The Brazier vs. Combi-Flamer Debate

[Hepburn]

Hello Hello.

 

So this question has been bugging me ever since I got the inkling to start a Sisters army a couple of months ago. The question of course is "do i arm my Vet Superiors in my Battle Sister squads with a Brazier of Holy Fire or with a Combi-Flamer?!". Careful examination of the "weapons" section under the Battle Sisters entry says a Superior can exchange her bolter for a bolt pistol/CCW. Logic would then dicate that the Superior could then purchase a combi-flamer (and the obligatory BoSL) from the Armoury to add to her arsenal...or so I thought. At the top of the Witch Hunters Armoury section it reads that characters can have up to two weapons. Well, running the squad data through Armybuilder confirmed my fear that a character can only ever be given two weapons and further more, if a Vet Superior does exchange her bolter for a BP/CCW then she isnt allowed to purchase ANY other weapons from the Armoury.

 

As im sure most of you veteran Sisters player were aware of this, I ask the question; has this been GW confirmed?! Are our girls only capable of holding two things while the Space Wolves get away with carrying 3?! Injustice I tell you if this is true!

 

 

xoxo

Chance

[Chengar Qordath]

It's an unfortunate side effect of having an old and outdated codex; sisters are only allowed to have two weapons, and to make matters worse only one of those can be a two-handed weapon. When it comes to weapon upgrades, I believe it is universally accepted policy to allow swapping the bolter, bolt pistol, or chainsword for whatever gear you are replacing it with (such as taking a BP/CCW and then swapping the CCW for an Brazier, or taking a bolter, then swapping it out for a combi-flamer).

 

As for the brazier vs. combi-flamer debate, it largely depends on what other gear you want your character equipped with and what combat role you have in mind for the model/unit. Generally speaking, I find the combi-flamer preferable since sisters are much better off focusing on shooting (especially a standard veteran superior with Weapon Skill, Strength, and Initiative of 3). Even with models that are better off in close combat, I find the Brazier a bit lacking since the best close combat weapon for the Sisters of Battle, the Eviscerator, is a two-handed weapon. The Brazier is at its best when paired with another one-handed close combat weapon for the extra attack, and the Sisters of Battle do not really have any good one-handed close combat weapons.

 

Also, Armybuilder is not a very reliable source of information on how 40k works, since the programs can be buggy and the designers can get things wrong.

[WarriorFish]

Chengar is correct, and I also agree on the combi-flamer preference. Close combat isn't Sister's strength at all so a single shot flamer with a bolter is almost always the better option.

[Batface the Hat]

It depends a lot on whether you're shooting for fluff or function. If you're going for function, take the Combi-Bolter for sure. Your sisters will function best in a shooting role, and in combat don't kill units as much as Tarpit to remove them from the game. And yeah, its generally accepted that you can replace a models starting wargear with weapon options from the armoury. I could understand some jerks calling you on it, but.. Really? At the time the book was released, all armouries functioned that way, and all models purchased wargear that way. We however do not have one of those new-fangled books with models armed with 4 different weapons.

 

In an army based around fluff, sometimes the Brazier is a better option. Personally, since my own Order of the Black Phoenix was originally a lesser Order under Order of the Bloody Rose, the Sisters in my Order underwent similar training to Bloody Rose sisters. I try to represent that by having a more Close Combat oriented army, since Bloody Rose tended to lean towards that as well. Lots of Seraphim, and generally BP/CCW or Evis Superiors, as opposed to MOAR Bolter.

 

One thing to add, if you do opt to have a Bolt Pistol/CCW and swap out for a Brazier, remember to swap out the standard CCW, since Brazier's count as one anyway, and that way you can still Bolt Pistol fire after your Brazier is all used up. One shot is better than none, and you still get 3 close combat attacks.

 

-the Hat

[Eltnot]

Actually I'd go the other way and go with the brazier.

If you want to take an eviscerator, than you can't take a combi bolter as that's two two handed weapons. In any other situation it still let's you run around with a bolt pistol or power weapon.

 

My only problem has been coming up with a suitable item to represent the brazier, but I'm currently thinking of using hand flamers in a simple counts as one shot flamer.

[melvinmcsnatch]

I've started taking combi-melta instead, but in a pick between the C-flame and brazier, C-flame comes out on top.

[Azezel]

My only problem has been coming up with a suitable item to represent the brazier, but I'm currently thinking of using hand flamers in a simple counts as one shot flamer.

 

Something like this, as modelled by my Veteran Celestian Superior?

 

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/MCP1/BHF1.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/MCP1/BHF2.jpg

 

I wouldn't want her to hit me with it...

[Inquisitor Fox]

The GW Witch Hunters Acolyte has a staff/brazier sorta weapon modeled that could be stolen and used :whistling: