitive. I've played it and won, although I have yet to go to a 5th Ed tourney. So I've got the Lazorbacks w/ the lascannon squad to help pop mechanized units, as well as provide me some heavier shots to empty into a deathstar unit in an emergency (TWC anyone?). If I can open the cans before my BT get there, all the better. The 5 LC/THSS terminators in the Crusader looks like a deathstar unit, but I just run it because LRC's are big and tough, and a rhino or two (especially the old style ones like I have) can tuck in behind it when running up-field into a blazing gun line. I honestly don't expect it to survive too long, but with smoke and going 12" I can usually get there in one go, with enough time for it to puke out terminators onto unhappily-sacrificed bubblewrap. Then the other Rhinos show up and do the Emperor's will all up in their chili.
The Pred is there just to lob shots at what the Lascannon spam can't kill, or to soften up a squad before my Templar assault it. The termies and all the PF/melta is there to down high AV/MC's. I've got the dakka Preds as well as all of the bolter fire (hurricane, bolt pistols, etc) to deal with infantry, as well as the obvious swarm of Templar I can throw their way. I also kept everything mechanized, so I can juke and stay fluid, rather than locking in and getting stuck (as I have had so many of my Templar armies do). So, what do you think?
Well, after taking a look at the list itself, I can say that fundamentally, it is pretty good. There are a couple of concerns that I have with the list though. The first is in regards to how fragile your long range AT is. You have one Predator, which is good, but then you rely on your Crusader squads and Razorbacks to do the heavy lifting. Against highly mechanized armies, this might not be enough. In addition, those Razorbacks are fairly easy to neutralize and will be a constant target due to being your primary AT.
The meltagun on that one 5-man squad is unnecessary. Chances are good that you'll be far out of range of using it most games while shooting with your Lascannon, so a better option is a plasmagun if you desire more AT or a flamer if you wish to give yourself some additional horde-control. In addition, you might find it worthwhile to drop an Initiate from one of the CC-units to give you room for the EC to join them. This will significantly up the kill power of that squad and make your Assault Terminator filled LRC less of a target. ;)
You have sufficient AI in the form of combat Crusader squads and the Terminators. However, I am worried that you'll find yourself in trouble should a combat take longer than you wished and you are unable to contest/claim objectives at the end of the game. Land Speeders are perfectly suited to this role, but they are missing from your list. If you could find points for them somewhere (I'm not sure where), the list would be quite a bit better. Overall, not a bad list at all. :D
The meltagun on that one 5-man squad is unnecessary. Chances are good that you'll be far out of range of using it most games while shooting with your Lascannon, so a better option is a plasmagun if you desire more AT or a flamer if you wish to give yourself some additional horde-control. In addition, you might find it worthwhile to drop an Initiate from one of the CC-units to give you room for the EC to join them. This will significantly up the kill power of that squad and make your Assault Terminator filled LRC less of a target. ;)
You have sufficient AI in the form of combat Crusader squads and the Terminators. However, I am worried that you'll find yourself in trouble should a combat take longer than you wished and you are unable to contest/claim objectives at the end of the game. Land Speeders are perfectly suited to this role, but they are missing from your list. If you could find points for them somewhere (I'm not sure where), the list would be quite a bit better. Overall, not a bad list at all. :D
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