Fenrisian Wolves

[A D-B]

Recently, after completely screwing up my Heresy-era Wolves, I'm finding myself with a world of unused bitz and unable to decently paint the ancient grey that rocks on Ye Olde Wolves of the Horus Heresy. My wife Katie will likely steal those bitz soon, for use on her Shadow Wolf Chapter, but I digress.

 

I'm thinking of trying to do a few in the post-Heresy colour scheme, and that of course got me thinking about possible army background, and in turn, about Fenrisian wolves, which are a concept I both love and hate in equal measure. 

 

I love them because if you listed the Top Ten Things That I Think Are Awesome, you'd have 'wolves', 'werewolves', 'Space Marines', and 'stories that feature a bond with an animal companion' taking up four of the spaces in the top ten. There's something inherently cool about stories where protagonists are close with their pets and animal companions, and if you scale it up to a Space Wolf and his Fenrisian wolf fighting at his side, or Leman Russ's two wolves, you're into awesome mythical narrative territory. How many ancient/tribal cultures had serious animal juju going on in terms of legends, magic, or symbolism? Like... all of them. A bajillion of them, at least. 

 

Also, historically, there's a precedent for armies bringing animals to battle, such as in the case of Saxon warbands bringing hounds and releasing them ahead of their charging spearmen to attack beneath the wooden shields of their enemies' shield-walls. So it's not just mythical, it's also thematic in terms of the gritty, earthy way the Space Wolves wage war.

 

I sort of hate them, though, because if you take a wolf onto a battlefield - even one the size of a horse or a pony - a bolter shot is going to see the poor thing dead. You can cover it by having them cybernetic to some degree (maybe post-injury, or by default, these days) but still.

 

Despite knowing how rare they are, I was wondering:

 

• If anyone takes Fenrisian wolves in their army lists, and if so, how they get used. Including, uh, how fast they die. 
• How they feature in your army background, if at all? Do you prefer them in a pack managed by a beastmaster; the loyal hounds of the Wolf Lord and his lordlings; or something feral - a force of nature - that are ultimately loyal to themselves rather than the Wolves.

[Ghostwolfalpha]

The most common use I see is as a screen for slower moving units, they die so that GH can move up unmolested, or give them a cover save.

 

The other common use is as a Thunderwolf Lord delivery system. Giving him cheap wounds so, that he can make it into cc.

 

I agree with your sentiments on wolves and such, it is one of the main reasons I play SW. I love the models, even though they aren't the greatest unit, I like them. I just wish they could outflank and then charge on the same turn. I mean, its what wolves do, surround and overwhelm.

 

I personally dont like cyberwolves because they take away from the coolness of the wolf, so I make them blackmanes, which per the fluff, are the biggest and meanest.

 

Its good to have a leader with them because of their low leadership, or have a HQ with saga of wolfkin near by to help them out.

[Bulweih]

Hyá brother,

when it's about tactics and the like for your wolves, the following link does provide helpful articles on most things in abundance. They featured an article about Fenrisian wolves not long ago.

http://space-wolves-grey.blogspot.de/2013/04/6th-edition-fast-attack.html

 

Most times I use Fwolves as company for my Lone Wolves and Wolflords, to hell with the points-it just rocks to me, I feel no shame.

 

I do play Redmaw attached to a whole pack in Apoc and there also field packs of wolves, but mostly to complement the Thunderwolves. Their survival rate is somewhat sketchy, as it depends largely on uncontrollable aspects.

If used right, you can bring them through a game, maybe not all of them though. But as it's a wargame, survival comes after victory in terms of priority.

Don't field stuff you're afraid to lose, it's sure to mess up your battle.

 

As for backround. I had a hard time fitting Thunderwolves in, but Fenrisian wolves were always present. I liked the idea of them dragging wounded into cover, not giving up killpoints.

The Company has two packs roaming the surrounding Hills of Asaheim, called to the Aett and War more often than not. One of my Wolfpriests tends to them. Plus honored brothers have achieved bonds to some wolves echoing those of the primarch and his pups.

 

Well, not finished by half, but as writing fluff is behind painting (which gets neglected because of reoccuring real life) I'm quite pleased. Hope it helps some.

[Wulfebane]

In terms of tactics, screening is the most popular. This is newly reinforced due to the Tau codex. Since a lot of their units can support charged units in Overwatch, assaulting them has become problematic. However, charge a unit with your fen wolves first and your opponent will have to decide whether to use their supporting fire on the wolves (which if left in high numbers will decimate any of their units) or to wait and use Overwatch on the GH/BC/TWC that were being screened, and with no supporting fire from the unit charged by the wolves.

