[Dangerman]

The idea come form looking at Black Templars as in the same light as the Christian Crusades. Similarities include the symbol (Maltese Cross), and religious zeal (Christianity, and The Emperor). I wondered about having a specialist bike unit to resemble the Knights of the Crusades. What floows is my interpretation of such a noble Biker.
Essentially it follows the same template as the Sword Brethren models and bikers, with added differences in the Power Lance (credit to Zen for that one) and Combat Shield as standard. These are reflected in the Points cost.

[hr]

Fast Attack
Sword Brethren Bike Squadron.......................50 Points/Model


[table][tr][td] [/td][td]Points[/td][td]WS[/td][td]BS[/td][td]S[/td][td] T[/td][td]W[/td][td]I[/td][td]A[/td][td]Ld[/td][td]Sv[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Initiate Biker [/td][td]50[/td][td]4[/td][td]4[/td][td]4[/td][td]4(5)[/td][td]1[/td][td]4[/td][td]2[/td][td]8[/td][td]3+[/td][/tr]
[/table]

Unit Size: Between 3 and 10 Initiate Bikers
Weapons: Power Lance, Combat Shield, twin-linked Bolters, Frag and Krak Grenades
Options: One Biker can be armed with a weapon from the following, at the loss of the Power Lance and Combat Shield; a Flamer at +6 points, and a Plasma Gun or Meltagun at +10 points.
Crusader Seals: All models in a squad may take Crusader Seals at +2 points per model.
Special Skills: Veterans

Veterans: All models in a Sword Brethren Bike Squad may take one of the following special rules; Furious Charge, Counter Attack, or Infiltrate.

Power Lance: A holy weapon honoured to only the most skilled riders who have shown bravery and decisive skill on the Battle Field are given the Power Lance, and decorated as Sword Brethren of the Black Templars. It is an almighty powerful weapon that carves through armour, flesh, and bone with ease. The Power Lance is treated as a Power Weapon and uses the same rules as detailed in the 40k Rulebook.

[Zen]

Lance Brethren Squadron 50 Points/Model

[table][tr][td] [/td][td]WS[/td][td]BS[/td][td]S[/td][td]T[/td][td]W[/td][td]I[/td][td]A[/td][td]Ld[/td][td]Sv[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Lance Brethren[/td][td]4[/td][td]4[/td][td]4[/td][td](4)5[/td][td]1[/td][td]4[/td][td]2[/td][td]9[/td][td]3+[/td][/tr]
[/table]

[table][tr]
[td]Unit Composition:

• 3-10 Lance Brethren

[/td]

[td]Wargear:

• Power Armor
• Power Lance
• Combat Shield
• Frag and Krak Grenades
• Space Marine Bike

[/td]

[td]Options:

• Any Lance Brethren may replace his Combat Shield with a Storm Shield for 25 Points
• Any Lance Brethren may take Meltabombs for 5 Points

[/td]
[/tr]

[tr][td] Unit Type:

• Bikes

[/td][/tr]

[tr]
[td]Special Rules:

• Preferred Enemy
• Veterans

[/td]

[td][/td][/tr]
[/table]

Power Lance: A Power Lance is a Power Weapon and in the turn in which the model with the Power Lance assaulted into combat, the model adds +2 to both Strength and Initiative when attacking in close combat (note that his has no effect on the Initiative tests for sweeping advances).

Veterans: At the beginning of the game, the Lance Brethren Squadron may take any one of the following Universal Special Rules: Furious Charge, Counterattack, Infiltrate. This last for the entire duration of the game.

[Dangerman]

I like the layout, and I have a few points:

• The name sounds cool but doesn't fit the style of the Black Templar naming style. Most models that are veterans are given the title 'Sword Brethren'.
• I like the upgrades and I wasn't sure about including the flamer etc. After looking at your interpretation I think it looks better.
• Preferred enemy is in one of the Vows that the Emperors champion takes. For now it should only stay there. However I have a feeling if the Blood Angels 'dex is released as rumoured (all units w/ Furious Charge) BT may get Preferred Enemy USR as standard across the board.

Overall I approve of the alterations. I'll amend in the OP with green.[/list]

[Wargamer]

Dangerman, try to remember the golden rule of KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Power Lance? Your version is pointless - by changing one word, you remove the need for two lines of explanation. They are armed with Power Weapons in your version. I disagree with this completely by the way.

The Power Lance appeared in the White Scars list, and I have always favoured that interpretation - Power Weapon, +1 I on the charge, -1 all other times.

[The Man They Call Jayne]

Sounds to me like somebody is making a Black and White Space Marine on a Black and White Bike....

[Dangerman]

Thanks for the replies.

@Jayne - They are black and white marines on bikes that are black and have bits of white on them. What's the point? When fleshing this out last night I didn't even think of White Scars tbh. Power Lance was suggested to me on TO Chat, I thought it sounded good enough.

@Wargamer - I didn't know about that Lance Weapon from the White Scars. After mentioning it I do have a vague recollection from either a WD or the 3rd ED SM codex of pictures of such units.
What parts specifically don't you agree with any why? Why isn't the Power Weapon a good idea? Do you have any alternatives? These are meant to be the best of the best, I was tossing up wether to put them as Elites.

On closer inspection it does appear that if they have the same Attack stat they can get 4 attacks on the charge, which IMO is wrong. I'll cut that to 1. After your suggestions, Wargamer, what should their CCW be if these are meant to be expert CC bikers?

I'm trying to keep the ethos of the Sword Brethren with the addition of the bike platform, with the background idea of Knights in the Crusades (as BT have similarities with the Crusades).

[Wargamer]

Dangerman, the problem is the Power Lance - you are basically wasting space.

Either you give them Power Weapons, or you give the Power Lance unique rules - there is no point whatsoever in giving them "Power Lances" which are just Power Weapons.

[Dangerman]

@Wargamer - No Worries then. For now they are just Power weapons, until I can think of a rule for a Lance weapon. Cheers.