It's Finally Here, Brothers!
Well, it would appear that our boys in black are finally getting their long-awaited supplement, having not received their own book since 'Codex: Black Templars' back in 4th Edition.
Valrak and his warp tendrils did not lie to us. I intend to briefly go over what we might expect from such a release, both in terms of models and rules, and what would be nice to have. Do note that this is mostly opinionated and very loosely based on the hints and sneaky gubbinz we as have accumulated as a community.
I'm honestly giddy writing this, having only been part of the hobby since roughly march last year, even I feel like I have been waiting too long. Emperor protect my fine brethren who have actually been playing since 4th Ed, relying on the rather-lackluster few pages we got in 'Psychic Awakening: Faith and Fury' that have only really served to make us hungry for more. I am excited to get into what this means for our Knights of Sigismund, as well as collecting the hobby in general.
I shall also say, going forward, I'll probably be name-dropping Chapter Master Valrak a few more times since the bulk of what we know has come from him and his sources. He's been pretty right so far but I wouldn't fault him if some things turn out to be less-than-real.
Expectations
So what should we expect from Codex Supplement: Black Templars? Well, obviously a litany of new rules and strategems, as well as modifications to existing ones, something I will only touch on lightly. We can also expect to see brand new likely-Primaris models representing our named characters (probably stood on rocks), completely with their improved stats and proportions. More on this later.
Note: While these are listed as Expectations, some of these may be a reach to some and many of them are not supported by hard evidence. I am simply using what we already have for other chapters, as well as a handful of wishful thinking to come up with conclusions. I am not a psychic by any means.
Combat Patrol: Black Templars
I would hope that, given it'd sell like hotcakes, GW would be gracious enough to grant the Black Templars a 'Combat Patrol' box, complete with a collection of discounted models and a shiny new Primaris Upgrade Sprue. This might not happen, seeing that, as of writing this, our founding Chapter, the Imperial Fists, are yet to get their own Combat Patrol.
That being said, I have some ideas for what to expect within the box:
Troops
There's a strong chance that, given they are the meat and potatoes of many a Black Templar force, a unit of Assault Intercessors will fill the 'Troops' slot of our patrol. On the flip side, our new Supplement may bring new rules for running our signature templar-exclusive troop choice, the Crusader Squad. However, this would likely be a new primaris variant, perhaps composed of Intercessors and Incursors rather than the traditional Tac Marines and Scouts. Again, I'm speculating and the troop choice will probably be the former.
Elites
Honestly, a no-brainer. I am adamantly sure that any boxset aimed at templars will come with a unit of at least three of these dudes. They scream Black Templar. I've been saying so since Indomitus was announced and they're honestly one of my favourite models out right now. 100% auto-include in any speculated Combat Patrol box setup. Bladeguard Veterans for the win!
Vehicles
Now, this assumes we'll get a vehicle as some of the other boxes have. After all, Combat Patrol: Deathwatch did not include a vehicle. This space could very well be filled up by a supplementary character or additional troop choice but were it to be taken up by a vehicle, I can almost assure you that it would be an Impulsor. However, we may have it subsituted for a Redemptor Dreadnought or Invictor Tactical Warsuit, to provide our frontline with some fire support before finally getting stuck in, themselves.
Characters
Now, this one is where it gets particularly juicy. Could we be seeing one of the shiny new named character models here? The Emperor's Champion? Helbrecht? Grimaldus? Unfortunately, signs point to 'No'. Seeing that almost none of the current combat patrol boxes contain named characters, the exception being Typhus in 'Combat Patrol: Death Guard', I would not expect our Combat Patrol box to be any different. We will most-likely get the Primaris Captain with 'Master-Crafted Power Sword and Relic Shield' from the Indomitus boxset, or a Primaris Chaplain, possibly on a bike.
Rules Rework (Obviously)
Now, the juicy stuff, rules. I would expect a variety of nerfs and buffs. After all, 9th Edition plays a little differently to how 8th did so it's only fair to expect a few changes.
We can expect a rework of some of our chaplain litanies, the main ones being 'Litany of Divine Protection', which I predict may be nerfed to a 6+++ FNP Aura, as opposed to a 5+++ FNP on a single unit, similar to an Apothecary's Narthecium, but with greater range. I'm not too happy with the idea, but I believe it could happen. I also have a sneaking suspicion that 'Vow of Retribution' will be modified in-line with 9th Ed to affect Combat Attrition tests in some way, as opposed to the current -2 Leadership.
