Hi everyone. I'm just starting with 40k for the first time and trying to pick an army. I love the background of Black Templars but was curious about a few things. In the current state of the game, can one or more big Crusader squads in Land Raider Crusaders do okay in an all-comers environment? I have absolutely no idea how well or poorly anything works as I've only played a few demo games, but Crusader squads and Land Raiders are some of my favorite thematic things about the Black Templars. And while I ask, can a huge Crusader squad (shooting or assault oriented) do well footslogging?
Also, where is the best way to start with a BT army? I own absolutely nothing right now, would any of the boxed sets be a good purchase? I saw a Dark Angels and Blood Angels set that includes a rulebook, and thought maybe I could just paint them as Black Templars and sell/trade the second army in those sets?
I appreciate any advice. Some other armies also interest me, but people tell me a marine army is generally a great starting army for a newbie.