The fear of missing out is real if you’re a Black Templars player, as their new Army launch box is the only way to get their new codex and models early.
Games Workshop revealed the new Black Templars Army Launch box at Gen Con late Saturday night, and it looks stacked with tons of new models for the crusading legion.
Warhammer Community published the details of the contents, and just like the Beast Snagga and Sisters of Battle Army launch boxes before them, they appear to have similar value. Of course for aspiring hobbyists this will be the only way to get their new rules early, so the fear of missing out is real for Black Templars players the world over.
Crucially, this set is the first place aspiring High Marshals can clench their gauntleted fists around the new Codex Supplement: Black Templars. This launch edition book comes with an exclusive cover featuring iconic John Blanche artwork from aaaaaaaaall the way back in the third edition of Warhammer 40,000.
Let’s take a look at what’s inside, but take a sec to check out everything for the new Templars models and rules up to now in our Templars recap link here. If you want to see all the latest other reveals from Gen Con click any of the links below (we’ll update them as more comes out).
- Warhammer Underworlds New Season
- New 40k Kill Team Starter & Individual Releases Revealed
- Tau & Sisters Models Spotted Coming In Kill Team!
- New Khorne Blood Bowl Team Revealed at Gen Con
- Black Templars Launch Box Reveal
- Warcry Teasers & Necromunda Releases
New Black Templars Army Launch Box Revealed!
The Army Set contains 13 miniatures, including 12 new Black Templars – a Marshal, the Emperor’s Champion, and a 10-man Primaris Crusader Squad with a ton of build options. You’ll also get a Redemptor Dreadnought, for targets which require a more forceful elimination.
A solid force for sure that includes the new Primaris Emperor’s Champion that has been previewed already. Also included is a very cool-looking new Marshal model very similar to the limited-edition one that came in the 3rd Edition army box over 20 years ago!
It will not have escaped your notice that the Crusader Squad is mixed. Those lads with the snazzy pudding-basin haircuts aren’t Scouts, though – they’re Primaris Neophytes, raw recruits who act as squires to the Initiates they accompany into battle. The kit also allows you to assemble a veteran Sword Brother to oversee the squad.
Upping the Primaris game are new Neophytes models as it looks like Firstborn and their Neophytes’ days may be numbered for hobbyists…
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Also rounding out this set is the new Pyreblaster model along with a Sword Brother who both look to be part of the Crusader Squad that comes in the box.
Speaking of 3rd edition 40k, it looks like the cover of the Limited Edition Codex features that starter set’s iconic John Blache artwork. Plus for Maximum purging, new army data cards will be included in the launch box as well.
Rumors say look for this to hit pre-order very soon with the rest of the army to follow in November/ December of this year! Overall it’s a great time to be a loyalist and an even worse time to be a heretic!
New 40k Black Templars Army Box: Pricing & Value
The Army Set contains 13 miniatures, including 12 new Black Templars – a Marshal, the Emperor’s Champion, and a 10-man Primaris Crusader Squad with a ton of build options. You’ll also get a Redemptor Dreadnought, for targets that require a more forceful elimination.
These could all change, but we think the values below are pretty spot-on:
- Primaris Crusader Squad $60 (Based on other Space Marine Intercessors)
- Redemptor Dreadnought $65 (existing kit)
- Emperor’s Champion $35
- Marshal $35
- Codex:$30 (not really a limited edition because of production numbers & resale price)
- Datacards: $25
Total MSRP: $255
Estimated Value: $50
The new box will cost $200, and the value is basically identical to the Orks Beast Snagga box minus $20 for a supplement codex book instead of the main one at $50 (you still need the Space Marine codex book to use).
Looks like GW likes that price point for both value and pricing.
It’s not the craziest box ever, but you do save some money, get the rules early and grab a bunch of new minis. However a key takeaway here for us is that you get about the same value from this as any of the combat patrol boxes, but end up paying $60 more at the register for the Army box configuration.
Upgrade Your Redemptor for Less!
Regardless, if it has value to you, then get it. If it doesn’t, then don’t! Don’t let the FOMO get the best of you if you really aren’t sure about the minis.
New Black Templar Army Box Sprues
As you can see a very cool-looking new Marshal model is coming that is very similar to the limited-edition one that came in the 3rd Edition army box over 20 years ago!
Here’s another look at this new crusader from the big army box reveal.
Now let’s take a look at what options this new model will have as the army box sprues have been spotted!
Black Templar Marshal
Recently Reddit user u/jazzhandskreiger posted up pics of the new Black Templar Marshal that they accidentally received in their Hexfire box.
This is clearly a Black Templars character as you can tell by the shoulder insignia. There are also new chains on his arms that we have seen on all of the new models for the sub-faction.
Plus from the looks of this, there are two close combat weapon options, an ax, and sword, plus a combi-flamer option to go along with the plasma pistol.
