Legacy of the Halo Scar

I’d not envisaged High Marshall Helbrecht being in the army, but as I’ve completed him as part of my Mortal vs Marco project, he has arrived to keep an eye on the troops!

The Crusader squads are still simmering away in the background, quite a few more models in later stages of completion, but not quite there yet. Not the speediest of projects this, but it is very much alive!

Exactly a year after starting the project I have actually now finished a unit! More to roll off the production line shortly!

As mentioned in a previous post, I’m taking the unusual step of building the whole army before painting because I want to get the look and feel of the overall crusade right.

Having now build all the models and thrown some primer on, I thought I’d see how it was looking.

Overall, pretty happy. I like the quantity of cavalry. The eagle eyed may also notice that the “chicken walkers” (Dragoons) have been replaced by a Dune Crawler. This is partly because GW changed all the points on me (inevitable given the glacial pace of my hobby!) and partly because they look a bit out of place. Even though technically cavalry, they would be the tallest thing in the army and it looks a bit odd. Maybe they’ll make a return, not sure, but the points will inevitably change again so I’ll keep an open mind.

The main thing I’m not quite happy with is the level of pageantry. I used all the banners in the kits I had, but it’s needs more pageantry, and bigger pageantry. The dunecrawler needs a big arsed flag, and the dreadnought needs “flehgs” too.

Will ponder that next.

Time for a test model. I want a quick and  easy method that can be reproduced at volume for the infantry models. Given the recent release of the models, there is a wealth of inspiration on the YouTubes. Too much really as I thoroughly confused myself with all the options!

No step by step this time as it was a bit of trial and error, but I’ll firm up the process when the production line kicks in!

This model is one of the assault intercessors from the Indomitus box, converted to be a normal intercessor using a stalker bolt rifle from eBay and some Black Templar bitzes.

The challenge with black is that it’s hard to make interesting because the eye just sees black, but compared to the primer-only stage I think it’s worth a few extra steps.

Time to get high on glue fumes. I’ve never taken the approach of building a whole army prior to starting painting before – I would usually build a squad or two, paint, then repeat. In this case I am really keen to get the look of the whole army right, when it is all together. I want to use all the templarey gribbly bits off the sprues – purity seals, icons etc, and I won’t know what bits are left until the core models are assembled. It’s going to be a daunting painting prospect this way, but I do enjoy this stage so I’ll enjoy it while it lasts!

Case in point, the Techmarine and Judiciar have been inducted into the templars via some minor kitbashing using the extra bits and the primaris  upgrade kit.

Time to get the books out and start planning what models I’m going to need.

I really want to pack in all the new Templar models because they look so good. This isn’t intended to be competitive – it’s rule of cool all the way. Handy, because the new range is very HQ heavy and I really want to include a Techmarine to emphasise the Astartes/AdMech link and he is also a HQ. That means fewer guns and fewer squads to hold objectives. It also means fewer models to paint. Easy come easy go!

It’ll take some work to make them all fit but thank goodness for Battlescribe! I tried using the 40K app at first but it wasn’t letting me add the load outs that I wanted.

So..HQ heavy Templars, with as many of the new models as possible, plus AdMech cavalry…here we go…

Legacy of the Halo Scar

++ Total: [104 PL, 1,992pts, 6CP] ++

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Black Templars) [42 PL, 809pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Chapter Selection: Black Templars

Detachment Command Cost

+ HQ [17 PL, 335pts] +

Chaplain Grimaldus [7 PL, 140pts]: 1. Litany of Divine Protection, 6. Oath of Glory, Artificer Crozius, 3x Cenobyte Servitors, Epitome of Piety, Frag & Krak grenades, Litany of Hate, Plasma pistol, Warlord

Marshal [5 PL, 95pts]: Frag & Krak grenades, Master-crafted power sword [5pts], The Armour Indomitus
. Master-crafted auto bolt rifle: Bolt pistol

The Emperor’s Champion [5 PL, 100pts]: Black Sword, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades

+ Troops [25 PL, 474pts] +

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]: Bolt rifle
. 4x Intercessor [80pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant [20pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades

Primaris Crusader Squad [10 PL, 186pts]: Bolt Pistol and Astartes Chainsword
. 3x Primaris Initiate w/Auto Bolt Rifle [60pts]: 3x Auto Bolt Rifle [3pts], 3x Frag & Krak grenades
. 2x Primaris Initiate w/Chainsword & Heavy Bolt Pistol [38pts]: 2x Astartes Chainsword, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. 4x Primaris Neophytes [64pts]: 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Primaris Sword Brother [24pts]: Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol, Power sword [5pts]

Primaris Crusader Squad [10 PL, 188pts]: Bolt Pistol and Astartes Chainsword
. 5x Primaris Initiate w/Auto Bolt Rifle [100pts]: 5x Auto Bolt Rifle [5pts], 5x Frag & Krak grenades
. 4x Primaris Neophytes [64pts]: 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Primaris Sword Brother [24pts]: Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol, Power axe [5pts]

