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Made in us
Consigned to the Grim Darkness





USA

Assuming we get a Sisters of Battle, Adepta Sororitas, or Adeptus Ministorum codex (IE, not deleted or merged), in what direction would you prefer to see Sisters taken?

I have always thought of Sisters as a highly competent military-religious force, akin to the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller. Over the years, I've seen that others have thought of them as fighting closer to crazed berserkers, others prefer to focus on the union between Sisters and Inquisition or Sisters and Ecclesiarchy, adding in a sort of "freak show army" appeal. Some want to see Sisters changed to become more of a horde army (a couple people even advocating that they should los their 3+ save for some reason), while others want to see them get stronger and more elite, and others want to try to carefully maintain the current balance. The level of how specialized they are, vs how much they should be able to adapt to different situations. How much variety they should have, vs how much homogeneity they should have.

If you were to advise on writing their codex, how would you advocate it be done?

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2015/08/13 03:07:53


The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
 
   
Made in nz
Heroic Senior Officer




New Zealand

More male soldiers. I like the holy look, hate the female look.

What made me lose a little interest was their main weapon was the same as other factions.

Storm Troopers have: Hot Shot Las
Imperial Guard: Las
Marines: Bolters
Mars: rad guns?
Sisters share bolt guns.

I reckon they need their own base gun to make them different.
   
Made in us
Consigned to the Grim Darkness





USA

 Swastakowey wrote:
More male soldiers. I like the holy look, hate the female look.
I know that some people feel the need to troll and attempt to drag the topic off topic, but I'd really appreciate that you take comments like that to some other thread.

The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
 
   
Made in nz
Heroic Senior Officer




New Zealand

 Melissia wrote:
 Swastakowey wrote:
More male soldiers. I like the holy look, hate the female look.
I know that some people feel the need to troll and attempt to drag the topic off topic, but I'd really appreciate that you take comments like that to some other thread.


Ummm, no. Did you not read the rest of my suggestions?

I am allowed to think what I want, cheers.

I like the holy look, just wish they weren't a creepy cult of women. No harm there.
   
Made in us
Ork-Hunting Inquisitorial Xenokiller




Strike Cruiser Vladislav Volkov

I'd love to see more Acts of Faith, maybe something like SM chapter tactics (though I say this about every Codex), more unit types, more unique Sisters tanks, maybe a special type of gun that only the Sisters get (like SM and graviton... how amazing would it be to give Sororitas the Volkite weaponry from 30k?), and probably a general across-the-board points reduction.

Oh, and multi-part plastic kits. I would play Sisters in a heartbeat if they had multi-part plastic kits.

 Swastakowey wrote:
I like the holy look, just wish they weren't a creepy cult of women. No harm there.


They're called the Sisters of Battle, not some other nonsense. There's even an amusing fluff reason for an all-female standing army. Saying this is like asking for female Space Marines or saying "I really like the wraithbone look of the Eldar, but I hate that they're vaguely elvish. Let's give them models that look like space dwarves," or something else equally absurd. Don't try to cloak your trolling in "it's just my opinion, man." Not even going to address your "creepy women" comment.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2015/08/13 03:17:53


   
Made in ca
Secretive Dark Angels Veteran




Canada

i think they should be rolled into the militarium tempestus codex as the schole progenium codex which would grant the sisters access to storm troopers, withch hunters, and limited access to vindicare temple assassins. id explain this away in the rules that depending on weather my warlord has the sisters faction or the tempestus faction units with the other faction that were troops choices became elites and you lost the ability to buy their lords of war/hq's

its fluffy that units from the schola would work together and it allows those armies to expand without re-inventing the wheel here. you could even include a base set of relics for everyone to pick from (omitting assassins) and then putting out say 2 unique relics if you base your army on a tempestus warlord or a sisters hq/witch hunter.

