Fluff question re Thunderwolves

[old git]

We all know that a great company is a fairly autonomous formation in that it has under command most of the elements it needs to wage war. It contains, in various proportions depending on the wolf lord leading it, wolf guard, hunters, scouts, blood claws etc but does each company have it's own units of thunderwolves? I ask because it seems to me that thunderwolf riders are a breed apart within the chapter. Having tamed one of the greatest predators on Fenris it sets them apart from their brothers. Not superior as such but certainly different, maybe in the same way as scouts are loners. So, does a great company have it's own thunderwolves or are they a seperate cult (if you like) within the chapter. Does a wolf lord petition them to accompany him to war or does he command them as part of his own company? I ask because I'm doing some T/wolves and was wondering what their pack markings would be.

[stinkenheim]

they are part of the wolf guard iirc, the upper echelons of the wolf guard require you to tame a t-wolf to gain entry.

[winternight]

Well the riders are Wolf Guard, which are all fairly individual when it comes to markings. I'd say there are TWs in each company, though some companies would have more of them than others.

[Beef]

I would say not all great companies have thunderwolves. Whilst some would have lots more.

[Grimtooth]

I would say not all great companies have thunderwolves. Whilst some would have lots more.

 

This.

 

Look at the individual personalities and tactics of each Company. Some just do not lend themselves to having wolf guard pursue taming thunderwolves.

 

For example, in an Iron Wolf army, a new Blood Claw will be going through his life learning nothing but the tactics of an armored spearhead. Every battle would be armored spearhead, armored spearhead, armored spearhead. As he is promoted through the ranks, the majority of his knowledge is armored spearhead. When he finally reaches the ranks of wolf guard, he has had a lifetime of armored spearhead. It doesn't make much sense that he would then suddenly pursue a thunderwolf mount.

[Ryzouken]

I wouldn't think any of the great companies were that narrow focused... do you have a source?

 

I mean, I know the various wolf lords have preferred tactics, but I didn't think they pursued those tactics to the exclusion of all else. I figured we were more pragmatic than that.

 

That said, TWC are definitely a part of each company, but there isn't really a mandate on maintaining them. It's really more of a "Hey, Hrolf tamed a big bad wolf! Let's talk him into riding into battle as a joke! ... That... was more effective than we'd expected. Good job Hrolf! You're our new cavalry!"

[Beef]

I wouldn't think any of the great companies were that narrow focused... do you have a source?

 

I mean, I know the various wolf lords have preferred tactics, but I didn't think they pursued those tactics to the exclusion of all else. I figured we were more pragmatic than that.

 

Prefered tactics Yes, some would be that narrowly focused, hence their particular specialities are called for when situations arise, Why does Grimnar usualy get Ragnar company to spearhead assaults? Beacsue he excells at that, when he needs stealth he uses one of the other wolf lords, when he needs an armoured assualt he sends egil iron wolf. Most of the of lords specialise to some extent, Yes they can adapt but so could most Sm companies,

For example the 8 or 9th company in a codex chapter is dev heavy, sure they could addapt and assualt if required to, its just that they would be better at shooting heavy weapons, Yes ist s simplistic example but you get what I meen

[Grimtooth]

I wouldn't think any of the great companies were that narrow focused... do you have a source?

 

I mean, I know the various wolf lords have preferred tactics, but I didn't think they pursued those tactics to the exclusion of all else. I figured we were more pragmatic than that.

 

Prefered tactics Yes, some would be that narrowly focused, hence their particular specialities are called for when situations arise, Why does Grimnar usualy get Ragnar company to spearhead assaults? Beacsue he excells at that, when he needs stealth he uses one of the other wolf lords, when he needs an armoured assualt he sends egil iron wolf. Most of the of lords specialise to some extent, Yes they can adapt but so could most Sm companies,

For example the 8 or 9th company in a codex chapter is dev heavy, sure they could addapt and assualt if required to, its just that they would be better at shooting heavy weapons, Yes ist s simplistic example but you get what I meen

 

Exactly. I won't say they are specialized to the extent of tunnel vision, but certain circumstances are best dealt with certain companies by far. I think this lends credence to the chapter being organized according to Russ versus Guilliman. I mean each company, with the specialized traits of their respective wolf lord, almost represents a slot in the FOC.