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So I've thought about this for a while now, and mind you I'm thinking of this from a lore based standpoint not a table top one, but aren't Penitent Engine immensely easy to take out? The (previously unwillingly, now fanatically crazed) operator is strapped to the front of the machine, grabbed in nothing save a few cloths for some sake of modesty, the only metal parts they wear are the cufflinks that bind them and the mess of wires attaching them neurologically link them to the engine.

I know that compared to a Dreadnought Penitent Engine are incredibly mobile, able to close large gaps very quickly and mow down masses of infantry and light vehicles with their buzzsaws and flamers, but even if a whole mob of Ork Boyz is getting torn apart all it would take is one lucky pot shot from one of the boyz in the back row to hit operator in the head or chest and cause the Penitent Engine to slump over useless.

Is there some sort of Conversion Field built into the Penitent Engine that protects the operator? Unlike the Dreadnought there is no thick slab of plasteel to protect them, not to mention the hundred or more hours of effort that goes into binding the operator to the machine in the first place, I know the Sisterhood can be fanatical to point of loosing nearly all common sense but even they would find something to protect sinner as they pave their way to redemption in His eyes by the death of the enemies of the Imperium... wouldn't they?

I dunno at a loss here, as I've read nothing about any kind of field, faith or technologically created, protecting operator of Penitent Engines, wanted to see if anyone whose more into the lore then I might have an answer.

 Wyzilla wrote:

 lcmiracle wrote:
The only protection one needs... is faith.

Famous last words.

In the defense of the revered Imperial Saint Don Quixote, that windmill was possessed by a Greater Daemon of Chaos (I suspect of Khorne).

 lcmiracle wrote:
Well for a king he sure was dumb... kudos to that man for not believing himself to be made of glass, I guess

Truthfully, if I was a soldier in his army I would have charged in right alongside him. There's something about having your leader fight shoulder to shoulder with you and risk their neck just like you that's exceedingly inspiring.

Well the point I was getting at was based on Penitent Engine's performance in Dawn of War 1. They are one of the stronger melee units in the game (they also shred morale like newspaper thanks to their flamers), you need end game buildings and a held relic to make use of them, can only have at most two on the field at a time, their also pretty costly to requisition.

All and all it seems like a huge waste of resources to tie a faithless wretch to a gigantic machine that could be disabled no sooner then it steps off of the landing transport.

I'm also well aware that the Sisterhood's extreme faith in the Emperor can make the impossible possible, but I was curious if it was documented anywhere, short stories, canon novels, older rule books, ect. if there was some form of force field or the like protecting the penitent on their crusade for martyrdom.

Also I know I lump the Ecclesiarchy and Sisterhood together but to me at least it's hard not too, despite being vast majority female there's not much of a difference between them, at least in long term goals. Only real thing of note is that the Sisterhood is the inward watchful eye of all faithful to the Emperor.

 Psienesis wrote:

"Only in death does duty end"

"The heretic may be shown the error of his ways and, in death, find absolution"

There is no forgiveness of sins while living. One does not face the judgement of the Emperor until they stand before the Golden Throne in the afterlife. The Sisters Repentia do not *want* to survive. That's the whole point of taking the vows of the Repentia. They did something that they view as a failure to live up to their holy vows as Sororitas... more importantly, they did something that caused them to fail to uphold their vows to the God-Emperor. Death in His service is the only forgiveness they deserve, or require.

"God-Emperor? Calling him a god is why this mess started in the first place."
--Bjorn the Fell Handed, Venerable Dreadnought of the Space Wolves