Remaking a Great Company

[Obscura]

I recently just sold my "old" Space Wolves army and making the Great Company that I would have liked a long time ago. Unfortunately, my ideas keep on changing so I'd like something that'll withstand the wear and tear ( codex creep ) that comes with 40k. This is where everyone comes in to hopefully make my gaming life that much easier as I perpetually swap around lists and what not.

 

So far I've snagged the parts for ( non built ):

 

1500 SM Strike Force ( 20 Marines, 2 Rhinos, 1 Vindicator, 1 Land Raider, 1 Whirlwind, 1 Commander and 1 Command Squad )

 

One Space Wolves Battle force ( 20 Marines, 5 Scouts and 1 Drop Pod )

 

Ten Sniper Scouts

 

Six Thunder Wolves ( Converting them from Blood Crushers, will probably use one as an HQ option )

 

Five Drop Pods

 

Two Venerable Dreadnoughts

 

Plus I have an extensive bits box filled with Chaos ( at least twenty Khorne Berserkers in pieces ) and a ton of Marines bits ( I think I've got enough bits to make eight or ten bikers and ten pewter jump packs ).

 

In so far, I know I want to snag two boxes of Devastators, two Razorbacks and a box or two of Terminators. Maybe some Forgeworld Brass since a few of my friends are in the process of gathering an order.

 

Is there anything else that I should snag? I plan to magnetize a lot of the weapons/arms to swap between options, but I've got a feeling that I may be missing a few things.

 

Looking forward to everyone's suggestions, I'm really at a stand still.

[wulfric_1066]

Looks like a darn good start to me. I would say that the 'hole' was your Long Fangs, unless you have plenty of spares in your bits box. To be honest, I would start to work through what's there, and expect to be buying a couple more transports and some heavy weapons at some point.

 

And good luck; I'm starting up a Great Company (shameless plug for the blog in my signature) and I also have a wedge of stuff that's sitting there inviting me.

 

Cheers,

Wulfric

[Muller]

2 extra boxes of wolf packs for added wolfyness flavour on other marines.

Oh and you'll need the FW dread with different weapon combos as well as at least one standard dread (or another FW dread (but the plain one) so you can make them different).

 

EDIT: FW SW Termies kit and new older MK kits are awesome as well B)

[Obscura]

Bought a Devastator squad today, finalized a few more trades with my dwindling bits box to snag a few more missile launchers and plasma cannons. As for transports, I'll probably pick up two Razorbacks and magnetize the mounts so I can switch back and forth through weapon options.

 

As for the Dreadnought, while I'd love to pick up the FW version, the two venerable dreadnoughts I have now come with more than enough options weaponry wise and I picked up more random space wolf bits to add more character to each model.

 

I'm looking forward to starting this and I plan to turn this into a progress blog, figured I'd get the mundane/boring part out of the way.

[slmellon]

fantasy chaos marauders bits are good for heads, CCWs and making some cool looking scouts, chaos warriors for their heads and torso bits

[Valerian]

EDIT: FW SW Termies kit and new older MK kits are awesome as well ;)

 

One warning, however, about the Forgeworld Space Wolves Terminator upgrade kit: it was designed many years ago, for the smaller Terminators of the time. The newer plastic Terminators are all a little larger, so the FW Shoulder Pads don't fit over the arms right (and the torsos are a little smaller, too. I honestly think you can do better by just using the new plastic SW Terminator pack.

 

Valerian

[Obscura]

I'm definitely favoring the new SW terminator plastics, with a few modifications you can really make them even more unique.

 

Really do appreciate the suggestions everyone.

 

Keep them coming and who knows, perhaps this thread will help others out there.

[Valerian]

I recently just sold my "old" Space Wolves army and making the Great Company that I would have liked a long time ago. Unfortunately, my ideas keep on changing so I'd like something that'll withstand the wear and tear ( codex creep ) that comes with 40k. This is where everyone comes in to hopefully make my gaming life that much easier as I perpetually swap around lists and what not.

