Hairy Barbarians: Trite conformity in modelling Space Wolves

[Beef]

The SW models give us a unique oppertunity to model each squad meber individually. No other army can boast that. Personnaly I love my marines with or without helmets, All squads have a mix apart from my Wolf gaurd body gaurd in power armour who all have no helmets.

 

Remember SW have the keenest sence of smell and fluff wise they can smell stuff better without helmets.

[Grey Mage]

Actually, save Tzeentch, Id say that any chaos army could boast the ability to model each and every model. As would Orks and maybe Tyranids.

[Beef]

Actually, save Tzeentch, Id say that any chaos army could boast the ability to model each and every model. As would Orks and maybe Tyranids.

I meant marine wise, :P

[Lord Ragnarok]

As others have stated its your choice. A good standard for SW's is that there is no standard. I personally like a good mix and love having my BC's all helmetless as it really shows their berserk, wild no holds barred nature.

[JEFF4i]

Nearly every one of my BCs and most of my GHs are helmetted. I just see commanders being helmetless, and veterans. That's why almost all of my WG and Long Fangs are without a helmet. Well, Long Fangs are 50/50, as I see them hanging back being critical and analytical, and not necessarily needing the benefits of not having a helmet quite as much.

[FuriousFerret]

(I'm the OP)

 

What mainly interests me about the Space Wolves is the interactions of their barbarian heritage and the Imperial heraldry. The Imperium is a vast and complicated place, run by bureaucrats for the perpetuation of the rich and powerful in their gilded palaces. Enter the mercenary barbarians. Like the Varangian Guard of old (Roman-Byzantine Emperor's Viking bodyguard), the Space Wolves operate in the liminal space* between barbarity and civilization, and their heraldry should reflect that. I think the late RT/early 2nd ed. picture portrayals brought that across better than today. Shoulder pads with quartered heraldry, displaying wolves, paws, Crux Terminata, etc. Like, they have a foot in each camp.

 

 

(* I'd like to apologise for the phrase "liminal space". Us weepy Humanities people need a kick in the nadgers sometimes, Space Wolves-style.)

 

 

EDIT: Found it! This is the picture I was referring to:

 

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i212/rrchristensen/swcapt.jpg

[JEFF4i]

(I'm the OP)

 

What mainly interests me about the Space Wolves is the interactions of their barbarian heritage and the Imperial heraldry. Like the Varangian Guard of old (Roman-Byzantine Emperor's Viking bodyguard), the Space Wolves operate in the liminal space* between barbarity and civilization, and their heraldry should reflect that. I think the late RT/early 2nd ed. picture portrayals brought that across better than today. Shoulder pads with quartered heraldry, displaying wolves, paws, Crux Terminata, etc. Like, they have a foot in each camp.

 

 

(* I'd like to apologise for the phrase "liminal space". Us weepy Humanities people need a kick in the nadgers sometimes, Space Wolves-style.)

 

With phrases like that I'd like to see you accepted among us lesser Wolves! :down:

 

The Space Wolves have a tenuous relationship with the Imperium. On the one hand we are unswervingly loyal to the Emperor, but not to the rest. Not that playing politics isn't something we can do, but we will also call out Inquisitors and other high ranking officials for brash, violent, and unfair action (was almost ironic until unfair). If anything, the Wolves might be considered one of the most humanitarian of all the Chapters. This truly roots itself in our conception and priority of honour.

 

Now, not to get too far off-topic, I say all of this because it seems that we are having a foot in two camps because our loyalty is to the Emperor, ourselves, then the Imperium. At least, that's the way it seems to me. Just my .02

 

As far as how they look? That's a toughy, I've only played with the 3rd edition codex, so the more Viking-esque look (beards, beer, and wolves) is just what I'm familiar with.

[Ashur]

A beardless SW is a heretic !

 

Seriously speaking, SM are pretty simple when it come to individuality. SW background is an excellent way to go beyond the basic blank marine.

[Grey Mage]

And I think that is the root of it. People who play space wolves tend to want that individuality, that humaness, that many space marines save the command level seem to lack.

 

And personally Ive always thought it was a load of crap that they were so.... brainwashed. Unswerving in their loyalty sure, psychologically conditioned to be able to withstand anything that is thrown at them, ok; but to say that the average marine spends about three hours sleeping and 10 minutes of free time every day is just.... weird. It seems a complete waste IMHO. With all the power and intellect they could have it seems that encouraging individual studies in advanced fields would be lauded. After all increased knowledge of technology, geography, history, and biology can only help an advanced super-soldier preform to the utmost of their abilities.

 

Besides, every once in a while a guy needs to lighten up a bit.

[Vash113]

Which is why the image of Space Wolves kicking back and feasting is so appealing I'd imagine. :)

 

As for iconography, I prefere the more recent stuff, the quartered mix just looks... odd. I like SW heraldry that's more blatantly fenresian. The Space Wolves are a law unto themselves and really stand by that, though technically all Adeptus Astartes Chapters are, not many have the independance that the Space Wolves do, lets just see the Inquisition try to take the fang. :)

[Beef]

Which is why the image of Space Wolves kicking back and feasting is so appealing I'd imagine. ;)

 

As for iconography, I prefere the more recent stuff, the quartered mix just looks... odd. I like SW heraldry that's more blatantly fenresian.

