Starting Sisters of Battle? (like me?) ask questions here!

[9x19 Parabellum]

Hey all.

 

4x Astartes, Tau, Necron, Knight, Durkhari and AdMech player here, and I've gotten bit by the Sororitas bug.

 

I'm going to start a sisters army but I'm not sure where to start.

 

I know what I don't want and that's a lot of the sillier over-the-top heavy support models. Apart from Rhinos, I don't care for the Sororitas vehicle aesthetic.

 

I also am not a huge fan of the non-sisterly type infantry choices such as Assasins, Crusaders and Arco-flagellants.  I'm not adverse to getting them if they are absolutely necessary, but I don't want to build a whole force around them. 

 

Aside from that...does anyone have any guidance to offer?  I want NUNs in my sisters army.  I'm open to any order, as they all look cool but I'd probably stay away from any of the "black" orders as I already collect Black Templar, Iron Hands and Raven Guard and need to move my color-pallet away from black :-)  I also collect Blood Angels, so Bloody Rose is probably out.  Thus, Sacred Rose and Argent Shroud are probably where I'm leaning, but I could always do a "counts-as" color scheme.  I like the idea of running full 10 (wo)man squads; thus, is Sacred Rose a decent order? It seems sub-par compared to the others, especially considering Overwatch is now stratagem-activated.

 

As far as playstyle, I'm really open to anything; I've got sneaky armies (RG & Drukhari), shooty armies (Tau & Necron), close combat armies (Templar and Bangles), Vehicle armies (Iron Hands and Knights), so my preference would be to build around 1. Models and 2. Colors.  To that end I've made my opinion known: Nuns that are not in black power armor!

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks for your help. 

Edited August 29, 2020 by 9x19 Parabellum

[EmperorGTank]

Hey man welcome to the fold! There are plenty of others here who can probably do this better but if you are looking for purely nuns with guns I think I can help.

 

Start with a Canoness definitely, I like either a decent melee girl with a blessed blade/plasma pistol or a buff girl with the rid of office, power sword and plasma pistol. You can keep her cheap too if you want and go chainsword and bolt pistol just so she can buff. Big thing is to look at her wargear options and our FAQ, trust me when I say it's weird to say the least. After her you want a solid core of battle sisters, so grab a box or two and get going, you get 4 of each special in there too so feel free to kit them out however you want. You could get a third box and make some dominions too with all specials if you want, either meltaguns or storm bolters are best for them. For the basic girls feel free to go 2 cheap storm bolters and maybe a combi on the superior or if you want go all Holy Trinity with a melta, flamer, combi-weapon. It's up to you though until the weapon changes hit storm bolters are what we usually do to keep things cheap. Changes are coming though as we've seen. After that you want Retributors with Multi-Meltas or Heavy Bolters after the changes hit. If you end up going Ebon Chalice at some point Heavy Flamers are insane for 4CP max hits and rerolling to wound. 2CP per stratagem, it's pricey but can be devastating. Regardless without Exorcists Retributors and Seraphim are your main anti Tank. Seraphim you want a box or two of, give them inferno pistols and have them either drop in to melt something for a free round of shooting and +6 inch range to their pistols (so all their weapons) or have them jump across the board in a blob of 10 scoring stuff or Tank hunting. Beyond that you can look at some more support characters like a Hospitaller to keep bringing girls back or our Imagifier that can have your girls ignore AP -1, give +1 strength or both! Zephyrim are pricey but with the power sword getting buffed they will offer some decent non repentia melee punch, strength 4 rerolling failed wounds isn't bad. Celestians can also have a place though I barely use my squad of them personally, they have the more intricate helmets and bodyguard the characters plus they get full rerolls to hit while near a Canoness, other than that they are just veteran battle sisters.

 

Beyond these units there aren't many other true nuns in the army. Triumph of St Katherine isn't bad for buffing if you are going mainly footslogging, and of course Repentia, the ex nuns, in a rhino are scary melee, though be sure to get a mistress if you do that, the box comes with her and 8 or 9 girls I believe.

 

I can't help you too much on Sacred Rose or Argent Shroud, I'm mostly a Valorous Heart/Ebon Chalice player cuz of fluff and I use a custom scheme that fights like one those two orders usually. But if you want to run 10 woman squads and not MSU then I think Sacred Rose is definitely the better way to go between the two orders.

