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Voldrak wrote:
Exorcists no longer do it for me.

My meta has evolved to 2+ cover Taus and MSU battle companies spamming grav-cannons.

I've had a few games of 4 Exorcists only rolling 1 and 2s for missiles, the entire game, and my oponents have wisened up. They just ignore them now.

1d6 is so unreliable it's scaring me away. Cast prescience to make sure the missiles hit only to roll a "1" for shots and it'll give anyone accross the table from you a good chuckle.

Yes, another opportunity missed in Imperial Agents. Give Exorcists the ability to be taken in a squadron and the following rule:

"Guided by the Emperor - Any model in a unit of three Exorcists may reroll the d6 when determining the number of shots fired."

Problem fixed, and makes those Exorcists priority #1 on the table.

That would have been great.

I'm in the same boat. Exorcists are so good but so unreliable. I often find myself mid game, wondering what I could have better spent points on. They are almost always the first thing to die, and in a tourney every opponent has the ability to wipe them off the board on turn 1

I'd like to exchange my twin link heavy flamer for one of these please...

Why stop at one ? Get two: one for each side of the immo's turret.

Is that a warhound flamer or something?

 pretre wrote:
Is that a warhound flamer or something?

Yep, mars pattern one. Diameter is a perfect fit

I'm working on spending the last few points on a 2k list for this weekend. The game is against a Tyranid horde with a heavy focus on little bugs, so I'm maxing out bolters and flamers. We also decided to forego flyers on his side and AV13 on mine, so it really comes down to a battle of bodies and who can wash the other guy off the objectives. We agreed to this degree of list tailoring for the sake of the narrative. I'm open to any suggestions within the "bugs vs. bolters" framework, and I'm pretty set on taking the Castellans formation for a test drive:

Celestine & Co.
Coteaz
Priest
5 Scion Command
5 Scions w/ 2 meltas
5 Scions w/ 2 plasmas
5 BSS w/ 3 storm bolters
10 BSS w/ 2 flamers
5 Doms w/ 4 flamers, HB Immo
5 Doms w/ 4 flamers, HB Immo
5 Doms w/ 4 meltas, Rhino
7 Seraphs w/ 2 hand flamers
7 Seraphs w/ 2 hand flamers
7 Rets w/ 4 heavy flamers, simulacrum, Rhino, laud hailer
7 Rets w/ 4 heavy flamers, simulacrum, Rhino
7 Rets w/ heavy bolters, simulacrum

In general, I'm hoping that the bonus re-rolls from Celestine and the formation, ObSec from Coteaz, and the occasional respawning Troop unit gives me staying power and the ability to pursue and contest objectives. I'll send meltas and plasmas after his bigger bugs and focus flamers and bolters on the gribblies. If I can keep my army on the table, deny him objectives, and weather his respawning hordes, I might be able to make it on VPs.

As it is I have a few points left. Should I buy flamer/grenade launcher for the Scion Command, an extra laud hailer, or a combi-flamer for the bigger BSS?

I've got models left to play with squad numbers, but no more Sisters specials or heavies. I could downsize Seraphs or Rets or strip off simulacra or laud hailer in exchange for a bigger blob, more priests, or some wargear, but I've found 7 to be a resilient number for those squads.

Open to ideas. Thanks!

 ncshooter426 wrote:
I'd like to exchange my twin link heavy flamer for one of these please...

That legit made me laugh so hard my wife asked if I was having a fit!

 MacPhail wrote:
I'm working on spending the last few points on a 2k list for this weekend. The game is against a Tyranid horde with a heavy focus on little bugs, so I'm maxing out bolters and flamers. We also decided to forego flyers on his side and AV13 on mine, so it really comes down to a battle of bodies and who can wash the other guy off the objectives. We agreed to this degree of list tailoring for the sake of the narrative. I'm open to any suggestions within the "bugs vs. bolters" framework, and I'm pretty set on taking the Castellans formation for a test drive:

Celestine & Co.
Coteaz
Priest
5 Scion Command
5 Scions w/ 2 meltas
5 Scions w/ 2 plasmas
5 BSS w/ 3 storm bolters
10 BSS w/ 2 flamers
5 Doms w/ 4 flamers, HB Immo
5 Doms w/ 4 flamers, HB Immo
5 Doms w/ 4 meltas, Rhino
7 Seraphs w/ 2 hand flamers
7 Seraphs w/ 2 hand flamers
7 Rets w/ 4 heavy flamers, simulacrum, Rhino, laud hailer
7 Rets w/ 4 heavy flamers, simulacrum, Rhino
7 Rets w/ heavy bolters, simulacrum

In general, I'm hoping that the bonus re-rolls from Celestine and the formation, ObSec from Coteaz, and the occasional respawning Troop unit gives me staying power and the ability to pursue and contest objectives. I'll send meltas and plasmas after his bigger bugs and focus flamers and bolters on the gribblies. If I can keep my army on the table, deny him objectives, and weather his respawning hordes, I might be able to make it on VPs.

