You’re standing in a hobby shop. Rows of colorful boxes stare back at you. If you’ve even breathed near a Warhammer 40k table lately, you know the Black Templar Combat Patrol is basically the "gateway drug" of the Space Marine world. It’s bulky. It’s aggressive. It looks like a medieval crusade decided to pick up bolters and chainswords because, honestly, that's exactly what it is.
But is it actually worth your hobby budget in 2026?
The value proposition of these boxes changes every time Games Workshop tweaks a points value or releases a new Balance Dataslate. Most people see the box and think "cool knights." Experts look at the sprue and see a specific mathematical efficiency. If you're looking to start an army or just beef up an existing crusade, there is a lot to unpack here that most generic reviews completely miss.
What’s Actually Inside the Black Templar Combat Patrol?
Let's be real for a second. Some Combat Patrols are... lackluster. Looking at you, Thousand Sons. But the Black Templar Combat Patrol is weirdly generous. It isn't just a bunch of generic intercessors with a different paint job. You get the Primaris Crusader Squad, which is the literal backbone of the faction. These aren't your standard five-man squads. We're talking a sprawling unit of Initiates and Neophytes. It’s messy. It’s chaotic on the tabletop. It captures that "horde of angry armored monks" vibe perfectly.
Then there’s the Marshal. He’s basically a Captain, but with more drip. He comes with options that make him look like he just stepped out of a John Blanche painting. You also get a Primaris Impulsor. In a game where "not dying while moving across the board" is the primary goal, having a dedicated transport is huge. It's a bit of a points sink in smaller games, but the utility of a 5+ invulnerable save (if you kit it right) can’t be ignored.
Don't forget the Intercessors. They’re fine. They’re boring, but they hold objectives. The real gold, however, is the Black Templars Upgrade Frame. This is where the "Expert" part of hobbying kicks in. That frame has enough relic bits, shoulder pads, and tilt shields to make even a generic box of marines look like they’ve been on a crusade for three centuries.
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The Strategy Nobody Tells Beginners
Everyone tells you to run the Crusader Squad as one big blob. "Buff them with a Chaplain!" they say. Sure. That works. But if you want to actually win games of Combat Patrol—the specific game mode—you have to play the trade game.
The Black Templar Combat Patrol thrives on what I call "aggressive positioning." You aren't playing a shooting army. If you spend three turns trying to outshoot Tau or Eldar, you’re going to lose. You have to use the Impulsor as a literal shield. Move it up. Pop smoke. Force your opponent to waste their high-strength shots on a 160-point transport while your Crusader Squad sprints toward the mid-board.
Most players forget about the "Vows." In the standard 40k game, your Vow choice defines your entire turn. In the Combat Patrol game mode, your rules are a bit more streamlined, but the core remains: you are there to melee. If you aren't charging, you're losing. Honestly, if your chainswords aren't revving by turn two, you’ve probably misplayed your deployment.
Why the Impulsor is the Secret MVP
People complain about the Impulsor. They say it’s "light." They say it’s "overpriced." They’re wrong. In the context of a 500-point or Combat Patrol-sized game, a T9 (or T10 depending on the current edition's scaling) chassis is a nightmare for most small-arms fire. If your opponent didn't bring dedicated anti-tank—and in many Combat Patrol boxes, they didn't—this floating box is basically immortal. Use it to block line of sight. Literally park it sideways in a ruin opening. Your opponent will hate it. You will love it.
The Math of the Box: Dollars vs. Points
Let's talk money, because we aren't made of gold. If you bought these kits separately, you’d be paying significantly more.
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- Primaris Crusader Squad: Roughly $60.
- Primaris Impulsor: Around $65.
- Marshal: $35 or so.
- Intercessors: $30 (half a box).
- Upgrade Frame: $35.
You're looking at nearly $225 worth of plastic. Most retailers sell the Combat Patrol for about $160. That's a massive saving. Even if you hate the Intercessors, the value of the Crusader Squad and the Impulsor alone almost covers the cost of the box. Plus, that upgrade frame is basically a requirement if you want your army to actually look like Black Templars and not just "Goth Ultramarines."
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
The biggest mistake? Building everything with the "coolest" looking guns. In the current meta, and especially for Black Templars, melee is king. Give those Initiates chainswords and heavy bolt pistols. Don't fall into the trap of thinking a Power Fist on every single model is the way to go (even if you could). You need weight of attacks.
Another tip: don't glue the top of the Impulsor. It’s a tight fit. You can swap between the Shield Dome and the Bellicatus Missile Array without magnets if you're careful. The Shield Dome is almost always better for the 5+ invuln, but sometimes you just want to shoot frag missiles at gaunts. Options are good. Use them.
Also, be careful with the capes on the Marshal and the Crusader Squad. They are a nightmare to paint if you glue them on before you prime. Sub-assemblies are your friend here. I know, it’s annoying. You want to play now. But you’ll thank me when you aren't trying to shove a brush into a gap the size of a needle to paint the back of a leg.
Painting the Black: It’s Not Just "Black"
If you buy the Black Templar Combat Patrol, you have to paint black armor. This is the part where most people give up. They spray it chaos black, do one grey highlight, and it looks like a lump of coal.
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Try this instead: Prime it black, but do a heavy "zenithal" highlight with a dark grey. Then use a contrast paint like Black Templar (aptly named) or a thinned-down Nuln Oil over the whole thing. It gives the black depth. It makes the armor look like metal, not plastic.
And for the love of the Emperor, weather those capes. These guys are on a crusade. They shouldn't look like they just came from the dry cleaners. Use some Rhinox Hide on a sponge and dab it around the bottom of the cloaks. Instant "I've been marching through a swamp for three months" vibes.
Building Toward 2,000 Points
So you’ve finished the box. What’s next? You don't just buy another Combat Patrol. Well, you could, but you’d end up with two Marshals, and you only really need one.
- High Chaplain Grimaldus: He’s the soul of the army. His retinue provides buffs that make the Crusader Squads absolutely terrifying.
- Sword Brethren: These are your elite killers. Put them in the Impulsor you just built.
- Redemptor Dreadnought: Because every army needs a giant robot. It provides the heavy fire support the Combat Patrol box lacks.
The Black Templar Combat Patrol isn't just a starting point; it's a foundation. It gives you the "chaff" (even though Black Templar chaff is still super-human) and the transport you need to play the mission.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring High Marshal
If you’re ready to pull the trigger, don't just rip the plastic off and start gluing. Follow this workflow to maximize your investment:
- Check the Sprue for "Hidden" Bits: The upgrade frame has tiny lanterns and relics. These are great for objective markers if you don't put them all on the models.
- Magnetize the Impulsor: If you're feeling brave, magnetize the multi-melta. It’s the most likely weapon to change in effectiveness between editions.
- Plan Your Vow: Before you play your first game, read the "Abhor the Witch, Destroy the Witch" vow. It’s niche, but against Thousand Sons or Grey Knights, it’s a literal game-changer.
- Batch Paint the Neophytes: They have more skin showing than the Initiates. Paint all their faces at once so you don't have to keep switching between flesh tones and black armor paint.
This box remains one of the most cohesive "army in a box" experiences Games Workshop has ever produced. It feels like a thematic unit, not just a random collection of leftovers. Whether you’re a veteran looking for a new project or a newcomer ready to take the cross, it’s a rare instance where the hype actually matches the plastic. Just remember: the Emperor protects, but a 5+ invulnerable save protects better.