id probably give them access to drop pods and land raiders because its accurate to all the modern lore for them such as in say "stormcaller" or "SoB:tempestus", id probably also look at giving them a flyer maybe reinvent the aquila lander or simply add in the lightning

id probably consider updating the dominions to get plasma cannons and missles

seraphim are fine they really need a points adjustment
sisters of battle maybe should be allowed to swap out their bolters from storm bolters for 1ppm i think that would be a cool way to make them stand apart from space marine units

acts of faith would become an army wide blessing that is permanent and triggered like the waaagh however it grants one buff depending on the turn executed so say on t1 you get scout, t2 you get fear (vehicles grant fearless in a 3" aoe), t3 is furious charge (vehicles get twin linked shooting), t4 is fnp (vehicles get a 6+invul), t5 makes all your meltas and flamers torrent weapons, and t6 grants your army EW until the end of t7 in a sense the idea is building your army around a particular point in the game be that turn 3 or turn 1, or even haning on till turn 6 and gambling on that. id probably grant celestine a special benefit as a LoW that if she is taken in the primary detachment she lets you drop a second act of faith and that jakobus does the same thing except he has to roll a d6 at the start of the game and on a 4+ he gets a second activation or on a 3- he infers an additional flat benefit upon trigger like say adamantium will

this also solves the issue of the tempestus basically having no models, the sisters out of new ideas, and the two of them not having a codex sold on the shelf in the store like everyone else because there isnt enough material to justify a book for either.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2015/08/13 03:32:27


DA army: 3500pts,
admech army: 600pts
ravenguard: 565 pts

 
   
Made in us
Stealthy Warhound Titan Princeps






I would keep almost everything basically the same, to be honest.

Changes:
Acts of Faith are one use, army wide buffs (but still come from the source unit, but can only use it once even if you have multiple of that unit) that are stronger based on how many characters have martyred (died). I want to say based on the number of “faithful” units on the table but that seems too close to Cult Mechanicus... Maybe a combination of both? # of units + martyrs from the previous turn?
Add an Act of Faith that summons a Living Saint.
Repentia & Penitent Engines get a 5+ invulnerable save from Shield of Faith.
Celestians get access to power weapons at the same cost as Vanguard Veterans. And can buy hand flamers. edit: and can buy combi-flamers/meltas! Probably instead of hand flamers.
Canoness needs some sort of buff, but not sure what I would give her. Maybe she *doesn’t* need a buff and I am just trying to imagine her too much like a Space Marine captain.

And Formations, of course!
The Decurion style deal which gives units within the ability to use their Acts of Faith 2x per game.
One formation of a Cannoness, a command squad, a a unit of Celestians, and 2 units of battle sisters. This would be the Core formation and would allow them to use the Living Saint summoning AoF.
3-5 Retributors. Makes them Relentless for a turn whenever an Act of Faith is used.
3 Exorcists. Allows them to re-roll the number of missile attacks they make.
3-5 Seraphim. Allows them to deep strike without scatter and all arrive at once.
3-5 units of Repentia and Penitent Engines in any combination. Allows them to make a single attack immediately when they are killed in combat. Penitent Engines make d3 attacks when killed.
1 Living Saint. Deep strikes without scatter. Thinking about some kind of morale buff the turn she arrives? All units instantly rally, or become fearless or stubborn or something.

I don’t think that their needs to be formations for Celestians, but there might be justification for a Dominion formation... not sure what it would do, though.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/08/13 03:38:56


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Made in nz
Heroic Senior Officer




New Zealand

 j31c3n wrote:

 Swastakowey wrote:
I like the holy look, just wish they weren't a creepy cult of women. No harm there.


They're called the Sisters of Battle, not some other nonsense. There's even an amusing fluff reason for an all-female standing army. Saying this is like asking for female Space Marines or saying "I really like the wraithbone look of the Eldar, but I hate that they're vaguely elvish. Let's give them models that look like space dwarves," or something else equally absurd. Don't try to cloak your trolling in "it's just my opinion, man." Not even going to address your "creepy women" comment.


