Grey Hunters

[Frontline989]

Grey Hunters are expierienced warriors who can handle any situation that they might encounter but how do you think they go about this? When lacking a Wolf Guard to lead them do you think each pack has an alpha or do they make decisions by concensus? Long Fangs have Squad Leaders and Blood Claws I would think are most often accompanied by a senior warrior, Wolf Priest or Wolf Guard, for example. As a unit most capable of operating independently what is the most likely way to resolve decissions?

[Shieldwall]

I think fluffwise, Grey Hunters have reached a level of experience at which they don't really need anybody to give them orders anymore. At least not inside their own pack.

 

They are so highly trained that at any given situation, all of them are well aware of the best course of action and how to execute it.

 

That aside, Space Wolves rather judge by deeds, so I would imagine the oldest/ best fighter/ most courageous member of the pack is indeed in a position where they are looked up to with high respect, thereby giving him a higher authority.

 

But still, even a Wolflord is the first among equals in a way, it's just the way the Wolves work.

[Mantinel]

I am sure that HQ or Wolf Guards apoint squad leaders before the battle and if he is killed or wounded the most veteran and respected Grey Hunter takes the lead.

[Duke Corwin]

If there is no Wolf Guard leading the pack then one pack member would assume the duties. Otherwise you would have chaos which is not allowed in the Imperium. The Wolf Lord would need one marine to communicate with and get reports from.

 

Even blood claws would have a "leader" of sorts though they would almost always have at least a Wolf Guard with them. Sky Claws, on the other hand, seem more independent as they don't get Wolf Guard leaders.

[Stormshrug]

I'll add yet ANOTHER idea to the soup: it might vary pack-to-pack. Some packs might follow a particularly charismatic individual, others might work more by a loosely democratic system. Space Wolves aren't exactly the most orderly or uniform chapter, and many things seem to be left to individual groups to decide. Remember also that packs do not replace lost members, so fluff-wise, many Grey Hunter packs might easily be only four or five strong. Given the way both people and wolves work, however, it seems that there would probably be some sort of deferential system in place in most packs, even if it wasn't really formalized.

 

I'm also 99% certain that Skyclaws lacking the ability to take Wolf Guard pack leaders isn't actually supposed to be fluff-accurate, and is in fact an oversight.

 

-Stormshrug

[Brother Caleb]

I'm still new, but based on what I've read from Space Wolf it seems that whoever is put in charge during the aspirant phase of recruitment would maintain command throughout the life of the pack. Though, I'm still in the middle of the novel.

[Black2Jack1]

I'm still new, but based on what I've read from Space Wolf it seems that whoever is put in charge during the aspirant phase of recruitment would maintain command throughout the life of the pack. Though, I'm still in the middle of the novel.

 

 

I was thinking the same thing and I read the whole series, although that was a year ago. But I have a feeling Ragnars Claw gave some insight on this.

[TiguriusX]

Grey Hunters are expierienced warriors who can handle any situation that they might encounter but how do you think they go about this? When lacking a Wolf Guard to lead them do you think each pack has an alpha or do they make decisions by concensus? Long Fangs have Squad Leaders and Blood Claws I would think are most often accompanied by a senior warrior, Wolf Priest or Wolf Guard, for example. As a unit most capable of operating independently what is the most likely way to resolve decissions?

 

 

Based on the fluff I have read, one of the pack naturally rises to an alpha position. Remember, they have been a unit from aspirant training to blood claws as well. The social dynamic has had plenty of time to get established by the time they reach GH status. Ragnar's novels do a decent job describing it. Ragnar was always put in command when nobody else was around. In the early part of their training his alpha position was also challenged a few times. After he proved himself to challengers he was just the alpha...the way we would expect a wolf pack based chapter to operate.

[WG Vrox]

Within any pack there is always a alpha male, it is no different with a pack of Grey Hunters, with a Space Wolves's acute sense of smell the alpha male produces a pheromone that all the pack and other packs for that matter can immediately recognize.

 

Now again with most wolf packs the alpha male status is always able to be challenged, this however would never happen in a battle as any indecision in battle would mean death. The alpha male position could be challenged possibly because of a death or a bad decision made by the current the alpha male. If another member of the pack did challenge for the alpha status more than likely a no weapon near death brawl would ensue to prove who is the superior pack member.

 

 

Vrox.