What to do with these sisters?

[Dark Dajin]

I'm wondering what to do with my sisters. I've been trying to make an armylist, but it's hard. I prefer to use the things I already own, with perhaps some elements of my DA.

 

Failing that, I'd love some advice on what to puchase. Please try to make suggestions that would give me the most bang for my buck as I'm quite strapped for cash.

 

Also some general tactics for the squad sizes and acts of faith would be nice.

 

I'm not sure as to the armysizes, but I think 1000 or 1700 are the general values used around here.

 

The list:

 

 

===============

Sisters of Battle

===============

 

HQ:

Adepta Sororitas Heroine

-Eviscerator

-Bolt Pistol

-Inferno Pistol

-Book of St. Lucius

-Cloak of St. Aspira

-Litanies of Faith

-Mantle of Ophelia

-Rosarius

 

Adepta Sororitas Heroine

-Combi-melta

-Close Combat Weapon

-Power Weapon

-Praesidium Protectiva

-Blessed Weapon

-Rosarius

 

===============

 

Elite:

Celestian [2]

-Heavy Bolter

 

Celestian [2]

-Heavy Flamer

 

Celestian

-Multi-melta

 

===============

 

Troops:

Battle Sister [41]

-Bolter

 

Battle Sister [5]

-Flamer

 

Battle Sister [5]

-Storm Bolter

 

Veteran Sister Superior [6]

-Chainsword

-Plasma Pistol

 

Imagifier [2]

 

===============

 

Fast Attack:

Seraphim [3]

-Twin Bolt Pistols

 

Seraphim [2]

-Twin Hand Flamers

 

Veteran Sister Superior

-Power Weapon

-Bolt Pistol

 

Veteran Sister Superior

-Power Weapon

-Plasma Pistol

 

===============

 

I also have two Razorbacks (from my DA) that could be used with my sisters.

[the jeske]

well you need 3-4 rhinos and 3 exorcists. some hvy flamers for squads would be nice , if you would decide to got vhy flamer/melta/combi melta way with your squads.

[Algesan]

Razorbacks could sub for Immolators/Exorcists, but you'd probably want another 3-4 Rhino based vehicles.

 

9 Sisters + VSS (BoSL), HF, Flamer, Rhino ~ 200 points.

 

Storm Bolters could sub in for meltas.

 

You can also sub in bolter armed Sisters into other units (Celestians) since you seem to be starting. That group probably was that way since the ones you list as Celestians won't make a valid squad.

 

Your Seraphim are a bit short to be a troop hunting squad (although, if possible you could have a couple of "counts as" Sisters floating along with), but you could use the hand flamers as twin inferno pistols.

 

There are several lists in the =I= list forum that you could build with these, with the biggest problem being lack of vehicles.

[Dark Dajin]

Yeah, the lack of vehicles is indeed one of my biggest problems. Just wish those Exorcist models weren't so expensive. I guess I could try to scrape some money together for an exorcist or two this christmas :D

 

But would I benefit more from purchasing sisters with melta's? Or even immolators?

[Eltnot]

Depending on where you live, try shopping around for your tanks. Here in Australia, I can buy an Exorcist for $100 AU. Last I checked on the US store, I could buy it for about $50 AU + plus about $20 AU postage. Try looking at conversion rates as you can often make great saving buy buying overseas.

 

If you don't like the exorcist model, people often convert SM Whirlwinds to count as them which is also cheaper.

 

To get more meltaguns, I buy the plastic SM ones off various bits stores. I then cut the bolter off the "Nadin Sally" model (the one holding her bolter out and pulling a grenade pin with her teeth) and replace it with the meltagun. It's simple and easy.

[WarriorFish]

I agree, some meltas and vehicles are what you seem to be lacking. As for squads sizes, 10 for mech and 14 for foot slogging works well. Tactics? Get close and unleash the bolters, flamers and meltas

 

It's easier to give advice with a list to consider, but the general rule of thumb is to carefully manage your forces. You need to get your units in together so they can support each other, for example combining efforts to wipe out an enemy squads to prevent getting counter charged. Mechanised is great for this, and also lets you manage your opponent's options better by using your metal boxes as shields/blockers. For foot slogging it's pretty much the same, only it needs more planning as you don't have the advantage of easy mobility.

[number6]

You need to mech up and you need to take melta guns. Rhinos and/or Immolators: spam them. This gives your force both resilience and mobility so you can maneuver your forces effectively. There is no other reliable way to get your melta guns and bolters into the spots they need to be.

 

Exorcists are quality choices, too. You can use SM Whirlwinds to represent Exorcists, they don't look all that different from the Forgeworld Exorcists.

