Shooty Wolf Guard

[GraemePaul]

Hi Guys,

 

I have been mulling over wolf guard and the myriad of options we can take for them. Now most loadouts for these guys usually involve a combi weapon paired with a Fist or Terminator armour but has anyone tried using mass Wolf Guard with just combi weapons (Plasma/melta) and what sort of results have you had?

 

Edit: Special to combi

[Valerian]

Hi Guys,

 

I have been mulling over wolf guard and the myriad of options we can take for them. Now most loadouts for these guys usually involve a combi weapon paired with a Fist or Terminator armour but has anyone tried using mass Wolf Guard with just special weapons (Plasma/melta) and what sort of results have you had?

 

Well, since our Wolf Guard are not allowed to select just special weapons (Plasma/melta), I am sure that none have tried it.

 

Valerian

[GraemePaul]

Hi Guys,

 

I have been mulling over wolf guard and the myriad of options we can take for them. Now most loadouts for these guys usually involve a combi weapon paired with a Fist or Terminator armour but has anyone tried using mass Wolf Guard with just special weapons (Plasma/melta) and what sort of results have you had?

 

Well, since our Wolf Guard are not allowed to select just special weapons (Plasma/melta), I am sure that none have tried it.

 

Valerian

 

Good spot. I was refering to combi weapons. Just saw a BR (MiniWarGaming) where 5 with combi melta's in a pod slagged a land Raider in short order.

[Jonas Stromclaw]

Yes, they can be used in the same way as droppod Sternguard or chaos Termicide, but the cheap close combat options mean that they can easily be kitted out to assault something afterward. A bunch of wolfguard with combimeltas can kill a land raider. That same bunch with a mix of powerfists and wolfclaws can kill the raider THEN kill the occupants in assault the very same turn. If you're short on points, shooty wolfguard is okay, but they are much better with some close combat nastiness too.

[SeanyPrawny]

I used 3 units of 10 with combi plasmas and ccw in drop pods against a BA player. Took out a unit of 10 death company with lemartes and 10 termiators. Best fun I've ever had ;) After their shots they're effectively just like gray hunters.

[crucial]

I've used termicide in my world eaters army and it usually goes very well. What with things being similar i imagine the wolf guard can pull that kind of thing off. Like Jonas said though, you can't assault the squad inside that pricy transport if your podding in. Also you have to think about your overall army composition because of the 50% podding on the first turn business. From my experiences with termicide, you can just add it into your list for 105pts or more... theres not much thought needed, they WILL have a use!

 

I used 3 units of 10 with combi plasmas and ccw in drop pods against a BA player. Took out a unit of 10 death company with lemartes and 10 termiators. Best fun I've ever had :tu: After their shots they're effectively just like gray hunters.

 

Like grey hunters, cept they cost 8pts more (thats inc the combi weapon), can't claim objectives, take up the elites... and you still need 2 troop choices!!

[Jonas Stromclaw]

I've used termicide in my world eaters army and it usually goes very well. What with things being similar i imagine the wolf guard can pull that kind of thing off. Like Jonas said though, you can't assault the squad inside that pricy transport if your podding in.

Thats actually not what I said, but you're right, I'm wrong, sorry about that and thanks for correcting!

 

Wolf Guard Anti tank suicide squad one:

 

5 Wolfguard w/ combi meltas, droppod: 150pts

 

This squad is cheap with only one purpose in mind: killing a tank. Within melta range, a space marine with a melta weapon has a roughly 7 in 36 chance of outright destroying an AV 14 vehicle. 5 shots puts you at an almost 1:1 ratio. What this actually means statistically is that half the time you will roll at or above the number required to kill it and half the time you will fail to kill it. In this game, I'd take 50:50 odds any day. After their knockout punch, this squad will be swiftly slain, though if the enemy makes the mistake of assaulting you, they'll remember they were in a fight. These lads aren't wolfguard for nothin' :tu:

 

Wolf Guard Anti tank suicide squad two:

 

10 Wolfguard, 5w/combimeltas, 2w/ combitmeltas and powerfists, 3w/ frostblades, droppod: 335

 

This squad fulfills the same purpose as the one above, but instead of being a thorn in the enemy's side after killing the tank, it is a threat which they MUST annihilate. You have two additional melta shots, increasing your chances of an outright AV 14 kill by about 37%. You have two powerfists for tackling even more tanks in later turns. You have a plethora of power weapon attacks for dealing with Tau Broadsides, Marine devastators and havocs, etc. You have twice as many bodies as the first squad, and can add in some storm shields for even more survivability. This squad is intended to die, but only after causing the enemy much pain and anguish, disrupting their battle plan by forcing them to turn and deal with it, killing many of their men. This squad will die, but only at great cost to the foe.

