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Hi!

I'm tending some guardsmen at the moment (1500 pts), and would like to start a new project (the Astra Militarum has to rest their legs and wheels for a while).

My eyes has turned to the Sisters of Battle since I think they look cool, and as what I can read they look good on the battlefield. I think the Space Marines are a bit dull (and so many are playing them), so this seems to be a good alternative.What would you recommend for a starting 500 or 1000 pts army?

Thank you in advance!

First, rob a bank... this army will cost a small fortune. Then, sharpen your hobby blades... some of the most effective models (like Seraphim with Inferno Pistols) don't actually exist. Third, check the GW webstore for availability... models often disappear for weeks at a time. Finally, get ready to grumble about how your army isn't well supported... it's what we do.

Fast Attack are the strongest choices so an Outrider is a good place to start, but at 500 it'll be tight to do 3x FA plus Celestine. At 1000 you could actually do a Battalion and an Outrider for the extra CP. A Canoness and 3x BSS Troops loaded out with Stormbolters, Celestine +1 Gemina, a squad of Inferno Seraphim, two squads of Melta Dominions with Immolators (or Repressors), and enough left over for some extra hardware, extra bodies, or an Imagifier. 1000 points, 7 CP, 3 AoF sources. Probably several hundred dollars US at a rough guess.

The 70-page Tactica is excellent and populated by really insightful and successful Sororitas players.

Try to find a local person selling if you can.

Unit wise? Lots of Storm Bolters, Seraphim, a Canoness, Celestine and some Vehicles (Immolators or Repressors)

Thank you both for input! I really appreciate the help!

Ebay is also a good spot to find models. If you're starting an army, I'd consider looking there.

The currently most accepted 'best' build is small units in lots of vehicles. The army lets you spam meltaguns, stormbolters and heavy bolters, so this build does. You can be outnumbered by a marine army, and still have 5x the meltaguns as he has plasma/grave/melta, and that's with half your special weapons being stormbolters.

There is also a foot horde build, but if you're looking at starting from scratch, I'd recommend the mechanized. Sister tanks cost about the same as they do for spacemarines, and you're buying fewer sisters, so it's a bit easier on the wallet.

Seraphim are amazing also, 4 Melta Pistols on a 5man unit is 90pts. Taking 2-3 extra bodies really helps, you can AoF them turn to move 24" and Melta something then charge something else.

Thanks!

I'm thinking of maybe include a small unit of Dominions in my IG-army, just to give them a spin and get the feel. I don't have any Fast Attack yet (Hellhounds are OK, but Sentinels are ugly), so that might be an idea.

As you write, I'm quite comfortable with tanks, and the idea of saving money while rolling out a Immolator on the battlefield are really tempting.

Once again, thank you for your advice! Any recommendations are well welcome!


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Also, I must add, the Seraphim looks wonderful. If I like the feel I'll be sure to give them a go (it's all about the money right now...)

While no-one mention it specially, the newly released Saint Celestine is a great starting place. You get a wonderful model that is highly effective and synergies with IG by handing out an invulnerable save that may frustrate your opponent from time to time.

Yes, I really like the model of the Living Saint. Is she worth the points (and effort of painting)?

Oh absolutely yes she is worth the points. Point for point she is one of the best and most versatile units in 40k. She's hyper fast, has an ok shooting attack, she's pretty solid in hand to hand combat, she's hard to kill, and she makes the rest of the army better.

Stick her behind some Inferno pistol Seraphim and let them pinball their way through the opponent's army.

I did say take celestine

Now you've really peaked my interest. Celestine and Seraphims seem really good now that I have Index 2 in front of me. Maybe as a add on to my IG for a start?

Celestine, Seraphims and Dominion squad. Maybe 1200-1500 SEK. Mostly tensed up for the paint job.

Don't start yet and wait and pray along with the rest of us for a codex and model release later this year.

That's a good idea. I'll just start small with some detachment-boost to my IG. Is there any talk of a new Codex? I love the entire Adeptus Ministorum, Sisters of Battle well included

Definitely check eBay, and be patient about it. Familiarize yourself with what's still in print on the GW site too, as a lot of people post "out of print" on models that are still freely available.

The new geminae are great for converting inferno pistol seraphim if you can snag some on their own (eBay again).

There are some fine "counts-as" options for models out there as well, if you're so inclined. The popular infantry ones seem to be Dreamforge Eisenkern conversions and the Raging Heroes Sisters of Eternal Mercy. I've got a few vehicle options in my signature as well if you're looking for more vehicle bling.

Happy collecting! You can get yourself a sizeable Sisters army with a modicum of commitment if you're patient, informed, and wily.