[Fredegar Kadere]

The most common all-comers setup for a Sister troops squad is a Heavy Flamer and Meltagun. The heavy flamer for hurting most infantry units and the Melta for taking down vehicles and high toughness models. Eltnot's suggestion of getting a Marine/IG melta and replacing the grenade tosser Sister bolter is a cheap alternative to buying the actual meltagun sister model. Your Razerbacks can sub in as Rhinos easily enough. Most folks do not run Stormbolters on the units as they underperform for the price. Consider using them as a proxy (if your opponents don't mind) as Meltagunners.

 

Sisters lack long-range firepower so Exorcists are considered a must have. Getting a Whirlwind Missile Turret to stick on the back hatch of the Razorback and some plasticard/styrene panels to act as the 'fancy exorcist armour' works as a good proxy. Cut out the plasticard/styrene panels to match the sides and front of the Rhino Chassis, then make a second set. Trim out the middle from the second set so that it acts as a raised border. Print out on paper a fancy Fleur-de-lys or Relic or Scripture or whatnot in black and white to match the panel size. Glue the paper to the first panel, then glue the border panel on top of the paper, glue/magnetize/tack the completed panel to the side of your Rhino Chassis. Tada! <-(Not my idea, so no credit is taken) In large point games (1500+) consider running two or three Exorcists. The Exorcists can get taken out easily and are usually the primary target for most players familiar with the Sister army so the need for doubling up is important.

 

Retributors are often overlooked and can give a nice mid-long range firebase to work with in Objective missions. Consider a squad of four Heavy Bolter Sisters and Superior for any size point game. Heavy Bolters can glance to death most transport type vehicles.

 

Something to remember is that the Sisters, while a devastating short range army, are pitiful when it comes to close combat and assaults. For the most part you need to make sure that you concentrate fire against the enemy. Proper use of Faith abilities is paramount to keeping your squads alive. I have found that if I am in Turn 3 or 4 with most of my Faith Points still unused then I am losing the game. Consider Books of St Lucius on your tar-pit/HQ/and Seraphim squads. Consider giving your HQ, Celestians, and/or Seraphim an Eviscerator for dealing 'guaranteed kills'. You can make an Eviscerator from a Marine/IG chainsword and add a purity seal or two to it. If you do take Seraphim, they are pricy, keep them small and expand them out as you play higher point games. 8-9 Seraphim with Veteran is considered the ideal size as it gives about 50/50 odds of getting off any Faith power.

 

If you want to be mobile then consider giving all but one or two squads a Rhino. If your squad size allows go with an Immolator over a Rhino. Moving 12, disembarking, firing a TL Heavy Flamer, and a squad of Heavy Flamer/Melta/Flamer dakka dakka is painful for any foe. Blood Angels are red with envy. If you want to be foot slogging then consider giving any squad that can purchase an Immolator, an Immolater, even if they don't plan to ride in it. It acts as a good shield/deterent for the vulnerable Exorcist and to help give cover to your foot slogging troops.

 

For acquiring new models check E-bay, Craigslist, and your local gamers. E-bay is real hit or miss in the last few months with many listers charging more than GW does. Check under Sisters, SoB, Inquisition, Witch Hunter. The Sisters army is an old army and you would be surprised just how many of your local gamers out there have a handful of the models collecting dust in their bits bin.

 

Sisters have a steep learning curve, finding that balance of proper faith use and proper range to purge and cleanse and not geting tied up in return can take time. Enjoy the ride. If you are interested in my 1500 all-comer list just send me a PM.

[Dark Dajin]

Whodang, that is a lot of good info. Going to see if I can indeed scrounge up some actual Exorcist models, because they really do look sick, don't they? :confused:

 

As for the eviscerators, I believe I have some repentia lying around that were converted, so I should have some cut up eviscerators aswell.

And those melta's, I'd hate cutting up those sisters... so I'll wishlist those lasses for christmas :)

 

Whats with the e-bay sellers raising their prices on SoB anyway? :(

Asking 50 pounds for 9 sisters + VSS. I mean I still have two unopened squad boxes I bought for 30 euros a while back...

[Eltnot]

Whats with the e-bay sellers raising their prices on SoB anyway? <_<

Asking 50 pounds for 9 sisters + VSS. I mean I still have two unopened squad boxes I bought for 30 euros a while back...

Have you looked at what it costs to buy a squad from GW these days? If you do, you'll soon realise why the models are so expensive now. I'm just glad that I have most of the models that I want/need already and my future buying is limited.

[calypso2ts]

I converted my stormbolters to melta guns. You just grind out the bolter and replace it with a melta that you get from the SM bits. I think it costs 4 or 5 bucks to do and some time with a dremmel. Fill in with some green stuff and you are set.