 

Anyway hope this has helped you a bit, Canoness, Imagifier, Hospitaller, Battle Sisters, Celestians, Dominions, Retributors, Seraphim and Zephyrim are your main "nuns" in the army. Most of the boxes build the basic girls interchangeably with the specialized ones or are dual kits so just look and see what you like best!

[Aqui]

Hello and welcome to the Sisterhood! :)

 

Regarding the Immolator and Exorcist. Whilst I understand you dont like their appearance, I do think you should consider getting at least one of them. You could get a Whirlwind and use that as an Exorcist, or use a Razorback with an appropriate representation of the flamers as an Immolator. Removes the aesthetic, but allows you to use the vehicle itself. Your Order could be more critical of ostentatious displays of devotion :)

 

Also, you mention not wanting a black armoured army. There is nothing to stop you from creating your own Order and using the Order rules of, say Valorous Heart etc. My own Order is a DIY Order off shoot of the Valorous Heart with white armour.

 

Whilst we dont know anything about her rules wise, dont forget that we have the Palatine (Sisters Lieutenant equivalent) due to show eventually. Depending on her points cost and or abilities, she may be a viable HQ to take.

[9x19 Parabellum]

This is all very helpful.  I'm thinking the exorcist with a different weapon on top would be fine for me as i like the basic rhino chassis. 

[RolandTHTG]

Forge World used to sell a Sanctorum Pattern Exorcist, that was basically a whirlwind turret on a Sister's rhino. (Seen here)

I see no reason you couldn't use a current whirlwind turret to do a similar update. 

[Dread]

I'm gonna address the exorcist model. I'm not to big on the kit either or its predecessor. My advice is just use whirlwinds. Or kit bash like I did.

 

Hope this helps. I have 3 and will always field at least 2 depending on points for game. Keep in mind that your opponent is gonna take their strong units to try to win at any cost.

[Purifying Tempest]

Argent Shroud is the scoot-n-shoot army right?  I'd probably advocate them.

 

They're in silver armor, so not black...

 

They can advance and shoot as if they didn't... so you get enhanced mobility without needing to dive into the vehicle range too deep.

 

As for units... I think Dominions (with Stormbolters and Flamers) are probably not a bad look in Argent Shroud.  Again, they give you a head start on getting into the board control fight.

 

Anti-armor would probably be the glaring weakness in this set-up though.  And you'll probably want some of the Whirlwind conversions for Exorcists, it is a really good tank.

 

If you're not too opposed to Mortifiers, they're probably not a terrible addition, either.  They're just soft enough to be an enticing target to relieve some of the attention on your T3 3+ troops.

 

But if I was going to Argent Shroud?  I'd probably focus on Dominions and battle sisters, the season to taste with other units (but likely get an Exorcist or two in there).  And of course, Canoness is required, but you may want to drop a Celestine in there, too.  She's a good model in our range, and would definitely enjoy the extra range that the Argent Shroud has with their movement.  Keeping her behind slow moving boots always feels like a loss for me :)

 

10 lady squads are probably good for troops, having just a couple of squads though.  I don't think Sacred Rose or Argent Shroud particularly do 10 sister squads well enough for mention... I think that privilege probably belongs to Valorous Heart and Our Martyred Lady.

 

Bloody Rose Zephyrim still are phenomenal... I think bloody rose as an army is pretty niche, but using a Vanguard of Bloody Rose Zephyrim will probably play a lot like Death Company.  My current vanguard is 1 Celestine, 1 Hospitaller, and 2x5 Zephyrim.  Not a huge footprint, and Celestine and the Hospitaller don't particularly care about <ORDER>, so they can fill the spots without bloating the Bloody Rose models in the army (they actually hang out with my core Valorous Heart for buffs and ressing).  Still gives me turn 2 and 3 Zephyrim drops with miracle dice to ensure the charge... and Tear It Down to make their wound rolls reasonable (which are only going to get better with +1 STR).

 

If you're committed to Sacred Rose, definitely play them, though... but I'd give Argent Shroud a solid look.

[toaae]

=][=

 

Since debating a terrain trait isn't exactly helping a new Sororitas player start their collection, I have split and moved the posts to their own topic in the Official Rules sub-forum. Please continue discussion there.

