Warhammer 40K: Designing A Black Templar’s Launch Box
Time to put on your designer hat and think about what you want inside a new Black Templar’s Launch Box.
We know one is on the way. In case you missed the news from GW, they teased a “sweet new Black Templars launch box” may be on the way. Plus, we know the new codex is also shipping later this year AND we’ve even seen the awesome new cover and did a quick breakdown of that, too.
With all that in mind, after we talked about what unit’s we’d like to see from the Black Templars get the Primaris Treatment, we started to wonder what units should be in a Launch box. So let’s see if we can’t design our own version.
What’s A Launch Box
Not to be confused with a lunch box (that’s what a Tyranid would call them), a Launch Box is a newer type of Army Set from GW. We’ve gotten two examples for 40k, the Sisters of Battle:
And the Beast Snagga Ork Army Box:
Based on these boxes, I think we can make some pretty good guesses as to what will be in a Black Templar’s box as we design our own.
First up we need some extras:
- Special Edition Codex
- Army Cards
- Dice?
Both of the previous boxes had the Special Edition Codex as well as the army cards included. The Sisters box also included dice and a core rules fold-out. I don’t know if the Black Templar box will need either…but I wouldn’t turn them down.
What Models To Include?
The Emperor’s Champion is the obvious character to include. He’s new, he’s a unique army character, and pretty much every Black Templar army will need one. Each of the previous boxes had their own Special Character/HQ option so this seems like a no-brainer.
Initiates and Neophytes would also be a no-brainer. You need to have some “basic” troops in the army box. I’m guessing GW will include either a 5 or 10 man sprue of Primaris Intercessors and a 5 man sprue of Reivers along with a Black Templar Upgrade Sprue. However, what I’d REALLY like to see is two brand new sets of sprues for an entirely unique Black Templar Troop unit of Primaris Initiates and Neophytes that is a revamped version of those sprues with the Black Templar goodies added.
Will that happen? I have no idea! But I either way, we’re going to need those in a new Launch box, right?
Sword Brethren are another obvious choice. I think GW could go one of two ways on this unit as a kit, too. We might get the current Bladeguard Veterans with a Black Templar Upgrade sprue OR we could get a reworked kit entirely. Honestly, the basic Bladeguard Vets already look pretty BT Crusade worthy – I think some replacement arms/upgrade sprues is the most likely option.
That said, the main Space Marine on the Cover is rocking that Red Shoulder Pad. That’s how you know he’s a member of the Sword Brethren to being with. So maybe it WILL be a different unit with a hand flamer and some other BT centric extras.
What Else, Captain Obvious?
Now that we’ve tackled the obvious options, what else would be really cool to see added in the mix? Well, looking at the Ork Army Box, we did get a both a Warboss on a Squig and the named Character. Perhaps another HQ option? A Chaplain would be quite fitting as they don’t use Librarians. Or what about some sort of “heavy hitter” unit? Primaris Eradicators would be cool and thematic.
I could even see a unit of Outriders as well. Whatever “extra” option, I’m sure it will have some sort of Black Templar extras to make it more faithful and zealous looking. But what if we wanted to get REALLY crazy and outside of the box? What if GW was going to use the Black Templars as kick-off point for something new to Space Marines (again). What would you want to include?
Personally, I’d go with some new close combat option. Heavy Assault Primaris Intercessors perhaps? Or maybe something new with Lightning Claws? New Thunderhammer/Stormshield wielding Primaris models? All of that would be pretty cool. Do I think that will happen? Probably not. But GW has surprised me before.
Games Workshop has some more tricks up their sleeve and I’m looking forward to a “sweet new Black Templar Launch Box” – I’m sure we’re going to see something else new and unexpected.
What would you like to see in a new Black Templar Launch Box?
