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Since they first appeared in the Whitch Hunter Codex, they seem to have been treated very differently. Back then, the bonus they offered made them look like little miracles. Their new codex make them more similar to something like Imperial Guard orders or Ethereal commands, so nothing really supernatural. The FF RPG seems to be a little of both. Little question for you. What are the Sisters of Battle Act of Faith fluff wise to you. Are they miraculous powers awarded by the psychic might of the Emperor to his favored champions, representation of some moment of superhuman skills made possible by the incredible training of the Sisters, psychic manifestations created by the Sisters themselves in the same way that Ork Thought Magic works, or something else entirely?

Sisters will consider them small miracle. Less faithful observer will consider them an effect of the total dedication and force of will of the Sisters. There is no final word on what they are, and there will likely never be.
At least imho, feel free to disagree.

Well, from what I have read about SoB, they will consider any success from them to belong to the Emperor and all their failures to be exclusively their fault (like most deeply religious person do). I have no doubt that they consider these «events» like small miracles while other may be much more down to earth. Of course, it serves GW narrative structure and fluff to leave their true nature to interpretation. My question to you would then be, what do YOU think they are and why.

They're WoW paladins who wave their hands to spamheal each other (with pretty lights). They also make the rest of the squad hit 5% harder in melee, or similar benefits, depending on specialisation. This is not sorcery or psychic powers or spacemagic in any way and to suggest such is heresy.

Retributors are Orks who shoot better because they think they can. Their powers actually make them biologically immortal, but they are secretly removed from duty and marked as KIA because they go green after a while.

 Ashiraya wrote:
They're WoW paladins who wave their hands to spamheal each other (with pretty lights). They also make the rest of the squad hit 5% harder in melee, or similar benefits, depending on specialisation. This is not sorcery or psychic powers or spacemagic in any way and to suggest such is heresy.

Retributors are Orks who shoot better because they think they can. Their powers actually make them biologically immortal, but they are secretly removed from duty and marked as KIA because they go green after a while.

At least in WoW the Paladin's power are supernatural. If you play Paladin in WoW, pray the Naaru don't find out what you wrote

I consider the Acts of Faith (as of 6e anyways, in-universe) to be a result of self-suggestion. It's like eternal warrior: some dude got hit by plasma, but as luck would have it the shot failed to hit on said dude. The warrior got one side of his belly charred and probably largely vaporized. But the power of the mind makes it so the fighter keeps on fighting because of stubbornness. The warrior just refuse to go down despite by pain along should have incapacitate the wounded.

This would be more like Shield of Faith as of now, because most of the Acts of Faith are offensive. The only defensive one is for the repentia, iirc.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Done.

The E'mperor is a Naaru.

epronovost wrote:
Since they first appeared in the Whitch Hunter Codex, they seem to have been treated very differently.

Acts of Faith started 2 years earlier than that with the White Dwarf codex, actually.

It's not really in question. There's nothing to suggest that the Emperor is not a gestating warp god. Acts of Faith are merely calling upon his attention.

 Wyzilla wrote:
It's not really in question. There's nothing to suggest that the Emperor is not a gestating warp god. Acts of Faith are merely calling upon his attention.

It is in question since the fluff doesn't follow your assertion.

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
It's not really in question. There's nothing to suggest that the Emperor is not a gestating warp god. Acts of Faith are merely calling upon his attention.

It is in question since the fluff doesn't follow your assertion.

There's such as a thing as Imperial Daemons. That kinda puts the final nail in the coffin.

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
It's not really in question. There's nothing to suggest that the Emperor is not a gestating warp god. Acts of Faith are merely calling upon his attention.

It is in question since the fluff doesn't follow your assertion.

There's such as a thing as Imperial Daemons. That kinda puts the final nail in the coffin.

Again, Faith powers have no such source. Citation needed.

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
It's not really in question. There's nothing to suggest that the Emperor is not a gestating warp god. Acts of Faith are merely calling upon his attention.

It is in question since the fluff doesn't follow your assertion.

There's such as a thing as Imperial Daemons. That kinda puts the final nail in the coffin.

Again, Faith powers have no such source. Citation needed.

They're DND Cleric Powers. Unless those using them are psykers, there's obviously an external source for what is blatant magic.

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
It's not really in question. There's nothing to suggest that the Emperor is not a gestating warp god. Acts of Faith are merely calling upon his attention.

It is in question since the fluff doesn't follow your assertion.

There's such as a thing as Imperial Daemons. That kinda puts the final nail in the coffin.

Again, Faith powers have no such source. Citation needed.

They're DND Cleric Powers. Unless those using them are psykers, there's obviously an external source for what is blatant magic.

LOL..D&D has nothing to do with 40K. Also where did yo get the idea that the Emperor is a warp god?

Again, citation needed.