 

Please keep on topic. Thank you.

 

=][=

Edited August 28, 2020 by toaae

[9x19 Parabellum]

Argent Shroud is the scoot-n-shoot army right?  I'd probably advocate them.

 

They're in silver armor, so not black...

 

They can advance and shoot as if they didn't... so you get enhanced mobility without needing to dive into the vehicle range too deep.

 

As for units... I think Dominions (with Stormbolters and Flamers) are probably not a bad look in Argent Shroud.  Again, they give you a head start on getting into the board control fight.

 

Anti-armor would probably be the glaring weakness in this set-up though.  And you'll probably want some of the Whirlwind conversions for Exorcists, it is a really good tank.

 

If you're not too opposed to Mortifiers, they're probably not a terrible addition, either.  They're just soft enough to be an enticing target to relieve some of the attention on your T3 3+ troops.

 

But if I was going to Argent Shroud?  I'd probably focus on Dominions and battle sisters, the season to taste with other units (but likely get an Exorcist or two in there).  And of course, Canoness is required, but you may want to drop a Celestine in there, too.  She's a good model in our range, and would definitely enjoy the extra range that the Argent Shroud has with their movement.  Keeping her behind slow moving boots always feels like a loss for me

 

10 lady squads are probably good for troops, having just a couple of squads though.  I don't think Sacred Rose or Argent Shroud particularly do 10 sister squads well enough for mention... I think that privilege probably belongs to Valorous Heart and Our Martyred Lady.

 

Bloody Rose Zephyrim still are phenomenal... I think bloody rose as an army is pretty niche, but using a Vanguard of Bloody Rose Zephyrim will probably play a lot like Death Company.  My current vanguard is 1 Celestine, 1 Hospitaller, and 2x5 Zephyrim.  Not a huge footprint, and Celestine and the Hospitaller don't particularly care about <ORDER>, so they can fill the spots without bloating the Bloody Rose models in the army (they actually hang out with my core Valorous Heart for buffs and ressing).  Still gives me turn 2 and 3 Zephyrim drops with miracle dice to ensure the charge... and Tear It Down to make their wound rolls reasonable (which are only going to get better with +1 STR).

 

If you're committed to Sacred Rose, definitely play them, though... but I'd give Argent Shroud a solid look.

 

This is fantastic, thanks.  Definitely the kind of high-level summary I was looking for.  I'm strongly warming up to the kitbashed Excorcists, so that might be a do-able thing. Sooo much stuff to digest....

[9x19 Parabellum]

Ok so what is the point of Celestians?  They have buffed WS and Attacks, but no really good way to leverage that as only the Superior can take a melee weapon.  Sure you have the bodyguard and Sworn Protectors special rule, but they just seem inefficient as you are no doubt paying extra points for that extra WS and 2nd attack and you really can't compound it very well.

[Joukernaut]

Celestians have acces to full rerolls to hit if near a canoness and full rerolls to hit and wound via a stratagem. The extra attack and WS becomes very useful if played as bloody rose. Bloody rose gives them +1A and AP-1, a preacher gives them a further extra +1A, an imaginer can give them +1S, you now have 41 attacks at S4 with AP-1 (or 3 at AP-3 if you give a power sword to the superior) with full retools to hit and to wound. As bloody rose you can also give them +1 to wound with a stratagem.

The melee aspect becomes less valuable but not completely insignificant in another order, but they still could get full rerolls to hit near a canoness or to hit and wound with the strat. They can also help keeping your imaginer alive from snipers with their bodyguard rule.

All this while being only 1 point more expensive than a regular battle sister.

[Indefragable]

I wish Celestians could all take Condemnir boltguns. For Rule of Cool and have slightly more defined roll on the table.

[General Strike]

Should I start another thread for my starting Sisters questions? I don't want to hijack their thread.

[Indefragable]

Should I start another thread for my starting Sisters questions? I don't want to hijack their thread.

Ditto. Maybe a catch-all thread for new SoB players?

[ThePenitentOne]

The point of Celestians is to Sniper-proof your characters.

 

They're also decent if you Bloody Rose them up.

 

Sacred Rose lend themselves to a Faith Battery build due to their ability to recover Miracle Dice- so make sure you rock Incensor Cherubs and Simulacra. Fun fact: the Cherub MD has to be used by the squad who burns the Cherub on the turn they burn it, but if you pass your MD recovery roll, that limited MD comes back to you as a generic MD which can be used without restrictions.

