The Ascalon Crusade - Reivers join the Crusade!

[Gerhard]

Hello Everyone,

 

My name is Gerhard and I am new to these boards and quite frankly also new to Warhammer. A few years ago I have picked up a few models and did some painting but I never really got around to playing the game as the complex rules were quite daunting for me to understand. Now with 8th edition, and a complete overhaul of the game I am determined to learn the game and get an army going. Since everyone has to re-adjust to the new rules, I will not be behind as much as I would have been a few years ago. Having played a few games now I'm getting quite confident with the rules and the different options so I'd say I'm getting there. 

 

So, with starting an army, comes the choice of a Chapter. After reading a few books (such as Armageddon) and being an enormous Medieval fanatic I soon realized there is only one chapter that fits me: the Black Templars. Fluff, nice detail and Knights. What more can I ask for. As such, my new Crusade is born! I'm focussing on building a fluff-army and I am thus focussing myself on Close Combat and fitting in a Land Raider Crusader or two.

 

My first Crusader Squad is nearing completion with only edge-highlighting left. I'll share some Work in Progress pictures later. 

 

Best regards,

Gerhard

 

 

 

Edited August 7, 2017 by Gerhard

[Marshal Reinhard]

Welcome to the Eternal Crusade!

[Eberious]

Welcome to the Eternal Crusade Gerhard, looking forward to your Crusade force progress. 

[Marshal Wolfhart]

It is a time of great change we are in right now, a perfect spot to get a new crusade rolling. Welcome brother!

May your aim be true, your sword ever sharp and your ZEAL unending!

[Gerhard]

Thanks for the welcome. As promised some pictures of my Crusade and Work in Progress!

 

The Crusade so far...

 

http://i.imgur.com/H3i2mPj.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/48VixGq.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/L3CKqYG.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/V8gjOgB.jpg

 

And then the current Work in Progress Crusaders!

 

http://i.imgur.com/6szbuQD.jpg

 

 

Not too impressive yet... but it'll get there.

 

Also a question. I am curious whether other people "mark" their squads? I was thinking (as the pictures show) of using different colors on the weapons to denote different squads. Are other people doing such a thing? Other ideas? I'm curious to know!

[Marshal Wolfhart]

According to lore Black Templars don't have the strict structure of other chapters. Squads and even fighting companies are formed as the situation dictates and at most are upheld for the duration of a crusade. That said there's nothing stopping you from thinking up some markings that your crusaders use during the span your models depict. Just don't go with a squad number on the knee pad, that's cringeworthy

[Gerhard]

Fair enough, won't be using those then. I guess I'll stick to randomness then. Want to stay as true to the lore as I can :)!

[Marshal_Roujakis]

Holy Throne, those aren't impressive to you?

Can't wait to see what you come up with then... we're gonna have another artificer within the Crusade :D

 

In the lore, Brothers are more attracted to camaraderie and bond in battle to join together and form actual squads... although some Marines, especially the veterans usually denote personal heraldry or some form of badge of honor... I made it in my Crusade fluff that some Neophytes emulate a Sword Brethren's Heraldry or Badge to denote that at some point, they were once their mentor, and that the Initiate is aspiring to be as cool as his higher ranking brother... or as a testament to honor his master...

[Honda]

Welcome Brother to the Eternal Crusade. You could not have picked a better time, nor a better chapter to join.

 

The Imperium is in dire need of as many knights as we can field.

 

We are the one chapter that has remained true to the Emperor's vision of our role in His great crusade.

 

Your modeling efforts are impressive and we look forward to seeing your crusade grow.

 

IMPERATOR VULT!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

A fine army. I like the way your Razorbacks look.

[Gerhard]

Thanks for the replies! Sunday I have time for some more painting so I'll be posting some updates then. Focussing on Crusader Squads now and planning a nice conversion for my Sword Brothers :)!

[Gerhard]

Managed to get some painting done today, working on six Crusaders. Decided to add two with a Power Axe to field as special-weapon-Initiates. Got the base coats done except for the shoulderpads. The third Initiate from the left actually has an experimental pose... Truth be told, I messed up glue-ing the rocks on the base and couldn't find any other way to properly position it other then below. In the end it turned out ok, making it look like it's jumping out of the way of something whilst shooting . 

 

Up next, finishing the bases with plants and all highlights.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/U5JVYm0.jpg

 

 

Edited July 2, 2017 by Gerhard

[Gerhard]

Several more models painted, and Ive started my conversions for Sword Brethren. Will post WIP later.

