How to use the Exorcist

[Mosk]

I have heard all about how amazing the Exorcist is. I have used it for one game, so I do not know exactly how to use it, but I was not satisfied with it. I was more satsified with my retributers with heavy bolters, did a lot more damage. Infact, the only thing good my exorcist did was get my opponent to have his predator shoot at my exorcist for 6 turns trying to destroy it, while my exorcist shot at the predator for 6 turns, the predator never inflicted damage on me, but I got 2 crew shaken shots on him. How do you use these?

[Melissia]

So, six turns of D6 shots, never got a weapon destroyed, or wrecked/exploded? I think you got unlucky, as it can destroy even on a glancing hit...

 

 

Also note, you don't have to use it against tanks only . Using it against terminators is pretty damned awesome too-- D6 S8 AP1 shots at BS4 can do some serious damage to them.

[ArmouredWing]

I have heard all about how amazing the Exorcist is. I have used it for one game, so I do not know exactly how to use it, but I was not satisfied with it. I was more satsified with my retributers with heavy bolters, did a lot more damage. Infact, the only thing good my exorcist did was get my opponent to have his predator shoot at my exorcist for 6 turns trying to destroy it, while my exorcist shot at the predator for 6 turns, the predator never inflicted damage on me, but I got 2 crew shaken shots on him. How do you use these?

For a long, long time I would not use exocists purely and simply because I could damn well make them work for me. A run of bad rolls combined with them being popped at the earliest opportunity for me made them a expensive points sink that never seemed to claim back what I'd spent on them and so my choice of anti tank was Seraphim.

 

That was then.

 

About 18 months ago my gaming group started playing tournie rules games in preparation for a significant number of us to enter the UK GT. We all sat down and did the maths and from my perspective there realy was no other option available than to go with exorcists. They can cast an awesome shadow over the battlefield and willl make all but the most foolhardy opponent fear what they are capable of, but they are not a no-brainer when using them on the battlefield.

 

My first suggestion is that in any game over 1200pts go for 2. The biggest problem with exorcists is the element of luck involved when rolling to see how many shots it's going to get of in the shooting phase. To counter this you really have got to consider having 2 on the table, this way if you're unlucky you've still got at least 2 shots, if you're lucky then you're opponent is going to be REALLY unlucky!

 

The next thing to remember is positioning. Remember, you can move an exorcist up to 6" and still let rip. So with that being the case start the game behind cover and when you move expose it to the minimum number of threats possible. Positioning is quite an important element and it's easy to forget that it's only the front that has the AV13. Use the terrain to your advantage and if at all possible appear to only those you intend to destroy.

 

Targetting is also important (as with any unit) but you need to give yourself a 'hit list' that your exorcists will keep to. Do not be tempted to spread your fire around if the targets on your list have not yet been destroyed. If you've got 2 or more then concentrate the fire, eliminate targets with extreme prejudice. If you manage to achieve the destruction of all of the targets on your list move on to support your ground troops and start hitting infantry units.

 

Other than that? Take it/them out for a few games and get a feel for what they can do. It sounds to me like you've had an unlucky experience with it but don't let that influence you too much, much in the same way as I did back in the day. Now I don't leave home without them (3 of them to be precise!).

[Sister Rosette Soulknyt]

I very much agree, having two Excorsists can ruin your opponents day.

Concentrated fire from both will decimate a squad, even termmies. Or try using it against your opponents HQ, i jut love watching them die with glee.

Me i have 3 so far and i love to only let my enemy see the front armour, i put a squad of retributers next to it to safe guad it just in case and let rip.

 

Sure yuor opponents are going to want it destroyed, i would, which allows your squads to do there job.

 

Not only that but they look amazing with there organs and the sister playing it during the heat of battle, its a fantastic miniature to see.

