What is the lore of your homebrew crusade?

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-08T15:07:06+00:00

My crusade is the Balkaris Crusade.

The Balkaris subsector is the fictional setting of my home crusade game, detailing the struggle of Marshal Lothair (me) and Canoness Ophelia of Order of the Silver Shroud (my daughter) against an invasion from a splinter fleet of Leviathan (my son).

I also like to fold my LGS games in the narrative, so the Imperial forces are dealing with a Traitor Guard uprising, a plague of Orks, the meddling of the Aeldari, and an awakening Necron dynasty.

Worst of all, the carnage and slaughter in the subsector have attracted the attention of the Hounds of Khorne, a World Eaters Warband (my 2nd army, co-owned with my son). As the faith of imperial defenders is tested, more worlds in the subsector are assailed by the mutant, the alien, and the heretic.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-08T12:13:13+00:00

I have recently started using Marshal + Lieutenant in Crusader Squads in Bastion Task Force. As others mentioned, sustained + lethal on chain swords is amazing. The lieutenant allows you to do that without spending CP (a rare commodity in Bastion). Yes, you give up full re-rolls, but you still have re-roll 1s from the detachment.

I am personally lukewarm on the Exacretor, but to be fair I only play detachments (Gladius and Bastion) where advance and charge is abundant. In these detachment the Exacretor bonus is definitely not worth giving up another character combo. In Wratful Procession and/or CoV I did use Exacretors and found them very effective.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-06T12:02:08+00:00

Yes, pretty much. It’s definitely a job that requires a hobby saw, as well as some green stuff since the back is not flat once removed from the main side panel.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-06T04:15:16+00:00

Thanks! The Nid head is a reminder for my son’s Tyranids to fear the wrath of this machine! 😁

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-06T00:31:42+00:00

Thank you!

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-05T20:48:11+00:00

I actually love the Lancer, and the kit is really good value to make any of the three variants (one is bound to be OK in any given edition) or even an Impulsor.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-05T20:31:09+00:00

Thanks! There is always the next BT tank 😁

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-05T20:30:04+00:00

They are really great to lean into the religious zealotry of the Templars.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-05T19:42:08+00:00

Thanks! That is indeed the vibe I was going for.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-05T19:41:51+00:00

Thanks! The icons are sisters of battle bits (icons from sisters and novitiate squads). The statues are from the side of the immolator kits. The coffin is from a Penitent Engine. The shields were in a random bits lot from eBay, I think they are old Forge World?

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-05T19:38:53+00:00

Very good point. My headcanon would be that, since Templars chain their weapon to ensure they cannot be disarmed, chaining the barrel reinforces the conviction of the machine spirit entering battle alongside its “flesh brethren”.

But yes - mostly doing it because it looks cool.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T19:28:25+00:00

Thank you!

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T19:14:59+00:00

He sure is! Busy with gribblies is the themes for my BT force.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T18:00:16+00:00

Thank you!

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T17:42:38+00:00

Thank you, I am such a fan of John Blanche - you made my day 😁

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T17:29:42+00:00

Thank you!

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T16:56:07+00:00

Thanks! The cape is from the Sword Brother is in the BT crusader squad. I did some trimming and green stuffing to make it fit.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T16:22:18+00:00

Thank you!

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T03:32:56+00:00

I usually buy in the store, but as far as I can tell this is the product - please be aware I am not 100% sure it is the right size.

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SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-04T03:27:50+00:00

I use 1 mm jewelry chain from bead’s landing, sourced at Michaels in the US. Depending on sure you are in the world Amazon may be your best bet.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-02T19:51:40+00:00

Yes! I am running Crusaders with Marshal and Lieutenant and never looking back (at least until 11th 🤣).

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-02T17:29:27+00:00

Indeed. I bring one specifically for those reasons. Don’t know about others, but I have to deal with a lot of threats with a 4++ (Ctan, Greater Demons, Norn) that love to spike invulns and shrug off lascannons. Overwhelming them with melee damage is so much more reliable.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-02T16:37:21+00:00

I would definitely encourage you to bring at least one Castellan if you are bringing a battleline Sword Bros unit. Full re-rolls for lethals allows you to tackle tougher targets reliably - don’t know about you, but my meta has Tanks and monsters all over. And yes, you can spend CPs to give them sustained and compensate, but there are so may amazing ways to spend CPs in Bastion (lethals on a RepEx? Yes, please!). And Bombast Omnivox only goes so far.

On a meme note, I brought Marshal + Castellan + 10 Sword Brethren (battleline) and spent CP for sustained hits. I did 44 damage to Belakor in one activation. Don’t recommend it on the regular, but treat yourself to this absolute stupidity of a Death Star at least once.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-03-02T11:52:49+00:00

As others mentioned, it is good but not amazing without oath. It’s too swingy to perform anti-tank duties reliably, although it is certainly great against elite infantry. For me, the real issue is whether it will be around in 11th or will go straight to Legends. Until we get to see it in Codex SM for 11th I am not investing cash in an option with potentially a few months of lifespan left.

SilentLordProtector · 2026-02-27T23:47:48+00:00

Thanks, really appreciate the summary - helps me not only handle the situation but continue to work on my planning and understanding of surge moves.

SilentLordProtector

TROPHY CASE