Conversion idea(s)

[spjaco]

Well I have my Ultra's and am trying to do the conversions to SW on the sly (read cheap, married with two kids, LOL).

 

Currently I have an old Dark Eldar squad (twenty warriors in all) unassembled. Some of them have hair that resembles SW wolf tails and haircuts. If I used them right, it just might work.

Oh if only there was an accessory sprue.....

 

Until recently I had been an avid Ultramarines player but the army that orginally won my interest in 40k was the Space Wolves. Recently I found myself losing interest in the chapter and the rigidity of its codex. When I first started in the hobby I didnt believe I could paint the SW models well enough to do them justice.

 

Then the other day a friend provided me with an extra copy of the new codex for SW. It rekindled the enjoyment I once had for the hobby.

 

The good news my painting skills have improved. The better news is I have a large army already built and just waiting for conversion.

Not meaning to brag but this is what I have already:

AOBR Captain

Chaplain (scrap build)

Librarian

Command Squad Complete (scrap build)

20 Tactical Terminators

7 Assault Terminators

14 Assault Marines (with jetpacks)

18 Devastator Marines (9 actually just bolter marines)

60 Tactical Marines (I can add to the Long Fang squads with the heavy weapons, guess these will be Grey Hunters)

5 Scouts (configured as snipers)

1 Landspeeder (AC and Multi-Melta)

1 Landraider

1 Rhino

1 Razorback (Lascannon & TL Plasma Gun turret)

1 Dreadnaught (CCW, Multi-Melta)

1 Dreadnaught (Missile Launcher, TL Lascannon)

 

Now its already been suggested to drop the sniper rifles and I think I may do just that, though with a BS of 4 it would be a little fun :rolleyes:

[spjaco]

One thing that never made to much sense to me was the low WS on Blood Claws, I mean these guys are raised with a blade/axe in their hand right?

But that is my only serious complaint so far. Being that it goes back quite a ways in the Codices its not a very big one either.

[Ullr Direfang]

One thing that never made to much sense to me was the low WS on Blood Claws, I mean these guys are raised with a blade/axe in their hand right?

But that is my only serious complaint so far. Being that it goes back quite a ways in the Codices its not a very big one either.

 

i think we all kind of felt that way when the new dex has came out, but if you look at it from a "the game perspective" (which surprisingly GW managed to keep consistant so far in the game) the most experienced Imperial Guard are only WS 4 (with a couple WS 5 characters tossed in there) and the "top notch' guys are WS 3. Granted they are IG, but it would be like saying that a NEW BC has the same WS as a Commissar or Company command, who has spent years fighting the creatures of the universe instead of just the other populace of a plant would seem kind of silly.

 

but back on topic:

if you can get your hands on some WHFB chaos bits (there are a few good places online where you can get some), they make for really good SW conversions. you might be looking at some where around $20-$30 to get some different heads and some more wolfy like weapons/items.

[spjaco]

Enlighten me what is WHFB?

[the akratic]

WHFB = Warhammer Fantasy Battle.

 

The chaos marauders in particular have lots of cool weapons and head options for space wolves. Shields always look really cool on space wolves too in my opinion, warhammer fantasy is no doubt the best means of acquiring these.

[spjaco]

Awesome!!!! I will look it up.

 

Now here is my next question....

How is this for my great company organization:

(just covering main troop units)

6 Bloodclaws Squads (15 each) 90 overall

6 Grey Hunter Squads (10 each) 60 overall

4 Long Fangs Squads (5-6 each) 20-24 overall

1 Skyclaws Squad (10 each) 10 overall

1 Swiftclaw Squad (10 each) 10 overall

 

How does that strike you all?

[ORKILL]

Green stuff is your friend, brother.

[Grie Velorn]

If you're in to it, the Beastmen army from Warhammer Fantasy does have some nice bits to convert with if you'd like to have some bare arms and various CC weapons. I used them for MoTW and they turned out rather nice.

[Stormshrug]

One thing that never made to much sense to me was the low WS on Blood Claws, I mean these guys are raised with a blade/axe in their hand right?

But that is my only serious complaint so far. Being that it goes back quite a ways in the Codices its not a very big one either.

