Codex Supplement: Black Templars is on its way, and the galaxy's most enthusiastic crusaders will be cleaving up a battlefield near you soon. But what sets them apart from their peers? We’ve got one word for you – zeal.
The Black Templars fervently believe in the divinity of the Emperor, and they will fight and die in His name without question. Though you could say that this aspect of self-sacrifice applies to almost any Space Marines Chapter, the Black Templars take their faith and dedication to the Master of Mankind far beyond their battle-brothers.
1. They Vowed To Fight an Eternal Crusade
The fabled Gloriana-class battle barge that serves as the Chapter’s flagship is called Eternal Crusader for a very good reason.
In the aftermath of the Horus Heresy, Sigismund made a sacred vow upon being anointed the Chapter’s inaugural High Marshal. He promised that the Black Templars would never rest in their duty to burn, purge, and violently clobber every heretic they could find from that moment forth.
That’s dedication to duty right there.
2. Psykers Need Not Apply
At the Council of Nikaea, the Emperor weighed the decision whether or not to continue allowing his Space Marines to deploy battle psykers – that’s Librarians to most. Many of His sons argued for and against – but ultimately, the Emperor chose to forbid them.
And if you doubt how serious the Emperor was, just ask the Thousand Sons what happened when they chose to ignore His decree…
His proclamation was eventually – though somewhat unofficially – reversed to thwart the sorcery wielded by the Traitor Legions during the Horus Heresy.
But if the Emperor says no, the Black Templars aren’t going to disagree. For more than 10 millennia since, they’ve held true to His original edict, and they still treat psykers with suspicion and hatred. Any psykers out there, you have been warned.
3. They Serve the Emperor and Only the Emperor
The black armour* worn by the Chapter’s battle-brothers is more than just a colour scheme. It dates back to when Sigismund was chosen by Rogal Dorn to serve as the first Emperor's Champion during the Siege of Terra.
His armour was ceremonially painted black like the Chaplains of the Reculsium, for he too was sworn to serve the Emperor directly. Upon becoming High Marshal of the Black Templars, he maintained this tradition for his warriors.
To this day, the Black Templars are beholden to no other, and they must be petitioned for aid by even the highest-ranking officials of the Imperium. They will only answer if they believe it to be the will of the Emperor – usually, it’s because a bunch of bad guys are very much in need of purging.
4. They Don’t Know the Meaning of the Word Quit
Their progenitors in the Imperial Fists may be famed for never quitting a battlefield, but once the Black Templars declare a Crusade, nothing will stop them from finishing what they started.
During the Benedictine War, the entire Chapter fought alongside five orders of the Adepta Sororitas and a vast force of the faithful in a holy war to purge the Aeldari-controlled worlds of the sub-sector.
Imperial casualties were catastrophic during the bloody conflict – and they even included the loss of two successive High Marshals of the Black Templars.
Despite the fact that little ground had been gained, the Ecclesiarchy declared an end to the Crusade and withdrew its forces, claiming the Emperor’s will had been done. But the Black Templars refused to cease their prosecution of the war. They continued fighting the campaign alone and eventually succeeded in cleansing the Aeldari from the whole sub-sector.
In short, don’t mess with the Black Templars – it will inevitably end badly.
Keep an eye on Warhammer Community over the coming weeks because we’ll have plenty more on the Imperial Fists’ most zealous successors as Codex Supplement: Black Templars draws closer.
* If you’re looking to learn how to paint black armour such as that worn by the Black Templars, make sure you sign up to Warhammer+, as there’s a Citadel Colour Masterclass to help you do just that, as well as loads more hobby goodness for you to enjoy!