"Battle Sisters" review

[Pandalicker90]

White Dwarf Battle Sister Codex Review
By: Pandalicker90

Before we get in depth into this review which may seem long I would like to point out point of views may vary between us, and despite my severe criticism I do still play sisters because I love them.
The only codex I have ever felt so short handed compared to this was the Necrons 4th ed.

Fluff:
To understand several decisions made by the writer of the codex you must first understand how the game works both by mechanic and in Fluff. Sisters of battle have changed from witch hunters to better represent their out standing fluff history. How does this happen to better them in fluff?
(+)The sisters are the personal army of the ecclesiarchy (The Church) in the 40k world do to the Imperial law that forbids them from Men-At-Arms. Sisters are not men so they are the loop hole to this law. To show this the only male models in the army are Priests, Crusaders (Labeled as bodygaurd not men-at-arms), Arco-flaggelents and penitent engine drivers (Not always male, but arecriminals being put to a useful death sentence).
Army Rules:


The army rules section is the first part to any Codex, and one of the sections that most affects the army as a whole. In the “Sisters of Battle” there is very little to truly read, but each item has an extensive explanation.


Faith points are now earned by rolling a D6 at the start of a players turn rather than set by a number of faithful models. This would allow for a wider choice of options IF they had not removed most of your options any way. I give this system an over all Equal score to the old rules.



Faith point Modifiers are now based on if you have a independent character, Squad leader, or if a sister died in the unit. Rather than the number of models in the unit. Also the set role to beat is now 5+. Over all I find this new version a fairer chance to work or fail than the older method. Which means it is unreliable, and can not be worth as much as they praise it to be. (Where half the faith always passed if used at the start, and the other half always failed until you lost a lot of units.)


Shield of Faith is amazing, but I think this invulnerable save should be cumulative to others. Such as Rosarius.


HQ:


Canoness:
(+)One of the coolest plus sides to the Canoness they have given is the Stubborn rule rather than fearless. This takes the army apart from many others whose leaders tend to just be fearless. This fits into the fluff of sisters who are just to stubborn or zealous to back off, even when wetting themselves, but will flee if the terror is to much to face.


(-)The passion amazing, but sisters have no good melee units other than Repentia who always strike last any how. You are pretty forced to attach her to a conclave.



(-)I disagree STRONGLY with the lack of decent options or unique accessories to this amazing HQ. With only two non character choices and neither having any nice abilities (Jacobus can not do 100 times better with) it almost forces you to Jacobus over a Canoness. There should be more wargear options such as a jet pack, Sacred weapon, or a book to give her stubborn rule an aura affect. This would make her more game worthy.


Command Squad:
(+)A retinue for the Canoness that brings two worthy things to the table really. A hospitaler and the Dialogus. (-)Other than these two models the unit has nothing special about them compared to an ordinary celestian squad.



(-)Would be amazing to have several changes such as:

• Additional celestian option
• Special wargear like other retinues get
• Endless crusade is useless on this squad!

Ecclesiarcy Priest's:
(+)There is not much to say about these. They were done right! Opening up the conclave selections while performing a role in any unit they join is two very nice things. Because Conclaves are WORTH their purchase, and they are more of an attachment role in my opinion, Compared to the Canoness who should really LEAD the army to victory.


Kyrinov:
(+)Gives something I personally think should be unique to him for the army, Fearless aura.


(+) Heightened Fervor, Righteous Rage are amazing benefits


(+) Great wargear on this old man.


Jacobus:
(+)This is probably the most amazing character in the army at the moment. With the Banner of Sanctity any unit he joins instantly becomes amazing. Topped off with Stubborn, Rosarius, and an epic shotgun!


Saint Celestine:
(+)Miraculous Intervention.
(-) Should have eternal warrior to make Miraculous Intervention even stronger, but may be to strong. Would have to play test a lot.



Coclave:
(+) Perfection has a name!
Elites:


Priests:
(+) Great attachment character
(-) Should give stubborn too


Repentia:
(+) Perfection has a name!


Celestian Squad:
(-) Good unit, but not for the cost of a marine.

(-) needs more for their marine like point cost, like furious charge or special ammunition.
(-) Do not think Hand of emperor should give fearless, Obviously I dislike this rule in the sisters!






Troops:


Battle Sisters:


(+) Is a nice unit
(-) Is only troop choice
(-) Is only troop choice
(-) Is only troop choice
(-) Is only troop choice
Fast Attack:
I will not even touch this section at the moment as i find it perfectly fine if not lacking a third option.



Heavy Support:


Penitent Engine:


(+) Fine as is


Retribution Squad:


(+) Good heavy option
(-) Divine Guidance just does not go with the melta's at all. Should swap with Endless crusade


Exorcist Launcher:
Perfection has a name!


Opinion on army:
I am fully aware that this is just “Fan raving” and that the authority falls all in the lap of Games Workshop, but my opinion as a long time gamer that loves the sisters of battle should stand to be at least heard at some level.


I believe that the sisters should not have fearless unless given by a special character or are Repentia. Reason: Stubborn fits the army much better by fluff. Sisters are courageous and fanatic, but not crazed...for the most part (Repentia).


I think there should be more than one option for a troop choice.

[jmg202]

the things in my opinion that would fix the army is,one give the engines fleet. two as stated above the celestians need something cause as is there is no reason to take them.

i also think that the retributors should have two acts of faith, the relentless one and rending just not at the same time. over all though i think its definitly a playable codex

[yWizePapaSmurfy]

Here's a my version:

The White Dwarf Sisters of Battle Codex: Meltas in boxes 1.1.

Only problem is, we lose all "flavor" in doing so. We lose -

- "Fast" Razorbacks with a fire point
- Flexible Faith Powers
- Choices (3 Troops before - Sisters, Stormtroopers, and Auxilia? (Police))
- Allies (admittedly a bit strong, I suppose)
- The ability to neuter/wreck Psykers (Big no-no, they are of the Ordo Hereticus are they not? Witch Hunters yes? Where are the anti-psyker stuffs?)
- Stubborn on 1 unit the Canoness joins? Compared to a 6" bubble where EVERY UNIT AROUND HER gains Stubborn? Silly me, trix are for kids.

And what do we gain?

- Some useful powers
- Consistency with other rulebooks and powers
- Not gain but kept - MM Razors

Meh really. I see the Sisters as is as "ok" but not great, and sadly the best idea I've heard yet for Sisters is using their models and using Blood Angels rules to get nearly the same, if not BETTER, Immolator spam army that was so awesome at the beginning of 5E. (Better? It has BS 4 Fire support in Devestators/Predators. Worse? It lost the allies and Book of St. Lucius)

Other than that, I'll be happy to share with you what I see as a good Sisters list is and it's rather boring with lots of sisters in boxes with melta, and Jacobus tagging along with some Sins/Crusader unit.