Eirik_Xenobane Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 There is a certain stereotype associated with the Space Wolves, a berserk, barbaric warrior who charges recklessly into battle and care not for his own life or those around him. Like all stereotypes it is false but based on truth, that truth is the blood claw. Fenris Every Fenrisian knows who and what the sky warriors are, they are the demi-gods who reside on Asaheim and fight in the heavens alongside the All-Father. To earn a place amongst them you must achieve some great and significant act in your youth, even if you die in the attempt. Essentially they are the einherjar of Norse myth and Asaheim is Valhalla. Now imagine this, you are a young Fenrisian lad and you have achieved glory, true glory that has been noticed by the sky warriors. Perhaps you fought and killed about two dozen grown warriors, falling amidst a pile of slain bodies bearing the wounds inflicted by your skill and courage. Maybe you singlehandedly slew an Ice troll or perhaps encountered and survived a Kraken, or even died (at least you thought you died) fighting this savage beast? Either way your name is written in glory and you awaken in the sure and certain knowledge that a place has been made for you in Asaheim, amongst the demi-gods themselves..... Only problems is things don’t quite work out that way. You find out that your glorious deed, while significant, was the first in a series of challenges and encounters that will mark your new life. You are surrounded by a pack of Brothers, each with a story and a deed equal to your own and you are just not as special as you thought you were. Bit of a letdown, no? This defines a Blood Claw, in a way they are torn emotionally, thinking they are special and gifted but finding out they are just one of a chosen few. A blood claw feels the need to achieve glory all over again, to stand out from his brothers and create a saga that will never die. The Space Wolves allow their blood claws to learn the hard way, to work out their aggression and frustration in battle. Either a blood claw will grow up and realise his place or he’ll die, either way the kid has learned something. Culture shock Fenrisians fight in a certain way; it’s a vicious, hand to hand style of warfare that favours individual courage and skill. Fenrisian battles tend to be a mob of individual encounters, similar to how things were done back in the 9th and 10th centuries. A blood claw still carries this mentality, while he has had a rough and ready introduction to the technology and methods of the 41st millennium he still clings to his old life. It is one thing to fill a brain full of knowledge, it is quite another to apply that knowledge. It’s hard to adapt your way of thinking, especially when the change is so dynamic and sudden; it’s easier to revert to old traditions and methods that feel comfortable. The Space Wolves seem to have no problem with this; they have a very pragmatic view. An aspirant is trained to use his weapons and (assuming he survives implantation and the trials) fitted out with power armour. There is some merit to their methods, the methods and tactics of an astartes scout is alien to the mindset of the Space Wolves, alien to their culture and see little value in any lesson that can be learned through such training. Better to train a warrior in the battle gear he will be expected to spend the rest of his life using and the best way to train a warrior foe war is to throw him into war. If he survives he will learn and grow, if he dies then he had no business being there anyway. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonSTeR Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 One of the two unit types listed in the "Troops" section of the current Space Wolves Codex. Nuff said :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2973894 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 One of the two unit types listed in the "Troops" section of the current Space Wolves Codex. Nuff said :) The lesser used one too. Good write up but not really a revelation over the description in the Codex. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2973923 Share on other sites More sharing options...
postal105 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 One of the two unit types listed in the "Troops" section of the current Space Wolves Codex. Nuff said :P The lesser used one too. Good right up but not really a revelation over the description in the Codex. i agree forte Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2973931 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 i think it's a good description, perhaps include the trails etc one has to undertake before one becomes a bloodclaw? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2973937 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eirik_Xenobane Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 One of the two unit types listed in the "Troops" section of the current Space Wolves Codex. Nuff said ;) The lesser used one too. Good right up but not really a revelation over the description in the Codex. i agree forte The post is a starter, to inspire further debate. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974014 Share on other sites More sharing options...