Two head bits are also on the sprue, however, neither looks to be a fully helmeted head. Chances are you can just use a helmet head from the crusader spures if you really want a closed head look for your Marshall.
GW New Orleans Open Black Templar Box Sprues Spotted
As we said above, these exclusive pics are straight from a player at the New Orleans Open!
First, here we can clearly see the simple box cover in shrink wrap and inside the display case. The glass is so clean the reflection of the carpet makes it a little hard to see, but that is certainly the real box!
Primaris Crusader Squad
Then we get a zoom in on the left half of the Crusader Squad sprue showcasing arms, legs, weapons, and some other bits like heads, torsos, and, shoulder pads. There’s definitely plenty of variation in this kit! which is key when you don’t get a suite of loadout options like in full unit releases.
As for the right half, we get a lot more heads, shoulders, and some auxiliary bits. But the notable things here are those new ranged weapons, the Sword Brother’s sword, and the primaries neophytes as well.
Primaris Emperor’s Champion
The Emperor’s Champion sprue looks a lot smaller than the Marshal’s as there really aren’t any options for this iconic character. He just chains his sword to his wrists and goes purging.
From this sprue, we can see the head really isn’t that customizable either, as it appears to be inset into the torso some with no separate neck. The larger purity seals flowing in the wind seem to be attached to the back of the torso as well to give it that extra dynamic look.
The new Black Templars Army Box is here, with the rest of the army to follow in November/ December of this year!
Speaking of the new Black Templars Army Box,
The Black Templars 40k Army Box Release Has Flopped…
We time-stamped this photo just to show when GW said the limited stock would be, well, it’s over 24 hours later and still, it hasn’t been changed from pre-order to MTO status. It looks like we might have another Dominion on our hands where they expect something to be super limited and it ends up hanging around for weeks.
Since they didn’t allocate the boxes, there is a chance that tons of people bought this from their local store, but we expect it also had to do with the value of the box and the fact you receive so few minis. It really looks like people are making their voices heard by voting with their hobby dollars.
Let’s Build 40k Black Templars Army Box: Unboxing
Here’s our review of the new miniatures and the box itself:
Sometimes it’s better to wait for a little to actually start collecting an army because there will be multiple waves of things, FAQs, etc… We’re not a hundred percent sure why it didn’t sell as well as the other boxes, but it is something to keep an eye on. It is pretty cool though when you open the box and you see this old-school artwork right away.
Then when you get into the box it is all pretty organized and comes with another little art piece to help protect the box.
Instructions & Sprues
Instruction-wise, it’s pretty much what you’d expect with the new color variations that we really like and there are multiple options for each unit.
The backpack of the Marshal looks a little funky, just a ton of fiddly parts, so Rob’s not sure how long that will actually take. While GW does some things we don’t like, they still produce some of the best miniatures in the world and the instructions are usually on point. The Champion however looks pretty simple, so that’s a plus!
A quick painting note, if you have the option to leave shoulder pads off, Rob recommends doing so. Mainly because painting white over a black primer is really hard. So just spray those white and it will save you a lot of time overall.
The Crusaders have a ton of options and each has a lot of variations. The way they do the instructions makes it really easy to build them how you want with plenty of color paths. They don’t say it in here but everything is numbered on the parts os technically you could clip everything out at once.
The Neophytes aren’t as variable as it’s just two sprues mirrored. However, you can give them different guns and heads.
This is the Crusader sprue and you get two identical of these. As you can see there are plenty of bits so these are not the ETB style. IF you can see inside the chest there, you can see the numbering on the bits themselves.
A lot of the small sprues (like the Champion) usually go around for $35, whereas the bigger ones (like the Marshall) usually go for about $45. The detail in these looks pretty sweet and the design looks great as well.
Assembled Minis
Overall these went together pretty easily. They have so many posing options, are really dynamic, and you can’t complain about the detail at all!
The Crusaders look so cool and the Neophytes are actually on 28mm bases, so basically the same size as a Primaris, but they are much more static than the regular Marines in the box.
When compared to a normal Intercessor, you can see these really have much more flair about them.
Overall, the Crusader box is just really cool!
The Emperor’s Champion is super dope with enough open space where you can really let your painting skill show through.
The Marshal is also super detailed with so much going on, but again, not so much you can’t show off your skills.
Final Thoughts
Overall this probably didn’t sell as good as GW wanted but it does have some big things for design inside. So as always, if it has value to you, then grab it, if not, then don’t.
Get Your Own Box Here!
Need more on everything Black Templars? Here’s the latest news and rumors for these crusaders!
- All The Emperor’s Champion Models Through the Years
- New Black Templars Primaris Helbrecht Model SPOTTED!
- Black Templars Getting More 40k Rules & Model Kit!
- Black Templars Emperor’s Champion Goes Primaris!
- Black Templars Army Launch Box Revealed!
- Grimaldus Revealed!
- Full Black Tempars Army Release: Sword Brethern & Upgrade Kits
All the Latest on the New Black Templars
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
