Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

These are awesome new renders - really happy with the models and snippets of new lore

Per the last two images in the article they appear to be designed with modular arm-swaps in mind. So much like the Daughters of Khaine range you can build a set number stock then build the next set with the previous sister's arms and the next sister's head and so on for more variety. May require a little bit of green stuff or a shave here or there.

I actually like the design over the metal Repentia in that they look like they didn't just carve through the laundry hamper, neither are a real reflection of the art depicting a bald woman with only strategically nailed purity seals but I won't miss it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
And yeah, correct me if I'm wrong but I think these power armour plugs haven't been mentioned before. Basically suggesting power armour requires a degree of cybernetics augmentation even without the black carapace?

Voss wrote:

changemod wrote:
Well, they aren't. Since they're limited fully cybernetic implants for adults rather than a biological modification to adolescents.

Plus rejuvenat for Canoness.
But they also aren't Female Marines because they are one of the only very centralized force in the setting, while marines are each chapter for itself, and they are church internal affairs police, and so many other differences!

I guess now we can see why models rarely have their bionic limbs inside their armour - nobody thought to attach plug ports to the bionics...


Not a fan of the weird dresses they're wearing. I would have preferred longer robes which didn't require purity seals to keep the crotch covered, or whatever peculiar short shorts the first model is wearing.

 His Master's Voice wrote:
Ehhhh, not convinced by the spandex and running shoes...

It is the antitheses of the 'grimdark/gothic' style isn't it. The model design actually makes the seals, mask, etc look out of place. They don't even have the chained hands of the originals.

It might look better painted. I can't help but feel that something more flowing like a tattered dress/robes/surcoat would have worked better. Even with a giant chainsaw they just look too... civilized.

 Melissia wrote:
That Repentia post also includes a nice bit of lore too, on how Sisters interface with their power armor.

I'm actually not a fan of those totally not black carapace ports both from a lore perspective nor a visual/modelling one. Was that ever stated in prior lore (whether 40k proper, RPGs, novels, etc) or is this a retcon? Or worse yet, a modelling booboo that they're trying to cover up with new lore?

 warboss wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
That Repentia post also includes a nice bit of lore too, on how Sisters interface with their power armor.

I'm actually not a fan of those totally not black carapace ports both from a lore perspective nor a visual/modelling one. Was that ever stated in prior lore (whether 40k proper, RPGs, novels, etc) or is this a retcon? Or worse yet, a modelling booboo that they're trying to cover up with new lore?

It never really was discussed how non-Astartes interfaced with the armor--at least that I can recall. Just that the interfacing wasn't as clean as the Black Carapace was, which works quite well with this setup.

 warboss wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
That Repentia post also includes a nice bit of lore too, on how Sisters interface with their power armor.

I'm actually not a fan of those totally not black carapace ports both from a lore perspective nor a visual/modelling one. Was that ever stated in prior lore (whether 40k proper, RPGs, novels, etc) or is this a retcon? Or worse yet, a modelling booboo that they're trying to cover up with new lore?

Not for Sisters as such but Inqusitor Vail wears a bodyglove with neural plugs that replicate the Black Carapace /these cyber implants.

Looking forward ot mixing and matching the Repentia models

 warboss wrote:
I'm actually not a fan of those totally not black carapace ports both from a lore perspective nor a visual/modelling one. Was that ever stated in prior lore (whether 40k proper, RPGs, novels, etc) or is this a retcon? Or worse yet, a modelling booboo that they're trying to cover up with new lore?

Certainly the vast majority of (all?) previous artwork showing Sisters outside of their armour has them without the ports.

 warboss wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
That Repentia post also includes a nice bit of lore too, on how Sisters interface with their power armor.

I'm actually not a fan of those totally not black carapace ports both from a lore perspective nor a visual/modelling one. Was that ever stated in prior lore (whether 40k proper, RPGs, novels, etc) or is this a retcon? Or worse yet, a modelling booboo that they're trying to cover up with new lore?

You need to have a clean model before putting those notes on. plus milling them on the mold also waste more time. Nobody would do all that if he wasn;t specifically asked to.

The Cain books describe battle sisters training to be able to get used to the way power armour moves (by marching to and fro, for example) with it either stated or implied that they need to because they lack an interface like the black carapace.

In FFG's RPGs I think power armour didn't require cybernetics but did require training?

Chopstick wrote:
You need to have a clean model before putting those notes on. plus milling them on the mold also waste more time. Nobody would do all that if he wasn;t specifically asked to.

Unless the artist is a freelancer not intimately familiar with the universe who just google image searched and saw that others (namely marines) have the ports so added them on. If it wasn't caught early enough, it might have been cheaper to just say "we'll fix it in the fluff" instead of paying for a revision. That is of course speculation and just one (admittedly unlikely possibility). GW is of course free to retcon/screw up their own IP/fluff after all.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Captain Joystick wrote:
The Cain books describe battle sisters training to be able to get used to the way power armour moves (by marching to and fro, for example) with it either stated or implied that they need to because they lack an interface like the black carapace.

In FFG's RPGs I think power armour didn't require cybernetics but did require training?

