Why are Space Wolves so popular?

[Zincite]

So looking on the B&C homepage, the SW forum has about 40000 more posts, and 2000 more topics than any other imperial Space Marine Sub-forum. (That the right number of 0s?)

 

The Dark Angels, Black Templars and UltraMarine forums are quite slow, we're by no means at all dead, but we seem to be slower than you Space Pups (in my own, very small, opinion). The BA still have quite a lot of people, more than the rest, but aren't as big as here.

 

Now, the SW codex was released how long ago? And the Space Wolves are still Humming along happily.

 

Why've the Space Wolves retained such popularity? :D

[littlbitz]

While we did have a bit of a popularity surge immediately following the release of the new codex, the Space Wolves have always enjoyed being a very busy part of the B&C (even when our codex wasn't so popular).

 

I really believe it has to do with not only the nature of the Space Wolves themselves, but the type of players that our Chapter attracts.

 

Yes we do currently have a great codex, but more importantly here at the B&C we have a great community. I'm not trying to take anything away from the other Chapters, but we do tend to be a social bunch, and love to tell of our Sagas, try and find ways to improve our Great Companies, and improve our tactics.

 

That said, welcome to the Fang, grab a seat and an ale, and enjoy our tales of heroism.

[Matt D]

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What Littbitz Said.

I come and hang out on this forum every day myself. it is fun getting new points of view on painting or tactics. people do seem to aswer more quickly on this forum than most. its my main stop on my forum run...

[MalachiOfRuss]

If you take anything from the Adepticon Numbers, SW is also the most played Codex. It stands to reason that it would have the most activity on its forum then.

 

That said, I have noticed that the personality of SW players tends to match that of the chapter: social, gregarious, and supremely confident.

[Growler67]

Because we are not "cookie cutter" Astartes like the UltraSmurfs. THe legacy and structure of the astartes is what it is and it appealsto some, I get that. However, those of us that are drawn like lost Sons of Fenrs to the Space Wolves find the "counter-culture" aspects flavorful and add to the "spice of life". There are a few other small and equally zealous fans of Chapters like the Salamanders or Armies like SoB. We aren't "flash in the pan" nor follow trends like the aimless masses seeking direction - though lacking the tenacity to stick with it like: DarkAngels, Black Templars and Blood Angels. Of those Chapters people tend to like specific facets that draw appeal, but lack much else to sustain them so they look to and add other Armies be they other Chapters or Xenos. Bandwagoneers basically. There is an influx of them currently wet to their knees with drewl with the Grey Knights release. Why do you think GW has taken things away from the SW and redistributed them to the masses (Venerable for Dreadnaughts - but that was years ago and a very old argument)?

 

It's all good, everyone enjoys this hobby for their own reasons. Different strokes for different folks. If you ask 100 Space Wolf players for one reason that makes them a fan, you will likely get 100 specific and different answers. The Special Characters have a very colorful appeal and are true individuals. The troops are the same way and individualistic. Though feral in many ways we are also very noble without being as condescending as certain other Chapters are or can be. We are truly honorable in our actions and motives. Individual yet cooperative.

 

We are relatable to the common man as we consume our ales and hear the stories told by the skjalds. We are furious in Battle, enough to awe our enemies from the mere sight of our approach. It's called a "Pack Mentality".

[hendrik]

we've always had more posts then any other chapter, it was like that when i joined the ranks as a pup, and it'll stay this way untill the new pups have teeth as long as mine!

now we must admit, a lot of topics are essentially the same (i guess we have over a 100 "how do you represent mark of the wulfen/how do you model your wulfen") since the search funtion sometimes just seems to be skipped by some pups, but all in all we're also a tight pack, hell take a look at the fan written topics we have here. my favourite topic so far here in the fang has always been onlyindeath's short story about the wolf scouts(where'that bugger by the way, he still owes me an ale!)

[Growler67]

hell take a look at the fan written topics we have here. my favourite topic so far here in the fang has always been onlyindeath's short story about the wolf scouts(where'that bugger by the way, he still owes me an ale!)