postal105 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 to debate what? their is really nothing to debate Bloodclaws are the new guys in the space wolves and they lack refinement and true understanding of battle tactics. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974021 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eirik_Xenobane Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 to debate what? their is really nothing to debate Bloodclaws are the new guys in the space wolves and they lack refinement and true understanding of battle tactics. Ok... Well some of us (especialy those of us into creative writing) like something a bit deeper than a one line write-up. If your comfortable with that, all the power to you. My aim is to get some intelectual juices flowing, maybe I'm in the wrong forum. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974026 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 on the debate side of things i'm not agreeing completly witht he reason why bloodclaws get PA instead of scout armour. in fact, a lot of space wolves actually already do similar things to what a scout does. for instance in battle of the fang i believe we have a wolf lord stalking his prey on fenris. hunting is clearly still a big pasttime in a space wolves life, given the amount of pelts and bone talismans and the likes every space wolf has. the only reason in my opinion why bloodclaws wear power armour istead of scout armour is because scout armour isn't meant for frontline combat, which is exactly the bloodclaws their role. If i'm not mistaken the only reason why the standard codex astartes scouts wear scouts armour is because they already preform battle duties before they recieve the black carapace.their initiation to a complete battlebrother thus exists from recieving the black carapace and with it complete power armour. our initiation into the chapter as fully pledged battlebrother only happens after becoming a grey hunter, given the fact that in wolfs honour ragnar accompagnies bloodclaw packs that have not yet been pledged to a single great company if i'm, not mistaken Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974030 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eirik_Xenobane Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 on the debate side of things i'm not agreeing completly witht he reason why bloodclaws get PA instead of scout armour. in fact, a lot of space wolves actually already do similar things to what a scout does. for instance in battle of the fang i believe we have a wolf lord stalking his prey on fenris. hunting is clearly still a big pasttime in a space wolves life, given the amount of pelts and bone talismans and the likes every space wolf has. the only reason in my opinion why bloodclaws wear power armour istead of scout armour is because scout armour isn't meant for frontline combat, which is exactly the bloodclaws their role.If i'm not mistaken the only reason why the standard codex astartes scouts wear scouts armour is because they already preform battle duties before they recieve the black carapace.their initiation to a complete battlebrother thus exists from recieving the black carapace and with it complete power armour. our initiation into the chapter as fully pledged battlebrother only happens after becoming a grey hunter, given the fact that in wolfs honour ragnar accompagnies bloodclaw packs that have not yet been pledged to a single great company if i'm, not mistaken Aye, it does seem that Blood Claws are assighned as and when needed in a similar way to scouts and not considered part of a Great Company. I honestly hadn't considered that aspect. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974034 Share on other sites More sharing options...
postal105 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 then that is not a debate it is telling stories as their there is a difference in a debate and telling stories. as a debate is defined as 1. a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports. 2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers. and a story is defined as 1. a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale. 2. a fictitious tale, shorter and less elaborate than a novel. 3. such narratives or tales as a branch of literature: song and story. what you are talking about is the latter not the former. in my interpolation of what you are talking about Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974036 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eirik_Xenobane Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 then that is not a debate it is telling stories as their there is a difference in a debate and telling stories. as a debate is defined as 1. a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports. 2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers. and a story is defined as 1. a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale. 2. a fictitious tale, shorter and less elaborate than a novel. 3. such narratives or tales as a branch of literature: song and story. what you are talking about is the latter not the former. in my interpolation of what you are talking about Are you being deliberately pedantic? Debate on the background, philosophy, mindset and culture of the Wolves and aspects of the wolves generates ideas and ideas create stories. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974040 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 postal and eirik, please shut it before rags has to intervene... we need no more nonsense like this now. and bloodclaws do become a part of a certain great company,afterall ragnar was part of berek thunderfist his great company. the thing about wolfs honour seems to suggest the chapter recruits for all the great compagnies and puts them into packs, then when a great company needs new nembers that bloodclawpack becomes part of that great company. atleas that's what i get from wolf's honour. i know the other ragnar novels go more into depth about becoming a space wolf and such and i'm sure they'll contain the best information on the subject Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974048 Share on other sites More sharing options...