As it is I have a few points left. Should I buy flamer/grenade launcher for the Scion Command, an extra laud hailer, or a combi-flamer for the bigger BSS?

I've got models left to play with squad numbers, but no more Sisters specials or heavies. I could downsize Seraphs or Rets or strip off simulacra or laud hailer in exchange for a bigger blob, more priests, or some wargear, but I've found 7 to be a resilient number for those squads.

Open to ideas. Thanks!

What's up with all the units without transports? The scions can't deep strike if they respawn and the rest walking just seems like a bad idea.

I missed that rule about deep striking... I thought they just went into reserves. Is that part of the formation rules? The lack of transports is just because I know he's coming to me with a gazillion gaunts, and I only own so many hulls.

 MacPhail wrote:
I missed that rule about deep striking... I thought they just went into reserves. Is that part of the formation rules? The lack of transports is just because I know he's coming to me with a gazillion gaunts, and I only own so many hulls.

Units that "respawn" from Flock to the Front Line go into Ongoing Reserves, which only lets them walk on from your table edge. They do arrive automatically on your next turn, though, so at least you don't have to roll for them. But they're gonna be pretty unhappy walking on from your home edge unless your opponent is all up in your business.

If we're going for silly ideas, here my conversion idea for an Exorcist:

Building a reaverr eh? I really want a 2nd warhound, run the dual formation at 1500pts

KestrelM1 wrote:

 MacPhail wrote:
I missed that rule about deep striking... I thought they just went into reserves. Is that part of the formation rules? The lack of transports is just because I know he's coming to me with a gazillion gaunts, and I only own so many hulls.

Units that "respawn" from Flock to the Front Line go into Ongoing Reserves, which only lets them walk on from your table edge. They do arrive automatically on your next turn, though, so at least you don't have to roll for them. But they're gonna be pretty unhappy walking on from your home edge unless your opponent is all up in your business.

Got it... thanks for clarifying. Those guys are substantially less appealing now.

 MacPhail wrote:

KestrelM1 wrote:

 MacPhail wrote:
I missed that rule about deep striking... I thought they just went into reserves. Is that part of the formation rules? The lack of transports is just because I know he's coming to me with a gazillion gaunts, and I only own so many hulls.

Units that "respawn" from Flock to the Front Line go into Ongoing Reserves, which only lets them walk on from your table edge. They do arrive automatically on your next turn, though, so at least you don't have to roll for them. But they're gonna be pretty unhappy walking on from your home edge unless your opponent is all up in your business.

Got it... thanks for clarifying. Those guys are substantially less appealing now.

If a regular game, I run them all forward and ignore my backline, then bring the resurrected troops in late-game to hold what objectives are needed.

 MacPhail wrote:
Got it... thanks for clarifying. Those guys are substantially less appealing now.

No problem. I don't think it makes them totally useless... I mean they still come back to the table with their special weapons and have Move Through Cover, so with a Run move or two they can still be in position to affect the game. The Melta ones will probably be a little sad, but with a Hot-shot Volley Gun or two you can make them into a decent little fire support unit once they come back.

If I ever get a chance to play Castellans, I'm going to try out a couple squads riding in Taurox Primes. Hopefully the respawn mechanic will help take the edge off losing those fragile, expensive things. Rolling back on the table with a Taurox missile launcher or battle cannon & twin-linked autocannon seems fun, though. Probably not nearly as efficient as Immolators, but quite fun.

So if I mount troops in transports as Castellans, how do they come back with ongoing reserves? Do I roll sperately? Does a units own transport need to be killed, or do I just need to have an extra model?

 MacPhail wrote:
So if I mount troops in transports as Castellans, how do they come back with ongoing reserves? Do I roll sperately? Does a units own transport need to be killed, or do I just need to have an extra model?

That is one of the questions that needs to be FAQ'ed.

You roll separately and they count separately for returning.

So if your immolator is blown up first, you roll for it. Then your BSS die, you roll for them.

They don't come in together even if you succeed on both rolls.

KestrelM1 wrote:

 MacPhail wrote:
I missed that rule about deep striking... I thought they just went into reserves. Is that part of the formation rules?

Units that "respawn" from Flock to the Front Line go into Ongoing Reserves, which only lets them walk on from your table edge. They do arrive automatically on your next turn, though, so at least you don't have to roll for them. But they're gonna be pretty unhappy walking on from your home edge unless your opponent is all up in your business.

Edit: Added quote for clarity.