[SJumppanen]

I have heard all about how amazing the Exorcist is. I have used it for one game, so I do not know exactly how to use it, but I was not satisfied with it. I was more satsified with my retributers with heavy bolters, did a lot more damage. Infact, the only thing good my exorcist did was get my opponent to have his predator shoot at my exorcist for 6 turns trying to destroy it, while my exorcist shot at the predator for 6 turns, the predator never inflicted damage on me, but I got 2 crew shaken shots on him. How do you use these?

 

Again, have least pair of these. They arent all that durable in combat and that D6 attacks is kind of unpredictable.

 

Targets:

 

Good targets: Heavy infantry, specialy when they don't get cover or invulnerable save. Terminators, heavy weapon squads, assault marines, tau suits Ogryn...

Vehicles: Exept for anything that has AV14 on it, is a good target. You can shoot those targets with thick armour too, but try to find other targets.

Monsters: Either Eldar Wraith lord or Carnifex, Exorchist is going to cause some alarm in your enemy.

 

Bad targets: Bikes moving fast, Large infantry squads of light infantry (like IG conscripts), Monolith, Nid Warriors (it is OK to shoot these, but it takes a lot of shots).

 

Good advice: Try to eliminate whole units at once. For example, if your Seraphims are about to attack something nasty, like some big group of CC monsters (terminators, assault marines) then soften it with Exorchist, then shoot with Inferno pistols (or hand flamers) and if they still exist only then you assault them.

You can also do this to any infantry transports the got careless. Pop the transport with Exorchists, Inferno pistols on passengers then assault. (or if you think that opponent will disembark any passengers out of your range, then Seraphim will pop the transport and EXO shoots the passengers)

[ArmouredWing]

Not only that but they look amazing with there organs and the sister playing it during the heat of battle, its a fantastic miniature to see.

(In my best Kenneth Williams voice!) Oooooo-Matron!

[Imperator Mos]

If you believe in your Exorcists, they will work very hard for you. You should always take 2. I dont know of any other tank that has the potential to be as devastating. I've had mine kill whole squads of Termies, characters, monstrous creatures, other vehicles obviously... my primary Exo even killed an Avatar in one round of shooting.

 

As far as your predator issue, an all LC pred and an Exorcist will usually go toe to toe. I find that scenario will come done to cover and dice. Of course, the Exorcist can manuever and be just as effective. The predator is just stuck there.

[SJumppanen]

As far as your predator issue, an all LC pred and an Exorcist will usually go toe to toe. I find that scenario will come done to cover and dice. Of course, the Exorcist can manuever and be just as effective. The predator is just stuck there.

 

Predator has one advantage, it has more weapons it can lose. Then again, it is also much more expensive in points.

[Mosk]

Thanks for all the input guys.

 

Now not to seem to much of a heretic, is it possible to not have a exorcist at all.

 

The way I have my army set up is a mass Witch Hunter army, not just Sisters of Battle, I have converted penitent engines (almost done converting), 9 sister repentia with mistress (and yes, they are converted daemonette bodies, and a ton of green stuff:) I am cheap) arbites, you know the whole inquisition feel. So do you really need an exorcist?

[ArmouredWing]

Thanks for all the input guys.

 

Now not to seem to much of a heretic, is it possible to not have a exorcist at all.

 

The way I have my army set up is a mass Witch Hunter army, not just Sisters of Battle, I have converted penitent engines (almost done converting), 9 sister repentia with mistress (and yes, they are converted daemonette bodies, and a ton of green stuff:) I am cheap) arbites, you know the whole inquisition feel. So do you really need an exorcist?

Well it's a double edged sword. On the one hand they really are the only means of playing against the tournie type rosters out there but one the other hand there are other options available which can do the job but not as quickly.

Other options are retributers with MM, immolators with MM, IST's but the best non exorcist option by far has to be IP seraphim. They can make a real mess of an opponents armour but it will take a couple of turns to get into range with them.

