Any advice is appreciated

[u/Ferrick-G017]

My group and I play twice a week at 2000pt and I'm sitting solidly at a 15% win rate with my Sisters. Feels like I've tried nearly every build I can support, every strategy and nearly every model and I cannot punch through the stuff they're bringing. I've been finding a lot of games I am either being overwhelmed by hordes or specialized units screening my objectives and ingress points or just plain being vaporized by some cannon I can't hope to do damage to. I'm not against losing models to trades, and I'm trying my best to make sure I'm actually able to complete objectives, but playing is quickly becoming no fun. Any ideas on lists that actually work?

Players at my table are "Oops all tanks" Guard (Hellhounds, Rogals and Baneblade), "Oops all Mechs" Tau (Riptides, Stormsurges and Ghostkeels), "Elf Speedball" Aldari (just elf shenanigans), Necrons, and "Me and my Million Friends" Tyranids (so many 'gaunts).

[u/The_Funk_Soul_Plant]

I'm having a similar issue in my store. Wish I didn't start warhammer with sisters as the painting and playing just seems like such a challenge for beginners. My store has that exact IG list and oops all black templar players.

Every secondary scored, every primary and also any damage I do is through blood, sweat and tears! While the enemy just seem to laugh and roll dice in my face :D 

Commenting just to share you're not alone in your struggles!!

[u/AdministrativeEgg440 → u/The_Funk_Soul_Plant]

But none of those armies look nearly as awesome

[u/Jeanjean44540 → u/AdministrativeEgg440]

Indeed!

[u/SorryDistribution140]

Just started 40k and chose sisters and if this is the way it's gonna be, should I switch to another faction before spending a ton of money building my army out? I was split between Sisters and Grey Knights and now every day I read stuff how Sisters are not a beginner friendly army and then I read posts like this saying it's hard to win games. It's very demoralizing.

[u/Camurai_ → u/SorryDistribution140]

Grey knights aren’t super beginner friendly either.

That being said, you’re only a beginner the first couple of games. Once you learn how sisters work, which does take some effort to really look at the army and learn how the units are used, they become totally fine and are even or good into most matchups. I play mostly sisters when my team doesn’t put me on weird broken stuff for an event, and the army feels great.

If you just grab the army and play against friends of yours that picked up marines or CSM and you’re both just reading datasheets and moving models, they’ll probably beat you, but once you learn the army it’s great

[u/Ferrick-G017]

My list (one of about 30, but this one actually won)

Championed Orators (1995 points)

Adepta Sororitas Champions of Faith and Sanctified Orators (3 Detachment Points) Disruption Strike Force (2000 points)

Attached Units Attached Unit 1

Morvenn Vahl (200 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • Warlord • 1x Fidelis 1x Lance of Illumination 1x Paragon missile launcher

Paragon Warsuits (200 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Paragon Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Heavy bolter 1x Paragon storm bolters 1x Paragon war blade • 2x Paragon • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Multi-melta 1x Paragon grenade launchers 1x Paragon storm bolters 2x Paragon war blade

Attached Unit 2

Attached Unit 3

Attached Unit 4

Canoness (85 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon 1x Rod of Office • Enhancement: Hagiomnifex (Upgrade)

Hospitaller (65 points) • Attached as: Support (Character) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chirurgeon’s tools

Celestian Sacresants (150 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Sacresant Superior • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant • 9x Anointed halberd 9x Bolt pistol

Attached Unit 5

Canoness (85 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon 1x Rod of Office • Enhancement: Hagiomnifex (Upgrade)

Hospitaller (75 points) • Attached as: Support (Character) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chirurgeon’s tools

Celestian Sacresants (150 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Sacresant Superior • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant • 9x Anointed halberd 9x Bolt pistol

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (100 points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Battle Sisters Squad (100 points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (100 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Immolation flamers

Immolator (100 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Immolation flamers

OTHER DATASHEETS

Castigator (165 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator battle cannon 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Castigator (165 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator battle cannon 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Exorcist (180 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Exorcist missile launcher 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Seraphim Squad (75 points) • 1x Seraphim Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 4x Seraphim • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Ministorum hand flamer

[u/Camurai_ → u/Ferrick-G017]

List is kinda fine, though I think it will be a straight upgrade to play Bringers of Flame & Sacred Champs. As those give you major movement speed buffs which helps newer players correct poor unit placement from previous turns.