 

In fluff terms, it makes some sense. First, yes, they're raised fighting, but Blood Claws fight very, very aggressively, as reflected by their Berserk Charge and Headstrong abilities. I Blood Claw is probably physically and technically capable of fighting at WS4, but they're "choosing" not to in favor of launching more attacks. Basically, they're forgoing defense and accuracy for extra striking power.

 

In game terms, Blood Claws are only so-so unless paired with a Wolf Priest, when I've heard they become pretty brutal. You could pass on them and your army wouldn't lose much, since Grey Hunters are exactly the same price, have higher WS and BS (so they can take better advantage of the special weapons you give them, like Plasmas or Meltas), and only have one less attack on the charge. Actually having Bolters is nice, too.

 

-Stormshrug

[Wispy]

For the cheap? A pin, some vaseline, and some green stuff, and it's painless to sculpt fur.

 

 

As for the Grey Company organization, the bulk of the Company is supposed to be Greyhunters.

[spjaco]

Thats cool. So I could build it for the tabletop (ie A LOTTA GH) and no one should complain. Since I have a lot of Ultramarine Tactical squads to convert that would make my life easier to be sure.

 

Though in the interests of collecting my goal will be to have a full up company. :D

 

Wispy I will have to try that sculpting trick. Once I find some newer green stuff, tube I have is almost five years old....

 

Putting Blood Claws with a Wolf Priest sounds like a great idea. Extra punch all around.

 

Thanks everyone.

[Kjarl Bluetooth]

Just to clarify:

 

Blood Claws are the Space Wolf equivilent of scouts i.e. they're the newly recruited aspirants and this is reflected in their stats being lower.

 

As such, they lack experience and so rely on their natural Fenrisian ferocity rather than using guile and tactics. They're assault troops pure and simple and those that survive slowly learn what it means to be an Astartes.

 

Eventually the survivors will have learnt the skills required and their Wolf Lord will designate them as Grey Hunters.

 

Space Wolf scouts are Grey Hunters who express a preference for a solitary life style rather than the comradeship of the pack.

 

I believe the optimal way of fielding Blood Claws is to have 14 with a Wolf Guard Pack Leader armed with a Power Fist and led by a Wolf Priest - all loaded in a LR Crusader.

[DarkMark]

The marauder horsemen box is your friend for conversions. Tons of cool head, without the johny bravo hairdos, shields, and other useful bits. Oh, and its super cheap too :P

[spjaco]

Darkmark - I looked the Marauder Horsemen up and you sir are 100% correct. Awesome. Even the Johnny Bravo haircuts can be saved with a bit of trimming with me knife.

 

Bluetooth - Tell me is there any better way to deploy Bloodclaws than a LR: Crusader? JUST KIDDING, that is one tactic I cant wait to try!

 

Thanks

[spjaco]

I should be able to get the Space Wolves Battleforce by the 1st of May and then the true conversions should be begin!!!!

 

I currently dont have a drop pod but and I think I will use both squads as Blood Claws, should have enough bolt pistols and such around here for that. That should get me off to a pretty good start.

 

Here shortly I will be running with 6 ML, 3 HB, 2 PC, 2 LC, 2 MM total. I have a couple weapons still on sprues (more weapons than bearers).

I guess I will break that down into three squads. I dont really care for the MM, by the time someone gets that close to the Devastators of the Ultra's (the army I run right now) they are usually in for a world of hurt, so I may be dropping them unless I use one Long Fang as a 2 MM, 3 HB drop pod unit and put it in close to the enemy, just to mess him up some.

Suggestions?

[Night Runner]

Don't forget the pics Spjaco, it's the bread and butter of us modellers. -_-

[spjaco]

Night Runner - I know what you mean, just got my wife a new camera for XMAS so I will borrow it soon.

 

In doing some research I have found I in error of my Great Company Organization.

