Footslogging Wolf Lord

[Rasclomalum]

I just feel like I need a footslogging Wolf Lord (already have a TWL). No TDA, we're going Runic. Plan is to have him sit in a big blob of Grey Hunters. This seems to be the contrarian position nowadays and therefore I like it.

 

So much for the fluff. But I like things to be reasonably effective within that fluff, and thus my question to you: 

 

What weaponry should I give him?

 

Powerfist and Wolf Claw for specialist weapons shenanigans?

 

A two-handed Frost Axe, rule of cool über alles?

 

Or something else entirely?

 

More to the point, how should I equip the GH and the WL to make them synergise the best?

 

[Squark]

For a Wolf Lord, TDA is basically strictly worse than Runic Armor anyway (He doesn't exactly need relentless, and the weapons discount doesn't make up for the extra 20 points you've already spent). The only Space Wolf Independant Characters with any use for TDA are Rune Priests, and that's because the cost is comparable and it's their only source of an invulnerable save.

 

Given he can't really do a death star the way a Thunderwolf Lord can, I'd say Powerfist+Storm Shield is your best bet. Not too expensive, but he'll do reasonably well in challenges.

[Rasclomalum]

Thanks! The more I think about it though, the more I start liking the idea of having him run with sword/shield. Viable or completely useless? 

[skeletoro]

I'd say axe+shield would be the better option if you're dead set on having a "held" weapon plus a shield.

 

Squark's suggested loadout is definitely better than either though.

[Rasclomalum]

Thanks, but my impatience and inclination towards fluff got the better of me, and I modelled him with a sword and shield anyway. For some masochistic reason, I tend to find the least effective loadouts the most aesthetically pleasing...

 

Anyway, now that I do have a sword/shield footslogging runic lord, I guess I could do with some help as to how to utilise him best. What other wargear should he be using? What saga? What about the Grey Hunter unit he'd be attached to? In short, if you could help me mitigate his uselessness I'd be grateful. :-)

[skeletoro]

I would suggest you keep his points cost as low as possible, because it's probably not worth sinking over 200 points into a melee powerhouse that will falter against 2+ saves. I'd avoid too many bells and whistles. He'll still be quite decent against most foes, but you won't feel that a huge investment has been "hard-countered" in a really serious way every time he goes up against 2+ foes.

 

One thing I would suggest is ensuring that there's a wolf guard pack leader that has a power fist or power axe in the unit, to take duels in the wolf lord's stead. With a power sword, he's often going to want to stay out of duels to kill mooks.

[Squark]

I'd say keep him at the bare 155 points, honestly. Maybe add melta bombs, but I wouldn't spend anything more.

 

 

As to more optimal loadouts being less aesthetically pleasing- Think of it as a hobby oppurtunity to make them look more badass!

[Ghostwolfalpha]

Since the Lord will be going at initiative, have a GH with a fist or axe in there to kill the tough guys and MotW to help throw more saves at the enemy. I like having WG in my GH packs for challenge purposes, which would leave the Lord open to lay waste to the enemy unit. I have found that nothing beats extra warm bodies in a footslogging list. Get as many GH around the Lord as possible and the shear number of wolf vikings will dissuade all the the most fearsome foes from assaulting, meanwhile you move the blob into position where they can charge anything to close, countercharge anything dumb enough to assault one of the units, then split off to capture objectives come turn 5-7.

 

The one problem I see with this list is Flyer spam, but then again, flyer spam seems to be a problem for most SW lists now a days.

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

For what it's worth, I have had significant success running a footslogging Wolf Lord (using rules as counts-as, naturally) with runic armour, frost blade, storm shield and saga of the warrior born. His purpose is to massacre enemy infantry. Orks, MEQ, Plague Marines, all tend to die. Saga of the Bear and a thunder hammer are good if you're intending to use him as a character killer, but I feel where the Wolf Lord really makes his points back is as an infantry slaughterer. Bear in mind the WL I described above is still an outstanding character for most Codexes, just not the strongest character that the SW 'dex can produce.

 

I should note that I ran the above Lord in a Land Raider Redeemer. Drive that at the enemy's biggest troop concentration and it will melt away. Enemy 2+ saves, monstrous creatures and close combat specialists should be targeted by Long Fangs and Vindicators.

 

Just my 2 kraks.

[Rasclomalum]

Would you say that, for a sword lord intent on laying waste to infantry, a bolt pistol and the Belt of Russ would be preferable to a Storm Shield because of the extra attack? Or is 4 attacks good enough and a 3++ the bee's knees?

[pedrogzc]

And what about using Arjac? Points wise he is cheaper than an equivalente WGBL or Wolflord (although just 2 W is a little scary sometimes) and hit as hard as a Lord.

[Squark]

Would you say that, for a sword lord intent on laying waste to infantry, a bolt pistol and the Belt of Russ would be preferable to a Storm Shield because of the extra attack? Or is 4 attacks good enough and a 3++ the bee's knees?

I suppose you could go that way, but if you're ditching the 3++ save, you might as well pay 15 more points and grab a power Axe to go with the Sword.