Rune Priest and Wolf Guard

[Lord of Hats]

In my current list I'm thinking I'm gonna be putting in two rune priests, a normal one with CotS, and another in TDA. The Terminator priest is going to drop pod in with 4 wolf guard Terminators, so I'm trying to figure out a good load out for the WG termies considering they're pal'n around with a rune priest.

 

How are rune priests in assault? Their state line looks about the same as that of the Space Marine Librarian (don't have my C:SM on me right now though so I'm not sure), and if it is, I seem to remember Librarians not lasting long in HtH. Do rune Priests fair better and would it be good to load up the terminators with TH/SS and Wolf Claws? Or, would it be better to just upgrade the terminators to power fists from their power weapons with maybe a chain fist mixed in and save a few points to spend elsewhere.

 

My general Idea is that the Termie priest will be using Jaws of the World Wolf or Living Lightning close up to the enemy with Grey Hunter support, while the second Priest is hanging back with my Long Fangs casts Living Lightning or Murderous Hurricane as the situation dictates (MH sounds like it would murder Infiltrators).

 

Any suggestions? I'm coming from a stint on a small Tau army, but I had played C:SM before that with little success and lots of models I never used. Trying not to burn as much cash this time around and figure it all before school is out.

[Sarapham]

Well what you probably should aim for is a WG unit that can both shoot good and assault good.. not really going all out in one area.

The RP is not that good in HtH, the power armor RP being slightly better offensively and the TDA being better defensively which means you should try to keep him out of combat to use more psychic powers.

 

Some good shooty stuff on the Termies will help you then as you will not "lose" out on anything like you would if they were complete close combat monsters.

 

The easiest thing to do is to try to get magnets for all your Termies and their weapons so you can play around a bit, otherwise I would recommend a Cyclone/Ass-cannon, 1-2 combi-weapons and the rest storm bolters. For HtH weapons try to keep power weapons or wolf claws to keep it cheap and also so your WG can try to hit first in HtH to protect the priest, and just throw in 1, max 2 Powerfist/Chainfist/Thunderhammer.

[the akratic]

Well, Rune Priests are of course most powerful outside of assault where they can freely use their psychic shooting powers. They do have the runic weapon which may be alright against enemy characters or things like tyranid warriors, but i wouldn't rely on that. It's more likely that he'll get insta-gibbed by a hidden fist, or ripped apart by said warriors.

 

With that in mind, i'd outfit the terminators that accompany him with shooty weapons. Perhaps an assault cannon, and 3 combi-weapons, with a chain fist and a couple frost blades for the inevitable combat?

 

I'd also suggest swapping his psychic powers and using Murderous Hurricane instead of living lightning. Lightning is great for popping transports with it's unlimited range and str 7. If you plan on being up close, you're not really taking advantage of that unlimited range and you shouldn't be too worried about transports. Murderous Hurricane is great since it forces any opponent that wants to assault you take a difficult terrain test when he wants to get closer. Given that terminators have the relentless USR you can safely move 6" and shoot every round, while your opponent will have to roll 6s to keep up.

 

If you're looking for an assaulty type character to hang out with your terminators, you can make a pretty dirty Wolf Lord that fits that bill much better than the rune priest.

[Lord of Hats]

I feel silly now. I'd read through the rules about using assault cannons and assumed it meant for every five WG in Terminator armor, but it doesn't say that, it just says WG which I have seven including the Pack Leaders. This frees up more points too.

[Lord of Hats]

Alright, here's what I think I'm looking at, and for about the same points cost more or less (it'll only come down to how many intervals of five I need to fill in my 1500 point list):

 

Rune Priest (TDA)

Wolf Guard (TDA x4, Assault Cannon, Chain Fist, Wolf Claws x3)

Transport

 

or:

 

Rune Priest (PA)

Wolf Guard(x9, Storm Bolters x9, Thunder Hammer)

Transport

 

The Terminator move seems like it'll live longer under fire, but the power armor squad is going to be putting out 18 shots at 24" a turn while moving plus whatever nastiness the Rune Priest can throw out. I figure they'll die faster but the sheer volume of fire they could put out after landing in their pod makes me giddy. On the other hand they can't really do much to vehicles are range.

 

What do you guys think? Is one a better option than the other?

[Freman Bloodglaive]

Well my Rune Priest is in terminator armour, and he has always performed above and beyond the call of duty.

 

Tonight he hurricaned to death a 5 man squad of Berzerkers, and (with the help of some long fangs) a 5 man havoc squad (1000 point game). I really don't use living lightning a lot, but I'm sure I'll find a use if he runs into some vehicles.

 

However Wolf Guard terminators (although very cool) do seem to die more quickly than it seems they should (maybe it's just me). I haven't tried power armour, in truth I'm not sure I would. If I wanted power armour I'd just take more Grey Hunters. Short range fire fights FTW. Wolf Guard in power armour with a storm bolter cost 21 points. For 4 more points you can get a Grey Knight in power armour who can also count as troops, with better WS and S6 in assault. If I had the money and inclination I'd buy some, but...

 

I'll settle for painting my old metal Grey Hunters, Blood Claws and Long Fangs. With the new plastic arms they look quite spiffy... I think I'm rambling.