The SOB codex says that it is divine inspiration and their faith lets them do it not that they get holy powers.

Previous codexes have attributed it to willpower.

Where's the documentation of your theory?

 pretre wrote:
Again, citation needed.

The SOB codex says that it is divine inspiration and their faith lets them do it not that they get holy powers.

Previous codexes have attributed it to willpower.

Where's the documentation of your theory?

...

Because believing in something really hard doesn't suddenly cause you to get buffed in any way, be it durability or strength?

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:
Again, citation needed.

The SOB codex says that it is divine inspiration and their faith lets them do it not that they get holy powers.

Previous codexes have attributed it to willpower.

Where's the documentation of your theory?

...

Because believing in something really hard doesn't suddenly cause you to get buffed in any way, be it durability or strength?

You're obviously unfamiliar with the history of humans.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-fear/201011/yes-you-really-can-lift-car-trapped-child

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysterical_strength

 Wyzilla wrote:
Because believing in something really hard doesn't suddenly cause you to get buffed in any way, be it durability or strength?

Yarrick.

@pretre

In defence of Wyzilla there seems to be some exemple in the fluff of actual «magical powers» (or at least that look like so) all of them performed by SoB. The biggest exemple would be Saint Celestine who has immense powers (strength, speed, endurence) that allows her to kill things like greater daemons and daemon prince in single combat and resurrect herself from the dead amongst other thing. While technically not a SoB, Sabbat is capable of superhuman physical feets (like destroying a baneblade and killing a daemon prince) and curring people of uncurable wounds without actualy affecting the real medical condition of the patient. So it does seems possible that Act of Faith are indeed signs of divine patronage from the Emperor or at least an entity that appreciate greatly SoB for some reason. I don't think those exemple cover the much more «common» Act of Faith, but they can suggest a lot.

PS: It would not be so far fetched that if those Act of Faith are indeed supernatural in nature that Yarrick, a very faithful men, incredible resistence and abilities could be of divine origin too. So could be the incredible powers of a few other heroes.

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:
Again, citation needed.

The SOB codex says that it is divine inspiration and their faith lets them do it not that they get holy powers.

Previous codexes have attributed it to willpower.

Where's the documentation of your theory?

...

Because believing in something really hard doesn't suddenly cause you to get buffed in any way, be it durability or strength?

You're obviously unfamiliar with the history of humans.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-fear/201011/yes-you-really-can-lift-car-trapped-child

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysterical_strength

Yeah, that's increasing your strength until you're able to slightly lift a car. This doesn't explain the magical gak Sisters do, not to mention that they're wearing POWER armor. The strength their body would generate compared to the strength of power armor is meaningless. Plus if they have combat drugs, they can induce themselves into an adrenaline rage 24/7.

epronovost wrote:
@pretre

In defence of Wyzilla there seems to be some exemple in the fluff of actual «magical powers» (or at least that look like so) all of them performed by SoB. The biggest exemple would be Saint Celestine who has immense powers (strength, speed, endurence) that allows her to kill things like greater daemons and daemon prince in single combat and resurrect herself from the dead amongst other thing. While technically not a SoB, Sabbat is capable of superhuman physical feets (like destroying a baneblade and killing a daemon prince) and curring people of uncurable wounds without actualy affecting the real medical condition of the patient. So it does seems possible that Act of Faith are indeed signs of divine patronage from the Emperor or at least an entity that appreciate greatly SoB for some reason.

There is a possibility that a warp entity is granting them power... it could be Tzeentch or other demons. It could be anything.

The Emperor is not "dead" he can not be a warp god yet. If there is a warp god of the Emperor right now ... it is a doppelgänger created by the billions of worshiper.

I think SoB just pulled the psychic power of belief for the most part and sometime other warp entities "help" them. The mummified Emperor might have send some psychic power to them, but it was not because the Emperor is a Warp god.

 Wyzilla wrote:

Yeah, that's increasing your strength until you're able to slightly lift a car. This doesn't explain the magical gak Sisters do, not to mention that they're wearing POWER armor. The strength their body would generate compared to the strength of power armor is meaningless. Plus if they have combat drugs, they can induce themselves into an adrenaline rage 24/7.

SOB armor doesn't generate extra strength. I believe this was explained as a lack of the black carapace and other systems that marines have.

Also, lifting a 3000 pound car is not a minor feat of strength. It is almost directly equivalent to a 'Furious Charge' (short term burst of strength entirely based off willpower/biology).

 pretre wrote:
SOB armor doesn't generate extra strength.

I am pretty sure it does. Hence why Sisters can carry heavy flamers and heavy bolters.

epronovost wrote:
The biggest exemple would be Saint Celestine who has immense powers (strength, speed, endurence)

S3 T3 lol.

 Hybrid Son Of Oxayotl wrote:

 pretre wrote:
SOB armor doesn't generate extra strength.

