If used correctly, how good are the Arcos?

[kenshin620]

With their high point cost, power weapons, D6 attcks, invl save, movement, ect, are they useful and if anyone have used them, how efficient were they?

[Seath_Tt]

Well, since no one responded yet, I'll give my two meager-weakening dollar-cents;

Personally, I never even tried fielding them since I try to keep a pure sisters force as much as possible but I have experimented.

And from what I've heard, a lot of people try to follow a pure sisters army so that's a mark against the Arcos, so finding someone that actually used a group of them may be a bit of trouble. Heck, I have not even seen/heard anyone trying to do a pure inquisitor force, or a 'priest' force.

Back on topic, from looking at them (I don't have the book in front of me though) they seem too unreliable. They are geared towards close combat, but I feel that they can't compete against other close combat oriented units, I could be wrong though! And they seem pricey.

When I get back home today I'll take a fresh look at them; heck next game I'll throw them in using proxies and see how they do.

[Seath_Tt]

This is from Vet.Sister from the Sisters of Battle Tactica thread on Warseer.com

"Arco-flagellants: One of three great looking new models in the WH range - and all their rules suck (le sigh). Arco-flagellants have the potential to be a devastating assault unit. So why don't they work? They are overcosted and have no delivery system. Sure, maybe a unit like this is really worth 35 points, but not if they never reach the opponent. The 4+ save isn't enough to protect them long enough to get them to combat. So in order to get them to combat, you have to activate their implants... which gets them killed - how fun! Any opposing commander who knows anything about this unit will never let it reach his lines. And they're too expensive to use as a distraction of that sort. If you know you’ll be defending a location on the board, try to set them up as counter-assault."

However, with the above said, I'm going to still do a test run. That thread said that orbital bombardment is useless and should never be used; but I have found a way to make it win almost half of my games, so you never know ^ ^

[JoeGuardsman]

Yeah basically if you can trick your opponent into fighting them and especially if you get the charge they are devastating. They are really tough so I don't worry so much about a delivery system. Just use cover and then turn on the righteous fury which gives them fleet. You have a good chance of making it into combat depending on terrain and opponent. They are a one trick pony though.

[Word Bearer 81007]

i've played a sister's army for 2 years. and i will stand by my arco's 100%. i personally find them to be a great CC addition to an army that is a little weak in that area. yes it sucks when you roll a six to move but, if you look at statistics it only really affects 1 out of 3 games. since with there movement you can usually have them engaged after the first extra move. there also great in my opinion since they have power attacks, great initiative and an awesome looking model. in the past i have had them kill terminator squads before they can strike and power armor squads hate them as well. course i'm also a big fan of the pentient engine for many of the same reasons. if you have a few points and need a CC unit the arco's are the way to go. sister repentia are also nice but they are guranteed to get 86'd before they do any real good. that's just my opinion.

[rosja]

as i dont like sisters minis i use only 2 units as the core of my army. rest of the force consists of inquisitor lord + retinue, elite inquisitor + retinue, 2 units of flagellants, 2 penitent engines and other funny stuff. apart from me being bored of mostly shooting with heavy bolters i LOVE when i have a chance to get flagellants into cc. with some luck with dice they can mince through all enemies in no time, besides i like the idea of flagellantation, and i convert the models (chopping their heads and replacing em with servo skullz), and they look rly scary

[Sister Sin]

No one around here has had luck with them. They get destroyed rather fast, but that might be because people understand them and so never allow them to attain the fullness of their potential.

I can't speak from personal experience since my army is purely Adepta Sororitas, despite the fact that I have an Inquisitrix, female retinue, and some penitent engines. I just don't like using the latter; I prefer the pure Adepta Sororitas.

Sister Sin

[shadows_at_dusk]

Well I think the key here is in the thread title... "IF USED CORRECTLY", which I think many people do not. I love my arcos and they are really devastating in close combat, however one must resist the temptation to shove them out in the front line. They have a nice invul save but they can't soak up an endless amount of punishment. If you are patient, they are better used in the second rank to counter-charge your enemy's cc troops. This might not get you into combat until turn 3 but it will cut down on them taking casualties from shooting and you will wreak crazy amounts of destruction with them, IF you have them supported with another squad. Their low numbers means that they can be easily bogged down by cheap infantry(which you should avoid if possible) and if you roll some unlucky attacks this will almost surely mean their distruction. Try advancing them behind your sisters squad, especially if they have a Rhino. One turn of rapid firing from the girls will usually spur your opponet to hit the offending sisters with a charge to silence their bolters. Your chicks might even lose that round of combat, but the Book and their good armor should keep them around until your phase. Then, let loose with the Stimms and charge the enemy's unit! It's gonna be messy! So far I have never rolled better that 30 attacks on the charge but that is usually enough!

[iNsOmNiAc'S dReAm]

Great advice Shadows! Most people just say " they are garbarge" and " dont use em ", but instead you were the first to explain HOW to use them effectively despite their weaknesses. + rep

[lnquisitor]

I really do not know what people mean by a pure sister army. I say that because because I am never seen one. Now if you want to say all female army that is a different story completely.
I bring in a whole IG squad using only the female guard figures including the female commissar . It was a simple conversion to some repentia figures to mack them arcos. All my retinue are female figs also.
The inquisitor is male but who will know since the fig is a nice Mk 1 terminator armor.

Now on to how to use arcos. The answer is simple, I mix them up with my repentia squad and advance them together. One or the other survives to hit CC.
Also all my other squads, except saraphim, are mounted. Once you lock down the CC somewhere the arcos and repentia can catch up safely.
Survival is always the same, make every unit a threat.
What is the biggest threat, 2 exorcists blasting you across the table.
3 rinos and 2 immolators charging up on you filled with sisters shooting from the open top.
a mixed arco/repentia squads running behind using them as cover.
The Saraphim trying to flank you and get to your real units.
The Inquisitor and retinue also mounted and charging
Or maybe it is the Calidus assassin that just popped out.
Who will you shoot first?

[dragonlady]

How has the new Run rule (instead of shoot) effect them. This would seem to be something that they could really use (but I forget their special rules)

[lnquisitor]

Simple, they have no guns so run.

[dragonlady]

There is your delivery system then!