postal105 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 because you asked me to hendrik i will bite my tong but just so eirik knows i had no idea what the word pedantic meant until i looked it up and my answer is no to that question and that is all i will say. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974053 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassill Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I thought it was a pretty good write up myself. :( And I see Blood Claws as front line troops personally. More akin to storm troops, though they do sneak around a bit, but what Space Wolf doesn't at one point or another? The reason I say this, is because at this point in a Blood Claws life he's still feeling the affects of becoming and astartes, and still battling the wolf within. Hence not thinking clearly, charging blindly into the enemy at times, etc. You wouldn't want these guys trying to silently flank the enemy when the whole time they just come out yelling and challenging the enemy to fight face to face. I believe it was one of the Ragnar books when Ragnar is a Wolf Lord that while in the enemy lines a Blood Claw barrels by him almost completely taken over by the wolf, looking for something to fight. Would you want 10-15 of these guys trying to be sneaky? Just my 2 cents on it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974097 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I believe it was one of the Ragnar books when Ragnar is a Wolf Lord that while in the enemy lines a Blood Claw barrels by him almost completely taken over by the wolf, looking for something to fight. Would you want 10-15 of these guys trying to be sneaky? perhaps if they dressed up as orks? :( Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974101 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I believe it was one of the Ragnar books when Ragnar is a Wolf Lord that while in the enemy lines a Blood Claw barrels by him almost completely taken over by the wolf, looking for something to fight. Would you want 10-15 of these guys trying to be sneaky? perhaps if they dressed up as orks? :) I think me, Arez, Nrth and Postal set a good example of Claw antics with the havoc we sometimes cause. New, brash, getting stuck in with gusto. If a Claw was sent to fight in scout armour, Great Companies would never replenish their ranks. That and the wolf scouts would grumble about having power armour slowing them down. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974186 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassill Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I believe it was one of the Ragnar books when Ragnar is a Wolf Lord that while in the enemy lines a Blood Claw barrels by him almost completely taken over by the wolf, looking for something to fight. Would you want 10-15 of these guys trying to be sneaky? perhaps if they dressed up as orks? ;) That was a little...on the comical side. Racing orks.... :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974204 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 That was a little...on the comical side. Racing orks.... ;) why do you think bloodclaws typically have something red? because it makes them go FASTAAH!! That and the wolf scouts would grumble about having power armour slowing them down. have you ever seen a scout that wasn't grumbling? there's a reason they send them out for months! :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974210 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I believe it was one of the Ragnar books when Ragnar is a Wolf Lord that while in the enemy lines a Blood Claw barrels by him almost completely taken over by the wolf, looking for something to fight. Would you want 10-15 of these guys trying to be sneaky? perhaps if they dressed up as orks? ;) That was a little...on the comical side. Racing orks.... :) I'm sure I could talk a few claws into it. Tell them there's glory in line for those who take part. And a bit of Mjod. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974212 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanguardwolf Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 blood claws as troops are very sadly a overlooked unit, but GH are so good that almost no one uses BC's i have tried them but their low BS and that they only work in a landraider. makes them to expensive in pts but i still love the fluff of them the young wild i want to kick a** additude i love the part in grey hunter(spoiler alert!) when ragnar slay's a whole bunch of herectics in the chaos barge this show's the karacter of the bloodclaw's greets NB: guys please use spoiler option and/or a spoiler warning some of us are still reading or going to read the books thaxx. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974228 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arez Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I believe it was one of the Ragnar books when Ragnar is a Wolf Lord that while in the enemy lines a Blood Claw barrels by him almost completely taken over by the wolf, looking for something to fight. Would you want 10-15 of these guys trying to be sneaky? perhaps if they dressed up as orks? ;) That was a little...on the comical side. Racing orks.... :P I'm sure I could talk a few claws into it. Tell them there's glory in line for those who take part. And a bit of Mjod. count me in :) BloodClaws get all the fun imo,they get bikes to run people or xenos or heretics over and they get to have jump packs to jump in kill the enemy then jump to another position to repeat.the only thing we dont get thats fun(well 2 thing) is riding thunderwolves and driving vehicles.alot of enemy lines wouldn't be around if we Claws could drive the tanks :D OP: interesting write up Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974236 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamsight Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Thanks for the write up :D nice to see a different take on the GW canon I've always like claws as a concept the brash of youth and new found strength is always going to lead to a misadventure or a glorious victory, it's also why I love Swiftclaw bikers. with the new fluff that black library are bring out and the more serious 40k becomes I think the claws are always going to be that outlet thats little untamed edge that keeps everything fresh Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974254 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Stromclaw Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 A very interesting write up, particularly the point on how their great deed being only the first of many tests and how that effects them emotionally. But you've forgotten something I think. The bloodclaw, atleast at first, is reveling in the gifts of the geneseed. Sight, smell, hearing, all immensly improved. The bloodclaw has been given speed and strength of ten men, and that must be heady experience. They have been made into supermen, which goes a long way toward creating their devil-may-care attitude. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974279 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 A very interesting write up, particularly the point on how their great deed being only the first of many tests and how that effects them emotionally. But you've forgotten something I think. The bloodclaw, atleast at first, is reveling in the gifts of the geneseed. Sight, smell, hearing, all immensly improved. The bloodclaw has been given speed and strength of ten men, and that must be heady experience. They have been made into supermen, which goes a long way toward creating their devil-may-care attitude. Spot on. Kinda like teenager with alcohol. Loud, brash and believes they can fight the world (and ignore the side effects. Wobbly walking, inability to talk, throwing up, hangover...). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245859-what-is-a-blood-claw/#findComment-2974479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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