Theme - Guardians of the Temple

File:Mk4 icon.png Template:Purple This mk3 Theme Force is somewhat similar to the mk4 Legacy Army "Temple Guardians". If you're planning on starting a mk4 Temple Guardians army you may get some use out of this article, espcially the In a Nutshell, the Theme Weaknesses, and maybe even the List-Building Tips sections.

The soldiers of the Flameguard Temple once found their purpose in defending the sacred sites of the Protectorate, but the turmoil of recent years has seen these former guardians forged into one of the most formidable fighting forces of the nation. Hearing and heeding Menoth's call to service, thousands have swelled the ranks to take up arms and carry out the will of the Lawgiver. With the blessings of Menoth upon them, these faithful eagerly go to war against the non-believers, unified in their unwavering support of the Great Crusade.

Theme Rules

For the core rules on how Theme Forces work, see this article.

Theme Restrictions

An army made use the Guardians of the Temple theme force can include only the following Protectorate models:

• Protectorate warcasters
• Non-character warjacks
• Blood of Martyrs
• Eye of Truth
• Hand of Judgment
• Template:Flameguard models/units
• Choir of Menoth units
• Template:Reclaimer solos
• Template:Vassal solos
• Wrack solos
• Protectorate structures

• This army can also include one Mercenary solo and one Mercenary unit that will work for the Protectorate.
  • These models/units can be included even if they have the Partisan [Protectorate] rule.
  • Minion units can have non-Ranking Officer attachments

Requisition Points

You can spend each Requisition Point on either:

• One Protectorate CA
• Two Reclaimer Gatekeeper solos
• Two Vassal solos
• Three Wrack solos
• One other small- or medium-based Protectorate solo with a point cost of 5 or less

Theme Bonuses

1. While B2B with another model in their unit, Temple Flameguard trooper models gain Tough and cannot become knocked down.
2. Up to one small-based Daughters of the Flame unit in this army gains Ambush.

   Template:Ambush2

Thoughts on Guardians of the Temple

Guardians of the Temple in a nutshell

• Guardians of the Temple is decent at holding scenario locations with hard to hit units like the Daughters and tough to kill units like the Temple Flameguard.
• Ambushing Daughters of the Flame is also a very good way of jamming enemy troops or throwing a wrench in your opponents plans.

Theme's weaknesses

• All the infantry being so cheap leaves an obvious hole in the list; smashing tougher stuff. Of course that's what the Choir of Menoth and the heavy jacks are for.
• Alas losing the Covenant of Menoth and the Hierophant isn't good.
• the benefits only effect 2 units (notice it states Temple Flameguard, not Flameguard so Cleansers are not affected)
• the Requisition options are lacking when compared to other themes.
• in terms of single wound infantry you are spoiled for choice in other themes as well, Idrian Skirmishers, Exemplar Errants, Deliverers and Zealots come to mind, but they can play alongside multi-wound infantry or better supported jacks in other themes.

List Building Tips

• Two full units of Temple Flameguard usually form the core of the a Guardians list. Backed by Pyrrhus as your fist requisition choice they have just enought attacks where any damage buff makes them dangerous when they get there.
  • Spare the points and money on the CAs. they are not worth it.
• Flame Bringers are excellent light cavalry who don't need much support. Take them and advance them up the flank.
• Take the Ambushing Daughters of the Flame. Single wound infantry are terrified of these women.
• Nicia1 should be your second req choice. She gives a neat buff to Flame Bringers and Daughters and is a nice comntesting solo.
• The list lacks magic weapons and attacks outside of what your warcaster might bring and the Shrine of the Lawgiver, so a Sanctifier or Indictor is highly recommended to deal with pesky Incorporeal models.
  • A Shrine of the Lawgiver also gives a nice recursive element to your list.

Casters of Note

• Feora, Priestess of the Flame gives all Flameguard an MAT buff. Ignite also helps them hit harder and can be cycled between two fully units of Temple Flameguard backed by Pyrrhus.
• Grand Scrutator Severius is an excellent force multiplier for his army via his many support spells (Death Sentence, Defender's Ward, Vision) and Eye of Menoth.
• Although High Exemplar Cyrenia's Battle Plans don't work on Flameguard, her spell list and feat work just as well as buffing them as they do Exemplars.
• The High Reclaimer does more for Guardians than the theme does for him; Hand of Fate is an excellent buff, and bringing back Flamebringers or Cleansers can allow for surprising angles of attack. He'd usually rather play in Exemplar Interdiction, though, due to their greater hitting power.
• Servath Reznik, Wrath of Ages buffs the accuracy of his army via Death March, while Spellpiercer and Lamentation are incredibly punishing for opponents relying on buffs. Like Feora3, he appreciates the TFG being defensively self-sufficient as he does nothing to help them up the board.
• The Testament of Menoth turns the already annoying-to-deal-with Temple Flameguard into absolute pests via Ashen Veil and cheap recursion. His feat can also be great when used with Flameguard Cleansers and Flamebringers, allowing them to dig deep into the enemy.
• Thyra, Flame of Sorrow gives Daughters of the Flame models Vengence and additional hitting power/accuracy. Occultation and her feat also help get them up the field. The combination of Carnage, Occultation and Silence of Death is especially potent with Temple Flameguard, Pyrrhus and Flame Bringers.

Starting a 25 point Brawl list

In 2020.11 Phillip Melvin, one of the LOS authors, put together this list for the Brawlmachine format. It was then updated for the 2021.10 errata. He even wrote about it's playstyle and expanding it beyond 25 points, which you can read here.

Thyra1: [+29 WJP]

• Blood of Martyrs: [14 pts]
• Sanctifier: [14 pts]
• Dervish: [7 pts]

Pyrrhus, Flameguard Hero: [Free] Template:Grey

Nicia1: [4 pts]

Vassal Mechanik: [1 pt]

Temple Flameguard (Min unit): [7 pts]

• Command Attachment: [3 pts]

Choir of Menoth (Min unit): [4 pts]

Template:Brawl

Other

Trivia

• Released 2017.01
• Guardians of the Temple was one of the first Theme Forces to be previewed for MK III.

Other Protectorate models

• Category: Guardians of the Temple