Penitent Engine

[Ravenfeld]

Hello...sisters? Haha.

 

I am wondering a few things, musing over concepts for my Iron Hands that simply MUST come into reality. However, I am curious about the Penitent Engine model. It is old, it is metal, and it is fairly static. My questions are thus:

 

• Is the model a pain to assemble?
• Is the model worth the price tag?
• Would converting this model cause me to want to end my existence on this earth?
• Would I be deemed a masochist is I were to buy and assemble/convert 6 of said monstrosities?
• If plastic sisters were to be released, would the PE be a first wave, second wave, or third wave release based on how useful it is in game terms? I mean, if it is super unpopular I imagine it wouldn't be a priority to cast in plastic.
• How does this model function on the table? I am extremely unfamiliar with SoB, so any insight would be dandy!

 

Think that about rounds it up! Any answers would be greatly appreciated. I won't ruin the surprise of what I am aiming to do, but it should be pretty damn cool when (if) it happens. Of course, your answers will definitely sway the future of this concept of mine.

Thanks in advance,

Raven

[Eddie Orlock]

 

• Is the model a pain to assemble?

Depends on your skill and familiarity with working with non-plastic kits. I'd reckon on pinning being required at least

 

• Is the model worth the price tag?

That's a personal call.

 

• Would converting this model cause me to want to end my existence on this earth?

If it was easy, you'd gain no prestige.

 

• Would I be deemed a masochist is I were to buy and assemble/convert 6 of said monstrosities?

Do they come in squadrons now? Why six, why not just three?

 

• If plastic sisters were to be released, would the PE be a first wave, second wave, or third wave release based on how useful it is in game terms? I mean, if it is super unpopular I imagine it wouldn't be a priority to cast in plastic.

I never even contemplated playing them. They were always too fragile. So, given their perversity I'd expect them in the first wave with knock-em-dead stats.

 

• How does this model function on the table? I am extremely unfamiliar with SoB, so any insight would be dandy!

Fastish, fragile, easy to see, but choppy if you can get it there. Maybe as a counter assault unit. In the past I ran Arco-flagellants for a similar role.

[Ravenfeld]

Thanks Eddie.

 

I won't touch on the first three save by saying thanks for your insight.

 

As for the squadrons, well I won't be using them as Penitent Engines, I'm going to turn them into fast moving, death dealing machines for my Iron Hands, I won't be specific in what capacity, but if you can guess i'll confirm! ;)

 

I am definitely hoping you're right about them being in the first wave, of course who knows when that first wave might be?

 

Fast, fragile, and choppy. Almost on the mark save for that fragile bit there.. still, promising.

Thank you.

[ValourousHeart]

I would like to point out that the models are not that static.

It is a fair assumption given their age, but they are actually more posable than some of the newer kits.

 

Each joint (shoulder, hip and ankle) is a ball and socket style joint which gives great range of motion but is also very week without either a pin or skin/tendon.

 

I played a unit of 2-3 of PE a lot under our old codex, along with my 2 arco units.  All three were great enjoyment because the only choice you got with them was where to deploy them, then they ran off across the table and either died or smashed everything in reach.

[*Furyou Miko]

They're great fun and they hit like a freight train. Unfortunately, an I3 freight train, which means that they get slaughtered by marines with grenades.

 

Anything big or unwieldy, though? They go through bio-titans like buzz saws through paper.

 

Also, yes - they are squadrons now. 1-3 Penitent Engines are a heavy support choice.

[Fibonacci]

■ Is the model a pain to assemble?

■ YES!

■ Is the model worth the price tag?

■ In what way?  As a model to be built and displayed, it is too me.

■ Would converting this model cause me to want to end my existence on this earth?

■ In game terms, it does not need any conversion.  It comes with all the weapons it can have and there is no optional equipment. So I guess it all depends on how much conversion you want to do.  Add a banner or purity seals: simple.  Change the powerplant to look similar to a Dreadknight: challanging. 

■ Would I be deemed a masochist is I were to buy and assemble/convert 6 of said monstrosities?

■ Yes, but that goes well with the theme of the army in general and doubly so fopr the PE.

■ If plastic sisters were to be released, would the PE be a first wave, second wave, or third wave release based on how useful it is in game terms? I mean, if it is super unpopular I imagine it wouldn't be a priority to cast in plastic.

■ I don't have a clue.  The Chaos Helbrute (new dread) is a flavorful part of a CSM army but other than the static modle in the starter box, it has not been updated.

■ How does this model function on the table? I am extremely unfamiliar with SoB, so any insight would be dandy!

■ I could write a long story here but the key factor is that it has to compete for a Heavy slot with better units.  This is easier now with double FOC but can still be tight on points even at 2000.

 

Penitent Engines are a gamble.  If they get into range or get into close ombat, they generate a lot of high strength hits.  Between that and their dual heavy flamers they chew through hordes like candy.  

 

Now the downside.

Low AV for a walker.

Open topped so penitrating hits have a greater chance to destroy the vehicle.

Limited range with templates only.

Large model is easily seen and not easily obscured by low cover.

One is too easy to take out so they need to be taken in squadrons of 2 or 3.  This can get costly on points quickly.

 

All this together does not make them a bad unit.  They do have problems and it can be hard to get them where they can do some damage.  But what keeps them from seeing much game time are Exorcists and Retributors with rending weapons.  Both are strong ranged options in a codex with few long ranged choices and they need the same slot as the risky engines.

[Ravenfeld]

Thanks for the insight ladies & gents!

 

I have been informed by a friend of mine that not only are they a sheer nightmare to assemble, but that they are also fragile to the point of snapping at the ankles and, being metal, have a tendency to have paint chip and rub off just by existing. These factors, while disappointing, are cause enough for me to consider holding off and waiting for an alternative to come along for this project of mine. Whether that be plastic variants in the future, or some other GW generated monstrosity that fits the bill.

 

Truth be told I was going to make a neat conversion using these babies as "mech suits" for my Iron Hands to represent thunder wolf cavalry in my force. Remove the penitent member, replace with a Mk III marine, add some armour plating, a couple of shield generators to represent storm shields, etc. Woulda been a fun little project to be sure, but nothing gets me down more than models disassembling themselves in transit.

 

Thanks again!

Raven

 

PS: Nothing I hate more than paint chipping off in transit for no conceivable reason.. my damn Tfire cannon / tech marine can't keep paint on them for the life of me.

[*Furyou Miko]

For painting metal and resin models, I find that using an undercoat of enamel paint really helps with preventing the that wierd flaking-off phenomena.

[Ravenfeld]

For painting metal and resin models, I find that using an undercoat of enamel paint really helps with preventing the that wierd flaking-off phenomena.

 

It isn't just flaking so much as it is a friction rub off. The models chaff as they are extracted and replaced into the foam carriers and it literally scrapes off the paint from the metal. Its the damnedest thing and it only happens with wholley metal models. It doesn't occur with models with metal parts, even models that are half metal, just fully metal ones. My Tfire is the prime culprit and has been "touched up" and resealed three times, yet it keeps happening.

[Fibonacci]

A good primer before painting and then topped with brush on varnish will prevent that.   Since all Sisters models are metal it is something you will need to contend with.