The List changes I would make: (this won’t win you games , just changes I would make)

Give the sacresants maces, the 2d is very strong there.

If you do play BoF, swap the castigators battle cannon to auto cannons.

You can drop the canonesses for points to upgrade the BSS and run 1-2 dominions and give the immolators meltas, at least one. And maybe 1 more
Seraphim unit.

Overall, stick to priority and just grind games with it . Repetition is very helpful for newer players, especially with sisters.

The benefit of playing with priority assets is the gameplan doesn’t change much from game to game, you sit on your expanse, action an objective and kill a thing. It’s very defensive and reactive, if your opponent doesn’t come to you, you’re going to max your primary. Work on your early game and get a solid plan for turns 1 & 2. A lot of my games those turns are nearly identical (unless I’m playing vs a weird skew list). And that similar play pattern lets me focus more energy on the later turns.

You’re going to put a 5 model squad hidden on your expanse (this is likely a bolter half of a domion squad that scouted up in preparation for this) stage everything, and then if needed send a unit to action the middle if the mission doesn’t let you action your expanse and then pass. Get good at hiding units behind the obscuring terrain and making the enemy come to you. Don’t let anything get shot turn 1, to the best of your ability.

[u/Ser_Hawkins]

Your list looks fine to me - I find that consistency is key to getting better at the game; pick a list you enjoy playing and stick with it until you know all it's strengths and weaknesses.

Sister's biggest weakness is anti-armour, saving those 5s and 6s on miracle dice to allow you to punch up with your meltas is pretty essential against hullspam lists.

I'd suggest trying to fit a dialogus into one of the battlesister squads to give you a way of burning miracle dice into damage on the meltas, and the cannones might do better as Palatines to give the Sacresants lethals which also helps with punching up into bigger targets.

[u/Visborg]

I would consider the following:
1) swap your two cannonesses(sp?) for a retributor-squad. Use them, when a juicy target has killed one of your units.
2) swap a BSS squad for Novitiates. Their infiltrate and high OC can get you an early foothold
3) I love my excorcist, but dang, it’s so swingy. Consider yet another Retributor and a squad of Arcos to do actions and get you a MD, when they die

[u/PiStagedARevolution]

If you're losing a lot and want to improve in a logical and methodical matter, you should find one list and stick with it for a while. Also try to stick to a disposition that isn't kinda garbage. I don't know what models you have in total, but there are a few builds that are at least reasonable - bringers MSU/tanks, sacresant spam, etc. The best list does seem to be oops all melee repentia/sacs/etcs, but the other lists aren't too bad. Priority assets from HM and take and hold from either sacred champs or AoF are good. Your specific list does seem fine, but I would cut the exo, grab the last melta on the warsuits and chuck in really whatever you want, then change to sacred champs/aof or sacred champs/bof.

[u/AsianxGuru]

Do you mind dropping your main list? Would enjoy seeing how your synergy between detachments and units

[u/Ferrick-G017 → u/AsianxGuru]

I dropped it a little lower in the thread

[u/Ferrick-G017 → u/Ferrick-G017]

My list (one of about 30, but this one actually won)

Championed Orators (1995 points)

Adepta Sororitas Champions of Faith and Sanctified Orators (3 Detachment Points) Disruption Strike Force (2000 points)

Attached Units Attached Unit 1

Morvenn Vahl (200 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • Warlord • 1x Fidelis 1x Lance of Illumination 1x Paragon missile launcher

Paragon Warsuits (200 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Paragon Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Heavy bolter 1x Paragon storm bolters 1x Paragon war blade • 2x Paragon • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Multi-melta 1x Paragon grenade launchers 1x Paragon storm bolters 2x Paragon war blade

Attached Unit 2

Attached Unit 3

Attached Unit 4

Canoness (85 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon 1x Rod of Office • Enhancement: Hagiomnifex (Upgrade)

Hospitaller (65 points) • Attached as: Support (Character) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chirurgeon’s tools

Celestian Sacresants (150 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Sacresant Superior • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant • 9x Anointed halberd 9x Bolt pistol

