I've been playing some games with Sister's of Battle recently and have had some fun putting together lists of varying point levels. I think they are a very powerful army, especially considering how old their codex is.
Most of the codex has a number of problems with it: Antiquated vehicle costs or just plain bad units. But there are enough powerful units at the core and a lot of ways to maximize power levels in a sisters army by clever use of allies. One issue that this army has is a notable lack of long reliable long range shooting outside of the heavy slot. Enter an Imperial Guard platoon with heavy weapon squads and the issue is resolved.
Here is what I've put together for 1500 points.
Mechanized Sisters of Battle (1500)
HQ
Palatine (Book of St. Lucius) w Celestian Retinue x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Elite
Inquisitor w Mystic x2
Celestians x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Celestians x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Troops
Inquisitorial Stormtroopers x5 (Plasma x2)
Inquisitorial Stormtroopers x5 (Plasma x2)
Infantry Platoon
Platoon Command Squad x5 (Flamer x3) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Infantry Squad x 10 (Autocannon) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Infantry Squad x 10 (Autocannon) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Heavy Weapons Squad (Autocannon x3)
Heavy Support
Exorcist
Exorcist
Exorcist
This list maximizes allies to their full advantage. We use the Inquisitor and mystics to foil deep strikes into our lines. At 35 points they are a bargain. I take the IG platoon to leverage cheap chimeras and autocannon teams. Then I give the chimeras to the inquisitorial stormtroopers to go find objectives. The guardsmen will shoot from on foot, ideally in cover.
Then we fill up with as many vehicles as possible. I'm a fan of exorcists for the fire support option they provide, especially at lower point levels where they prove extremely resilient. They do a decent job of tagging vehicles and are especially destructive against open topped transports and monstrous creatures. Some people prefer immolators in this slot and I don't hate the idea, but I think immolator spam is probably a better choice at the higher point levels, especially for 'Ard boyz as I've documented here.
Celestians are the most powerful sister in the codex. They are automatically faithful and possess holy hatred so we use them whenever possible. Immolators are also very cheap and a very strong transport that doubles as an attack vehicle.
The small units involved here and automatic faith points without the use of a veteran let us leverage some faith powers. The most notable is the ability which allows you to replace your celestian armor saves with an invulnerable. The increased initiative option in close combat can also be useful.
Note I've given the stormtroopers plasma to fill a void that sisters cannot use the technology. We have a number of meltas under the use of adeptas sororitas however.
At 1750 we simply add more firepower to the list. We've maxed out most of our FO now so we'll dip into fast attack and add...more sisters, melta and immolators. Not terribly exciting but extremely effective. We also have some spare points for another HWS. I'll add that to the platoon:
Mechanized Sisters of Battle (1750)
HQ
Palatine (Book of St. Lucius) w Celestian Retinue x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Elite
Inquisitor w Mystic x2
Celestians x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Celestians x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Troops
Inquisitorial Stormtroopers x5 (Plasma x2)
Inquisitorial Stormtroopers x5 (Plasma x2)
Infantry Platoon
Platoon Command Squad x5 (Flamer x3) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Infantry Squad x 10 (Autocannon) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Infantry Squad x 10 (Autocannon) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Heavy Weapons Squad (Autocannon x3)
Heavy Weapons Squad (Autocannon x3)
Heavy Support
Exorcist
Exorcist
Exorcist
Fast Attack
Dominon Squad x 5 (Melta x3) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
At 2000 points we finish up the fast attack FO with additional dominion squads, we also give the Palatine an inferno pistol. Now the list has 13 melta and 6 immolators.
Mechanized Sisters of Battle (2000)
HQ
Palatine (Book of St. Lucius, Inferno Pistol) w Celestian Retinue x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Elite
Inquisitor w Mystic x2
Celestians x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Celestians x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Troops
Inquisitorial Stormtroopers x5 (Plasma x2)
Inquisitorial Stormtroopers x5 (Plasma x2)
Infantry Platoon
Platoon Command Squad x5 (Flamer x3) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Infantry Squad x 10 (Autocannon) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Infantry Squad x 10 (Autocannon) Chimera (Heavy Flamer)
Heavy Weapons Squad (Autocannon x3)
Heavy Weapons Squad (Autocannon x3)
Heavy Support
Exorcist
Exorcist
Exorcist
Fast Attack
Dominon Squad x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Dominon Squad x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
Dominon Squad x 5 (Melta x2) Immolator (Smoke, EA, Searchlight)
I'm least interested in this army at 2000 points because I think the exorcists start to fade as the best possible heavy choice. But I still think it's viable. They can't take over the game like they can at 1500 though.
Sisters tends to be a bit spammy in order to be competitive. Hopefully this will change with an updated Codex. In the meantime though, despite being a bit redundant the army is very good. It has all the tools required for 5th edition. Lots of efficient transports and the means to destroy enemy vehicles efficiently.
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