 

To maximize Faith, you can also include a Beacon of Faith WL, a Battle Sanctum, and the Triumph.

 

If you don't Exorcist, drop Seraphim with Inferno Pistols and Deadly Descent can help with anti-tank, but that's only 1 DD per turn. A whole drop force would look good- 3 Seraphim + 3 Zephyrim + Celestine + Geminae, but that really wants Bloody Rose to maximize the impact of your Zephyrs.

[9x19 Parabellum]

As the OP for this thread, I'm perfectly happy for any and all new SoB players to glom on to this thread!

[Indefragable]

@9x19 thanks brother. I too am exploring SoB and do not want to paint red+black as much as I can help it due to my extensive BA collection.

 

Couple questions for the vets:

 

-heavy bolters on Troop squads? I’m thinking 5 gal min squads for OBJ holding, while bumping out Retributors to have ablative wounds

 

-which units should have Simulacrum vs which are they excess? Is it the sort of thing where if you have the points, there’s 0 downside? Is there an order of priority for units to have then? Again, my gut says heavy or special weapons would be the priority.

 

-Dominions with storm bolters seem like the go-to build for that unit. Any point even bothering to play around with meltas on them?

 

-Power swords or maces on any Sgts? Or just save the points?

 

-Again, if the points are available, is it worth it to put a combi-flamer on a Sister Superior in a melta squad to have access to the holy trinity stratagem? Or a combi-melta with heavy flamer Reteibutors? Etc... I know it’s not the greatest Strategem but I like the idea of being able to have if you my sleeve every third game or such.

 

My plan is to do counts-as Valorous Heart for a footslogging guard army of Retributors and Celestians surrounding both a Cannonness and Imagifier with the 9” range boosts as they escort the Triumph of St Katherine up the board. Troop squads sit on OBJ (hence the question about heavy bolters) and Dominions are the screens to flesh out enemy. Will hopefully add an Exorcist and an Immolator down the line since they are iconic.

Edited August 29, 2020 by Indefragable

[General Strike]

Thanks @ 9x19 Parabellum

 

I'm planning to run Our Martyred Lady army, and was wondering what you guys thought the best way to build an army for them is. I picked up a box of battle sisters this week from my FLGS, and I pre-purchased a box of Retributors and a Canoness for when he gets them in too. I was thinking I would use Seraphims with Inferno Pistols, MM Rets, and Exorcists for my anti armor, then arm my Battle Sisters with Flamers or Bolters for infantry killing. I was also planning to buy into more sisters rather than transports to get the most out of the Martyred Lady trait.

 

Oh, and should I be building my sisters squads to be squads of 5, because of blast?

Edited August 30, 2020 by General Strike

[EmperorGTank]

@9x19 thanks brother. I too am exploring SoB and do not want to paint red+black as much as I can help it due to my extensive BA collection.

 

Couple questions for the vets:

 

-heavy bolters on Troop squads? I’m thinking 5 gal min squads for OBJ holding, while bumping out Retributors to have ablative wounds

 

-which units should have Simulacrum vs which are they excess? Is it the sort of thing where if you have the points, there’s 0 downside? Is there an order of priority for units to have then? Again, my gut says heavy or special weapons would be the priority.

 

-Dominions with storm bolters seem like the go-to build for that unit. Any point even bothering to play around with meltas on them?

 

-Power swords or maces on any Sgts? Or just save the points?

 

-Again, if the points are available, is it worth it to put a combi-flamer on a Sister Superior in a melta squad to have access to the holy trinity stratagem? Or a combi-melta with heavy flamer Reteibutors? Etc... I know it’s not the greatest Strategem but I like the idea of being able to have if you my sleeve every third game or such.

 

My plan is to do counts-as Valorous Heart for a footslogging guard army of Retributors and Celestians surrounding both a Cannonness and Imagifier with the 9” range boosts as they escort the Triumph of St Katherine up the board. Troop squads sit on OBJ (hence the question about heavy bolters) and Dominions are the screens to flesh out enemy. Will hopefully add an Exorcist and an Immolator down the line since they are iconic.