As for strategems, we can expect to say goodbye to Devout push (again, not happy with the idea, but I have a hunch). Many players I have been against seem to have a hard time understanding just how it works and frankly, I imagine most Black Templar players are sick of bringing up
that one Implausible Nature video explaining it, every time they're against someone who might not know our pious pals as well as we do. 9th Edition has clearly put in work to simplify the game somewhat and, whether or not you could consider this 'dumbing down' I am sure this strategem will either be scrapped or reworked beyond recognition.
A welcome change may be a slight rework of our Superdoctrine. 'Knights of Sigismund' while generally good at what it does, has minor caveats that put it slightly behind other chapters like the Space Wolves or Blood Angels. The problem with it is that it only activates on turns in which the unit fighting performed a charge. Whereas the aforementioned chapters get it in combat regardless of any conditions (so long as they're in the assault doctrine of course). It would be nice to see this restriction lifted for us.
Furthermore, it's entirely possible that, given the Black Templars are not a codex adherent chapter, we could get our own alternate set of Space Marine Doctrines in the form of 'Vows', possibly ones more oriented around melee. Of course this would prohibit us from using the aforementioned doctrines, similarly to how we are prohibited from using Librarians. More on Vows shortly.
As well as fresh new models (again, probably stood on rocks) our HQs can likely expect to see a small boost to their stats. If Chapter Master Valrak is right we can expect to see our HQs pick up an extra attack each, putting them on-par, if not better, than their nameless Primaris counterparts. I for one am excited to see Grimaldus have more than 4 wounds. Something about the 'Hero of Helsreach' taking the same number of hits as a Guard Commander is upsetting to me. But I digress...
Hopes
That's my forecast for the stuff we might expect to see. Now onto a couple of things I personally would love to get, but perhaps I may be reaching a little.
Dedicated Neophyte Models
With new models probably being added to the range for our important characters, I would love to see Crusader Squads get the Primaris treatment. Since Space Marine Scouts became an elite choice towards the end of 8th edition, they have become practically obsolete outside of their rightful place as neophytes within the ranks of the Templar Crusader squads.
As well as this, the current scout models are looking a little dated. Some members of the community have been able to work around this by using Necromunda's 'Palanite Enforcers' to represent the shorter slightly-less-armoured squires and, while I love how this looks, it would be great to see some dedicated models for them, in the same vein.
Vows
Another welcome addition to our Supplement would be the return of 'Vows'. Back in their old codex the Black Templars were able to make use of Vows, allowing them to choose a particular set of buffs to take with them at the start of every game, similarly to how the Adeptus Mechanicus make use of their 'canticles'. These vows would grant the player a particular buff, such as improving the strength of all units in melee, at the expense of attacking slower (4th Ed bullshit, you get the point). It would be great to see these make a comeback today.
Community Response
I asked the 'Implausible Nature' discord, a community built around the Black Templars, what they expected and hoped to see in the new Supplement. Thanks to Amof and CrazyTacos for offering up some of your hopes and expectations:
"I can't say that I expect a better assault doctrine, but I would hope for one." - CrazyTacos
I agree! It seems like auto-wounds on 6s in melee, while great, doesn't seem to get as much use as it could since it will only be active for the round in which the unit charged. I would like to see that reworded personally.
"I just hope Devout Push survives the new codex." - Amof
As much as I agree with you, it seems like GW has been simplifying a lot of questionable rules in an attempt to streamline the game. It's been getting progressively more drastic every edition and is why, at least in my opinion, it's hard to really use the black templars as aggressively as I would like to. I personally expect to see Devout Push stripped from our arsenal.
"I hope and pray that the new [Grimaldus] model looks good. If not, I'm gonna stick with my old model." - CrazyTacos
Absolutely! Grimaldus is one of my favourite Astartes characters and I would love to see him get the same treatment Calgar or Mephiston got. If we're lucky, we'll get some sweet new Cenobyte Servitors to go alongside him.
Conclusion
These are just some of the things I expect and hope to see. However, the pessimist in me expects to see 3 pages at the back of 'Warzone Octarius', but I'm fully riding the hype. It's been a rough year and we need this 😉 Again, strictly just my opinion. If you think differently or have anything to add, hit me up over on my Instagram or drop a comment below using Blogger's awkward system. Thanks for reading and cya!
-Ryan