How sure are we about walking on? Has it been FAQed? As I reread it, they meet the two requirements: have the deep strike rule and start the game in reserve. From there, they become ongoing reserves: reenter play on the next turn, but otherwise follow rules for reserves. Those say: roll for the arrival of all deep striking units as described in the rules for reserves (where the ongoing reserves rules say not to roll, just enter play) and then deploy by scattering and clustering as usual. I don't see where ongoing reserves with the deep strike rule are different than start of game deep strikers.

Thanks for clarifying...

Yes, you can do that. The real winner for Castellans are fast troops or vehicles. If your TO agrees with the mounted assault ruling, bikes are the best.

 pretre wrote:
Yes, you can do that. The real winner for Castellans are fast troops or vehicles. If your TO agrees with the mounted assault ruling, bikes are the best.

Agreed... I'm eventually going to pair White Scars with Sisters and Celestine in a Castellans list. Which mounted assault ruling is up in the air?

Hey Boyz!
Great thread, I'm working my way through it, currently at page 20ish. Lots of good advice so far, but I thought I pop in to ask anyway. I'm making a 1850pts list from my old models so I can play while I'm building my new army. I'd just like some pointers on what specific upgrades to take. Anyway, heres my list (organised by squad).

Jacobus
Priest w/ Litanies
20x Sisters w/ Simulacrum, Flamer, Hvy Flamer

Priest
9x Sisters w/ Simulacrum, Flamer, Hvy Flamer
Rhino

Priest
9x Sisters w/ Simulacrum. Flamer, Hvy Flamer
Rhino

Priest
6x Sisters w/ Hvy Bolter, 2x Storm Bolters

Domminions w/ 4 metla, combi melta,
MM Immo w/ laud hailer

Domminions w/ 4 melta, combi melta,
MM Immo w/ laud hailer

3x Exorcists w/ storm bolters

Ageis Defense Line w/ Quad Cannon

Pretty self explainitory, 1 priest in each squad. The Hvy Bolter squad camps at the defense line and mans the cannon.

I've got 50ish points to play with but I'm stuck on the exactly on what upgrades to take, especially on the Priests and Sister Superiors. Is the Veteran Sister upgrade worth it? If so should I kit her out for CC? Are storm bolters on Sister Superiors a good idea for extra dakka? Maybe give the Priests meltabombs for that emergency hail mary dreadnaught kill?

Anyway, pointers and advice would be appreciated. How do you equip your Priests and Superiors?

Cheers from the Jakman

 MacPhail wrote:
How sure are we about walking on? Has it been FAQed? As I reread it, they meet the two requirements: have the deep strike rule and start the game in reserve.

Actually, now that I've gone and re-read it, I think you're correct. They can arrive via Deep Strike if they wish, since they meet all the requirements.

I wouldn't expect that ruling to survive a round of FAQs, though. But I have a tendency to err on the side of caution when it comes to free units doing cool stuff

Check with your TO before you make a list using deep strike or any other special rule for the troops in castellans.

The Mounted Assault rule makes SM bikes troops if they have a character in the detachment on a bike. Kinda good with Castellans.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

the_Jakman wrote:

I've got 50ish points to play with but I'm stuck on the exactly on what upgrades to take, especially on the Priests and Sister Superiors. Is the Veteran Sister upgrade worth it? If so should I kit her out for CC? Are storm bolters on Sister Superiors a good idea for extra dakka? Maybe give the Priests meltabombs for that emergency hail mary dreadnaught kill?

Anyway, pointers and advice would be appreciated. How do you equip your Priests and Superiors?

Cheers from the Jakman

So, yeah, you have a lot of extra points tied up in extra bodies and extra wargear. Are you looking at making this competitive or just a for lols list?

As for your priest question, I put them in naked or with a power maul depending on how many I have in the list.

 pretre wrote:
Check with your TO before you make a list using deep strike or any other special rule for the troops in castellans.

The Mounted Assault rule makes SM bikes troops if they have a character in the detachment on a bike. Kinda good with Castellans.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

the_Jakman wrote:

I've got 50ish points to play with but I'm stuck on the exactly on what upgrades to take, especially on the Priests and Sister Superiors. Is the Veteran Sister upgrade worth it? If so should I kit her out for CC? Are storm bolters on Sister Superiors a good idea for extra dakka? Maybe give the Priests meltabombs for that emergency hail mary dreadnaught kill?

Anyway, pointers and advice would be appreciated. How do you equip your Priests and Superiors?

Cheers from the Jakman

So, yeah, you have a lot of extra points tied up in extra bodies and extra wargear. Are you looking at making this competitive or just a for lols list?

As for your priest question, I put them in naked or with a power maul depending on how many I have in the list.

I'm kinda trying to toe the line with competetiveness. Not planning on taking this to tournaments, but I want it to be resonably competetive without going down the min/max ultra cheese route. I'm mainly playing at my FLGS, so I dont want to be THAT GUY.