In response to a few of your points, this is what I have learned from my limited games with them in 8th and watching a myriad of available 9th edition batreps.

 

- I think, competitively speaking, if anything storm bolters on sister squads is still the way to go, keep them cheap if they are just holding objectives. Keep heavy bolters on the Rets, I personally have found plenty of success with both HB and MM Ret squads depending on the opponent. I do see the value of having one HB in a squad camping a backfield objective, but would consider that more of a fluffy narrative choice than a competitive one.

 

- Simulacrum I think is only really worth it on specialist squads, so Rets and Doms, where you need that extra wound for Blessed Bolts or that extra 6 on damage for MM Rets.

 

- I still use melta dominions occasionally in an immolator but I do agree that storm bolters are i think the main way to go. Before you get that exorcist though I think having MM rets plus a squad of melta doms would be good anti tank unless you go inferno pistol seraphim.

 

- I keep my superiors with chainswords personally. I prefer power swords but until they officially go to +1 strength its not worth it. If you really wanted to run anything mauls are the way to go, though I personally just don't like it from a fluff perspective. I keep my biss ladies cheap but if you wish to give them power weapons I would say mauls are best.

 

- I struggle with that same question constantly honestly. I refer to my answer about the Simulacrum, I think on specialist squads it can be useful. Combi flamer on MM rets or Melta doms, i have also had some success with combi melta or plasma on a heavy bolter Ret squad. If its meant to do something specific, kit the squad out so it can make use of everything the codex offers.

 

Again I have only played a few games with them in 8th and none in 9th yet, so take with some salt, but these are my observations. Vehicles going forward are I think going to be big, especially in Valorous Heart, and I do play Valorous Heart or Ebon Chalice almost exclusively.

Edited August 30, 2020 by EmperorGTank

[Indefragable]

 

@9x19 thanks brother. I too am exploring SoB and do not want to paint red+black as much as I can help it due to my extensive BA collection.

 

Couple questions for the vets:

 

-heavy bolters on Troop squads? I’m thinking 5 gal min squads for OBJ holding, while bumping out Retributors to have ablative wounds

 

-which units should have Simulacrum vs which are they excess? Is it the sort of thing where if you have the points, there’s 0 downside? Is there an order of priority for units to have then? Again, my gut says heavy or special weapons would be the priority.

 

-Dominions with storm bolters seem like the go-to build for that unit. Any point even bothering to play around with meltas on them?

 

-Power swords or maces on any Sgts? Or just save the points?

 

-Again, if the points are available, is it worth it to put a combi-flamer on a Sister Superior in a melta squad to have access to the holy trinity stratagem? Or a combi-melta with heavy flamer Reteibutors? Etc... I know it’s not the greatest Strategem but I like the idea of being able to have if you my sleeve every third game or such.

 

My plan is to do counts-as Valorous Heart for a footslogging guard army of Retributors and Celestians surrounding both a Cannonness and Imagifier with the 9” range boosts as they escort the Triumph of St Katherine up the board. Troop squads sit on OBJ (hence the question about heavy bolters) and Dominions are the screens to flesh out enemy. Will hopefully add an Exorcist and an Immolator down the line since they are iconic.

In response to a few of your points, this is what I have learned from my limited games with them in 8th and watching a myriad of available 9th edition batreps.

 

- I think, competitively speaking, if anything storm bolters on sister squads is still the way to go, keep them cheap if they are just holding objectives. Keep heavy bolters on the Rets, I personally have found plenty of success with both HB and MM Ret squads depending on the opponent. I do see the value of having one HB in a squad camping a backfield objective, but would consider that more of a fluffy narrative choice than a competitive one.

 

- Simulacrum I think is only really worth it on specialist squads, so Rets and Doms, where you need that extra wound for Blessed Bolts or that extra 6 on damage for MM Rets.

 

- I still use melta dominions occasionally in an immolator but I do agree that storm bolters are i think the main way to go. Before you get that exorcist though I think having MM rets plus a squad of melta doms would be good anti tank unless you go inferno pistol seraphim.

 

- I keep my superiors with chainswords personally. I prefer power swords but until they officially go to +1 strength its not worth it. If you really wanted to run anything mauls are the way to go, though I personally just don't like it from a fluff perspective. I keep my biss ladies cheap but if you wish to give them power weapons I would say mauls are best.