What? They used to have malitia in there and other cool stuff like storm troopers etc. Back when I got into them anyway.

I can not like an aspect of a faction... no need to be hateful. I just want some cool, holy and normal soldiers with glorious armour and saints etc. To me that would be cool. An updated codex which has holy warriors of the imperium would be awesome and offer more variety. I don't dig the creepy female cult thing they have going on (I also don't dig the creepy male cult that Storm Troopers have going on, so don't try pull out the sexist card).

I think if they redid sisters the best thing to do would have a book with all the minor imperial factions now I think about it. Roll it into one big armies of the imperium, have cool stuff from all with the options to mix and match from certain groups.
   
Made in ca
Gargantuan Gargant






 ionusx wrote:
i think they should be rolled into the militarium tempestus codex as the schole progenium codex which would grant the sisters access to storm troopers, withch hunters, and limited access to vindicare temple assassins. id explain this away in the rules that depending on weather my warlord has the sisters faction or the tempestus faction units with the other faction that were troops choices became elites and you lost the ability to buy their lords of war/hq's

its fluffy that units from the schola would work together and it allows those armies to expand without re-inventing the wheel here. you could even include a base set of relics for everyone to pick from (omitting assassins) and then putting out say 2 unique relics if you base your army on a tempestus warlord or a sisters hq/witch hunter.

id probably give them access to drop pods and land raiders because its accurate to all the modern lore for them such as in say "stormcaller" or "SoB:tempestus", id probably also look at giving them a flyer maybe reinvent the aquila lander or simply add in the lightning

id probably consider updating the dominions to get plasma cannons and missles

seraphim are fine they really need a points adjustment
sisters of battle maybe should be allowed to swap out their bolters from storm bolters for 1ppm i think that would be a cool way to make them stand apart from space marine units

acts of faith would become an army wide blessing that is permanent and triggered like the waaagh however it grants one buff depending on the turn executed so say on t1 you get scout, t2 you get fear (vehicles grant fearless in a 3" aoe), t3 is furious charge (vehicles get twin linked shooting), t4 is fnp (vehicles get a 6+invul), t5 makes all your meltas and flamers torrent weapons, and t6 grants your army EW until the end of t7 in a sense the idea is building your army around a particular point in the game be that turn 3 or turn 1, or even haning on till turn 6 and gambling on that. id probably grant celestine a special benefit as a LoW that if she is taken in the primary detachment she lets you drop a second act of faith and that jakobus does the same thing except he has to roll a d6 at the start of the game and on a 4+ he gets a second activation or on a 3- he infers an additional flat benefit upon trigger like say adamantium will

this also solves the issue of the tempestus basically having no models, the sisters out of new ideas, and the two of them not having a codex sold on the shelf in the store like everyone else because there isnt enough material to justify a book for either.


The two forces would actually complement each other very well. Sisters of Battle have the plethora of flamers/boltguns to deal with hordes that tempestus struggle with, while tempestus (if properly implemented) would be able to focus down on the more heavily armoured foes with their greater mobility and transport options.
   
Made in ca
Journeyman Inquisitor with Visions of the Warp




I think there's a certain problem in that the SoB are an organization with limited scope. Thematically you can't get too far away from the fact that they are an infantry-focused army with a focus on limited weapons systems.

I was looking at the same issue with Tempestus (light infantry based around SF). While you can't get around the fact SoB can't get too many tanks, bikes, or other crap they don't need, you can definitely dive into the religious and historical aspects that define the faction. This is what distinguishes them from the other PA armies.

If their basic unit choices are fine, focus on relics and religious-themed special abilities if we want to add more depth to the faction.

That's my advice.
   
Made in se
Glorious Lord of Chaos






The burning pits of Hades, also known as Sweden in summer

 Swastakowey wrote:
More male soldiers. I like the holy look, hate the female look.


Assuming you're referring to the hideous boobplate, then aye, I am with you.

If not, hahahahhahahaha no thank you.