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...hl=wolf%20scout

 

OID is still around and pops in from time to time. I mean not to speak for him but sometimes real life steps in and time is taken away from hobbies in order to deal with and manage things. Happens to all of us in one way or another at some point in time. For myself I can say that it is why my own writing project has been making slow progress. I had originally thought and hoped it would be completed by the end of last year. Now it is near mid-April and I have a sizable amountof work yet to do.

 

We are loyal and when he makes his return to the Fang in a more active way I'm sure he willbe greeted with a round of ales and a plethora of slaps on the back.

[hendrik]

hell take a look at the fan written topics we have here. my favourite topic so far here in the fang has always been onlyindeath's short story about the wolf scouts(where'that bugger by the way, he still owes me an ale!)

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...hl=wolf%20scout

 

OID is still around and pops in from time to time. I mean not to speak for him but sometimes real life steps in and time is taken away from hobbies in order to deal with and manage things. Happens to all of us in one way or another at some point in time. For myself I can say that it is why my own writing project has been making slow progress. I had originally thought and hoped it would be completed by the end of last year. Now it is near mid-April and I have a sizable amountof work yet to do.

 

We are loyal and when he makes his return to the Fang in a more active way I'm sure he willbe greeted with a round of ales and a plethora of slaps on the back.

don't worry i'm aware most of us greybeard come and go more and more nowadays ;) , since the new dex the fang changed drastically(not that that is a bad thing, it's just a bit different then before) so many new pups and faces to get to know ;)

[skoll]

we've always had more posts then any other chapter, it was like that when i joined the ranks as a pup, and it'll stay this way untill the new pups have teeth as long as mine!

now we must admit, a lot of topics are essentially the same (i guess we have over a 100 "how do you represent mark of the wulfen/how do you model your wulfen") since the search funtion sometimes just seems to be skipped by some pups, but all in all we're also a tight pack, hell take a look at the fan written topics we have here. my favourite topic so far here in the fang has always been onlyindeath's short story about the wolf scouts(where'that bugger by the way, he still owes me an ale!)

Is not so much pups skipping search function, as search function skipping topic

[Forté]

Coming from a pups point of view who has been into the hobbie as a whole for 20+ years and even worked for GW for a couple of years. The reason I come back to this forum so often is the responses you get.

 

From welcomes turning into charactor full, descriptive brawl. To the way comments feel more suggestive than the usual "that doesn't work and isn't competitive" response often seen.

 

This forum and people like Mav, Grey Mage, Hendrik and the rest, actually convinced me to go with SW because of how people treat each other on here (lots of ale and brotherhood).

[Jonny Wolf]

Beer, beards, goatees, ale, meat, bikes, fast, mohawks, mead, axes, tattoos, runes, knives (lots of knives), piercings, more tattoos, more beer, ale, loud music...

[hendrik]

Beer, beards, goatees, ale, meat, bikes, fast, mohawks, mead, axes, tattoos, runes, knives (lots of knives), piercings, more tattoos, more beer, ale, loud music...

not to forget the bolter babes :)

[Olgerth Istaarn]

Best line infantry. No "the Imperium of Man has a shortage of combat knives" nonsense.

 

Best devastators.

 

Formerly best psykers.

 

"I just charged across the table and ate your Mephiston" mini-bikernobz cavalry.

 

Codex is pretty well balanced and flexible, very few units abjectly suck. Granted, pre-made SW Independent Characters are rather meh and SW jump infantry just blows.

 

Nobody dares to call SW "cheesy" anymore in the light of BA and now GK, but the "cheesy" elements of SW codex can comfortably compete with the new and shiny toys.

[Firenze]

I have noticed that you can tell what army an older/more experienced player collects by talking to then for a while. And vice versa.

 

SW players seem to stick together and are loyal. We are also the most relaxed forum too. Brawls are never far away.

[maverik_girl]

So looking on the B&C homepage, the SW forum has about 40000 more posts, and 2000 more topics than any other imperial Space Marine Sub-forum. (That the right number of 0s?)

 

The Dark Angels, Black Templars and UltraMarine forums are quite slow, we're by no means at all dead, but we seem to be slower than you Space Pups (in my own, very small, opinion). The BA still have quite a lot of people, more than the rest, but aren't as big as here.