I'm also familiar with the old FFG rpgs where they flesh out things like that and also didn't recall any mention of the ports or interface either for sisters or anyone other than marines. I'd have personally preferred if they had left the ports exclusively for black carapace and instead just had dermal sensors/connections or maybe a single port on the back of the next connecting to the spine instead. YMMV.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Lord Damocles wrote:
Certainly the vast majority of (all?) previous artwork showing Sisters outside of their armour has them without the ports.

I don't recall much official art of the SOB out of their armor other than maybe previous repentia. I'll have to do a search tonight.

 warboss wrote:

Chopstick wrote:
You need to have a clean model before putting those notes on. plus milling them on the mold also waste more time. Nobody would do all that if he wasn;t specifically asked to.

Unless the artist is a freelancer not intimately familiar with the universe who just google image searched and saw that others (namely marines) have the ports so added them on.

You really think GW would get a freelancer in to help remake one of their most iconic and hyped model lines? Incredibly doubtful.
This is a retcon (well, more like a fleshing out of barely-known lore), and I'm happy for it.

 warboss wrote:

Chopstick wrote:
You need to have a clean model before putting those notes on. plus milling them on the mold also waste more time. Nobody would do all that if he wasn;t specifically asked to.

Unless the artist is a freelancer not intimately familiar with the universe who just google image searched and saw that others (namely marines) have the ports so added them on. If it wasn't caught early enough, it might have been cheaper to just say "we'll fix it in the fluff" instead of paying for a revision. That is of course speculation and just one (admittedly unlikely possibility). GW is of course free to retcon/screw up their own IP/fluff after all.

I'm sure they look at the models closely before approving them for very expensive mold making process. Delete the notes wouldn't be a big problem as far as my 3d modelling experience can tell.

Also there're the concept art (usually done/inspired by GW's veteran artists like Blanche) phase where GW had to approve the 2d drawing first, then there're the resin/greenstuff/3d printed prototype phase. These stuff need to be approved multiple time before hitting the mold. They aren't chucking them like potatoes.

Thoughts:

1) models 2-4 actually look better than the first one to my eyes, slightly odd choice for the focus of the article.

2) I think these are a good re-envision of the unit; I like the concept of them stripped bare to only the purity seals, but very hard to make a publicly acceptable model that way

3) I like that they’re using the same technique as the Escher models, where the same body can be fitted with quite radically different arms and heads, to give variety.

4) I can’t unsee the 40k running shoes! How long before someone paints one of these in a colourful anime style? Actually, could be a good base for a near future conversion, hmmm.

5) How long until SoB training shoes become part of the clothing range they’ve got going?!

Chopstick wrote:

I'm sure they look at the models closely before approving them for very expensive mold making process. Delete the notes wouldn't be a big problem as far as my 3d modelling experience can tell.

Also there're the concept art phase where GW had to approve the 2d drawing first, then there're the resin/greenstuff/3d printed prototype phase. These stuff need to be approved multiple time before hitting the mold. They aren't chucking them like potatoes.

Even knowledgeable long time employees may not be experts on everything. Pumbagores happen.

 Captain Joystick wrote:
The Cain books describe battle sisters training to be able to get used to the way power armour moves (by marching to and fro, for example) with it either stated or implied that they need to because they lack an interface like the black carapace.

In FFG's RPGs I think power armour didn't require cybernetics but did require training?

I'm pretty sure none of them have any knitting to do that might prevent them from marching up and down the square with the Sister Superior.

I don’t think the ports are a mistake, just an evolution of the background. The lore evolves all the time, sometimes in ways we might like, sometimes in ways we don’t, and that’s fine.

Personally I love the minis. I’m glad they’re a bit covered up and glad that their clothing is so basic. It means that their defining feature becomes the shorn hair, the brands etc. as it should be.

 warboss wrote:

Even knowledgeable long time employees may not be experts on everything. Pumbagores happen.

What's your points? That model was made in resin, which isn't very expensive compared to plastic.

And it was made by old GW decade ago, who i recalled, still make multipose kit with tons of option (or what new GW would considered "unecessary bits" and "waste of money")

 Melissia wrote:
And the fact that Repentia can prove themselves and rejoin their Order is a plus-- that wasn't ever talked about before.

Yes it was. Thats the "repent" part of repentia. It just never happened because they either died or never forgive themselves for their sins.

I'm meh on the new sculpts. I liked the art where they were dressed in pinned on script. It took their religious fervour to extreme, terrifying levels. These sculpts just look like angry civilians, I don't get a "women driven to religious insanity by guilt seeking forgiveness in death" at all. Also I have no idea why they're not barefoot.

 Jadenim wrote:
4) I can’t unsee the 40k running shoes! How long before someone paints one of these in a colourful anime style? Actually, could be a good base for a near future conversion, hmmm.

Not long. You have to admit they go well with the beach party outfit.

 Sim-Life wrote:


I'm meh on the new sculpts. I liked the art where they were dressed in pinned on script. It took their religious fervour to extreme, terrifying levels. These sculpts just look like angry civilians, I don't get a "women driven to religious insanity by guilt seeking forgiveness in death" at all.

