Part of our Black Templars hub: every Black Templars guide, lore page and painting tutorial in one place. Browse every Combat Patrol & Spearhead guide.
If you want an army that charges headlong into the enemy with righteous fury, chainswords swinging and oaths ringing out, the Black Templars are for you. Their current Combat Patrol is a pure crusading force: zealous, melee-focused and led by the Chapter’s chosen duellist. For the full chapter breakdown, see our Black Templars army guide.
What’s in the Black Templars Combat Patrol?
The current box is the 2025 Black Templars Combat Patrol, known as the Vow-sworn of Vedrenn. The story behind it is simple: Vedrenn, the Emperor’s Champion, must make sure his brethren don’t break the vow they’ve sworn. Here’s what you get:
- 1x Emperor’s Champion: your leader, a holy warrior chosen to fight the enemy’s greatest champions in single combat. He’s one of the best duellists in the Space Marine range.
- 10x Crusader Squad: the signature Black Templars unit. Games Workshop says this ten-man squad puts out respectable firepower and holds its own in close combat.
- 3x Bladeguard Veterans: elite melee veterans with storm shields and master-crafted power swords. Very tough and very hard to shift.
- 5x Sword Brethren: the Chapter’s elite melee veterans and your main damage dealers in close combat.
That’s 19 models in total, plus Black Templars transfers. Games Workshop sold several of the 2025 chapter Combat Patrols in limited runs, so stock may be patchy in some shops.
Previous box
If you own the older Black Templars Combat Patrol, yours looks different. That box was built around a Marshal, a Primaris Crusader Squad and an Impulsor transport, and an earlier version of this page described a similar set. Those models are still very useful in a Black Templars army, but the current Combat Patrol rules are written for the Vow-sworn of Vedrenn box.
Which Rules Does It Use?
Black Templars use the 11th Edition Space Marines codex, which includes their unique units and their own detachments such as Vow-sworn Crusaders and Marshal’s Household. Space Marines are one of only three armies with an 11th Edition codex so far (with Orks and Adeptus Custodes), and Games Workshop has said no more codexes are coming until 2027. Our Codex: Space Marines 11th Edition guide explains what changed, and our codex release order tracker shows the current schedule.
For Combat Patrol games, the box has its own datasheets and rules, released as a free download on Warhammer Community. In July 2026 Games Workshop moved Combat Patrol into the Warhammer 40,000 app and has since added 11th Edition rules for the Vow-sworn of Vedrenn there, so check the app for the latest version. Our Combat Patrol rules guide explains how the format works.
What Each Unit Does
Emperor’s Champion
The Emperor’s Champion is a specialist. He’s at his best hunting enemy characters and elite fighters. In the Combat Patrol rules he isn’t a Leader, so he fights as his own unit: move him up alongside a squad, get him into combat and point him at the most important enemy model you can reach. He’s not built to hold objectives on his own, so keep him moving with the rest of the army.
Crusader Squad
Ten Crusaders give you a big, aggressive core. They can shoot on the way in and fight well once they arrive, and the squad’s size makes it hard to wipe out in a single turn. Use them to take the central objective and tie up enemy units.
Bladeguard Veterans
Bladeguard Veterans are your anchor. Storm shields make them extremely tough, so they’re perfect for holding an objective under pressure or walking into enemy fire. Pair them with the Crusaders for a solid frontline.
Sword Brethren
The Sword Brethren are your hammer. Aim them at the toughest enemy unit you can reach and let them carve through it. Protect them on the way in by using terrain and keeping the Crusaders in front.
How to Play the Black Templars Combat Patrol
The Black Templars plan is simple: advance, charge, and keep fighting until you’ve won. Unlike some melee boxes, this one has a little shooting from the Crusaders and very tough units in the Bladeguard, so you can afford to be patient.
Deployment
Put the Crusaders and Bladeguard at the front, behind terrain. Deploy the Sword Brethren behind them, out of sight. Keep the Emperor’s Champion close behind the Sword Brethren or the Crusaders. He fights as his own unit in Combat Patrol, so use them to shield him on the way in.
Turn 1
Move everything forward from cover to cover. In 11th Edition, Infantry in a terrain area have the benefit of cover, which worsens the Ballistic Skill of ranged attacks against them by 1, so avoid open ground. Let the Crusaders shoot at anything in range and take the nearest objectives.
Turn 2
This is when you strike. Charge the Crusaders into enemy screens, then send the Sword Brethren and Emperor’s Champion into the most important target. Use the Bladeguard to take the centre or protect a flank.
Turns 3 to 5
Keep fighting, but remember the mission. Objectives are terrain pieces in 11th Edition, and even a few surviving Crusaders standing on one can win you the game. The Bladeguard are perfect for sitting on the most contested objective.
Key Tactical Tips
- Keep the Sword Brethren safe until the moment they charge.
