Finally Trying Space Wolves. Some Questions: Experiences...

[Prot]

Well I finally found myself wanting to try Space Wolves.

I don't know how many of you venture off of this area of the forum, but I've been primarily a Chaos player for a decade, and my longest 'loyalist' excursion was with the Black Templars for a good spell, but I got a little tired of that scheme and playstyle.

Long story short I really, really wanted to go back to a loyalist army but I couldn't make anything stick from the current marine codex. And I tried everything. Nothing stuck. The funny thing is I know of two local Wolves guys that have a bazillion points of Wolves, but haven't bit on the new codex.

I think I was doing my Red Corsairs 'Wolves' defectors and came to like the iconography. One thing I never liked about Wolves is the unfortunate way in which Black Library writers had written them up with a broad brush.... depicting them all as drunkards, stumbling from one fight to the next. This reminds me of how, for a very long time, Black Library depicted Plague Marines as mentally deficient space zombies with bolters. But I think the Horus Heresy -changed- that perception and I really hope Prospero Burns changes that as well (I've heard it will).

Speaking of Prospero Burns, I decided to use the cover art to inspire a colour selection for the army. It's far lighter than the typical Space Wolves style, and I like the... 'cold' white of it. It definitely is a good 'frozen' colour.

So I decided to use a sort of white/grey/blue hue to base the army in and I'm still experimenting but this image is basically giving my inspiration for the basic colours.

I decided to pick up the codex and was instantly hooked. The background is much better than I imagined. The characters are great, the art is also awesome at times. It wasn't long before I picked up my first box set with the pod, marines and scout.

Maybe the thing that really hooked me is the amount of lists I came up with. Some chapters seem like they're just suited to one or two lists, or a very basic base list, and not much deviation from it. The Wolves seem to have so many options and they even appear viable on a few different platforms.... the Special Characters seem about 'half' usable. But I haven't tried them yet.

So fast forward and I'm putting the army together at record pace. My first game was a tie, and I lost a landraider in the first turn. My second game (this past weekend) was a total blast. I took on the Orks, and my list was just slightly tweaked and for the first time in a looong time, I ended up defeating the Orks.

Orks are nasty, but it appears Space Wolves can at least contend with them! (or at least I did that night.... maybe got lucky?)

The great thing about this is I feel -zero- desire to start looking for another army. That's a nice feeling. I was bouncing around like nuts. So now that I'm confident I have my next long term army/project in front of me, I have a few questions:

1) Special Characters:

- At 1500 points ( I know there are posts on this but I have to ask)..... is anyone preferring a 'special character' to a generic one? At first I was pumped to try Canis, or Njal, or whatever.... and I'm finding the generic Wolf Priest has to be THE economic choice in an 'elite' heavy list. Thoughts? Are any of these guys worth it?

2) Choosing a Company. Wow, is this hard. At first I thought Harry because of Canis, and I like the red base colour on the light blue. But I'm thinking Canis is going to get fisted a lot (even without instant death (aside from Ghazkul sp?) I fear he's going to die, but I do like the Wolf theme. Some hate it, but I find it... 'fetching'.

My other company thought was Njal's, but in 1500 points, I can't see this guy working... at all. I figure I should pick a company whose leader will at least have a chance of making it in my army list.

Then of course Ragnar looks like he might work with the right support, but it's a very popular choice.

So I'm wondering how often you guys are fielding Company commanders from outside of your chosen company?

I'd appreciate some thoughts on it. Right now I'm in limbo about company, even after reading the backgrounds. I guess on one hand I don't want to limit myself, but on the other hand, I'm not sure if it's an issue. I always felt it was weird to imagine Lysander in a Salamander army... wouldn't it be the same idea to have Ragnar leading Njal's or Harald's company?

And the HQ thing... like I said, I can't imagine not using a 100 point Wolf Priest. Just a great, basic choice that leaves you LOTS of points for fun stuff. On the other hand I LOVE how they left you all sorts of options for making your own 'kick-butt' Wolf Lord, complete with Saga.

On a final note.... favourite Wolves unit thus far: Wolf Guard! I love the plastics, and they're a ton of fun on the field.