++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Black Templars) [29 PL, 513pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration [-3CP] +

Chapter Selection: Black Templars

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ [8 PL, 165pts] +

Lieutenants [4 PL, 85pts]
. Castellan [4 PL, 85pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades
. . Combi-flamer and Master-crafted power axe [10pts]: Combi-flamer [5pts], Master-crafted power axe [5pts]

Primaris Techmarine [4 PL, 80pts]: Forge bolter, Frag & Krak grenades, Grav-pistol, Mechadendrite, Omnissian power axe, Servo-arm

+ Elites [21 PL, 348pts] +

Judiciar [5 PL, 85pts]: Absolver Bolt pistol, Executioner Relic Blade, Frag & Krak grenades

Primaris Sword Brethren Squad [7 PL, 88pts]
. Primaris Sword Brethren [22pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Primaris Sword Brethren [22pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Primaris Sword Brethren [22pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Primaris Sword Brethren [22pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 175pts]: 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers, Heavy flamer, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Redemptor Fist

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [33 PL, 670pts, 9CP] ++

+ Configuration [9CP] +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [12CP]

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Forge World Choice: TBC

+ HQ [7 PL, 130pts] +

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 55pts]: Control Stave, Radium Serpenta

Tech-Priest Dominus [4 PL, 75pts]: Macrostubber, Omnissian Axe, Volkite Blaster

+ Troops [6 PL, 135pts] +

Skitarii Rangers [2 PL, 45pts]
. Ranger Alpha [9pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger [36pts]: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [2 PL, 45pts]
. Ranger Alpha [9pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger [36pts]: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [2 PL, 45pts]
. Ranger Alpha [9pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger [36pts]: 4x Galvanic Rifle

+ Fast Attack [20 PL, 405pts] +

Serberys Raiders [4 PL, 120pts]
. 5x Serberys Raider [100pts]: 5x Cavalry Sabre, 5x Clawed Limbs, 5x Galvanic Carbine
. Serberys Raider Alpha [20pts]: Archeo-revolver, Cavalry Sabre, Clawed Limbs, Galvanic Carbine

Serberys Raiders [4 PL, 120pts]
. 5x Serberys Raider [100pts]: 5x Cavalry Sabre, 5x Clawed Limbs, 5x Galvanic Carbine
. Serberys Raider Alpha [20pts]: Archeo-revolver, Cavalry Sabre, Clawed Limbs, Galvanic Carbine

Sydonian Dragoons [12 PL, 165pts]
. Sydonian Dragoon [4 PL, 55pts]: Radium Jezzail
. Sydonian Dragoon [4 PL, 55pts]: Radium Jezzail
. Sydonian Dragoon [4 PL, 55pts]: Radium Jezzail

++ Total: [104 PL, 1,992pts, 6CP] ++

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

The Black Templars are 40k’s ultimate crusaders, and I can’t not think of the Knight’s Templar when I approach them. So I decided to look into the real-world crusades for some additional inspiration. What should the army look and feel like to be properly crusadery?!

Some illustrated books to flick through did the trick.

In many ways the 40K art, particularly the original Blanche illustration, captures it perfectly.

Blanche was clearly drawing on the mood of the old masters interpretations of the period, and in that respect the illustrations in the crusades books don’t add a lot to the mix.

What does come through strongly though is the imposing presence of the knights compared to the average folk. And cavalry. Proper cavalry. Space marine jet bikes aren’t going to cut it, and space marines don’t ride horses. However, this is where the AdMech can help!

I’ll need to do some work to create a legal 40K list, but a Black Templar core with AdMech “cavalry” should come together to create a force with the look and feel I’m after.

My favourite 40K novels are a trilogy by Graham McNeill which has become known as the “Forges of Mars” series which comprises the 3 books: Priests of Mars; Lords of Mars; and Gods of Mars. The novels chart the story of an AdMech crusade through an uncharted region of space known as the Halo Scar, aboard an Ark Mechanicus called the Speranza.  This series was around long before an AdMech model range and it really set my imagination alight. AdMech immediately became my favourite faction and I’ve been a devotee ever since.

That being said, when the model range finally arrived, I had to adjust my expectations slightly. Not that I don’t like the models (some are incredible!) but they didn’t completely match what was in my head after reading the books. I did however build an AdMech army and they got an outing to Warhammer World for a battle on one of their nice feature tables.

Then, at the end of 2021, a new range of Black Templars was released, and boy were they cool models. It reminded me that in Forges of Mars, a squad of Black Templars accompanied the AdMech crusade into uncharted space. It didn’t end very well for them, in that only one of them survived, but they saw plenty of action throughout the trilogy.
This then sparked a “what if” moment. What if, following the AdMech crusade through the Halo Scar, the Templars demanded that the AdMech repay the favour, and supply an army to accompany a Black Templars crusade?

The plan for a New Year New Army for 2022 was born!