[march10k]

~shrug~ If you have two squads of seraphim with twinlinked inferno pistols, maybe you dont need any.... Me, I take one exorcist, one such squad of seraphim, and a leman russ at 1500 points...Battle cannons aren't half bad at tank hunting, in a pinch, and I have a hull lascannon (no sponsons) if that's blown off. The russ is scary enough that the exorcist doesn't get shot at (much).

[Mosk]

At the club I play at we don't haveany one with tournie based armies, We have for example, mass close hand combat tyranids ( I am one of three players with this) and two kroot only armies (I am one of these) A bunch of ork players (non vehicle ones) and a few space marines, and I think all together out of every single player at my club we may have 2 baneblades, and i think 6 or 7 land raiders (which I have one of those aswell) So My club is in it for the fun, and house rules <_<

 

I think I may run with 1 exorcist, 3 penitent engines, and a retributer squad with an immolator w/ either MM or Heavy Bolters (both for the infantry and the imolator)

 

I also for fast attack with probably have 1 squad of seraphem, 1 squad of dominions ( I love these :P ) and 1 squadron of a home rules sentinel like vehicle ( I am almost done building the first one)

 

For troops, I think 2 sisters of battle squads ( I dont know if I want them mounted or not) and then the rest arbites :)

 

Elite I will run atleast 10 sister repentia

 

HQ I have no clue, I want to get a living saint in there.

[SJumppanen]

Thanks for all the input guys.

 

Now not to seem to much of a heretic, is it possible to not have a exorcist at all.

 

The way I have my army set up is a mass Witch Hunter army, not just Sisters of Battle, I have converted penitent engines (almost done converting), 9 sister repentia with mistress (and yes, they are converted daemonette bodies, and a ton of green stuff:) I am cheap) arbites, you know the whole inquisition feel. So do you really need an exorcist?

 

Well, i don't think that EXO is mandatory, but it does help a lot. Also, it is pretty much only longrange support we can get, unless you take IG in your army.

[Inquisitor Fox]

Well, i don't think that EXO is mandatory, but it does help a lot. Also, it is pretty much only longrange support we can get, unless you take IG in your army.

Or a Land Raider like my Inquisitor's ride... there's a lot to be said for two twin-linked lascannons on an AV14 vehicle :no:

[SJumppanen]

Well, i don't think that EXO is mandatory, but it does help a lot. Also, it is pretty much only longrange support we can get, unless you take IG in your army.

Or a Land Raider like my Inquisitor's ride... there's a lot to be said for two twin-linked lascannons on an AV14 vehicle ;)

 

I know few guys who base their army on that LR, in addition they take 2 Exos and some Seraphims. All else is pretty much left out. Acording to him, most enemies waste their firepower to LR and ignore EXOs that get to level everything else away, so Seraphim and mandatory troops just mop up what is left.

[Celestine]

From experience I have to say 3 exorcists is the way to go. Not that I really enjoyed spending the money but the Retributors just dont really cut it for me and nothing kills MEQs like an Exorcist. I hate to say it but I have a hard time thinking you would be competitive without em.

 

The big pros I see are:

1. Cost: 135 is an awesome deal, for possibly one of the best tank/dreadnought/marine killer in the game.

2. Target: People will throw everything they got at em just to get a shot at penetrating the 13 armor. Giving you time to move those rhinos up.

3. Marine and tank death. The last tournament I played in was almost 80% SMs or CSMs. All I played was Marines with those new Heroes and there is nothing as fun as throwing a Exorcist rocket into Vulkan's face.

 

For using them, personally I like to try and focus fire on enemy armor and present the Front Armor to the enemy to draw fire from my Sisters rolling up in tanks.

[Crayoneater]

AP1... the +1 to damage result has the Excorcist a must in your army list, if you're in tournament play 3 may doc you points so grab a squad of Rets and 2 Exorcists. Keep your list lean and maximize those troops choices to ensure you concentrate on the primary and secondary objectives! It's not about damage anymore!