Currently ongoing projects:
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Made in nz
Heroic Senior Officer




New Zealand

 Ashiraya wrote:
 Swastakowey wrote:
More male soldiers. I like the holy look, hate the female look.


Assuming you're referring to the hideous boobplate, then aye, I am with you.

If not, hahahahhahahaha no thank you.



Partly yes, and the hair. Just found it hard to take them seriously the way they look. HOWEVER I love the holy look, the ornaments and the carvings etc. Coupled with their inherent limits I think it would be better to just open it up to all types of minor factions as said above etc.
   
Made in se
Glorious Lord of Chaos






The burning pits of Hades, also known as Sweden in summer

I saw someone put Victoria Miniatures heads on Dreamforge bodies, and the result is utterly awesome SoB.



I'd play an army of these. They look 10/10.

I love GW's SoB helmet, though, so I'd try to find a way to get it onto the Dreamforge body (I prefer to have most of my minis with helmets)

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2015/08/13 03:50:31


Currently ongoing projects:
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Made in us
Consigned to the Grim Darkness





USA

The armor is a bit too angular though, compared to the Imperium's rounded style.

The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
 
   
Made in us
Ork-Hunting Inquisitorial Xenokiller




Strike Cruiser Vladislav Volkov

That does look pretty awesome.

 Melissia wrote:
The armor is a bit too angular though, compared to the Imperium's rounded style.


Maybe some handy filework could fix that!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/08/13 04:23:14


   
Made in us
[MOD]
Solahma






RVA

I really really really hope GW does not make Sisters with uni-sex armor. Not sure why it is so hard for some people to understand that realism and practicality are in no way, shape, or form considerations when it comes to designing anything for any faction in 40k. Arguments along those lines are inherently invalid. And yes there is background supporting the status quo: sororitas power armour leaves no question as to the wearer's gender, which fits the idea that the order exists thanks to that loophole in the post-Vandire agreement that the Ecclesiarchy may not keep a standing force of men under arms. Sisters as they are have a wonderfully unique gothic, over the top feel that is inextricably a part of their appeal and relevance. Perhaps those who would like to reduce/eliminate femininity had best pine for female IG figures or pretend their Space Marines are actually ladies inside of that boobless power armour.

As to their place as an army -- I would like to see Sisters remain regular humans in power armour. Besides being an all-female order, that is their defining characteristic. I think that should entail squads ranging from 5-15 sisters. They should feel elite but not super-extra-elite like SM; after all, they do not need to be produced by technogenetic procedures. Also I don't think there should be a bunch of different kinds. We don't need Judo Chop Sister and Underwater Action Sister. Honestly, one highly customizable entry would be best but of course that is a pipe dream considering how GW currently operates. Perhaps SoB could also have (i.e., regain) the option of commanding blobs of Fratris Militia, which would be closer to IG stat-wise but have special rules that make them unreliable unless spurred on by sisters or clerics.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2015/08/13 04:39:04


   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka





dead account

I'll have to re-read the codex I have for them (the digital one on the iPad). I've always liked the Sisters of Battle.

The main reason I have yet to start a Sisters of Battle army is its one of those things that I think is SOOOO cool that I don't want to involve myself for fear of not doing it justice.

I even like their present models (even the Dialogus). I'm actually scared of a model update for them. Sure it would be nice to have kits with weapon options but I'm kind of worried how they'll be translated to plastic. The current metal models, to me, have character.

   
Made in us
[MOD]
Solahma






RVA

 djphranq wrote:
The current metal models, to me, have character.
Yes they are still really lovely. And they are surprisingly easy to paint up. The first 40k model I ever painted was a Sister and I still think she looks okay all these years later.

   
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Consigned to the Grim Darkness





USA

Honestly, I don't mind the current armor style that much (I would prefer a gothic breastplate, but that's personal taste, not necessity)... my main issue is that I just wish they were more poseable and had better heads. The helmets are great, the helmetless heads... not.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2015/08/13 05:12:43


The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
 
   
Made in us
[MOD]
Solahma






RVA

The tattered-scrap-of-hope rumour that all SoB fans cling to is of course that Jess Goodwin had trouble designing poseable sisters that maintained the drapery sleeves. I personally would be happy with limited poseability as long as the sculpts are really great otherwise. Maybe the issue could be resolved by having a few raised or lowered arms on the sprue.

