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Hi all,

Like many, I have been seduced by the new Sisters of Battle launch. I have pre-ordered the codex and a Battle Sister squad to get me started and hope to do some building and painting this weekend. However, one small problem... I have no idea how to build them!?

Is there any basic or popular builds that people can point me in the direction of please? Is that even a thing? Any conventional wisdom about squad sizes and what weapons are good?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Considering SoB are a horde army and your probably going to need 6-7+ more of such squads, it is really hard to build it the wrong way.

 Brightsword wrote:
Hi all,

Like many, I have been seduced by the new Sisters of Battle launch. I have pre-ordered the codex and a Battle Sister squad to get me started and hope to do some building and painting this weekend. However, one small problem... I have no idea how to build them!?

Is there any basic or popular builds that people can point me in the direction of please? Is that even a thing? Any conventional wisdom about squad sizes and what weapons are good?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Typically I see people taking 5-woman squads with 1 storm bolter.

I believe the box comes with 2 storm bolters, so I would be building 6 boltgun sisters, 2 superiors, and 2 storm bolter sisters. That makes you 2 squads.

the_scotsman wrote:

 Brightsword wrote:
Hi all,

Like many, I have been seduced by the new Sisters of Battle launch. I have pre-ordered the codex and a Battle Sister squad to get me started and hope to do some building and painting this weekend. However, one small problem... I have no idea how to build them!?

Is there any basic or popular builds that people can point me in the direction of please? Is that even a thing? Any conventional wisdom about squad sizes and what weapons are good?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Typically I see people taking 5-woman squads with 1 storm bolter.

I believe the box comes with 2 storm bolters, so I would be building 6 boltgun sisters, 2 superiors, and 2 storm bolter sisters. That makes you 2 squads.

Each 5 lady squad can have 2 storm bolters and there are 4 in the box. Too early to know if that's the best way to run them or not though to be honest.

Dudeface wrote:

the_scotsman wrote:

 Brightsword wrote:
Hi all,

Like many, I have been seduced by the new Sisters of Battle launch. I have pre-ordered the codex and a Battle Sister squad to get me started and hope to do some building and painting this weekend. However, one small problem... I have no idea how to build them!?

Is there any basic or popular builds that people can point me in the direction of please? Is that even a thing? Any conventional wisdom about squad sizes and what weapons are good?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Typically I see people taking 5-woman squads with 1 storm bolter.

I believe the box comes with 2 storm bolters, so I would be building 6 boltgun sisters, 2 superiors, and 2 storm bolter sisters. That makes you 2 squads.

Each 5 lady squad can have 2 storm bolters and there are 4 in the box. Too early to know if that's the best way to run them or not though to be honest.

Thanks for your responses. 6 Bolters, 2 Storm bolters and 2 Superiors was what I was leaning towards. I figure that's a good base at least? My next set could then be used to build any heavy weapons I might need once the meta and conventional wisdom develops?

I imagine pistol and chainsword is likely to be the way forward on a superior? Keep it basic seems to be the general 40k rule?

As far as I know the current "meta" build is to take 5 strong units with 2 Storm Bolters each. Cheap as Chips and a great battalion filler.

Karol wrote:Considering SoB are a horde army and your probably going to need 6-7+ more of such squads, it is really hard to build it the wrong way.

I, not any of the other sisters players I know, play as a horde army. We've been traditionally mech infantry. This might of course be a consequence of the whole metal models that are $10 a piece thing.

That said, with the random heavy bolter and general nerf to Immolators, foothorde might be the way to go. That said, Tanks+Pengines/Mortifiers looks pretty decent for a list right now, Pengines are insane.

Brightsword wrote:Hi all,

Like many, I have been seduced by the new Sisters of Battle launch. I have pre-ordered the codex and a Battle Sister squad to get me started and hope to do some building and painting this weekend. However, one small problem... I have no idea how to build them!?