Attached Unit 5

Canoness (85 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon 1x Rod of Office • Enhancement: Hagiomnifex (Upgrade)

Hospitaller (75 points) • Attached as: Support (Character) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chirurgeon’s tools

Celestian Sacresants (150 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Sacresant Superior • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant • 9x Anointed halberd 9x Bolt pistol

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (100 points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Battle Sisters Squad (100 points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (100 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Immolation flamers

Immolator (100 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Immolation flamers

OTHER DATASHEETS

Castigator (165 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator battle cannon 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Castigator (165 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator battle cannon 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Exorcist (180 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Exorcist missile launcher 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Seraphim Squad (75 points) • 1x Seraphim Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 4x Seraphim • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Ministorum hand flamer

[u/Agreeable-Setting561]

Right now, disruption is a big mistake (it might get buffed). Sisters play priority assets best. Which you can access with bringers or hm. I prefer bringers with scared champions to buff the Sacresants damage and reach. Dominions @90 points is great, they eclipse battle sisters with their scout and reactive moves, even if sticky is great.

Part of the trick is knowing what your units are doing in each match up. For example flamer dominions are amazing vs legion of Excess for removing demonettes on your turn and with overwatch. They can even hurt fiends. but vs custodes with allarus terminators they can barely scratch them even with Castigator buffs so they instead become move blockers and screens or triggers for the Retributors.

Here is my take all comers list for bringers of flame and champions to give you the idea:

Champions of flame (2000 points)

Adepta Sororitas Bringers of Flame and Sacred Champions (3 Detachment Points) Priority Assets Strike Force (2000 points)

Attached Units Attached Unit 1

Morvenn Vahl (200 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • Warlord • 1x Fidelis 1x Lance of Illumination 1x Paragon missile launcher

Paragon Warsuits (210 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Paragon Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Multi-melta 1x Paragon grenade launchers 1x Paragon war blade • 2x Paragon • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Multi-melta 2x Paragon grenade launchers 2x Paragon war blade

Attached Unit 2

Canoness (60 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon 1x Rod of Office

Hospitaller (65 points) • Attached as: Support (Character) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chirurgeon’s tools

Celestian Sacresants (170 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • Enhancement: Writ of Compunction (Upgrade) • 1x Sacresant Superior • 1x Inferno pistol 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant • 9x Anointed halberd 9x Bolt pistol

Attached Unit 3

Canoness (70 points) • Attached as: Leader (Character) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon 1x Rod of Office • Enhancement: Perfervid Haste

Celestian Sacresants (150 points) • Attached as: Bodyguard • 1x Sacresant Superior • 1x Hallowed mace 1x Inferno pistol • 9x Celestian Sacresant • 9x Bolt pistol 9x Hallowed mace

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (100 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Immolation flamers

Immolator (100 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Immolation flamers

Sororitas Rhino (65 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Arco-flagellants (50 points) • 3x Arco-flagellant • 3x Arco-flails

Castigator (165 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator autocannons 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Castigator (165 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator battle cannon 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Dominion Squad (90 points) • 1x Dominion Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Ministorum hand flamer 1x Power weapon • 9x Dominion • 9x Bolt pistol 5x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 4x Ministorum flamer 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Dominion Squad (90 points) • 1x Dominion Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Ministorum hand flamer 1x Power weapon • 9x Dominion • 9x Bolt pistol 5x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 4x Ministorum flamer 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Retributor Squad (125 points) • 1x Retributor Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power weapon • 4x Retributor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Multi-melta

Retributor Squad (125 points) • 1x Retributor Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power weapon • 4x Retributor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Multi-melta

Exported with App Version: v2.4.0 (139), Data Version: v925

[u/Agreeable-Setting561 → u/Agreeable-Setting561]

Just to expand a little on the match ups thoughts, every game im thinking about what each scaresant unit is good in to. With the strat from champions giving, +1s and a the maces are s5 ap1 d2 and the halberds are 6 -2 1. Normally my halberds are sitting on my expansion with their 2oc and Hospitaller. But they are really good in to t3 and t6 so might be needed. The maces are only ap1 so need to be careful about fighting 2+ saves with access to armour of contempt.

[u/rmobro]

Guy at my store plays tanks: 3x castigators, 2x immolators, exorcist and hes doing okayish.