Here is what I first proposed:

6 Bloodclaws Squads (15 each) 90 overall

6 Grey Hunter Squads (10 each) 60 overall

4 Long Fangs Squads (5-6 each) 20-24 overall

1 Skyclaws Squad (10 each) 10 overall

1 Swiftclaw Squad (10 each) 10 overall

This is what I will actually be building since I found the fluff to prove me wrong:

4 Bloodclaws Squads (15 each) 60 overall

8 Grey Hunter Squads (10 each) 80 overall

4 Long Fangs Squads (5-6 each) 20-24 overall

1 Skyclaws Squad (10 each) 10 overall

1 Swiftclaw Squad (10 each) 10 overall

 

See even I can be proven wrong....

[Ullr Direfang]

See even I can be proven wrong....

 

we all can and being able to accept it is a step in the positive direction.

 

but what you posted there is basically what i am shooting for with my company, just i got two units of scout, dreads, WG, vehicles, and even TWC (now even though i really don't like the fluff/feel of them..... just my rendition of them, not actually really big wolves).

[spjaco]

I want to see TWC in action. Just cuz, guess its the Space Wolf in me. Anything that causes havoc and chaos has got to be fun to watch.

A six foot tall wolf with seven or eight foot tall armor clad human on his back has got to be a sight!

 

Oh and my Long Fang Breakdown will be like this: (with the models/sprue's I have on hand now)

1 SQD 3 HB's, 2 MM (usually goes in with a drop pod, but will have a Razorback available when needed) - Anti-Infantry/Armor

1 SQD 2 PC's, 3 ML w/Razorback with Lascannon Turret w/TL Plasma Guns - Anti-Horde/Everything

1 SQD 2 LC's, 3 ML w/Razorback with TL Lascannon Turret - Anti-Armor/Everything

[spjaco]

Fluff question: Brynngar Sturmdreng from Horus Heresy "Battle for the Abyss," makes a rather well depiction of a Space Wolf Lord. Not outstanding, but hey, every unit has the guys that just perform, not necessarily over-achieve.

He plays a vital part in the battle, dies of course, but it is hard to believe the mission would have succeeded without his contribution, or that of the Wolves with him.

 

SO how come he isnt mentioned here, on Wiki, or Lexi, or anywhere else?

[spjaco]

The new SW Battleforce Box: Does everyone stay with the two Grey Hunter squads or does anyone try to convert them over to Blood Claws? My force is low in the BC category is why I ask.

 

Also the older codex has a lot of good characters that have gone to the wayside. Is it possible to resurrect these older characters as "counts as"?

 

In another topic there is a debate running on about the Leman Russ Exterminators. I am rather lucky in that regard as if I can pull up the old codex rules for it our local club will pretty much let me run it in FRIENDLY games.

[DarkMark]

No need to try, its all there for you fella!

[spjaco]

Has anyone ever heard of just priming the SW's grey and then painting on the finishing touches?

A guy locally says its not a bad way to go when you have a lot of models to do and on a budget with both time and money. Then focus more on the IC's and such.

[spjaco]

Well the Wolf in me is about to go back on the prowl so to speak.

The wife asked for a divorce. Bad news is that my model buying will be suffering for about a year until I get myself out of the marital debt machine, the good news is I will have a lot more time to paint now :D ;)

 

So did I hear correctly that Lone Wolves cannot drop pod in? I cant find any such animal in my copy of C: SW. This sounds strange as to drop pod in 6-10 of these badies into the enemy to tie em up for a turn or two would seem like a brillant idea. If not, how about throwing em on a rhino or LSS? Get em there, get em into the fight, and pick off the survivors.

 

Oh and put Mark of the Wulfen on each one. TRUELY SICK!!!! :nuke:

[hendrik]

Well the Wolf in me is about to go back on the prowl so to speak.

The wife asked for a divorce. Bad news is that my model buying will be suffering for about a year until I get myself out of the marital debt machine, the good news is I will have a lot more time to paint now :D :tu:

 

So did I hear correctly that Lone Wolves cannot drop pod in? I cant find any such animal in my copy of C: SW. This sounds strange as to drop pod in 6-10 of these badies into the enemy to tie em up for a turn or two would seem like a brillant idea. If not, how about throwing em on a rhino or LSS? Get em there, get em into the fight, and pick off the survivors.

 

Oh and put Mark of the Wulfen on each one. TRUELY SICK!!!! :tu:

i believe he can board a rhino, but it would disable anyone else from riding along with it...