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A bit of background: I have access to all of the codices myself. But a friend was interested in starting up the army. I let them use some of my models to try it out, and they brought the PDF copy of C:WH available on Games Workshop's site, assuming that's the most recent codex, since that's the only one the site even mentions for Sisters. I had no objections to them using it, and we had a nice game of Orks vs Sisters, although we had to try to figure out how C:WH's rules fit in to sixth edition.

So, that said, a question for YMDC:

The 5th edition Sisters of Battle codex is no longer available. It is not for sale or download for Games Workshop. The 3rd edition Witch Hunters codex IS, however, available for download from Games Workshop's website, and is presented as the most recent codex with which to use Sisters. So, given that it is difficult for new players to obtain a (legal) copy of the 5th edition codex, and that Games Workshop only provides the 3rd edition codex for download, what's YMDC's opinion on using the 3rd edition C:WH to play Sisters of Battle?

There's advantages and disadvantages, competitively, to using either codex, so the issue is less of getting a competitive advantage, and more... how acceptable is it to you to use the older codex, given the unique situation that GW has put it in?

If its just a friendly game between you and a friend, then go ahead and play with the old codex.

For pick up games with strangers at a FLGS your friend is gonna have to let them know he is using a outdated codex, and undoubtedly he is going to run into people who don't want to play against it.

There are no FAQ's and the rules won't sync with 6th Ed perfectly, so it might be a bigger hassle in the end than just finding the WD dex.

Is there no way to get the WD SOB rules at this point? That would surprise me (although it probably shouldn't...). They are the most recent... Strange that they would have the 3Ed rules on the site but not the 5Ed or WD rules...

WD SOB is the official codex for 6th edition.
With opponent's permission, use any codex produced by GW.

Beast wrote:
Is there no way to get the WD SOB rules at this point? That would surprise me (although it probably shouldn't...). They are the most recent... Strange that they would have the 3Ed rules on the site but not the 5Ed or WD rules...

Not from Games Workshop.

Might be able to find copies of the White Dwarf it was in on ebay.

Illegal methods probably also exist.

wow... really? they dont just put the PDF online,

I played sisters in the last tournament I was in, and they were required to use the WD with the rules in it,

but really, I would never have a problem playing someone using hte old witch hunters book...

that is seriously stupid that they dont have anywhere you can buy the SOB rules.... PDF's are "free" to make, and people would pay for them, so why are they basically squating SOB by not making the rules available for purchase somewhere.

Seems to me the WD non-codex is the most recent legal codex.

I'd suggest Ebay copies run anywhere from 40 to 60 bucks usually, but they're available frequently enough. If you want to play them at tournaments, you'll probably have to shell out for that. (Occasionally they're cheaper, just keep an eye out for a deal.) At my local GW they allow pdfs and downloads because they can't make money off it anyways, so there's always that option.

If it was just you two, use whatever rules you wish. (I personally loved the 2nd ed Sisters Dex. =o])


If they are going to be going to stores for pick up games/games against random people, you could ask the person what they prefer to play against and use that.

If they are going into tournaments I would say the latest edition.


I wish I still had my 2nd edition dex around. It was a amazing book. C:WH is a pretty good read also but I do miss the whole 'psychopathic battle nuns with mobs of zealots around committing genocide in the name of the God-Emperor' vibe 2nd Ed dex had.

I wouldn't object. I would even argue to a TO that they should be allowed to use the Witchhunter's codex. After all, there has never been an updated one, so it's the most recent Witchhunter's codex, right? For friendly games I would DEFINITELY not object to the older codex, especially in this situation, because I can't really think of an option that your friend could reasonably follow.

easysauce wrote:
wow... really? they dont just put the PDF online,

Nope.

I would find out how devoted to playing SoB they really are and at what kind of events/FLGS/basements/etc. that they want to/are playing at.

For an introduction to the SoB as an army, sure run with the 3rd ed. WH codex. If they are keen at all in playing in any kind of tournament or event, have them check with the TO, although I imagine most would say they would have to use the 5th ed. WD codex. For just playing at a FLGS or the like, ask the other players.

I still carry my C:WH around in my gaming bag, but I actually really haven't used it much since the WD codex dropped. I have had offers from most of my fellow gamers at my FLGS to continue to use C:WH, but I haven't yet taken them up on their offer. I take the good of the WD codex with the bad until GW decides to get around and give us a proper book.

Having access to both, Melissia, you may want to show them a side by side comparison of the differences between C:WH and the WD C:SoB.

 Melissia wrote:
A bit of background: I have access to all of the codices myself. But a friend was interested in starting up the army. I let them use some of my models to try it out, and they brought the PDF copy of C:WH available on Games Workshop's site, assuming that's the most recent codex, since that's the only one the site even mentions for Sisters. I had no objections to them using it, and we had a nice game of Orks vs Sisters, although we had to try to figure out how C:WH's rules fit in to sixth edition.