- Use the Emperor’s Champion to kill characters, not to clear chaff.
- Crusaders are there to soak hits and hold ground. Push them forward.
- Play the mission. Objectives win Combat Patrol games, not kills.
Building and Value Notes
This box gives you the core of a Black Templars crusade. The Crusader Squad is the Chapter’s signature unit, the Sword Brethren and Bladeguard are both elite units you’ll use in larger games, and the Emperor’s Champion is a classic character.
Strengths:
- A clear, fun melee game plan that’s easy to learn
- Very tough units in the Bladeguard and a big Crusader Squad
- Characterful Black Templars models
- Every unit is useful as you expand
Weaknesses:
- No vehicles or transports, so it’s slow to cross the board
- Little anti-tank firepower
- Struggles against armies that can shoot it before it arrives
Painting the Black Templars Combat Patrol
The Black Templars scheme is striking and achievable for beginners: black armour, white shoulder pads, red details and plenty of parchment.
Recommended Colour Scheme
- Armour: Chaos Black spray, edge highlighted with Eshin Grey and Dawnstone.
- Shoulder pads: Corax White or Grey Seer, then White Scar.
- Robes and tabards: Rakarth Flesh or Wraithbone, washed with Seraphim Sepia.
- Weapons and details: Mephiston Red for casings, Leadbelcher for metal.
Painting Tips
- Black primer does most of the work. Focus on clean edge highlights.
- Paint white shoulder pads in several thin coats for a smooth finish.
- Purity seals and parchment are great practice for fine detail.
For a full step-by-step, see our how to paint Black Templars guide, plus our tutorials on painting black armour and painting white armour.
Expanding Beyond the Combat Patrol
We don’t have a dedicated Black Templars army list yet, but our Space Marines 1000 point army list guide covers the core units, and our army lists hub has lists for every faction. Here are the best next purchases.
Path to 1,000 Points
- A second Crusader Squad: more bodies for your crusade and the Chapter’s core unit.
- A transport: an Impulsor or Rhino gets your melee units into combat faster.
- A Redemptor or Brutalis Dreadnought: tough, hard-hitting walkers. See our Brutalis Dreadnought guide.
- A Chaplain: makes your melee units even better.
Path to 2,000 Points
- High Marshal Helbrecht: the Chapter Master. Read our Helbrecht lore.
- A Gladiator Lancer for anti-tank. See our Gladiator Lancer guide.
- Terminators for a tough elite core
- More Sword Brethren
Where to Buy the Box
On Amazon US, Combat Patrol boxes are sold by third-party sellers, so check the listing before you buy. It should show the current box: the 2025 version with an Emperor’s Champion, a Crusader Squad, Bladeguard Veterans and Sword Brethren (19 models).
Price details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.As an Amazon Associate, Warhammer Guild earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Black Templars Combat Patrol good for beginners?
Yes, if you enjoy aggressive games. The plan is simple and the units are tough, so mistakes aren’t punished too harshly. If you’d prefer a more balanced start, Getting Started with Space Marines can also be painted as Black Templars. See our Space Marines Combat Patrol guide.
What’s the difference between the old and new Black Templars Combat Patrol?
The older box was led by a Marshal and included an Impulsor transport. The 2025 Vow-sworn of Vedrenn box swaps those for an Emperor’s Champion and Bladeguard Veterans, alongside a Crusader Squad and Sword Brethren.
Do Black Templars have an 11th Edition codex?
They use the 11th Edition Space Marines codex, which includes Black Templars units and detachments.
What paints do I need for the Black Templars Combat Patrol?
Essentials: Chaos Black spray, Eshin Grey, Dawnstone, Corax White, White Scar, Wraithbone, Seraphim Sepia, Mephiston Red and Leadbelcher.
Can I use the Black Templars Combat Patrol models in full games of 40k?
Yes. Every model in the box is a normal Black Templars or Space Marines unit, so the Emperor’s Champion, Crusader Squad, Bladeguard Veterans and Sword Brethren all go straight into a full army using their regular datasheets. Only the special Combat Patrol rules are limited to that format. The box makes a strong core for a 1,000-point Incursion list.
What size board do you need for Combat Patrol?
Combat Patrol uses a 44″ x 30″ battlefield, which is half of a standard 44″ x 60″ board. A kitchen table or a 3 x 4 ft mat is enough, and a few pieces of ruins make a big difference because the Black Templars need cover on the way in. Our battle mat guide covers mat sizes for every format.
Related Content
- Black Templars – Warhammer 40k Guide — apply this guide to a specific army
- How to Play Warhammer 40k — Complete Beginner’s Guide — learn the core rules of Warhammer 40K
- Aeldari Combat Patrol — Alternative Eldar Guide — explore another helpful guide
- All Warhammer 40k Factions Ranked — Tier List — see which factions rank highest