Wolf 'dex for DIY use.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

As the the name of the thread virtually spells out, I am thinking of using the Space Wolves 'dex for my DIY chapter the Blazing Sons.

 

The reason I selected the Wolves is for a couple of reasons. Fluff wise their character expresses itself in many of the same ways, their tactics being the main one, equipment and aesthetics the second. Axes, swords, shields and fur (not as in wulfen) mostly.

 

Secondly, I've always had a really, really soft spot for Grey Hunters. I am a very infantry oriented marine player and always like to have as many boots on the ground as I possibly can.

 

What I'm looking for here, if you would be so kind as to indulge me, is for suggestions. I'm not looking for out-and-out competitive competition play here, I like my fluff (I am a Liber Astartes man through and through, that's for sure) and haven't played a game in a while.

 

I'm coming across as extremely vague here and I apologize, I'm not usually so nebulous in my requests. I would like some advice on tactics and unit composition for a Space Wolf army list, is what I'm really after.

 

If you can help I would be madly appreciative.

 

Cheers in advance, and for reading through my waffle. :lol:

[Leardinal]

I am also using the wolf dex for my DIY, though I am going for a more Knightly feel then the viking/barbarian feel in the actual chapter.

 

I am still learning a few things, but here are my two cents:

 

9 Man Grey Hunter squad with melta gun and Wolf standard lead by a Wolf Guard with a Power Fist and Combi Melta all riding in a Rhino. I try to get a power weapon in the squad, but don't always have the point. I would actually like to field more of these in my lists, but I only have 3 rhinos...

 

If going lots of Grey Hunters in Rhino, take a Rune Priest, stick him with an 8 man Grey Hunter pack with a WGPL, and have him cast storm caller on the rhinos after they use their smoke launchers.

 

I love the Idea of Drop Pods, but I hate using them for Melta-cide units. While effective, I would rather spend the points elsewhere. Unfortunately, unless you are making a drop army there really isn't a point to drop units unless it is melta-cide or carrying a Dreadnought.

 

In theory, I would love to have this supported by lots of long fangs. Unfortunately, I also don't have that many missile launchers, so I may go with Dakka Dreads.

 

I also use TWC led by a Wolf Lord as a hammer unit that are screened by the rhinos until I can get them up there. They kill, and kill, and kill, and...Well, you get the point.

 

Hope this helps

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Hope this helps

 

It absolutely does, and this is just the kind of information I was looking for.

 

If you're creating a DIY chapter, head over to the Liber! We love new DIY's to read.... well ok I admit, it's more for the fun of ripping them apart, but the end result always pleases everyone no end. If you're feeling brave enough with your work give it a go. It may end badly initially, but it's always with the aim of improving your work.

 

Gah, I'm going off-topic in my own ruddy topic. :lol:

 

I appreciate the advice Leardinal, thank you.

 

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To add more fuel to the fire, if I am going for a strong infantry list, what am I looking at for support options? Off the top of my head I would look immediately to Long Fangs, Bikers and maybe a dread, though as I said, I haven't played for a while so my knowledge of units and their realistic abilities isn't great.

[JMac]

if I am going for a strong infantry list, what am I looking at for support options?

 

Well if you are going to shy away from the mech side of the wolves, you will want Long Fangs 100% of the time. They are fantastic support units, filling more than one role with their split fire.

 

A lot of people would advocate missile spam for a couple of reasons: Wolves get them cheaper than anyone else, a 6 man LF squad with 5 ML is only 140pts. S8 AP3 can pop a tank or take out most infantry.

 

While others argue that missile spam is too cheesy and tend to split their heavy weapons between missile launchers, las/plasmacannons. These people feel they need that extra umph in taking out those heavily armored tanks or horde armies.

 

Haven't had much experience with bikes, so I will redirect you to this recently posted tactica on using them. I can tell you they are not a popular option because they are very difficult to use. Of course you can find the other side of this argument here.

 

Dreads are dreads. Their tactics are always the same no matter the army, unless you are Blood Angels and have dreads that can fly (really?!). If you are going to use the dreads for their stability and great firepower, I would take more than one. Although very costly, Bjorn is an awesome choice and always does a great job.