So, that said, a question for YMDC:

The 5th edition Sisters of Battle codex is no longer available. It is not for sale or download for Games Workshop. The 3rd edition Witch Hunters codex IS, however, available for download from Games Workshop's website, and is presented as the most recent codex with which to use Sisters. So, given that it is difficult for new players to obtain a (legal) copy of the 5th edition codex, and that Games Workshop only provides the 3rd edition codex for download, what's YMDC's opinion on using the 3rd edition C:WH to play Sisters of Battle?

There's advantages and disadvantages, competitively, to using either codex, so the issue is less of getting a competitive advantage, and more... how acceptable is it to you to use the older codex, given the unique situation that GW has put it in?

The Witch Hunters codex is not 'presented' as the most recent codex with which to use Sisters. While I'm sure the PDF is still up on GW's site somewhere (along with plenty of other PDF links to stuff that is no longer relevant to the current game), the 5th edition White Dwarf codex is actually credited as being the current rules, as expressed through the current SOB FAQ document:

http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2570049a_Sisters_of_Battle_v1.1.pdf


In friendly games, whatever codex you want to use is all gravy if both players are down for it. But as you would be incredibly hard-pressed to find a tournament that allows a non-current codex in the mix, I personally think it would be a terrible idea to try to sell a new player, for example, on using the older codex because in any pick-up game or tournament, they are likely to meet strong resistance against the idea.

GW will probably eventually get around to releasing the codex as a paid iOS book, like they do now, but that's obviously not going to help anyone without an ipad, of course.

But still, even as hard as GW makes it to actually find the current rules, the current rules ARE the White Dwarf codex.

One copy of my WD disappeared on me so I sent GW an email asking about the possibility of putting it online as a PDF. The reply was "good idea we will give it some thought." Perhaps everyone needs to send them an email requesting it and maybe it will happen.

Boss GreenNutz wrote:
One copy of my WD disappeared on me so I sent GW an email asking about the possibility of putting it online as a PDF. The reply was "good idea we will give it some thought." Perhaps everyone needs to send them an email requesting it and maybe it will happen.

Their website used to host quite a few free PDFs.

All those links have publicly been removed (even if many of the PDFs remain hosted on their site via non-listed links), so its pretty clear that GW is no longer interested in offering PDFs for free and instead like the monetization that restricting their online offerings to iBooks gives them.

So I don't think a couple emails are going to suddenly shift their global online strategy, although it could help them to get off their butt and get the SOB article converted into iBooks sooner.

My pet theory in why they haven't converted it to PDF or iBook is that they plan to release a sob codex 'in the future' and don't want to do 'wasted' work.

 pretre wrote:
My pet theory in why they haven't converted it to PDF or iBook is that they plan to release a sob codex 'in the future' and don't want to do 'wasted' work.

That made me lol. Also, I agree with pretty much everything Yak said here.

I'd say just go find the newest version as best you can. I did happen to get some legit White Dwarf issues, I scanned them myself and printed them at Kinkos on top level paper. Then I had them covered with a few images I found that looked neat of sisters, some clear plastic covers and had it spiral bound.

*poof* Instant semi-codex without lugging around magazines to be damaged. It's convenient, for certain.

I'd LOVE to be able to use the 3ED codex, maybe I can convince someone to let me try "old school" Sisters.

 TheKbob wrote:
I'd say just go find the newest version as best you can. I did happen to get some legit White Dwarf issues, I scanned them myself and printed them at Kinkos on top level paper. Then I had them covered with a few images I found that looked neat of sisters, some clear plastic covers and had it spiral bound.

*poof* Instant semi-codex without lugging around magazines to be damaged. It's convenient, for certain.

I'd LOVE to be able to use the 3ED codex, maybe I can convince someone to let me try "old school" Sisters.

I do the same thing about my 3rd ed necron dex at my FLGS. But some people are starting to make me use 5th cuz I'm starting to win too much (I'm on a bit of a hot streak with 3rd) which is funny cuz the 5th are still clearly one of the most competitive armies out there (somemight say op )

 TheKbob wrote:
I'd say just go find the newest version as best you can. I did happen to get some legit White Dwarf issues, I scanned them myself and printed them at Kinkos on top level paper. Then I had them covered with a few images I found that looked neat of sisters, some clear plastic covers and had it spiral bound.

*poof* Instant semi-codex without lugging around magazines to be damaged. It's convenient, for certain.

I'd LOVE to be able to use the 3ED codex, maybe I can convince someone to let me try "old school" Sisters.

I bought every sisters codex after i got the white dwarf mags. i have 3 sets of the WD now, my ones i actually use I modded at Office max, had them cut the binding, took all relevent pages from both mags, hard laminated(thick stuff) and put 3 ring binder holes in them, cost $19 total to have it done. printed some cool sisters pictures from Interwebs on photo paper, and put it all together. I keep the cut covers in there too to "prove" that they are legit WD's. Works great being 3ring binder since i have all the FAQ's for sisters and main rulebook in there too.

Yeah, I keep my WD in my bag at tournaments just in case but use a printed copy on the table.