 

So far I've snagged the parts for ( non built ):

 

1500 SM Strike Force ( 20 Marines, 2 Rhinos, 1 Vindicator, 1 Land Raider, 1 Whirlwind, 1 Commander and 1 Command Squad )

 

One Space Wolves Battle force ( 20 Marines, 5 Scouts and 1 Drop Pod )

 

Good stuff so far, you can use all of that, except for perhaps the Command Squad boxed set. There simply aren't too many bitz in there that are all that useful for Space Wolves. You might try to sell or trade it for something else that is a little more useful to you.

 

Ten Sniper Scouts

My opinion here, but I would try to sell or trade the Sniper Scouts, too. You only have 3 Elite choices, and you will probably want one choice to be a Wolf Guard pack, and the other two to be your Venerable Dreadnoughts that you have, below. If you do chose to build a Wolf Scout pack (which I highly recommend, great unit!), then I would build them for their "standard" use as a Behind Enemy Lines threat to vulnerable enemy units in the backfield.

 

Six Thunder Wolves ( Converting them from Blood Crushers, will probably use one as an HQ option )

 

If you haven't already bought the Blood Crushers, I would recommend the cheaper/easier Mythicast or Mr. Dandy (or other resincast options) that are available. There is a stickied thread at the top with lots of options and discussions on this.

 

Five Drop Pods

 

Good to have the option. I am a fan of the Russ' Claws assault combined with some support, which you'll get from your Whirlwind, Land Raider, and Vindicator.

 

Two Venerable Dreadnoughts

 

Dreadnoughts are great. I'm not a fan of the Venerable plastic kit, and would much rather get the Forgeworld SW Dreadnought, but if you already have them and are comfortable with some conversions then go for it.

 

Plus I have an extensive bits box filled with Chaos ( at least twenty Khorne Berserkers in pieces ) and a ton of Marines bits ( I think I've got enough bits to make eight or ten bikers and ten pewter jump packs ).

 

You definitely have room in your Fast Attack slot for a large Swift Claws unit. Look for littlebitz' recent tactica thread for advice on the loadout.

 

In so far, I know I want to snag two boxes of Devastators, two Razorbacks and a box or two of Terminators. Maybe some Forgeworld Brass since a few of my friends are in the process of gathering an order.

 

Good plan. You'll want the two Devastator boxes to build your Long Fangs, and a pack of 5 Space Wolves Terminators will add a great option for your army, and you can run them as a coherent unit, or split them off to lead other Grey Hunter packs if you want.

 

Is there anything else that I should snag? I plan to magnetize a lot of the weapons/arms to swap between options, but I've got a feeling that I may be missing a few things.

 

Magnetizing is good, and will help make it easier as you refine your list.

 

Here are a few other points:

 

1. Get two or three Space Wolves pack boxes so you can "Wolf up" all of your units, and you'll get those back banners that you'll need to put Wolf Standards into all of your Grey Hunter packs.

 

2. Plan early for how you want to represent Mark of the Wulfen models; there are lots of threads on this in the forum, so just do a Search.

 

3. If you build your Bikers into a Swift Claws pack, then invest in an Attack Bike to add to the unit (Heavy Bolter is fine).

 

4. Before you start building, gluing and painting, throw a few lists up on the Army List subforum to get feedback - you may learn some good stuff about what you intend to do. Once you've settled on the list, then you can build towards it. It sucks to finish painting a new unit only to find out that you might have made some poor upgrade/option choices after the fact.

 

Regards,

 

Valerian

[Obscura]

Good stuff so far, you can use all of that, except for perhaps the Command Squad boxed set. There simply aren't too many bitz in there that are all that useful for Space Wolves. You might try to sell or trade it for something else that is a little more useful to you.

 

I’ve traded some of the parts in the Command Squad box (Apothecary and Champion pieces to marine players ) for more space wolves parts, fairly happy with the bits I’ve received so far.