 

Now, the SW codex was released how long ago? And the Space Wolves are still Humming along happily.

 

Why've the Space Wolves retained such popularity? :cuss

TRUE Space Wolf players have a good camaraderie compared to the other astartes chapters, and as Mav would tell me, "a SW player is a reflection of the players true character and worth, from his values and principles." Nuff said!

[Blacksad]

that, and beer is a social drug. guess what: space wolves are the only chapter capable of getting drunk (it's what had me sold :))

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

Though I semi-recently became a Space Wolf player, I have no intention of leaving whatsoever. They're just perfect for me. I love the theme, the models are beautiful and infinitely customisable, they are a perfect fit for my playstyle, there rules allow for almost any type of build to be done competitively, the fluff is wonderful, the paint scheme, ignoring the blue one and sticking with the grey one, is one of the nicest I've ever seen, I actually enjoy painting them, unlike many other things, etc. etc. etc. Plus, there's the camaraderie of the players and the many possibilities for discussion. How can anyone not like them?

[Grey Mage]

While we did have a bit of a popularity surge immediately following the release of the new codex, the Space Wolves have always enjoyed being a very busy part of the B&C (even when our codex wasn't so popular).

 

I really believe it has to do with not only the nature of the Space Wolves themselves, but the type of players that our Chapter attracts.

 

Yes we do currently have a great codex, but more importantly here at the B&C we have a great community. I'm not trying to take anything away from the other Chapters, but we do tend to be a social bunch, and love to tell of our Sagas, try and find ways to improve our Great Companies, and improve our tactics.

 

That said, welcome to the Fang, grab a seat and an ale, and enjoy our tales of heroism.

Bam. As it were.

 

2 years before the new codex hit we still had more posts on a monthly basis than the other army-specific forums. It just seems that SW players are a verbose bunch, as the only thing more fun than a good brawl is a story about a good brawl....

 

Im sure the Fang-style brawls dont hurt either :)

 

Its long been said in these halls- you know if your a SW player. There isnt a question, its just how it is. That kind of thing stays with a person, and who can blame us for traveling in packs.

[Wulfebane]

Individuality.

 

Take any other army squad. How many of them would you even want to give a name to? Each SW model is a character, rules be damned. They don't follow rigid, military regimental structure. They're more fluid, more natural, more feral.

 

Personally, I think we all have aversions to authority and conformity.

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

That naming thing is also definitely it. I never named ever Space Marine in my Vanilla army, only the leaders and the heroic ones. In my Space Wolves army, I've already named every wolf I plan to put in my Great Company that I'm building, as well as given them a description of their personality and a guide on how I should assemble them.

 

And of course, the aversion to authority/conformity is ever present in my life. Though the conformity bit is a tad ironic, considering the number of us.

[Marshal Wilhelm]

I would say there are many reasons.

 

40K and Grimdark^TMis a bit weird. Whilst that is cool, it is still easier to identify with "normal" behaviour.

Having fun, perhaps having some beers, and getting up to shenanigans is very much something that Western blokes [who are what most gamers are] love to do. It is a bit harder to associate with "less normal" behaviour, at least in our eyes, of being dedicated to a sole task and living, breathing and sleeping it, like what, say, an Ultramarine would.

 

Tau players love Tau, due to their love of gadgets and science fiction, for example. These things are seen as desirable by Tau players, and so following the Tau faction is an easy choice.

 

Wolves are good at everything. They can shoot, chop, move and cast spells. They are not "super dedicated" like Ultramarines, yet they do everything as well, and have a blast while at it.

 

They also don't get pinged for their beliefs:

They hate sorcery, yet have excellent psykers. Templars miss out on psykers altogether.

They are not religious nor zealous, yet get the same buffs through combat that Chaplains would give their more devoted Chapters, via Wolf Priests.

 

They are irreverent and don't kowtow to Imperial authority. Western society has a very flat hierarchy in terms of authority. You can joke and tease your manager or even boss, in many cases. In Eastern culture, that is a massive no-no. So even their authority scale appeals to Westerners.

 

Rank is based on merit. In other cultures, rank is given due to being related to the headman. In Western culture, whilst there are definite cliques in politics and so-on, it is much less pronounced than in others. We understand skill as being what determines status, so another tick there.