I like the idea of squads that are as large as I can fit. In my experience min/maxed squads evaporate pretty quick and I want my sisters to have some staying power. Plus, vehicle wise, I have 4 Rhinos, 2 Immos, and 3 Exorcists and I'm not planning on buying any more sisters stuff. Focusing on getting my new army up and running.

At the moment I'm leaning towards giving the blob squad a VSS with maul and Priest with maul so they have a bit more oompf in CC. Giving the Rhino squads Superiors with combi flamers and naked Priests. And the Hvy Bolter squad a Superior with Storm Bolter and a naked priest.

Also, I read a post from early in this thread about taking combi meltas on dominion squads. Guy was saying 4 meltas and the TL MM usually gets the job done and the combi is overkill. Thoughts on this?

Cheers for the reply bro.

the_Jakman wrote:
I'm kinda trying to toe the line with competetiveness. Not planning on taking this to tournaments, but I want it to be resonably competetive without going down the min/max ultra cheese route. I'm mainly playing at my FLGS, so I dont want to be THAT GUY.

I like the idea of squads that are as large as I can fit. In my experience min/maxed squads evaporate pretty quick and I want my sisters to have some staying power. Plus, vehicle wise, I have 4 Rhinos, 2 Immos, and 3 Exorcists and I'm not planning on buying any more sisters stuff. Focusing on getting my new army up and running.

At the moment I'm leaning towards giving the blob squad a VSS with maul and Priest with maul so they have a bit more oompf in CC. Giving the Rhino squads Superiors with combi flamers and naked Priests. And the Hvy Bolter squad a Superior with Storm Bolter and a naked priest.

Also, I read a post from early in this thread about taking combi meltas on dominion squads. Guy was saying 4 meltas and the TL MM usually gets the job done and the combi is overkill. Thoughts on this?

Cheers for the reply bro.

You're playing SOB. It is very unlikely that anything you can bring will make you THAT guy.

You know what the difference is between 9 sisters and 5 sisters from a survivability standpoint? 48 points. They are both going to die, but one costs you 48 more points. Sisters are best cheap and in small squads, unless you want a blob and are going to give them someone to stand at the front and take the hits. I HIGHLY recommend you take the new celestine, if you are going to blob up.

I dont agree that its just more points unless its troops choices

Hi all, I've lurked for a long time, and I learned a massive amount from this thread when coming back from my 40k hiatus over 4th and 5th edition. So thank you all for that!

Next month we're starting an ETC league locally, with 18 players, each playing 8 games in swiss pairings before top 8 play off. It's no holds barred so I'm expecting all the nastiest stuff possible.
The restrictions are fairly standard for ETC, no forgeworld allowed so no worries about Skathach or R&H barrage (Though they're allowing Repressors), 1850, 4 detachment max (the mega detachments count as 2).

Mission-wise, there are 8 missions - each takes into account killpoints, 24 card deck, Eternal War objectives and your standard slay the warlord etc.

Therefore, since I usually play full MSU sisters, I figured I'd be giving over a free 6vp every game, and I couldn't go full deathstar or I'd be screwed on the objectives. I've instead gone for a sort of half'n'half.

Sisters CAD

Celestine (200)
Priest, Litanies (40)
BSSx5, MG/HF TLMM (140)
BSSx5, MG/HF TLMM (140)
BSSx5, MG/HF TLMM (140)
BSSx5, MG/HF TLMM (140)
Domsx5, 4xMG Repressor (190)
Domsx5, 4xMG Repressor (190)

Librarius Conclave
Librarian, ML2, Bike, Axe (110)
Librarian, ML2, Bike, Axe (110)
Librarian, ML2, Bike, Axe, Bones of Osrak (135)

Wolfkin
10 Fenrisian Wolves (80)
10 Fenrisian Wolves (80)
10 Fenrisian Wolves (80)
10 Fenrisian Wolves (80)

Basically I'll be running a star of the wolves, celestine, priest, and the conclave, while the sisters clear up objectives and doms clear heavy hitters who might stomp up the star. Late game I can split up to cover objectives for the endgame primaries.

I've playtested this once against a screamer heavy demonic incursion list and I made a few key errors but I think the theory is working. Celestine tanking for the star with Veil of Time basically meant it got to combat unharmed, even though it lacked Azrael for the 4++ / 5+++ on the dogs.

I'm wondering though:
Castellans. It would take me to the four detachment max, and I could keep obsec by adding Coteaz. Do you think it's worth dropping the Immos to rhinos and dropping the bones of Osrak to take Coteaz and change the CAD to a Castellans. Two extra rolls for hammerhand or sanctuary couldn't hurt either!

Cheers