 

EDIT:

Wolf Scouts are another great support choice. With their OBEL special rule you can have an 85pt. melta gun pop out anywhere you want on a 3+

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Well if you are going to shy away from the mech side of the wolves, you will want Long Fangs 100% of the time. They are fantastic support units, filling more than one role with their split fire.

 

Thanks for the info JMac, what you said pretty much confirmed my own suspicions that taking Long Fangs would be a damn good idea, not least because it is yet more infantry.

 

Dreads are dreads. Their tactics are always the same no matter the army, unless you are Blood Angels and have dreads that can fly (really?!).

 

Fair enough, it's something to consider.

 

Wait, what? Flying Dreadnoughts? What?

 

I really need to pick up that dex.

 

Again, appreciate the help. Unfortunately it's about 4am right now and I really must be going to bed so I won't be able to reply to any posts so if anyone else posts I'll say thanks in advance and please, feel more than free to keep posting as more information is definitely better than less! Any tactics, unit discussion and wargear tips would be great.

 

I have my first game in a while coming up and first game ever with 5th ed so going into battle prepared is pretty much my focus right now. I should also mention that models aren't an issue as my friend has enough armies to supplement my own collection with anything I need.

[Leardinal]

I was reading the Bike Tactica and have some more input.

 

Switclaws, although they have reduced BS and WS, are useful as a strategic unit. i.e., setting them up away from your main army so the opponent will set up a counter, only to turbo boost back to your main force. This way you draw attention off your advancing rhino column. Or if they don't set up a counter the the bikes can tear up an exposed flank.

 

Scouts are amazing, as JMac pointed out. As an addendum to the melta blitz he suggested, just the idea of having a SM stat line pop out and start charging things shoulc help dislodge castles. And if you put a WGPL with a fist and combi melta in the squad, so much the better.

 

OT: Yes, BA players can take Librarian Dreads and have a psychic power that give them wings. They still die as easily as any other dread though.

 

I also posted my DIY chapter IA up in the Liber, feel free to go rip it to shreds. Its called Knights of the Abyss

[Blarmb]

Wait, what? Flying Dreadnoughts? What?

 

Blood Angels have the option to have Dreadnoughts piloted by a (former) librarian. As such, those sorts of Dreadnoughts have access BA powers that enhance movement. Honestly I think it's really neat, hopefully something that becomes not only standard but expanded. Dreads that vary based on the pilot's role at the time of internment is really a cool idea in my opinion.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Scouts are amazing, as JMac pointed out. As an addendum to the melta blitz he suggested, just the idea of having a SM stat line pop out and start charging things shoulc help dislodge castles. And if you put a WGPL with a fist and combi melta in the squad, so much the better.

 

I really do like the concept of a melta blitz, mostly as it ties in so well with the Blazing Sons themselves fluff wise (at least in my mind) and I really love meltas on the tabletop.

 

I also posted my DIY chapter IA up in the Liber, feel free to go rip it to shreds. Its called Knights of the Abyss

 

I'll go take a butchers at it. :lol:

 

Blood Angels have the option to have Dreadnoughts piloted by a (former) librarian. As such, those sorts of Dreadnoughts have access BA powers that enhance movement. Honestly I think it's really neat, hopefully something that becomes not only standard but expanded. Dreads that vary based on the pilot's role at the time of internment is really a cool idea in my opinion.

 

I agree, I think having dreadnought abilities and equipment change depending on who the pilot was to be a very cool concept and something that should be pursued in future codii.

 

Thanks once more guys.

[Brother Nathan]

i agree on the dreads being expanded on. like the forgeworld chaplin dread is awsome model wise. imagine having a squad of dreads lead by a chaplin dread and supported by a libby dread. Apothecary dread anyone? no? aww... Wolves... should be hard to go wrong, but i would suggest gettinh your list checked somewhere like here before you go and equip all your models, its a horrible having go back over your models and rip them appart, especially if you end up accidentiallly damaging them in the process... Like with my ba i built my newer asaut squad with the new pistol varients to then discover for the cost they really wernt worth it to me(not saying they arnt worth it at all but they have their places.

Also as your using the the wolves codex youll need to ask yourself how much you want your army to be like them and how much you want them to be different. example, mark of the wolfen. You said no wolfen but does that mean you wont use it or youll come up with some other reason to be able to feild it?

