Blood Claws or Grey Hunters

[Requiem of the Wolf]

Surely Lukas isn't THAT bad.

 

He has the stat line of a Wolf Guard Battle Leader and has a piece of wargear which makes him harder to hit (once the squad is dead), and he isn't that much more expensive than one either.

 

Sure he is expensive and if you want to have 13 other Blood Claws, a Wolf Guard and a Wolf Priest mounted in a Land Raider Crusader with all the trimmings you are paying a total of 788 points.

 

There must be someone who has fielded Lukas in a small game (1500-2500 points), anyone?

I have been considering it. For many many reasons I love the fluff attached to Lukas the Trickster.

[Grey Mage]

Actually, that might be a good way to solve your mephiston problem. Lukas isnt bad for his points, I just hate that his more useful abilities cant come into play tell his squad mates are dead.

[Valerian]

Actually, that might be a good way to solve your mephiston problem. Lukas isnt bad for his points, I just hate that his more useful abilities cant come into play tell his squad mates are dead.

 

The thing is, the Last Laugh isn't even guaranteed. You can go through the trouble of getting him and his whole pack killed, and still not successfully statis field his victorious opponent. Requiem likes his fluff, but I hate it. He's written as nothing but an undisciplined Space Marine and a complete nuisance to his Chapter. That just doesn't jive with my vision for who these men of Fenris are, and makes a joke of their honour and character. In my opinion he is the worst thing in the new codex, and the idea/concept for him should have been left on the editing room floor.

 

Regards,

 

Valerian

[Adarul Greystalker]

I would generally agree that Lukas is not a well-conceived character. Sure, space wolves are allowed to and even encouraged to question authority and even challenge their leaders, and yes fenrisians value independence of spirit and all that. I understand that Lukas is an example of a brother who takes those tenancies too far, but I would've much rather seen a wolf scout or long fang character personally.

 

Back on the issue of blood claws and their usefulness relative to other units, I've been thinking about this for some time now, and I think that it may be appropriate to have a community-supported blood claw tactica: an article detailing how to properly use the various kinds of blood claws from troops to fast attack according to us, the warriors of the Fang. They tend to be under-utilized units that are nonetheless valuable, particularly in the context of our chapter's background. I would be willing to contribute to such a project in any capacity that is needed.

[Thunderhawk3015]

It depends on the situation. If I'm going to be running armor then I'll pull out the Blood Claws since their best on the charge. For the most flexability I'll stick to Grey Hunters who can do everything equally via shooting or close combat.

 

Overall I would say Grey Hunters are the more well rounded unit, but Blood Claws can hold their own if they get the charge off and don't rip apart the whole unit in one round of combat.

[Quillen]

Yeah, Lucas is not as good as another pack of Grey Hunters. So why nother taking him. He has 2 wounds and has to be in a blood claw pack. So you just lost 2 Grey Hunter packs with thier better gear and stats. Just to have a guy that might stasis someone when he and the squad he is with dies, and only if the Squad does not break and he flees with them as he can not inspire them to stick it out.

 

Basicly who ever thought him up was way too stoned to see how ineffective he truely is for those points.

 

If he was a Lone Wolf model he would be worth the points. And it would make more sence. As is no point in taking him.

[Requiem of the Wolf]

My love of his Fluff,comes from the fact that he is based on the Norse god of Mischief Loki. The Norse god that to me,resonates the most with my own personality. Now granted...the way he is presented is not the most wonderful or useful...But still..It's a matter of Style...and to my way of thinking,Lukas has it in spades. But yes...I agree that he isn't very useful for his points...and that to my mind makes me very sad. If he were the lone wolf or scout character instead,and presented in that manner,that would be awesome to my mind.

[Shadow Wulfen]

Sorry quadruple posted.

[Shadow Wulfen]

Sorry quadruple posted.

[Shadow Wulfen]

Sorry quadruple posted.

[Shadow Wulfen]

If you field Lukas in a big pack of Blood Claws with all the trimmings the points do start to add up and it becomes a bit of an "eggs in one basket" unit.

 

I justify taking Lukas by thinking of him like a Wolf Guard Battle Leader.

[Gman]

My wife's new SW army has both unit types. At 1500 she is running 2 GH units and a 10 man BC unit, in a rhino. So far in 2 games vs my marines the BC have done well. She likes the background and everything about Lukas and picked him up and added him to the unit and a powerfist on one BC. Let me tell you, that unit packs a punch. They they get to charge Lukas I5 with the claw is very useful at removing models that would get to hit you back, which is good since BC low WS. Then ALL those BC attacks pounding on the enemy. Then lastly, the powerfist(still getting bonus charging attacks) just helps clean up what is left. The charged into a full squad of tactical with power weapon, and had the job done in two turns of combat. Now they were down to 5 BC at that point, but held their own when I charged in a full 10 man scout unit with powerfist. At the end of another round of combat it was just Lukas standing alone. Wandered over to the objective just 5" away and sat there another turn until game end.

Remember, Lukas has 2 HUGE advantages that make him an almost must in a BC unit. He is not an independant character so you can assure him staying alive to be the last model left. Secondly, he is just an upgraded BC so he by himself is still a troop choice.

[Blarmb]

Personally my view on Blood Claws vs Grey Hunters is this: Blood Claws are somewhat better at charging things with WS4 and Init 3-. Grey Hunters are better at everything else. Given that they're troops and much of what you want them to do falls under "Everything Else" and that there are other less awkward tools for the job blood claws do I tend not to use Blood Claws very much.