Starting Black Templars Queries

[Relic]

Hi, hope everyone is well - 1st time visiting this end of the b&c. I am starting a BT first born only army and have a few questions if you don’t mind. I have watched Implausible Nature a bit (great resource!!) and read a few bits and bobs online about the BT index. Appreciate any input on the below queries.
 

1. From what I gather, BT is currently largely built around use of devout push and litanies combo’s to launch a scary unit from behind Los either into combat, onto an objective  or shooting position and eliminate a threat. Ahead of this you play screen units like crusaders to go out and grab midfield objectives forcing your opponent to interact in the mid board and thus come into range of your “missile” units. Is this an accurate broad understanding of the army dynamic?
    
2. I also take it transports are rare enough due to the combination of chapter trait, frontline commander warlord trait, devout push and canticle of hate. Is a pure infantry force viable and even preferred? 
3. Speaking of canticle of hate..I am looking at taking Grimaldus and an upgraded chaplain. I know I want two litanies from the regular tree including canticle of hate and from the BT tree the 5+++ and +1 attack. Which chaplain gets what is the question, as the master of sanctity is the safer bet, but I am unsure which tree is the “I must get this off” and the nice to have litanies?
4. The 20 man crusader squad..fluffy but I take it not all that effective? I like the idea of it as a durable Obsec screen by combining the 5+++ litany, -1 to hit smoke and an invulnerable save from the Relic/an inquisitor. Buff stacking on a large unit like that is an old favourite from other factions I play. The 14pt neophyte seems overpriced, but with buffs can they be effective like cultists/guard blobs when buffed?
5. Finally...the great heresy. I am considering an inquisitor to provide the army the ability to play the psychic secondary objectives if wanted and general utility. They seem to be solid additions to many imperial armies for what they bring to the table for a cheap cost. Something like an inquisitor with the 5++ invulnerable psychic power for a unit and deny overwatch seems like a solid tech piece, particularly for BT. Anyone tried this particular heretical delight?
    

 

[Medjugorje]

1. yes. It describes it very good.

2. yes, Infantry is way better except the fact that the secoundaries have changed. So Land speeder storm and maybe dreadknoughts can be taken.

3. it depends on your list. If you have a normal chaplain then your 6+++ is a good alternate if you dont pass the 5+++. I mostly play 5+++ and +1 A as safe bet.

btw-... I would take mostly +1 to wound as secound litany if your list is more based on terminators and BGV. +1 to hit or shoot if you want to do more shooting.

4. also yes. in a competitive meta it seems not as good but in normal games they can be pretty good.

5. ... i played them in 8th edition. Think its not bad.

[Relic]

Brilliant, thanks for the confirmations! Indeed, for the 2nd litany from the regular tree I am probably going for the +1 to hit for a ranged unit in my case as I plan on taking some shooting elements like a Grav-Dev unit. 

 

It sounds like a potential issue for the army construction is that you can't keep your "missile" units in aura range really with all the movement shenanigans? Currently I am looking at a master of sanctity chaplain, Grimaldus and then either a lieutenant or captain for the 3rd HQ slot in a battalion, so aura buffing won't be your typical marine list stacking efficiencies through re-roll one's. I will likely forgo the chief apothecary due to the points increase, so running the 3 HQ characters and maybe that inquisitor who I think brings an interesting tech element to the army for not much points. Warlord traits wise I am looking at frontline commander, rites of war and Grimaldus default trait for some psychic defense. Only one of them I have doubts about is the rites of war, as it is a straight shoot out between that or Wise Orator for a super reliable chaplain. 

 

As an aside, the Emperor’s Will stratagem, does that let you fire assault weapons and still charge or is it strictly only pistols and charge? As it is two different bullet points I figure they still fire assault weapons and charge, but I am not certain. 

[Medjugorje]

you can shoot Assault weapons (with -1 to hit ) or Pistols then...

 

Rites of war is a must have. Best option which is played in competitive games is  a Chaplian with Ancient breviary and rites of war.

Edited June 13, 2021 by Medjugorje

[Relic]

Great - thanks for the feedback Medjugorje - appreciate it!

[Danosborne]

Is it possible to use a devout push to get a judiciar into range to use his tempormortis ability? Both say to be used at the start of the fight phase.

[Medjugorje]

Is it possible to use a devout push to get a judiciar into range to use his tempormortis ability? Both say to be used at the start of the fight phase.

it is. Its the only reason I take a judiciar. In any other case its possible to charge without being in 3" from that character - even the Judiiciar has the oathkeeper WL-trait. 

[Mordian Glory]

I also have a quick question! Can I use the oaths of honour strat on a unit of scout bikes because they have the Scout keyword or do I need to do it on an actual Scout unit?

[Lord Raven 19]

I'm not sure you can do Grimaldus and another master of sanctity, you can only have one per chapter in your army, including named ones, which I believe Grimaldus is.

[Medjugorje]

He is a Reclusiarch. He doesnt have the keyword " MoS" but is able to speak 2 litanies.

( in the first 8th edition codex GW decided to make him our high chaplain but also had done a lot of retcons - luckily)