Is there any basic or popular builds that people can point me in the direction of please? Is that even a thing? Any conventional wisdom about squad sizes and what weapons are good?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Compared to otherr armies, we have the advantage of having higher special weapon density. We can take 2+sergeant at 5 people, as opposed to 1+sergeant at 5 and 2+sergeant at 10. Because we have no advantage for going above 5 people, and just become vulnerable to morale since no ATSKNF, there's basically no reason to have more than 5 people in a squad.

Therefore, I would recommend either 5 barebones for cost, 5 with 2 storm bolters, which is really cheap and solid firepower, or 5 with 2 meltaguns and a combimelta for power.

Some people are suggesting putting your Melta on your Battle sister squads and putting the stormbolters on your dominion squads so you can get the most bang for your buck with blessed bolts. I'm beginning to come around to this way of thinking as it also means my meltaguns are hidden behind abalative wounds

for building the models, none of that makes much difference...as said, you'll end up needing tons of ladies, and outside of some fancier helmets on some, they're going to look the same regardless of which squad they are in.
Remember that one bolter Sis in each squad can have the magical space box that's definitely not a banner, and they're pretty handy, so worthwhile building both of those.
Sisters Superior and special weapons for the rest maybe? Or get a box of heavy weapons and build them up on the spare bolter sisters. (you're gonna need a lot of boltgun infantry, but you're going to build a lot of boxes too, first one? just have some fun)

Thanks for all your help, guys. At least I have a couple of options to think over now. I think I will go:

1 superior w/ pistol and chainsword
2 bolters
2 stormbolters

I figure I can always build a bunch of melta options with my next box if I decide that's the way I want to go.

For flexibility it might be wise to build your special weapons in groups of four. That way you can easily swap around which go to Dominion squads and which go to normal SoB squads.

As long as you don't build flamers you'll be alright, meltas and stormbolters are both good weapons that have a purpose in your list

I will totally build one flamer squad because the flamer lady from the starter box is so awesome.

 Crimson wrote:
I will totally build one flamer squad because the flamer lady from the starter box is so awesome.

yeah, there's nothing wrong with having at least one gal with a deterrent against being charged from a few inches away. I'm putting mine in with the chainsword Sis Superior as the more eager squad.

craggy wrote:

 Crimson wrote:
I will totally build one flamer squad because the flamer lady from the starter box is so awesome.

yeah, there's nothing wrong with having at least one gal with a deterrent against being charged from a few inches away. I'm putting mine in with the chainsword Sis Superior as the more eager squad.

Interesting, so is chainsword on the superior not the obious, go-to choice?

Crimson wrote:For flexibility it might be wise to build your special weapons in groups of four. That way you can easily swap around which go to Dominion squads and which go to normal SoB squads.

I know you can make Battle Sisters and Dominions from the same box set so imagine they look similar... but are there any visual differences between the squads at all? Or are they that easily interchangeable?

 Brightsword wrote:

I know you can make Battle Sisters and Dominions from the same box set so imagine they look similar... but are there any visual differences between the squads at all? Or are they that easily interchangeable?

I don't think there is any visual signifiers unless you specifically invent such for your colour scheme.

 Brightsword wrote:
Hi all,

Like many, I have been seduced by the new Sisters of Battle launch. I have pre-ordered the codex and a Battle Sister squad to get me started and hope to do some building and painting this weekend. However, one small problem... I have no idea how to build them!?

Is there any basic or popular builds that people can point me in the direction of please? Is that even a thing? Any conventional wisdom about squad sizes and what weapons are good?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Depends on what the rest of your army has. Lack anti-tank? Slap some meltaguns on there. Want to just put a bunch of shots out? Put the storm bolter on there. Want them cheap and spammed? Well, the storm bolter is still a good option and arguably better, but you can opt for just basic sisters, too. Want to punish an enemy for charging at you? Put some flamers in there and maybe also a combi-flamer just for fun.

 Brightsword wrote:

craggy wrote:

 Crimson wrote:
I will totally build one flamer squad because the flamer lady from the starter box is so awesome.

yeah, there's nothing wrong with having at least one gal with a deterrent against being charged from a few inches away. I'm putting mine in with the chainsword Sis Superior as the more eager squad.

Interesting, so is chainsword on the superior not the obious, go-to choice?