Now this is really an expensive extreme. Wolfguard suicide squads can be made cheaper than example two but better than example one. Just adding two additional wolfguard to the first squad makes them much deadlier vs. tanks and more annoying to the foe, all the while costing about as much as a kitted out grey hunter squad. My advice is to build up your force first, THEN see what all nastiness you can put in your wolfguard. Starting your lists with the elites choices is a good way to lose as a Space Wolf; we just have too many attractive options. Grey Hunters, then HQ, then go crazy on the elites. Good luck, and tell us what you come up with.

[Quillen]

I have also used it a ton of times. And it will kill heavy tanks. For the points of goign termy thou, you get more bang for your buck. Basicly you go to a 2+ save with Invul and a power weapon for 15 more points. And in the 5 Points for the Combi weapon and they are a terror to behold. And they will still be a threat.

 

Now I also have 3 packs of Wolf Gaurd with 2 fists and Combi meltas and 3 with power weapon and plasma pistols with 5 Fodder Guard. I use this with Logan Grimnar leading a long fang pack. Sometimes I drop one from the 3 sqauds and make him a Termy with Cyclone ML and a Thunder hammer or chain fist with Storm shield for the Logan Pod. I use this for fun thou. Not tourney. As it's more of a look at the long fangs firing plasma and heavy meltas on the march thing.

 

I was thinking of making a 10 man Wolf Gaurd swquad with just storm bolters for a giggle. But for 11 points more they have Termy armor and a power weapon. And who would not think of that as a good investment.

[SeanyPrawny]

I used 3 units of 10 with combi plasmas and ccw in drop pods against a BA player. Took out a unit of 10 death company with lemartes and 10 termiators. Best fun I've ever had :P After their shots they're effectively just like gray hunters.

 

Like grey hunters, cept they cost 8pts more (thats inc the combi weapon), can't claim objectives, take up the elites... and you still need 2 troop choices!!

 

Sorry I should have stated that I was running a Logan's heroes list :P And they play better than our last edition gray hunters. The pionts were easily covered after destroying 650pts of deathcompany and 460pts of terminators. The rest of the army wasn't really a problem after that... good times :)

[Marshal Wilhelm]

Well, I know Grey Mage recoils from Termicide and its Wolf iteration in a Pod.

That is because they are the nail that sticks up, so to speak, and so they get knocked down.

 

What if their can-opening job didn't just spill out a squad of irate men, plus the rest of the army, ready to beat down the Wolf Guard?

A Land Raider squad or TWC would be able to swoop in and assault the now disembarked passengers....

[Grey Mage]

Your right MW- I think using WG like theyre Termicide is a horrible idea, because frankly I dont think its cost effective.

 

Termicide- 105pts. With 3 combi-meltas.

Minimum wolf gaurd- 104pts. With 3 combi-meltas in a pod.

 

Both deep strike, both are 3 strong, and both will probly pop a vehicle in their elite slot.

 

The termicide is twice as survivable and gives up only one kill point when used this way, as opposed to two. Not only that, but because they have Powerweapons built in they are an effective CC option if they are ignored afterword, and upgrading one to a chainfist is pretty cheap.

 

Chaos sacrifices pawns for its dark gods- but this tactic requires the Space Wolf player to sacrifice a knight instead. Its simply not as good of a deal. I would much rather pay the extra 100pts to put a real GH squad with meltas on the field, of a Dread/Vendread.

[Jonas Stromclaw]

You're quite right Grey Mage, which is why if I ever use it, they're a full squad with plenty of upgrades and well supported by OBEL wolf scouts and other droppods. Haven't actually had the chance to do so yet, but its one of my favorite army lists to play with and make up.

[Quillen]

Well I never use a single pod. I Pod or I mech. So my guys are never alone. I also never build a throw away group. It's always a squad made to take and hold. So usually you see 4 pods come down first turn and try and cripple the list. Then 3 to 4 more come down where needed to insure objectives are kept.

 

Still it's hard not to make those wolf Gaurd termies.