   
Made in us
Consigned to the Grim Darkness





USA

Honestly? That rumor is so old I consider it debunked.

The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
 
   
Made in us
Depraved Slaanesh Chaos Lord




Inside Yvraine

My first thought would be to merge them back into Inquisition and Grey Knights, however the OP specifically said that that was off the table, so out of respect I'll think of something else.

tbh, not much comes to mind insofar as army design. What would be helpful is perhaps some commentary on what is bad about the Sisters (mechanically)?

How are the Sisters supposed to play, and how do they play in reality?

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2015/08/13 07:14:20


 
   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka





Hehe. I like that this topic popped up just as I agreed to purchase my first Sisters models.

I mostly like the armor design the corsette look and the crosses/fleur de lis designs I tend to see on the breasts isn't all that aesthetically pleasing to me, but I'm pretty happy with the general armor layout. The pauldrons, limbs, and helmets/masks are all cool.

Mechanically, I'd like to see them rework/focus on the faith powers angle a bit. Even with all the Ld buffs to make them more reliable, faith powers as a minor boost that you might get once a game is a little meh. I'd like to see the effect be more.... something. Usable more than once, more potent when they went off, maybe a combination of the two where the squad-wide buff is similar to what it is now, but characters gain some extra flash perk.

If nothing else, faith powers really need to be tweaked or redistributed. Right now we have ignores cover as an act of faith on a unit that might specialize in having a bunch of flamers, and we have rending as the act of faith for the long-ranged squad that only has one weapon that really benefits from it (heavy bolters next to multi-meltas which don't need it and heavy flamers which won't benefit from it often enough for it to be useful.)

I also kind of like the mechanic that I worked out for a homebrewed xenos faction a while back where they can trigger their faith to become "charged up," thus gaining their act of faith benefit, but then have to make a Ld test each turn to avoid losing the benefit for the rest of the game. That might be less fitting for sisters though.

Lots of units would become more interesting with some minor tweaks. The stormbolter suggestion from above would be great. Adjusting the cost of power weapons and making them available in bulk to certain squads would be nice. There really isn't a reason that things like plasma and missile launchers can't find their way into the special and heavy weapon slots.

I like the idea of them gaining more special rules as they lose models or generally take a beating. Something akin to the Power From Pain table might work. Or maybe something like, "units that have suffered one or more casualties gain X benefit. If the squad's sargeant was removed, they instead gain (better than X) benefit.). That might be too complicated alongside faith powers though. Maybe make it a formation/detachment benefit?

Sisters could really use some more transport options if only because 7th edition is so unkind to rhino chassis. The Cannoness would benefit a lot, I feel, from having a jump pack option (letting you give your seraphim a followup punch), and some sort of assault transport would be nice.

Penitent engines could use some sort of love as they just seem hard to get into combat. Maybe give them a 4+ invul if they're taken in squads of three or something? Exorcists are fine as they are, but a three-exorcists-in-a-squadron rule would be cool.

Even as cool as Celestine is for her points, she should probably have Eternal Warrior. It's just too easy for her to get insta-gibbed, and it's not like it would be unfluffy.

I'd like to see either more HQs or more tools in the Cannoness's toolbox. Currently, the cannoness can only be a sort-of-kind-of okay melee combatant, and she gets very expensive very fast if you try to give her too many toys. She can hand out some decent unit buffs for their cost, but you have about fifty ways to get the same o similar buffs more cheaply and/or more reliably through vehicle upgrades, warlord traits, certain units, etc.