Not sure of the options offhand, but...

If the chainsword requires you to trade the gun or the option to take a combi weapon, an extra S3 attack in melee isn't going to make a blind bit of difference. If you don't have to trade more gun and it's free, then whatever, take one.

Given how GW generally writes unit entries these days, I suspect it's a trade, in which case obviously no, unless you have a really specific build combo that for some reason isn't using a better combat unit.

Voss wrote:
If the chainsword requires you to trade the gun or the option to take a combi weapon, an extra S3 attack in melee isn't going to make a blind bit of difference. If you don't have to trade more gun and it's free, then whatever, take one

The chainsword is free, not even replacing the pistol or gun. There's literally no reason not to take one unless you're taking a power weapon instead.

Voss wrote:

 Brightsword wrote:

craggy wrote:

 Crimson wrote:
I will totally build one flamer squad because the flamer lady from the starter box is so awesome.

yeah, there's nothing wrong with having at least one gal with a deterrent against being charged from a few inches away. I'm putting mine in with the chainsword Sis Superior as the more eager squad.

Interesting, so is chainsword on the superior not the obious, go-to choice?

Not sure of the options offhand, but...

If the chainsword requires you to trade the gun or the option to take a combi weapon, an extra S3 attack in melee isn't going to make a blind bit of difference. If you don't have to trade more gun and it's free, then whatever, take one.

Given how GW generally writes unit entries these days, I suspect it's a trade, in which case obviously no, unless you have a really specific build combo that for some reason isn't using a better combat unit.

You don't give anything up to take the free chainsword. Rules-wise, there's no reason not to take the free sword, but losing the bonus attack isn't that a big deal if you wanted to use Amalia as-is.

 Brightsword wrote:

craggy wrote:

 Crimson wrote:
I will totally build one flamer squad because the flamer lady from the starter box is so awesome.

yeah, there's nothing wrong with having at least one gal with a deterrent against being charged from a few inches away. I'm putting mine in with the chainsword Sis Superior as the more eager squad.

Interesting, so is chainsword on the superior not the obious, go-to choice?

May as well take a chainsword. It costs 0 points and it looks cool.

Yeah, it costs no points.

That said, the Power Maul or Power Axe are great options for Bloody Rose, due to the order getting -1ap on melee weapons. Of course, Chainsword isn't a bad option for htem either! S3 AP-1 isn't that exciting, but then 4 attacks on the charge isn't terrible even at S3!

For bloody rose I would def go for power maul. S5 -2 is lot better than S3 -4 IMO. Struggling to wound isn't fun.

That said, if you're not facing majority marines in your area, S4 AP-3 from the power axes is pretty tempting, too! Gets through scions and most eldar armor.

Melissia wrote:Yeah, it costs no points.

That said, the Power Maul or Power Axe are great options for Bloody Rose, due to the order getting -1ap on melee weapons. Of course, Chainsword isn't a bad option for htem either! S3 AP-1 isn't that exciting, but then 4 attacks on the charge isn't terrible even at S3!

tneva82 wrote:For bloody rose I would def go for power maul. S5 -2 is lot better than S3 -4 IMO. Struggling to wound isn't fun.

Maul all the way. Crackin skulls and squashin balls

 Melissia wrote:
That said, if you're not facing majority marines in your area, S4 AP-3 from the power axes is pretty tempting, too! Gets through scions and most eldar armor.

Well if you aren't facing marines(aka T4) and have S4 power swords you would have S6 power mauls for 2+ to wound. Again I think S6 -2 beats here.

Non-bloody rose the power sword has better purpose as -3 vs -1 matters more than -4 vs -2.

craggy wrote:

 Crimson wrote:
I will totally build one flamer squad because the flamer lady from the starter box is so awesome.

yeah, there's nothing wrong with having at least one gal with a deterrent against being charged from a few inches away. I'm putting mine in with the chainsword Sis Superior as the more eager squad.