I do think that the wolves dex is cool and powerful, and have had thoughts for a counts as army using it but using a more tiger/lion feel, using white manes for fur pelts, the plastic white lion models from the highelves chariots as the basis for thunder wolves and obviously lots of wolf claws (which would make more sense in a lion themed army, everyone fears wolves teeth not their claws...) I just think its shame that gw has no surviving wolf succesors. i know wolves have so much difference in all the great companys, but its all shades of grey. would have been better for those who advoid established armys if they said there were some succesors but contact with them was not maintained due to the wolves being to busy fightin and drinking etc...

Cheers, Brother nathan

[Bjorn Ravenfeeder]

If your going feet on floor i can recommend taking advantage of mixing armour types. The ability to put a TDA pack leader in your units can

give a lot of staying power to smaller units or fire power to larger ones.

 

I tend to run a couple of 5 man BC units with a cheap TDA for counter attacks and plugging gaps.

'

I also find 10 man gunter squad with an assault cannon and two plasma guns can hold their ground, especially midfield objective holding. If i'm feeling extra decadent i'll throw in a runepriest with living lightning and murderous hurricane for shenanigans.

 

Don't run it myself, but I gather TDA cyclone launchers amongst your longfangs is the dogs back wheels.

 

 

I've also been playing with mixed armour in retinue squads mostly to get the most out of a limited landraider (i likes vanilla) capacity

i.e. 3TDA + 4PA or 4TDA + 2PA. I find the extra man or two gives just enough hitting power to warrant the loss of armour (not hammered the math but seems to work in game).

 

hope this gives a bit of an insight.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Don't run it myself, but I gather TDA cyclone launchers amongst your longfangs is the dogs back wheels.

 

That comment has made my day, it must be said. :D

 

Now bear with me as I haven't been quite as up on my codex and rulebook reading (or purchasing, unfortunately) lately and have a couple of questions.

 

Space Marines need their mobility, so far as I can gather from 5th ed. This means Rhinos and Razorbacks, unless in a very close-quarters engagement.

 

With mixing armour types within my troops squads wouldn't that invalidate their mobility? Or can I take a WGPL in TDA in a Rhino now?

 

The good news is that I have a bunch of models to paint. Bad news is that I have no paints except for a tin of black primer. Way to go for good things in small amounts. B)

 

hope this gives a bit of an insight.

 

Everything everyone is writing is helping me out as I feel like a newbie again quite frankly. Working it all out I actually played a few games in 3rd edition and only one game in 4th. 5th is like a whole different ballgame for me now and I'm feeling a little out of my depth so any advice anyone can give is greatly appreciated.

[Lysimachus]

No, you've got it right mate, TDA can only go in Drop Pods or one of the Land Raider variants.

 

Your squads can certainly work in DP transports, they are less mobile but will deploy more or less exactly where you want them early in the game and that can (hopefully) make up for less mobility later. The 2,000 pt list I'm currently building for my Iron Gods has 3 (a GH squad and a Dread for 1st turn drop and another GH squad in reserve).

 

Other than that I think Bjorn is talking about footslogging squads for home/midfield objective holding, etc?

 

 

Oh, and 'Go DIY Chapters using the Wolf 'dex!!!'

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

I thought so, thanks for the update there Lysimachus!

 

Honestly I've never been that much of a fan of deep striking since, if the scatter is not in your favour you can land in some horrifically hot water. Also, no assaulting frop Drop Pods on the turn you land means a lot of being shot to hell if you're not careful, also putting dreads in melta range.

 

Don't get me wrong, a deep striking scary unit will definitely put the wind up your opponent, but I'd rather play a few more 'conventional' games to get some experience under my belt before I go for more daring approaches. That and I don't own any drop pods. :P

 

Mid field/objective holders are a good idea.

 

*scribbles madly in the playbook*

 

^_^

 

Oh, and 'Go DIY Chapters using the Wolf 'dex!!!'

 

It just fits my (and obviously yours too) chapters character so well. What a twist! :lol:

 

EDIT: Can anyone PM me the stats for the Fenrisian Wolves? While I personally dislike them and won't use them, perhaps I can model something as 'counts as', like some of the Order of the Sun warriors from my IA. I'll have the Codex myself in a couple of days but I wanted to feel this out fluff wise before I got too far ahead of myself.