I got my complete set of Sisters of Battle rules from White Dwarf and I have had a week or so of reading it and build lists, so I thought I would go ahead and give my review of it.
My first thought is that over all it is a pretty good update for one given in a White Dwarf. It is a little low on background and history, but it had more than I expected it to have.
The thing that excited me the most is the fact it is a Sisters of Battle army again. I never liked the inquisition aspects of the old book and I am very happy to see this codex bring back what the Sisters should be, the army of the Ecclesiarchy.
Now that I have the basics out of the way lets get to the meat and potatoes, the Army List.
Army Special Rules:
Acts of Faith - This rule needed changes badly and I actually like the direction that GW decided to go. I like the fact that each unit has their own special Act of Faith and I like the system for getting the faith points. In most cases you should be able to get your act on a 4+ roll which is 50% of the time which is completely fair to me.
Independent Characters and Acts of Faith - Not much to say on this as I feel it works just like it should
Shield of Faith - Every single unit in the book gets a 6+ invulnerable save, I say YES!
Headquarters:
Canoness - Overall I am unimpressed with the Canoness. She is unremarkable in just about every way. Her point cost for what you get is crap. Why take a Canoness at 65 points then pay 25 more for a Rosarius when you can take a Confessor for 75 and get one for free. Anyway that is just my opinion I have one of each in my army list.
Sororitas Command Squad - If I take a Canoness I will be taking one of these with her just for the feel no pain if nothing else.
Ecclesiarchy Confessor - I love this HQ. I think you get allot for the points and I just like the whole idea of the Confessor
Battle Conclave - If you are going to take a Confessor you might as well build him a decent conclave. I have one in my list.
Special Characters:
Saint Celestine - The most expensive of our HQs but if you have the points she is also the best of our HQs. I field her any chance I get. She is a deadly foe and I am not afraid to put her up against anything in the game and that continues in the edition of the codex.
Arch-Confessor Kyrinov - Well worth his points in wargear and special abilities alone.
Uriah Jacobus - Easily my second favorite of the special character. Point cost is reasonable and if you take a Canoness and him you get 2 units with feel no pain.
Elites:
Ecclesiarchy Priest - If you got extra points that you don't know where to put you can get a fairly good priest at a reasonable price.
Celestian Squad -Pretty decent squad 2 attacks is nice for the price. I don't have them in my current list but could easily see dropping a troop squad for one of these.
Repentia Squad - One of three units in the army that got much needed improvements. Feel no pain, fearless, fleet rage, shield of faith spirit of the martyr what doesn't this unit have? I have one in my list and am considering buying a second unit.
Troops:
Battle Sister Squad - our quintessential and only troops choice, the battle sister still are the core of the army and still a very effective mid range shooter unit. I run 4 squads of 10 with various weapon load outs to handle the most variety of enemies.
Dedicated Transports:
Rhino - Its a Rhino, but you get some Sisters of Battle upgrades. I run a mostly foot list so I don't use mine often.
Immolator - Pretty much the same. People are complaining but someone always will. I am running one with my Canoness and one with my Retributor Squad.
Fast Attack:
Seraphim Squad - another unit I thought got some good improvement. Their special rules are pretty cool. I love hit and run. I love re-rolling acts of faith but my favorite is allowing the Seraphim to choose to frie both pistols instead of being twin linked.
Dominion Squad - SCOUTS this is huge for me anyway. I now think this is one of the most useful units in the game and will almost always field a unit. I really feel this unit got upgraded with this update.
Heavy Support:
Retributor Squad - I love them as I always have. Pleny of different loadouts for what ever role you need them for.
Exorcist - You should have one, I want two. Easily our best Heavy. AP1 loving it!
Penitent Engine - The Special rules really upped this uint in my opinion, rage, battle frenzy, unstoppable rampage and shield of faith yes I am fielding two of these big boys.
Final Thoughts:
Overall I am impressed by the codex. It feels pretty streamlined and at times it felt like I had very few options but as I looked at it they basically removed allot of the crap I never used anyway. I think it is a decent codex for a White Dwarf release. Is it the next power house dex? No! Can an experienced
Sister of Battle player win with this book? Absolutely!
So what are your opinions on the new Sisters Codex? Do you think it is a viable Codex? What plans do you have for your Sisters with the new Codex? Letme know what you think.
- Meatball
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