 

In the mean time I've started to build a list. I know it is not the section for lists but I am looking for some feedback as the idea is a templar-fluff list. Doesn't need to be tournament worthy just capable of dealing with my meta which consista of Necrons, Orcs and Space Marines (DA and BA in particular). Depending on what I face I can swap some stuff in and out but the baseline idea was the following:

 

 

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [89 PL, 1995pts] ++

 

+ HQ +

 

Chaplain [6 PL, 97pts]: Jump Pack, Plasma pistol

 

High Marshal Helbrecht [9 PL, 170pts]

 

+ Troops +

 

Crusader Squad [5 PL, 114pts]

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power axe

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Meltagun

. Sword Brother: Plasma pistol, Thunder hammer

 

Crusader Squad [5 PL, 114pts]

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power axe

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Meltagun

. Sword Brother: Plasma pistol, Thunder hammer

 

Crusader Squad [5 PL, 114pts]

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power axe

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Meltagun

. Sword Brother: Plasma pistol, Thunder hammer

 

Crusader Squad [5 PL, 114pts]

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Chainsword

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power axe

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Meltagun

. Sword Brother: Plasma pistol, Thunder hammer

 

+ Elites +

 

Terminator Assault Squad [13 PL, 256pts]: Teleport Homer

. Terminator

. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

. Terminator

. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

. Terminator: Lightning Claw (Pair)

. Terminator: Lightning Claw (Pair)

. Terminator Sergeant

. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

 

Vanguard Veteran Squad [7 PL, 363pts]

. Space Marine Veteran: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

. Space Marine Veteran: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

. Space Marine Veteran: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

. Space Marine Veteran: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

. Space Marine Veteran: 2x Lightning Claw

. Space Marine Veteran: 2x Lightning Claw

. Space Marine Veteran: 2x Lightning Claw

. Space Marine Veteran: 2x Lightning Claw

. Space Marine Veteran: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

. Veteran Sergeant: Relic blade, Storm shield

 

+ Heavy Support +

 

Land Raider Crusader [17 PL, 314pts]: 2x Hurricane bolter, Multi-melta, Twin assault cannon

 

+ Flyer +

 

Stormtalon Gunship [9 PL, 195pts]: Twin assault cannon, Typhoon missile launcher

 

+ Dedicated Transport +

 

Rhino [4 PL, 72pts]: Storm bolter

 

Rhino [4 PL, 72pts]: Storm bolter

 

++ Total: [89 PL, 1995pts] ++

 

I was wondering if anyone could comment on the list. Why the large Vanguard squad? Cause I like them a lot. Can negotiate on the size of course :-).

[Brother Christopher]

These are some proper crusaders, not any of the Primaris nonsense. I commend you for the weapons' selection.

 

I also like the list, very much. I'm not sure whether it's 'viable', but it most certainly is fluffy. What it seems to lack is long-distance fire support, but this might be compensated by the mobility and punching power of the jump pack troops. To save points, and maybe get something else instead, I'd probably not give weapon upgrades to all the Sword Brethren and leave 2-4 models with chainswords and pistols as ablative wounds.

[Gerhard]

Thanks for the suggestion! Ill play around a bit with the points. I also have a Predator available which I could fit in for some long distance support provided I can find room in the points. Definately something to think about, thanks!

[Gerhard]

Been a while since I've posted an update. Had some stuff to do at work so not a lot of time for painting sadly...

 

However, the Crusade has grown some more and I have spent a lot of time on my Sword Brethren who lead my Crusader Squads. I've made them from scratch using custom bits from all over the place and I am quite pleased with the result. 

 

The models are not completely done. Still require edge-highlights and some general weathering as the colors are quite bright. Still felt like showing the WIP so far!

 

In the Crusade so far are two Razors, one Predator, one Castellan, two Sword Brethren, and fifteen Initiates with CC weapons. Up next finishing these models, and then four times meltagun initiates and flamer initiates. After that I'm going to paint some more Vanguards. 

 

Sword Brethren:

 

http://i.imgur.com/z1WhNQf.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/Qaypeuq.jpg

 

Squads with their glorious leaders.

http://i.imgur.com/qd6rFvT.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/ugozpUO.jpg

 

 

[TheOneTrueZon]

Proper Crusaders, well done indeed. Those Sword Brethren are no joke, plasma and hammers unite! Great work, now go kick in some rogue psyker skulls for papa grimmy. 

[Gerhard]

Thanks! I'm very curious to hear some weathering techniques you guys use. I've been trying to wash models with Nulin Oil on the weapons, and then a more specific shade for the Tabards, but the results are..... not as good as I'd like them to be. The Nulin Oil leaves stains which sometimes become messy, and the Wash on the Tabards I simply find ugly. 

 

Any tips?

[Gerhard]

An update! The Crusade is coming along nicely. Sword Brethren are done, Crusader Squads are done. 

 

I've started working on the latest addition to the Crusade: Reivers. 

 

A small WIP picture below with some added Zeal. Not completely done as I need to do the base still and some final highlighting. After that.... 19 more to go :). 

 

http://i.imgur.com/qLlAmU2.jpg

[JAG Templar]

Looking great! Did you go for 10 pistol+combat blade and 10 bolter? What was your thought process behind loadout?

[Gerhard]

Cheers. I'm running them as a disruption and/or distraction squad. So in my case I've loaded them with ten CC and Pistol and ten CC and Grapel launcher. I play on quite a few different boards and some of then have a lot of tall structures.

 

I don't kit them with Bolt Carbines because I have different units for that in my Crusade, which will be complemented soon by Hellblasters and Agressors and they are far better at assault-shooting then the reivers. Thats why I've chosen my mentioned setup, with Grav Chutes on all.