I am pretty sure it does. Hence why Sisters can carry heavy flamers and heavy bolters.

Guardsmen carry HF/HB.

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:
Again, citation needed.

The SOB codex says that it is divine inspiration and their faith lets them do it not that they get holy powers.

Previous codexes have attributed it to willpower.

Where's the documentation of your theory?

...

Because believing in something really hard doesn't suddenly cause you to get buffed in any way, be it durability or strength?

except there already is a known example in 40k of basicly a group gestalt bringing about unique effects. Orks. so the precident certinly exists

"Though Sororitas Power Armour provides the same level of protection as suits worn by the Space Marines, the lack of a Black Carapace means the Battle Sister cannot fully interface with the armour and so lacks the same strength enhancement and other advanced life-support features found in Astartes power armour." From C:WH.

FF books say it enhances strength, but they also have some weird opinions of other SOB stuff.

@david choe

It's almost certain that the six Companions (Alicia, Katherine, Silvana, Lucia, Arabella and Mina) were gifted incredible powers (and some sort of secret knowledge) when they were led to the Golden Throne and met the Emperor. It's also believable to say that the Emperor is some sort of Warp God since his mind serves to direct the beacon of the Astronominican in the Warp. Thus his mind is in the warp fulled by the power of thousand of other psykers and still anchor to his body with the help of the Golden Throne. But, your idea of a doppleganger is also very possible and interesting in my opinion.

Has for actual daemonic patronage, I wouldn't think so. The Gods of Chaos would hardly fuel the strength of some of their most dangerous, persistent and outspoken ennemies. They seem more blunt when it comes to ploting mankind downfall in my opinion. The way they convinced Horus and half is brother to follow them were very simple yet efficient and they kept using that technic with great efficency. That would also be a uselessly long con since the SoB have been fighting for the Emperor for 4000 years with only one known traitor in their ranks so far (Miriael Sabathiel, and she fell for Slaanesh not Tzeentch). The theory is interesting, but very unlikely.

@Hybrid Son Of Oxayotl

You are right. I was under the impression she was S 4 T 4. Was wrong on that point (though she still is I 5, so unnaturaly quick for a human, but maybee in the bounderies of possible)

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

Yeah, that's increasing your strength until you're able to slightly lift a car. This doesn't explain the magical gak Sisters do, not to mention that they're wearing POWER armor. The strength their body would generate compared to the strength of power armor is meaningless. Plus if they have combat drugs, they can induce themselves into an adrenaline rage 24/7.

SOB armor doesn't generate extra strength. I believe this was explained as a lack of the black carapace and other systems that marines have.

Also, lifting a 3000 pound car is not a minor feat of strength. It is almost directly equivalent to a 'Furious Charge' (short term burst of strength entirely based off willpower/biology).

Wat.

The Black Carapace isn't responsible for increased strength. It's mobility. The armor acts as a second skin instead of moving like armor.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

BrianDavion wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:
Again, citation needed.

The SOB codex says that it is divine inspiration and their faith lets them do it not that they get holy powers.

Previous codexes have attributed it to willpower.

Where's the documentation of your theory?

...

Because believing in something really hard doesn't suddenly cause you to get buffed in any way, be it durability or strength?

except there already is a known example in 40k of basicly a group gestalt bringing about unique effects. Orks. so the precident certinly exists

And Orks were specifically genetically engineered to do that in the first place.

And Orks were specifically genetically engineered to do that in the first place.

sure but the fact is, it means it's POSSIABLE.

epronovost wrote:
It's almost certain that the six Companions (Alicia, Katherine, Silvana, Lucia, Arabella and Mina) were gifted incredible powers (and some sort of secret knowledge) when they were led to the Golden Throne and met the Emperor.

Link to source?




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Wyzilla wrote:

 pretre wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

Yeah, that's increasing your strength until you're able to slightly lift a car. This doesn't explain the magical gak Sisters do, not to mention that they're wearing POWER armor. The strength their body would generate compared to the strength of power armor is meaningless. Plus if they have combat drugs, they can induce themselves into an adrenaline rage 24/7.

SOB armor doesn't generate extra strength. I believe this was explained as a lack of the black carapace and other systems that marines have.

Also, lifting a 3000 pound car is not a minor feat of strength. It is almost directly equivalent to a 'Furious Charge' (short term burst of strength entirely based off willpower/biology).

Wat.

The Black Carapace isn't responsible for increased strength. It's mobility. The armor acts as a second skin instead of moving like armor.

Incorrect. See my quote. The Black Carapace is an interface for the armor.

"Though Sororitas Power Armour provides the same level of protection as suits worn by the Space Marines, the lack of a Black Carapace means the Battle Sister cannot fully interface with the armour and so lacks the same strength enhancement and other advanced life-support features found in Astartes power armour." From C:WH.