 

- I struggle with that same question constantly honestly. I refer to my answer about the Simulacrum, I think on specialist squads it can be useful. Combi flamer on MM rets or Melta doms, i have also had some success with combi melta or plasma on a heavy bolter Ret squad. If its meant to do something specific, kit the squad out so it can make use of everything the codex offers.

 

Again I have only played a few games with them in 8th and none in 9th yet, so take with some salt, but these are my observations. Vehicles going forward are I think going to be big, especially in Valorous Heart, and I do play Valorous Heart or Ebon Chalice almost exclusively.

 

 

I appreciate the response. I'm torn between Storm bolter Dominions to clear chaff for Inferno pistol Seraphim, or hand flamer Seraphim to clear chaff for melta Dominions. I would do one of each, but I'm trying to keep model count (painting + $) within a certain reason if I can help it. 

 

Celestians can all take Special Weapons, right? Since we tend to be light on AT, what about inferno Seraphim, Melta Dominions, and MM Retributors and make Celestians and HB Troop units the anti-infantry sweepers?

[EmperorGTank]

Celestians can only take the one special, one heavy like normal BSS unfortunately. I would suggest either inferno Seraphim, MM Rets and Melta Doms for AT with all Storm Bolter BSS or maybe one SB Celestian squad if you want OR go Inferno seraphim with SB Dominions as you said. The MM rets can stay as main AT, though I also see that HB ret squad being big with 2 damage HB's coming against 2 wound marines. All things to consider but as of this moment MM rets and inferno seraphim are the way to go if you want infantry AT. Keep the BSS cheap. When you get some vehicles you can start playing around with more.

[Uberlord Gendo]

All my data is from 8th, so take that into account, but I'm a fan of giving my base sisters storm bolters. The idea is that I'm usually moving my sisters squads around and using them for screening, objectives, and weight of fire so the investment in a weapon that works best when sitting still and is more expensive seems questionable to me.

At the same time, if your game plan involves sitting still, then those extra heavy weapons, particularly the marine killing heavy bolters seem reasonable. I think part of it will come down to the role of troops in 9th. I think Valorous Heart squads with an HB will be decent at that take and hold, but I'm curious to see what the special secondaries and crusade goals for Sisters end up being. I'm always in favor of getting rewarded for charging at the enemy like a maniac.

 

I tend to go HS heavy and while Retributors have been a bit overpriced, the changes to multimeltas and heavy bolters may justify that price. It's also going to make Mortifiers even better. This said, my general approach to tank hunting is to use Exorcist missiles and then run up and have penitents hit them with giant chainswords and saws the way the Emperor intended. If He had wanted us to sit back and kill vehicles at a range, He would have given us some sort of vehicle melting ray. This said, I really like melta Seraphim because you can get them basically anywhere and take advantage of positioning mistakes your opponent makes. If they can't screen you out, you can really punish them for it. I used them to tag vehicles in melee, too, but with 9th, that won't work as well, but the same theory should apply to a lot of heavy support infantry units like Havocs and or (traitor) guard HS squads.

I think the major shift we're going to have to deal with in the meta is drop pods, since the competitive brainlets have finally realized those are good. (And with devs/sternguard/company vets getting a second wound, they're going to be amazing.) In that regard, we'll just need to screen better, since there's not much difference between a grav cannon and bolt rifle if you're a sister with 4++, but a drop pod squad can get line of sight on those mortifiers you so cleverly hid.

 

I also highly recommend the Battle Sanctum. It ensures you've got a good bit of terrain that also gives you miracle dice.

[9x19 Parabellum]

OK another noob question here:

 

I've heard inquisitors mentioned with respect to being included in a SoB army. Where do I find the datasheet for these, and what are the rules for integrating them into a battle forged SoB army without losing the varioius orderly buffs, sacred rites, etc?

[TheFinisher4Ever]

OK another noob question here:

 

I've heard inquisitors mentioned with respect to being included in a SoB army. Where do I find the datasheet for these, and what are the rules for integrating them into a battle forged SoB army without losing the varioius orderly buffs, sacred rites, etc?

The latest Inquisition rules are in Psychic Awakening: Pariah.

[9x19 Parabellum]

Here's a shot of my new sisters. Coming along slowly:

Edited September 14, 2020 by 9x19 Parabellum