Faction Focus - Adepta Sororitas

[Frowbakk]

Just adding in the leaks from the other threads so they are all in one place.

 

As if that wasn’t enough, Chapter Approved 2018 will also feature a beta codex for the Adepta Sororitas! This is quite possibly Warhammer 40,000’s most anticipated codex ever, and we want to make sure we absolutely nail it, so, alongside our usual rigorous professional playtesting, we’re asking you to help us out and provide your thoughts.

Make no mistake – while this is a beta codex, it’s a fully fledged one that offers the Adepta Sororitas more options and more cool stuff than ever before, allowing you (for the first time EVER) to represent the unique tactics of various orders with unique Orders Militant Convictions. The Order of the Bloody Rose, for instance, are zealous close combat specialists:

There are loads of nifty Stratagems too – one our favourites is Burning Descent, which lets Seraphim purge the unclean from on high by giving them a free shooting attack when they arrive and increasing the range of their hand flamers:

Deep fried heretic, anyone?

 

Looks like those Repentia will either get a higher chance to Fight Twice, or get +1S & +1A, not both from their Order/C)hapter Tactic.

I also wonder if there will be a Stratagem to earn more Faith Points (Litanies of Faith, perhaps?) and/or and Act of Faith to convert Faith Points into CP.

[pretre]

I also imagine we'll have Martyrdom in some form. It'd be hilarious if you got a faith point for every 10 models that die. Probably 1 per character though.

[Dusldorf]

I really hope they don't overdo it with the whole "per 10 models" thing. They should understand from past version of ITC scoring that this just creates weird optimization strategies, and it should scale more fluidly than that.

[pretre]

2 minutes ago, Dusldorf said:

I really hope they don't overdo it with the whole "per 10 models" thing. They should understand from past version of ITC scoring that this just creates weird optimization strategies, and it should scale more fluidly than that.

I was joking. I suspect that my second statement about martyrdom will be true.

Personally, I hope they go back to the old 'faithful characters' rule from earlier editions. Basically, each Sister Superior and each model with the Character keyword gives you a faith point. When they die, you get another one back.

[Frowbakk]

Yep, and that's where I tried out a Canoness with jump pack to go on a suicide rush and speedbump something, get killed, and release Faith points.

However, the Faith Pinata was actually durable and effective and usually didn't just die.

So of course I really, Really, REALLY, REALLY want a Jump Canoness back in the Codex.

Being able to slap a Jump Pack on an Imagifer would be nice too.

[pretre]

56 minutes ago, Frowbakk said:

Yep, and that's where I tried out a Canoness with jump pack to go on a suicide rush and speedbump something, get killed, and release Faith points.

However, the Faith Pinata was actually durable and effective and usually didn't just die.

So of course I really, Really, REALLY, REALLY want a Jump Canoness back in the Codex.

Being able to slap a Jump Pack on an Imagifer would be nice too.

Yeah, it ended up being an entire army feeding Faith into one canoness with an eviscerator and JP. Pretty hilarious.

[Dusldorf]

Twitch interview spoilered the Order of Our Martyred Lady chapter trait, "Each time one of your units is destroyed, you get a Faith Point"

[Ish]

Well, there’s your Pro-MSU option... Send in a first wave of suicidal Repentia, backed by a second wave of MSU Battle Sisters in Immolators and Repressors. 

[pretre]

Adeptus Sororitas Beta Codex. Some background including on the sub-factions.On a quick flip through looks like... maybe 10 or 12 pages of datasheets. Rules for 6 Orders. Character for each Order is drawn from their founding Saint.

Our Martyred Lady - Each time a unit is destroyed, gain a Faith Point.

Faith Points - Get base 3 plus one for 10 models, used to activate Acts of Faith. Inspiration from Stratagems. 6 different Acts, need to roll above the Act's Devotion Value on 1D6. Ways to modify the roll. SImulacrum Imperialis, Sister Dialogous give bonuses. Order of the Ebon Chalice get a +1. No move before the movement phase, now there's an Act to increase movement.

14 Stratagems. Expect to expand for the final Codex, this is a starting mix basically.

Ministorum Priests now split into two datasheets: Missionaries (HQ) and Preachers (basically like the AM Priest).

4 HQ choices

Penitent Engines, arco-flaggents, Death Cult Assassins do not get Acts of Faith

All 6 Orders have Convictions, Warlord Traits, relics.