 

My opinion here, but I would try to sell or trade the Sniper Scouts, too. You only have 3 Elite choices, and you will probably want one choice to be a Wolf Guard pack, and the other two to be your Venerable Dreadnoughts that you have, below. If you do chose to build a Wolf Scout pack (which I highly recommend, great unit!), then I would build them for their "standard" use as a Behind Enemy Lines threat to vulnerable enemy units in the backfield.

 

All opinions are welcomed. I’m definitely going to have one Wolf Guard pack and I’m sticking with the Venerable Dreadnoughts ( they can be played as normal ones as well, I just wanted them for the variety of weapon options that come in the box ). I snagged the Sniper Scouts for their bodies and the rifles themselves could be salvaged for the silencers that can be cut down and put upon the bolt pistols or even the bolters themselves and spread across the SW force. Though I definitely do see the appeal of using them as a harrying force armed with a melta weapon and popping tanks and other vulnerable units.

 

If you haven't already bought the Blood Crushers, I would recommend the cheaper/easier Mythicast or Mr. Dandy (or other resincast options) that are available. There is a stickied thread at the top with lots of options and discussions on this.

 

I saw a great conversion using Blood Crushers and I got them at a steal ( Two boxes for 35.00 ) and while I do like the Mythicast wolves, I’m really trying to embrace the idea that all SW should look unique.

 

Good to have the option. I am a fan of the Russ' Claws assault combined with some support, which you'll get from your Whirlwind, Land Raider, and Vindicator.

 

I figured with all my drop pods ( six ), I’d be able to do Russ Claw Assault while using one or two for the Dreadnoughts, nothing like dropping Multi Meltas or Assault Cannons near squishy units.

 

Dreadnoughts are great. I'm not a fan of the Venerable plastic kit, and would much rather get the Forgeworld SW Dreadnought, but if you already have them and are comfortable with some conversions then go for it.

 

Got the dreadnoughts for a steal as well, plus I have two right arm dreadnought arms ( ordered from GW when they still had the bits service ) along with two sets of claw hands. Don’t have a problem with converting, it’s one of the more calming aspects of the game that I enjoy.

 

You definitely have room in your Fast Attack slot for a large Swift Claws unit. Look for littlebitz' recent tactica thread for advice on the loadout.

 

I did a count of them last night, I have ten bikers and parts for two attack bikes, though still tracking down parts for either a Heavy Bolter or Multi Melta.

 

Good plan. You'll want the two Devastator boxes to build your Long Fangs, and a pack of 5 Space Wolves Terminators will add a great option for your army, and you can run them as a coherent unit, or split them off to lead other Grey Hunter packs if you want.

 

Also going to snag two FW upgrades ( 2 missile launchers / 2 meltas / 2 flamers ), think that’ll cover all my Long Fang needs. As for the Terminators, I’ll probably keep them in the same unit and mount them in the Land Raider for Assault/Counter Assault measures.

 

Magnetizing is good, and will help make it easier as you refine your list.

 

Here are a few other points:

 

1. Get two or three Space Wolves pack boxes so you can "Wolf up" all of your units, and you'll get those back banners that you'll need to put Wolf Standards into all of your Grey Hunter packs.

 

2. Plan early for how you want to represent Mark of the Wulfen models; there are lots of threads on this in the forum, so just do a Search.

 

3. If you build your Bikers into a Swift Claws pack, then invest in an Attack Bike to add to the unit (Heavy Bolter is fine).

 

4. Before you start building, gluing and painting, throw a few lists up on the Army List subforum to get feedback - you may learn some good stuff about what you intend to do. Once you've settled on the list, then you can build towards it. It sucks to finish painting a new unit only to find out that you might have made some poor upgrade/option choices after the fact.

 

Regards,

 

Valerian

 

Really do appreciate the insight and suggestions, I'm going to pick up two more Grey Hunter packs for the additional bits and I figure having sixty troops can't be all that bad.