[Hfran Morkai]

Welcome to the Fang! Aye, I have spent a little time over in the pits of Chaos, keeping an eye for the next attack.

 

Glad to see someone else hooked on the nice fluff we have going for us now.

 

Admittedly we don't really seem to have those builds that every player wants to take, perhaps they'll appear in time but I seem to remember with the Marine codex the lists appearing quickly, mainly Vulkan lists because of his epic rules.

 

1) At 1500 I personally don't take a SC, I tend to take jump pack wolf priest with skyclaw pack for barrels of laughs. I'm not sure how well they run at small points levels. But if Ragnar is run ensure he has a large enough retinue because I whittled down a five man WG pack to one and Rags and sniped him with a lascannon.

 

2) You are aware that Njal doesn't have a company? Being a Rune Priest. I had the same issues, so many of the company's appealed to me so I created my own company based on Ironwolf's "successor" Ragnar is pretty nifty because of his rules but as said before if you take him ensure he has enough wounds to keep him safe.

 

However because I love the company's so much I've begun creating the Lords of each for Apocalypse.

[Prot]

Welcome to the Fang! Aye, I have spent a little time over in the pits of Chaos, keeping an eye for the next attack.

 

Glad to see someone else hooked on the nice fluff we have going for us now.

 

1) At 1500 I personally don't take a SC, I tend to take jump pack wolf priest with skyclaw pack for barrels of laughs. I'm not sure how well they run at small points levels. But if Ragnar is run ensure he has a large enough retinue because I whittled down a five man WG pack to one and Rags and sniped him with a lascannon.

 

Okay, that's what I thought. Your config was one I considered with Skyclaws, however, I opted for a cheapo version in a Landraider Redeemer. Very fun.

 

2) You are aware that Njal doesn't have a company? Being a Rune Priest. I had the same issues, so many of the company's appealed to me so I created my own company based on Ironwolf's "successor" Ragnar is pretty nifty because of his rules but as said before if you take him ensure he has enough wounds to keep him safe.

 

However because I love the company's so much I've begun creating the Lords of each for Apocalypse.

 

Actually I did not know that. For some reason I thought Njal the Stormcaller was part of a company with a sideways 'running' wolf. I don't know where I got that idea from but I guess that opens things up.

 

That means I could go with Canis' company..... I just re-read his rules and I realize he doesn't have an invulnerable? Ugh, nasty. OH well....

 

Anyway I could go with Harald and from time to time Njal could drop in... I just realized with him he's actually about 270 with his Termie Armour! Wow. Maybe it is time just go Ragnar or Grimnar. At least I'd get a bigger payout on the HQ with wider ranging effects. Njal is more about personal powers (which to me is weird as the original Librarians are definitely 'helper' type units).

 

Yea, the more I think about it, the harder it is to justify a special character at 1500 pts.

[Ullr Direfang]

i personally never use SC.... i tried one or two once and hated how they preformed. then again i haven't really tried them with the new 'dex.

 

as far a company, if you have to hard a time choosing, just mash you favorite parts of different companies and make you own. or just make you own up, that is how i got the Direwolves.

[Brother Merrick]

Hey Prot, Im in the same boat... been trying to make my marine list stick but just couldn't do it. So even though the thought of running a Space Wolves army never sat well with me (I remember the old wolf rush lists in 3rd), the new kickin' codex, the heresey books (just read "Wolf at the Door" in "Tales of Heresy"), the heroic characters, and the new wolf guard termies just sealed the deal. Im building my first box of termies at the moment and these guys are monstrous - essentially walking battle tanks. I love it.

 

My plan was to run a Logan/wolf guard list (aka wolfwing :tu: ) backed up by 3 vindies. The fluff behind Stormwolf's great company would suit the 3 vindies and termies perfectly but it seems a little odd to have logan leading stormwolf's wolf guard. The space wolves's fluff is so complex its almost like I need a crib sheet just to not piss somebody off. Ive been looking for guides but, beyond a couple of blogs, haven't had any luck out there. If the sage veterans of this forum have some suggestions for getting started it would be welcome.

 

M