 

If by that you meen the old triangukar red and black of the grey hunters or the white and black of the long fangs, that was traditional. Atleast the yellow and black of the Wolf gaurd was. In fenris it was the colour of the nobility.

[Vassakov]

I'll wade in here with my thoughts. I drew a lot of my Space Wolf modelling from the Ragnar Series, in particular the Wolfblade sub plot story arc... thing. Last three books. Anyways...

 

Basically, it probably is a teeny bit hypocritical of us to mock other Marine forces for looking the same when we all basically buy into the Braveheart-come-Northern Europe Barbarians image. In Space. Then again, it's a bloody brilliant concept and I'll carry on with it until I stop playing Wolves. Personally, I prefer faces because it seems to "fit" better and gives more style to the force - at my club few Marines go bareheaded, so it distinguishes my Wolves even more. In addition, it gives a wider range of kitbash and conversion options, which again I like.

 

Although paradoxically, almost all of my vehicles are fully sealed - Fellblade and LasPred notwithstanding.

[FuriousFerret]

I by now am seriously contemplating making a Heresy-era SW force of mainly Terran veterans (so mostly Grey Hunters, Wolf Guard and in particular Long Fangs). Teetering on the edge between their Terran War of Unification heritage and the call of the Wolf in their bones, they struggle to honor their dual heritage and heraldry.

 

Oh, and also: True-Scale!

[Bran Scalphunter]

I dunno if Space Wolves were ever recruited from Terra- weren't the BA and SW the only Legions created after their respective Primarches were found? I'd like to say so, that's why the SW are so feral and well, Space Wolfy, being descended purely from Fenrisian stock. If you wanna see neat True-Scale Heresy Wolves, check out Beef's old army. Very nice. :)

[Vash113]

I dunno if Space Wolves were ever recruited from Terra- weren't the BA and SW the only Legions created after their respective Primarches were found? I'd like to say so, that's why the SW are so feral and well, Space Wolfy, being descended purely from Fenrisian stock. If you wanna see neat True-Scale Heresy Wolves, check out Beef's old army. Very nice. ;)

 

No, all the Legions were founded first on Terra. It would indeed be interresting to see Terran Veterans in a SW Pre-Heresy force. Would be cool to see how they fit in. :D

[Vassakov]

Apocalypse force Stern/Vanguard and other such units for the Terran veterans - different from the Wolves of Russ, armed with Terran tech and decades of combat experience.

[Valerian]

I found some marines - Valerian's contribution to the SW Painting sticky - that I really like. They're subtle, and actually quite like the older SWs from back in the day (mid-nineties, I am getting old!)

 

LINK: Valerian's awesome Blood Claws and Grey Hunters

 

RRChristensen,

 

I've been away for many, many months and just noticed this, sorry to all for resurrecting this old thread. Anyway, I'm glad that you like them. Like you, I prefer a little more subtlety in my Space Wolves and I prefer to play down all of the wolfyness and the bling. I suppose its because I started back in the Rogue Trader days, when the Wolf was just in the name and the chapter symbol on the shoulder pad.

 

As you have probably noticed, I also prefer that all of my disciplined Marines wear their Helmets, so the only models in my army without them are the Wolf Scouts, who don't have helmets, and Ragnar and my Wolf Priest, who didn't come with helmets.

 

Best Regards,

 

Valerian

[Keercrevlis]

BC & GH I make look standard, but add some wolfy bits to a couple of them to show them as being the best of the squad. Mainly I just make sure that I use SW marine parts (Torso, arms, heads, etc.) LF wolf pelts, tails and the like. WG leaders & bodyguards I use bearded & viking helmeted heads so they stand out more and use more wolfy bits on them and HQ's. My LR has a pelt on it and I am starting to add wolf Tails to it for each win that it survives though (6). Lastly my Ven Dread is an old Bjorn so it has wolf bits made on it. My Wolf Lord has an entire Wolf (Head, Tails and Pelts) on his Trike plus a Pelt on him and Tail on his BFAxe.

[FuriousFerret]

I found some marines - Valerian's contribution to the SW Painting sticky - that I really like. They're subtle, and actually quite like the older SWs from back in the day (mid-nineties, I am getting old!)

 

LINK: Valerian's awesome Blood Claws and Grey Hunters

 

RRChristensen,

 

I've been away for many, many months and just noticed this, sorry to all for resurrecting this old thread. Anyway, I'm glad that you like them. Like you, I prefer a little more subtlety in my Space Wolves and I prefer to play down all of the wolfyness and the bling. I suppose its because I started back in the Rogue Trader days, when the Wolf was just in the name and the chapter symbol on the shoulder pad.

 

As you have probably noticed, I also prefer that all of my disciplined Marines wear their Helmets, so the only models in my army without them are the Wolf Scouts, who don't have helmets, and Ragnar and my Wolf Priest, who didn't come with helmets.