Covers existing range (so no new units except in cases where they have a model they can make it for, like the Priests above).

[Lord Hanaur]

Nothing on the Exorcist.  I feel like we might not be too excited about that, given zero seems to be said about it.  Penitent engines could be cool again if they are like 10" moves or something cool like that.

[pretre]

3 hours ago, Lord Hanaur said:

Nothing on the Exorcist.  I feel like we might not be too excited about that, given zero seems to be said about it.  Penitent engines could be cool again if they are like 10" moves or something cool like that.

Or they just can't post the whole codex in the preview?

[Lord Hanaur]

5 hours ago, pretre said:

Or they just can't post the whole codex in the preview?

Anything is possible.  So we wait.

[Dusldorf]

whole codex is here: 

 

[Frowbakk]

Same old, same old... New Sisters Codex and more stuff taken away.

No Eviscerators for Canoness, but more ways to get 'em into combat.

Losing a second movement phase for an additional 3" of movement instead, not the bargain I'd have struck.

 

 

[Dusldorf]

Overall sisters got big nerfs. Exorcists, dominions, seraphim, and arco-flagellants will see a lot of play though. Celestine isn't mandatory anymore, although she's still the most efficient close-combat unit. People will just have to be much more careful about where they commit her.

[Ish]

Just remember, this is meant to be a beta test. Don’t worry too much about wargear options and equipment details — presumably a lot of that will be addressed when (and if) a new model range is made — concentrate more on the organizational and mechanical things: Should this unit be Elite or Fast? Should this vehicle be squadron-able or not? Do Acts of Faith work as is or need a tweak?

[pretre]

I think it is way too early for us to be this despondent. I'm still overall pretty positive about what I've seen and will give it a shot when I actually get a book in hand.

[Guest]

On 12/9/2018 at 12:02 PM, Ish said:

Just remember, this is meant to be a beta test.

I think GW is misleading with the concept of this being a *beta* codex. It implies that GW tests things more than they really do.

What they mean is that they are releasing a codex, but also plan to release a replacement codex shortly after. They are bracing the players for the idea of having to a second codex in the near future.

And I think that GW giving us this warning is an improvement over the GW of the past.

[Ish]

GW has done beta tests like this in the past, even in the Bad Old Days before they learned what “the internets” were. The tai end of third edition saw “trial” combat rules, for example, that became the rules in fourth edition.

[Frowbakk]

At this point I'd be OK with scrapping Acts of Faith altogether and replicating them with reduced-cost Stratagems instead.

Everyone else gets 'Fight Twice' for 3 CP, Sisters get it for 2 CP.

Bad Moon Orks get to shoot twice with Showin' Off... let Sisters do it for one unit at 1 CP

[pretre]

I'm still excited to try this one out. I don't think it's as bad as everyone is making it out to be. We just got spoiled with no roll acts in the index.

[Ish]

1 hour ago, Frowbakk said:

 

At this point I'd be OK with scrapping Acts of Faith altogether and replicating them with reduced-cost Stratagems instead

 

I completely agree. If for no other reason than I imagine it will be a complete pain in the toches to try to keep track of Command Points and Faith Points...

I forget which iteration of the Battle Sisters it was, but I rather liked the period when each squad type had their own specific special ability that was used on a die roll, rather than having to keep track of a currency resource. “In the Shooting Phase, after resolving all your attacks, this unit may shoot again on a 6+“ or something like that.

[Frowbakk]

I remember that.. the 'Get into close combat, Celestians without any Close combat upgrades!' amongst other role mismatches.

My favorite was the psuedo-rending one, and the re-roll wounds combo which paradoxically made regular flamers better at the job than heavy flamers...

Good times.

 

[pretre]

My favorite iteration was 3rd edition Chapter Approved faith which was a pool of faith points with a set number of acts that you could perform on a leadership test. I'd be happy going back to that.

 

That being said, I like the single dice roll idea and I think that if they tune the acts themselves up and down we will be fine. This is, after all, a beta. They came up with a mechanic, we need to test to see if it works smoothly and provide feedback on it and the power of the acts themselves.

[Dusldorf]

I miss the chance of success being tied to how many models were in the unit--it had a very real "martyrdom" feel, as if the souls of those who'd died were interceding on behalf of those who remained. "Better kill this unit entirely, or I'm guaranteed shooting you with rending bolters next turn!"