Finally, a bit more distinction between factions/fighting styles would be nice. The fluff for the various orders is a good start, but when it comes to feeling different on the tabletop, the closest thing I see to a variation in playstyle is, "this order really likes its dominion squads." Maybe a bit more fluff and possibly even an "order vows" system? Something like:

Vow of Sorority: Gain 1 VP if all your non-vehicle squads are still on the table at the end of the game.
Vow of Vengeance: See that unit that just triggered your martyr rule? Gain an extra VP if it's dead by the game's end.
Vow of Resolve: Gain stubborn while standing on an objective.
Vow of Cleansing: Treat flamer weapons as having +1 strength. Lose a VP if you don't finish off at least one enemy unit with a flamer weapon by the game's end.
Vow of Purity: All enemy models with the daemon rule takea -1 penalty to their invul saves. Lose a VP if any enemy models with the daemon rule or a mark of a chaos god are within your deployment zone at the end of the game.

Okay. It's late, and I'm rambling. Time to stop adding to this post. >.<



ATTENTION
. Psychic tests are unfluffy. Your longing for AV is understandable but misguided. Your chapter doesn't need a separate codex. Doctrines should go away. Being a "troop" means nothing. This has been a cranky service announcement. You may now resume your regularly scheduled arguing.
 
   
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Wyldhunt wrote:
Okay. It's late, and I'm rambling. Time to stop adding to this post.
If that's rambling, I wish Dakka had a lot more of it
   
Made in us
Lady of the Lake






Acts of faith will probably become like psychic powers with superiors acting like ml1 or something like that, but mention that they're not psychic powers. The system would work for their faith generation I think and it'd help them deny actual psykers decently.

Similar to how the old faith system worked I guess.

   
Made in fi
Stalwart Tribune





Vehicle squadrons like marines (some buff if there are 3).
New units: flyer and ground anti-air unit. Assault vehicle.
Formations (like Penitent formation).

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/08/13 08:58:57


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Made in gb
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge




Somewhere between England and New Zealand.

They should get Vendettas to upset the Militarum Tempestus players... All 3 of them. If not a proper flyer of
some sort.

They also need more significant high strength long ranged units. Namely Lascannons and Autocannons.

Model wise just give them proper boots and make the chest flat with a 'Fleur de lis' on it. As far as I'm concerned, Sisters shouldn't be feminine. They're all female on a technicality, incredibly religious, zealous and highly trained elite soldiers.
   
Made in au
Camouflaged Zero






Australia

I would also prefer to see them stay as a complete faction, but they have been neglected for so long I am not sure it is possible. They gained all one one (1) decent new tool in third edition (Exorcists), then nothing in fourth, nothing in fifth, nothing in sixth. Every other army has gained new tools, several generations of new models, etc. To make them a functional army, they would need to practically rebuild them from the ground-up. It would be a far greater undertaking than separating Daemons from CSM.

That all said, in my ideal world, Games Workshop cares and this will happen! I would like to see the Sisters form the backbone of an Ecclesiarchy codex. I am not interested in a freakshow! I never liked those units.

Univeral Rules:
* Adamantium Will seems obvious for an anti-Psyker army. Perhaps Preferred Enemy (Psyker) too?
* Either Stubborn, or a Martyrdom rule that grants Stubborn under certain situations. I hate Fearless and its over-use in the game.
* I loved the third edition Acts of Faith: it was (IMO) the best part of the book. If Guard can have that long list of Orders, Sisters can have a list of Acts they can perform!

HQ:
* I like the basic concept of the Canoness, but the current version is underwhelming. I believe she should fit a similar role to a Space Marine Captain or a Tau Commander: an elite unit that has the best equipment available.
* I would like to see a HQ-level Priest (eg Confessor) who can lead the army in a non-military sense, similar to a Tau Ethereal.
* I like the concept of a command squad including a Hospitaller and Dialogus and would like to see this concept built upon and available to any Sisters/Ecclesiarchy HQ.