Being branded on the forehead and sticking massive bodkins through the flesh of your thigh doesn’t connote religious zeal?

Chopstick wrote:

 warboss wrote:

Even knowledgeable long time employees may not be experts on everything. Pumbagores happen.

What's your points? That model was made in resin, which isn't very expensive compared to plastic.

And it was made by old GW decade ago, who i recalled, still make multipose kit with tons of option (or what new GW would considered "unecessary bits")

Metal, actually. The point, I presume, is that some miniature designs of dubious value make it through any control mechanisms GW might have in place.

That said, the idea that the power armor ports made it through by accident is silly. There's no way it's not a conscious choice, and considering Primaris exist it really shouldn't be such an outlandish idea that the miniature designers think of something as a good idea and then the background writers have to sit down and come up with an explanation.

And, frankly, unlike the Pumbagor which as a full model should be reviewed before it's okayed these ports are a small extra thrown on to add a bit of detail to the model, to give it a touch of sci-fi aesthetic. I very much doubt anybody agonized over whether they were a good idea.

 MonkeyBallistic wrote:

 Sim-Life wrote:


I'm meh on the new sculpts. I liked the art where they were dressed in pinned on script. It took their religious fervour to extreme, terrifying levels. These sculpts just look like angry civilians, I don't get a "women driven to religious insanity by guilt seeking forgiveness in death" at all.

Being branded on the forehead and sticking massive bodkins through the flesh of your thigh doesn’t connote religious zeal?

Not the extent that the artwork depicts them as doing.

I like them, but the one worry I have is these 'unclothed' sisters will end up looking too similar size wise compared to the full armoured versions, and so look overly chunky by comparison,

but I guess we'll see

 MonkeyBallistic wrote:
I don’t think the ports are a mistake, just an evolution of the background. The lore evolves all the time, sometimes in ways we might like, sometimes in ways we don’t, and that’s fine.

I agree that is the most likely scenario by far. I just find it amusing that folks think it is impossible that GW makes a mistake at any point in the production process that ultimately ends up going through to the end for various reasons.

As someone who has collected, painted and played SOB since 1999, and still owns a 6,000 army of the faction, I am deeply unimpressed by those Repentia models.

Each new preview has in fact been reducing my enthusiasm for plastic sisters. So far it just looks like GW are not introducing any new ideas at all, and simply re-releasing the existing units. I was particularly disappointed when I opened Amalia Novena's rules booklet to find that she's nothing more than a regular squad leader, instead of a unique character.

I have been hoping for an expanded line featuring lots of new imaginative ideas and reintroduction of longstanding gaps in the army. Given the recent fun additions to Genestealer Cults, I was hoping for entirely new units plus updated rules for all the old favourite characters, plus fun additions for playing a Kill Team and other spin-off products.

Everything I've seen so far has however suggested that none of this is going to happen.

I want an SOB character section that allows a player to select from 3-4 different living saints, includes multiple named Canoness characters, and unique rules for Miriya and Verity, Ephrael Stern, Saint Katherine, Veridyan, and Amalia Novena, etc. I'd like to see the concept of Seraphim expanded so that we see more of the ancient original SOB technology - bikes, land speeders, flyers; plus the return of secondary units like Fraternis Militia, Sisters Famulous (etc), heavy weapon crews and special terrain pieces.

If all we get out of this long, LONG awaited update is a plastic Canoness, Battle Sister Squad, Seraphim Squad, Repentia Squad plus extra sprues to create Celestians, Doms and Retributors, then I'm not sure why GW are even bothering.

Where's the innovation? Why can't Sisters get a weaker equivalent of Terminator Armour? Or their own Knights? Are we even going to get the Avenger back into the line? What about sci-fi equivalents of the Skaven censer bearers/goblin fanatics? Or a mobile confessional/torture centre that mirrors the Dark Eldar Tantalus? What about actual (cyber?)horseback cavalry, with power lances? There are SO MANY things you can do to bulk up the SOB army list, and I'm sad that it sounds like all we're going to get is the same limited and terminally dull choices that have been on offer for the past 20+ years.

 Jadenim wrote:
Thoughts:
1) models 2-4 actually look better than the first one to my eyes, slightly odd choice for the focus of the article.

It's the angle. The first picture exaggerates how broad the shoulders are and the belt hides any curve of the body giving the model a distinctly masculine shape while all the other images are angled.

I was a little bit worried about these, but they actually look really good. I will have to do those running shoes with three stripes or a tick on the side.

 warboss wrote:

 MonkeyBallistic wrote:
I don’t think the ports are a mistake, just an evolution of the background. The lore evolves all the time, sometimes in ways we might like, sometimes in ways we don’t, and that’s fine.

I agree that is the most likely scenario by far. I just find it amusing that folks think it is impossible that GW makes a mistake at any point in the production process that ultimately ends up going through to the end for various reasons.

But I never said I thought it was impossible. I said that I think this particular thing is a deliberate evolution of the background. It just didn’t make sense that astartes require a physical interface with their power armour but nobody else does.