I hate to be a negative Nancy but let's be honest here, any unit scared of a flamethrower on OW isnt really a threat to begin with. On average you're getting what, 3-4 hits, 2-3 wounds, maybe 1-2 dead enemy models if it's a chump like guardsmen. Who arent concerned about a single casualty in the slightest. Plus it's only an 8" range so it's useless against deepstrike (I hate this rule but it's what it is)

The exception would be massed flamers, or retributors with heavy flamers. And even there, unless you have a great way to get them close and do damage, I'd rather have a longer range heavy weapon that can be useful from turn one.

Just food for thought. Nothing wrong with saying they look cool and you'll run them for looks. Just arguing that Tactically speaking flamers are awful and pts are better spent elsewhere

For battle sisters exclusively, I would build the kit as: 2 Superiors, 2 Storm Bolters, 2 Meltaguns, 1-2 Simulacrum (I know they have 2 Simulacrum, but no idea if they can build 2 full models), and then the rest as bolter sisters. Get your storm bolters and meltaguns, and superiors and simulacrums, up to a point that your comfy and then evaluate how many boltgun bodies your army still needs afterwards and fill with another box for boltgun bodies.

I would say sister squads with meltaguns are going to have simulacrums, should be fairly straight forward. Storm bolter squads won't. I would also definitely have each superior with a Chainsword unless you specifically want the Power Maul, typically though you're going with the Chainsword (don't forget they're also WS 4+). Also consider how many of those Superiors you want to have combi-melta, as well, since they can no longer carry Storm bolters.

There is functionally no difference between the Dominions and the Battle Sisters... model wise they are the same. What changes is their loadouts, as Dominions will likely come with a higher density of special weapons. Celestians (the other kit in the box) will have fleur's on their helmets... but other than that they should be indistinguishable from normal battle sisters.

The only argument I could make for Flamers is Dominion squads possibly cheesing them with a Combi-melta superior to Holy Trinity some squad, but it is a pricey proposition for what will likely be unreliable results. But, if that is your cup of tea, that is how I would deploy flamers. Probably wouldn't try to do that out of the single box, though.

2 stormbolters or 2 meltas and a combi-melta. The end.

Regular flamers are never good. Holy trinity is a trap. The melee weapons all suck because you hit on 4s. Even bloody rose won't save that.

Okay, so lots of good advice and suggestions here.

Couple of conceptual questions that I think you want to knock off here though. The dex will give you some clues about what to do.

There are some strats you need to know about:

Blessed Bolts makes the Storm Bolters in a unit deadly: AP -2 D 2.

Holy Trinity gives you +1 to wound for the unit IF it takes shots at a single unit with at least 1 bolt weapon, 1 flame weapon and 1 melta weapon; you don't have to HIT with all of those shots, but you target has to be in range of all of them.

So with this in mind, doms with 4 x SB can mess stuff up, but if you use the BB strat on anything less, you're not getting the most of the CP.

Build a flamer and and a meltagun, however, and you get the option to turn it up against high toughness.

I think the box includes 2 of each special, two units of five, one with 2 x SB for the BB strat and one with a melta and a flamer for the HT strat isn't a bad way to go.

And regarding MSU vs Max Size, I prefer the former to assist in the taking of objectives/ supporting other units, but 15 sisters with the right order traits and sacred rites, supported by a hospitaller, and objects of the faith [see below] can be very hard to move, so they might be better at HOLDING the objective.

Which brings us to Miracle Dice! If you want to maximize these, the simulacrum and cherub are also critical, and I think you can only build one of each from the box, though as mentioned earlier, there are two different options for what your simulacrum looks like.

You can burn your cherub to give the squad a miracle die, and the simulacrum guarantees that if the unit wants to use a miracle die, it can- even if a miracle die has already been used.

If you go the the two MSU mentioned above, the Trinity squad is the best bet for your faith boosters, because blessed bolts is so deadly that the other squad is likely to need miracle dice more, as you'll only be able to HT if your enemy is in range of your flamer.

Regarding differences between Celestians, Dominions and sisters, I helmet all of my specialists and leave my sisters bare headed, but what you've read here is correct- no actual distinction built into the models themselves- only what you choose to create.

Welcome to the Sisterhood. The Emperor Protects!