Elites:
* Unique models for Celestians and perhaps some unique rules so they have a special niche in the army. Perhaps give them Storm Bolters in place of Boltguns and Artifice Armour, making them sort of the Sororitas equivalent to a Terminator.
* Repentia need a massive redesign. Not even sure why they are Elites, to be honest. By their fluff, they should be cheap Troops similar to Black Templar Neophytes. Perhaps Bolt Pistols and Chainswords as their basic gear, with Evicerators as an upgrade for some models.
* I would like to see something like the Empire's War Altar. A mid-rank Priest (eg Missionary) who performs blessings on units in place of a Psychic Phase. Mechanically, a chariot with a list of potential blessings whereby one can be bestowed to a single unit on passing a leadership test.

Troops:
* Battle Sisters should remain the core. I think they are essentially fine as is, with the whole Flamer/Melta deal. The ability to put them in Immolators, Rhinos or in large foot units works well for me! I do not like Heavy weapons in the unit (Heavy Bolter, Multi-Melta), but perhaps that is just me?
* A cheap option. Either Repentia (as I mentioned above), or perhaps something comparable to the IG Conscripts ('angry mob'). A mob could be armed with basic close combat weapons and lead by a basic priest, with the option for certain members to upgrade to shotguns or stub pistols.

Dedicated Transports:
* Rhinos and Immolators are essentially fine. I am not sure the Sisters really need anything else here, unless Games Workshop wants to give them a new, unique transport in place of the Space Marine Rhino and swap the Immolator onto this new chassis.

Fast Attack:
* Seraphim are a good start. I think a points tweak, but that is to be expected.
* Dominions are a little dull, IMO. Even now they have Scout, they do not really scream 'fast' to me: they are just Battle Sisters who start a little closer. Why not give them bikes? Nuns on motorbikes are a thing, so Sisters on bikes with Meltaguns should be great!
* I would like to see a skimmer. Not a Landspeeder: give us something new and unique. Some way the Sisters could quickly strafe opponents.
* A flier is pretty essential. I cannot see why they could not come up with a jet and bomber pairing that were unique to the Sisters. A Bomber should drop napalm, obviously!

Heavy Support:
* The Exorcist is fun, but not really in line with modern GW rules. An update to make it fit the current game, but otherwise I like it.
* Retributors are a good basis, but a little dull. Just yet another Devastator Squad. Why not make them a little different? For example, relocatable gun platforms that gain special rules when set up rather than fired from the hip (similar to the Exocrine's +1BS for not moving). For example, Heavy Bolters with Skyfire when set up. Obviously, this necessitate considerably more points per model!
* Some kind of pie! For example, an Exorcist variant that launches firebombs or a concussive warhead.

Super Heavies:
* I have said it before, and I will say it again: I want my cathedral on tracks! A super heavy transport, similar to the Stormlord, but looking like a small Gothic cathedral and with Ecclesiarchy rules/weapons.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/08/13 09:18:09


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 BlaxicanX wrote:
My first thought would be to merge them back into Inquisition and Grey Knights, however the OP specifically said that that was off the table, so out of respect I'll think of something else.

tbh, not much comes to mind insofar as army design. What would be helpful is perhaps some commentary on what is bad about the Sisters (mechanically)?

How are the Sisters supposed to play, and how do they play in reality?

They seem to be designed to be played with an aggressive up-in-your-grill style gameplay, with their emphasis on Boltguns, Meltaguns and Flamers. The only long range weapons they have are Heavy Bolters and the Exorcist Missile Launcher (48", S8, AP1, Heavy D6). They actually do that style of play reasonably well, particularly when you add Forgeworld's Repressor from Imperial Armour 2 to their Dedicated Transport lists.