 

I don't want to be known by my student ID number. I want to be known by my name and by who I am. Wolves very much assert this individual worth aspect we have.

 

People don't often want to be straight-laced and by the book. They want to be themselves and have the freedom to embrace that.

 

Wolves combine sci-fi AND fantasy together and so you have both aspects to draw on. Tau "only" have sci-fi to draw on, for example.

 

Who is the most popular X-man? Wolverine. Not "by the book" Cyclops.

Which is funny, because Magneto is probably the most powerful of them all. But he is a baddie, so, yeah.

 

Which reminds me. Wolves are good guys. We, generally speaking, want to be good and seen as good. Wolves wouldn't be as popular if they were on the Chaos side.

Pre-heresy World Eaters ~ cool. Traitor World Eaters ~ meh. Kill, maim, burn gets a bit blah after a while.

 

They have culture, drawing upon the large amount of mankind's history that we know about. Compare that to Traitor World Eaters. All they want to do is kill stuff. Zzzzzz.

 

+++

 

In summary, it is very easy to identify with Space Wolves and so easy to imagine being one.

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

Willy, have you finally admitted your a Wolf after all? i knew when i say the bitz your templars were made of it was only a matter of time...i mean, who wants to be the second best?

 

:)

 

WLK

[Marshal Wilhelm]

Willy, have you finally admitted your a Wolf after all? i knew when i say the bitz your templars were made of it was only a matter of time...i mean, who wants to be the second best?

 

:)

 

WLK

 

I never said I like the Wolves the best :( I just said these are some reasons why dudes liked them the best :D

[Baba Lem]

Longfangs do their part too.

[Grey Mage]

Who is the most popular X-man? Wolverine. Not "by the book" Cyclops.

*Snip*

In summary, it is very easy to identify with Space Wolves and so easy to imagine being one.

2 things.

1) I prefer deadpool, have for years- and am annoyed at the number of series hes currently in, as it makes it more expensive to follow. :P

2) I actually find it really, really annoying the number of people at my LGS who have picked up SWs but refuse to use their color scheme, either of them, because they dont like SWs. Thats part of the charm of the community... the group psychosis if you will.

 

These things may very well be related. I enjoy the company of many of the SW players here, but in general I find it harder to deal with the folks at my store- who, if I talk to them about the army wish to focus solely on how well Unit X is doing or how much better it is than unit Y in C:SM. Its gotten to the point where Ive been playing my eldar just so Im not associated with the new kids. I started wolves when they were a rarity, and I think that close-knit sense of community with other SW players is part of what did it for me.

 

Wich isnt to say that all the new SW players are like that. Many of them enjoy the fluff as much as I do, and many of them enjoy a number of the things that fluff is based on- Im a huge fan of norse mythology for example- and these things are good to see. And while Ill never tell a person they cant use the SW dex- its not my place- I find the length of my teeth gives me trouble at times when I try to talk to the 'new generation'. I know thats why a number of our grey-beards left not long after the new codex arrived, they simply werent feeling that same close-knit community that we used to have.

 

That community feeling is coming back, slowly. The release of C:BA and C:GK has been good for us- as pointed out in another recent thread we are no longer considered as 'cheesey' as we used to be a year ago. This has led alot of players who were not into the background away from us, and brought back that club-house feel that appeals to me so much.

 

Its ironic though- for years as a SW player I- and many others- used a dex that was outdated, and the phrase was "there is no cheese'. Now when I say that in a general chat thread people roll their eyes and think "what would you know about a lack of cheese, you grey armored pain in my tookus." That philosophy has gotten me through alot in and out of gaming though- if someone beats me its not because of cheese- its because of something I did, failed to do, or didnt think of- wether they were better at something an I failed to counter it or wether they just out-thought me and I need to learn from the experiance. Other players around here, and those few I met in real life, had to have a good bit of that same attitude or they wouldnt have been with our book.

 

Well see how it goes. Theres certainly more diversity around here and that is a bit refreshing I have to admit. At the same time part of my looks forward to two years from now, when the halls are a little more empty and the halls echo with the songs of resting wolf gaurd.