Black Templars review part 2 – the models
With the army box getting scarcer in the wild, the new Black Templars range of boxes is just about upon us – and given it’s a supplement for codex space marines it’s a surprisingly large range. Thanks to Games Workshop who supplied us with early samples of these boxes so its time to check them all out.
High Marshal Helbrecht
This small box kit is 2 sprues (half size) packed full of details. 3 Options for his head is a welcome change of pace for a named hero and the other 2 will see use in other kits in the templars range with no issues at all. The instructions make me think it’s a pretty straight forward build though I would 100% be painting in sub-assemblies and then putting it all together at the end. Most pleasingly to me – the ork on the base is optional. You get a replacement piece of rock to use and have the sword in the dirt if you prefer it. A 60mm base rounds it out and despite him being significantly larger than most other chapter maters he is only a couple bucks more to buy.
Castellan
This model makes me a touch confused. The kit comes in a box for a tiny sprue (much like the emperors champion) with zero options but is priced the same as the lieutenants for space marines who come in blister packs. It is of course a homage piece to the 3rd ed art for the templars and it’s a nice touch in that regard but honestly feels kid of expensive for what you get and leaves you no room to really buy a second as the build pose is very limited. I can see templar players buying one but in general that will be it. I actually think using him in a sword brethren unit with some minor weapon swaps would be a good option but the cost makes that prohibitive. Yes he is primaris as well – he is HUGE and on a 40mm base… lets put that ‘first born’ marine talk to bed.
Chaplain Grimaldus
More confusion for another super detailed kit. Its on 2 half size sprues (the same as Helbrecht) but is boxed in a “unit” box unlike say the Chaos Dark Apostle who fills the same sort of role and models but comes in the character box. I don’t get it. At least he is priced the same as Helbrecht. Servitors on 28mm and Grimaldus on a 40mm is pretty standard at this point. Sprues are super clean and the whole kit looks very straight forward. It’s a pleasing update from the original model but its never given me that WOW moment that other kits have done.
Upgrades and Transfers / Combat Patrol
I’m going to roll these to sets into one entry. The main reason for this is you get the upgrade set with the combat patrol but nowhere on the box is this mentioned. The combat patrol is a 10 model crusader squad, the marshal, 5 multi part intercessors and an impulsor transport. $230au for what works out to be $380ish if bought individually is pretty solid value all things considered and the choice in the box mean you get to use any and every part of the upgrade parts which is a nice touch. I wonder if there is a mech build for templars somewhere in the codex. I also forsee many of the marshal models being sold cheap second hand as this kit is bought 2-4 times by players for the value and options you get. The upgrade sprue itself is something templar players will want if for no other reason than the shotguns for the neophyte primaris. You get some great theme options for the vehicles and relics for units as well as plenty of heads and shoulder pads in it but at $55au separately I don’t know its going to fly off the shelves in volume unless you are updating an existing force. That said I seem of these parts making it to my sisters and grey knights models in the future so its got legs for other factions in some ways.
Sword Brethren
This was the kit I wanted to see most. 40mm bases for all and a basic transfer sheet greeted me when I opened the box along with 3 sprues of parts. As is the trend for the modern GW unit, the box contains every option for the unit on the sprues which is very welcome but at the same time somewhat limiting. The models are dynamic but on first glance not very interchangeable which mean a unit of 10 will be having repeats. Not a deal breaker but something that frustrates me and would really get under my skin if I wanted to go crazy with 2 or 3 units. My first count was 14 different heads (and combined with the crusader box and upgrade box you could have 30 different helms/bare heads) along with a mass of swords and pistols. I do love all the detail layered into this kit and I think the lightning claws might be the best rendition of them in plastic ever.
Summary
If you can get your hands on the army box splash release (there are still a couple lurking out there) and then pick up the combat patrol box you will easily sit with a 1000-point Black Templars force that’s pretty rounded. In fact, the only thing missing will be the obligatory chaplain which is pretty easily rectified. It’s a core for a cool theme army and one that should be ok on the table to play with friends.
Im a little bit sad that despite the plastic kits being in such high proliferation that they seem just as limited as the old days of metal models for special units and heros – and its creeping into core units. Its something that’s been happening for a while now but this release really drove it home for me.
That said, its still a great range of models and with our in house commission painter working on them now, our first company of Black Templars will be on the tables soon! You can check out the whole range on the games workshop site HERE