So to keep their current style of play they probably need the following, assuming PLASTIC KITS are a given.
* A rationalisation of their points cost. A Battle Sister costs 12ppm for WS3, BS4, S3, T3, W1, A1, I3, Ld8, 3+ with a Boltgun, Bolt Pistol, Frag/Krak grenades, the Shield of Faith rule (6++ and Adamantium Will) and a once per game Act of Faith. If you consider the Shield of Faith and Act of Faith rules to be a rough equivalent to the Chapter Tactics rule, you're paying 2ppm less for less WS, S, T, I and no ATSKNF compared to a Tactical Marine which is a rough deal imo. I mean friggen Space Marine Scouts are 1ppm less, get a straight up better stat-line and trade a 3+/6++ to a 4+ save for Infilitrate/Scout/Move Through Cover.

* Add the Repressor into the codex and give it a plastic kit - it should only need an extra sprue for a Rhino kit.

* Add the Avenger Strike Fighter into their codex and give it a plastic kit - this is also available for Imperial Guard so the model will have cross-codex usability.

* Add another Troop Choice. At the moment the only Troop Choice is a Battle Sister unit, so perhaps a light armoured/armed infantry to contrast to a highly trained and equipped Battle Sister. Frateris Militia (conscript/cultist type unit) seems an obvious and easy choice and works well with the Ecclesiarchy Theme that Sisters have (given that Uriah Jacobus, Ministorum Priests, Ecclesiarchy Battle Conclaves and Penitent Engines are already units in the codex).

* Fix Penitent Engines and Repentia. Both suffer terribly from being fragile and slow melee units. Make Penitent Engines move fast like a Maulerfiend or Skitarri Walkers, and give Repentia back their 4+ FNP as well as an increased movement speed option (either simply making them move/run fast like Demonettes and Skitarri or an give an Open-Topped/Assault Vehicle option).

* Make Celestians worth taking, probably by giving them cheap weapon options like Vanguard.

* Give them the fancy new formations and detachments like all armies are getting now. This can possibly tie into a re-vamped Act of Faith system, which works by <Insert Awesome New Mechanic Here>...


 
   
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GIVE IMMOLATORS BACK OUR FIRE POINT DAMMIT!!!!!

Immolators are supposed to be Razorbacks +1, not Razorbacks without the longer-range guns.

Also, Dominica-pattern Drop Pods please.

For the rest of the army, once you include Forge World, there really isn't a lot that the Sisters really lack in terms of unit choices. The Repressor, Arvus and Avenger plug the gaps of flier, heavy transport and flying transport very nicely.

Looking at the list, the current real 'gaps' in the Sisters army are;

- Super-heavy Infantry (Terminator/Centurion/Ogryn/Meganob/Wraithguard equivalent)
- Light Infantry (Guard/Cultist equivalent)
- Medium Infantry (Scout/Firewarrior/Tempestus Scion equivalent - but this can be ignored. You don't need medium infantry if you have both light and heavy infantry)
- Assault Vehicle (Raider/Land Raider/etc)
- Main Battle Tank support. Exorcist is nice, but its always been described as field artillery even if it acts like an MBT.
- Interceptor craft (Crimson Hunter/Nightscythe/Lightning equivalent).

And that's actually it. Everything else that needs to be done to the army is just a case of modifying existing units, primarily: Celestians.

Celestians need an identity. At the moment, they're Battle Sisters +1, but the +1 they get comes at too great a cost for the benefit (it's really more like +0.5) and they don't get anything to take advantage of it.

I'd like to see Celestians be given the Veteran Space Marine treatment. Give them full access to the armoury, or else split them into shooty Celestians and choppy Celestians with weapon upgrades to match. Special Ammo would be nice.

(As to whoever said that Heavy Flamers don't benefit enough from Rending to be worth it, oh boy. You have literally no idea how insane they are...)

Sisters also already have Adamantium Will. :p It's part of the Shield of Faith.



As for what new unit types I'd like to see? Frateris Militia (more like Cultists than Guardsmen), and actually, I have a list. The other thing might be something like a Centurion exo-skeleton, in the same role as the Marines use them - to buff up our Retributors and Celestians.



"That time I only loaded the cannon with powder. Next time, I will fill it with jewels and diamonds and they will cut you to shrebbons!" - Nogbad the Bad. 
   
 
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