 

Best Regards,

 

Valerian

 

Good to hear from you. There seems to be a few people around who share this approach to Space Wolves. Did you see DV8's amazing SWs, recently posted in the Hall of Honor? http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...howtopic=163452

 

Anyway that's the sort of paint scheme I'd aim for. (And yes, helmets are a must).

[Durfast Spiritwolf]

I dunno if Space Wolves were ever recruited from Terra- weren't the BA and SW the only Legions created after their respective Primarches were found? I'd like to say so, that's why the SW are so feral and well, Space Wolfy, being descended purely from Fenrisian stock. If you wanna see neat True-Scale Heresy Wolves, check out Beef's old army. Very nice. ;)

 

No, all the Legions were founded first on Terra. It would indeed be interresting to see Terran Veterans in a SW Pre-Heresy force. Would be cool to see how they fit in. :)

 

According to recent fluff, the first twelve great companies were originally Terran and the 13th built around the forty-odd survivors of Russ's Fenrisian warband. However, were all recruits from then on were from Fenris or was there a period of transition?

 

My Great Company is mostly the old metal wolves, so not many heads but the new 13th Company warband are predominantly plastic and have a lot of unhelmeted heads, charms, wolf tails etc.

 

edited to say that interestingly the chapter on Bulveye in Tales of Heresy talks of them wearing all their finery with talismans, necklaces and medals to meet with the Senate but stripped down to fighting order with mud-dulled armour for the subsequent ambush against the DE.

[Hammer]

I have most of my figures helmetless, even the terminators. It just looks more feral with all the long hair and beards. Also I stick bits of fur for every figure. They are not kill trophies, but mementos of poor Snotty, who jumped in front of that lascannon shot and got splashed all around the terrain! :)

 

I don't have any Blood Claws in my force yet, but when I do, I'll model them shaven and hairless. They haven't earned their beards yet!

 

But seriously, I put on all the "wolf-bling" simply because I like how it looks. If I wanted pure marines, I would've stuck with the Ultras. (Altough they have their own bling = purity seals and leather skirts and laurels and stuff...).

 

But I think it's very rude to mock people who do not put wolf-bling on their models. Everybody builds their figures the way they want. So if you want less barbaric looking wolves, go for it.

[stinkenheim]

thought i'd put my view across...

 

all my wolves are going helmetless (i love painting bare heads and i find it a nice way to get some individuality across) but all my bloodclaws have small mohawks.

the higher up in the ranks they get then the more wolf teeth/runes/tails/furs etc they recieve, as such bloodclaws have almost none, grey hunters will get a few, then long fangs will have quit a few, wolf guard will have a lot and hqs will be granted full wolf pelts and loads of teeth and charms (plus the wolf head backpacks).

 

only models who are wolf guard or higher will have pelts (although some long fangs/grey hunters might have the little ones that hang between the legs- no penis jokes please :blush: , we're adults here...)

 

all bloodclaws will get 2 close combate weapons and swords are almost unheard of in my army- axes and hammers all the way...

 

each squad also has its own rune which is taken from the pack leader assigned to them...

 

fairly standard stuff but its how i want mine to look, which is the main thing. its your army so if you want helmets and not too much wolfy bits then thats fine, you pay your money and make things you like so no one else has the right to moan and any who do should be tought a lesson on the field of battle ;)

 

all the best with your army and maybe one day ours will grace the same table ;)

[Valerian]

I found some marines - Valerian's contribution to the SW Painting sticky - that I really like. They're subtle, and actually quite like the older SWs from back in the day (mid-nineties, I am getting old!)

 

LINK: Valerian's awesome Blood Claws and Grey Hunters

 

RRChristensen,

 

I've been away for many, many months and just noticed this, sorry to all for resurrecting this old thread. Anyway, I'm glad that you like them. Like you, I prefer a little more subtlety in my Space Wolves and I prefer to play down all of the wolfyness and the bling. I suppose its because I started back in the Rogue Trader days, when the Wolf was just in the name and the chapter symbol on the shoulder pad.

 

As you have probably noticed, I also prefer that all of my disciplined Marines wear their Helmets, so the only models in my army without them are the Wolf Scouts, who don't have helmets, and Ragnar and my Wolf Priest, who didn't come with helmets.

 

Best Regards,

 

Valerian

 

Good to hear from you. There seems to be a few people around who share this approach to Space Wolves. Did you see DV8's amazing SWs, recently posted in the Hall of Honor? http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...howtopic=163452

 

Anyway that's the sort of paint scheme I'd aim for. (And yes, helmets are a must).

 

Yes, DV8's Wolves are great; thanks for providing the link. I also enjoyed the entertaining discussion on that thread about whether to "wolf bling" or not to "wolf bling". Obviously, everyone has their own preferences.

 

Valerian

[LoneSniperSG]

One thing, if you don't have wolf pelts, you don't get the counter attack bonus.

[Beef]

A wolfs Manlyness is measured by the length of his beard.

 

Ok so some older members might be bald but they can atleast make up for it with a beard. For me a SW without a beard looks to young. Especially if I am modelling a wolf lord or long fangs.