 

Additionally, if positioned right they could charge multiple units, forcing the need to Overwatch and freeing up the screened unit from such concerns altogether.

[Jarl Deathwolf]

I usually manage to make it to the end game with around 3-6 of my Fenrisian Wolves alive (out of 15). My Jarl starts off with them, then they break off and the Jarl ends up falling gloriously in battle after killing something big and important (or several somethings) while the Fenrisian Wolves nom on some poor unit for the rest of the game (due to the initiative 5 from Saga of the Wolfkin).

[Emptyedens]

I like having a big ole pack following behind my Rhinos as I advance forward. On turn one I look for that part of my enemies line that looks most in need of my tender ministrations, scoot my rhinos in that direction (usually 2 or 3) screening my wolves with them. Hopefully he'll look to re-enforce that part of the board with something tasty and I may send my wolves at that sending my GH towards the line. Mostly though on turn 2 I'll disembark, shoot the crap out of the weak spot, multi charge my wolves to tie the enemy up and to set up my turn 3 GH charge. Usually I have 5 or 6 survive and I'll have them either charge a weak Infantry Heavy support choice or back up my Lone Wolf if for some odd reason he is dealing with Infantry. In my experience if they survive that first charge they'll have all kinds of fun in the back field. I've also found against IG, Tau, and other gunlines it is best to reverse the order and charge a pack of GH to soak up the overwatch instead as they at least have a chance of survive and verses weak CC units the Fen Wolves shine better then GH IMO. 

[skeletoro]

Fenrisian wolves hit really hard in close combat, especially if you have an IC with saga of the wolfkin. Initiative 5, and about twice the damage dealt per point spent as an unupgraded grey hunter.

 

Against shooting attacks, they're much more durable than grey hunters against AP2-3 (double), which I guess, in a way, can really mess with opponents that have packed a lot of MEQ-killing weapons (plasma, etc). IF you can get them a 5+ cover save, they're actually just as tough as marines vs. AP4+, too. Because they're beasts, they have move through cover, making this easier to accomplish. A rune priest on a bike with Stormcaller can supply one (or more!) units of fenrisian wolves with a 5+ save, too.

 

I certainly would not recommend using them as a screen for grey hunters - unless you've got cover (e.g. Stormcaller) and then go for it (though do the grey hunters have cover anyway, from the stormcaller??). Each AP4+ wound costs your fenrisian wolves 8 points. Grey hunters only lose 5, on average, thanks to their armour. Unless used smartly, they're a liability.

 

In melee, they're a bit less tough because they won't get cover saves. On the other hand, being so hard-hitting, and initiative 5, provides a kind of durability in its own right! If they kill 50% of the opposing unit, then the opposing unit will hit back half as hard. Against marines, for instance, that's kinda like getting a 4+ save that grey hunters wouldn't get (because they strike simultaneously with the marines at initiative 4). In such a situation, your fenrisian wolves would pay about 4 points per wound that grey hunters would have suffered (because they suffer half as many), while grey hunters pay 5 points. In addition, your opponents power weapons are wasted on fenrisian wolves, which is quite nice too!

 

One of the difficult things about them is simply the amount of investment they require. It means getting a wolf priest or thunder-WGBL (I wouldn't suggest taking Canis - he's 3+/-- and only AP3, and as far as I can tell, his special ability will pretty much never come into play), which you may not have otherwise wanted, and then you can get up to three packs - but perhaps you had other fast attack choices in mind..? Which would then mean buying only a couple of packs, which means you get less mileage out of that wolf priest investment. That said. They don't require a transport vehicle. They don't require expensive upgrades like power weapons or plasma guns. So that will offset the cost of the HQ slightly.

 

Personally, all things considered, I think they're a really great unit. I think you kinda need to zerg them.

[A D-B]

Those answers are solid gold. Many thanks, guys. 

 

I think part of the reason I'm so invested in the concept is that it's an agonisingly underused concept in the background (at least in terms of novels) and when I finally get to write about the Wolves, it's a key theme I want to hit. Similarly, I'd want any potential tabletop force to reflect the same interest, so it's cool to see how differently they get used, and why.

 

I mean, using them as screens might be a little ignoble, but needs must when the Devil comes calling. Frankly, I'm just happy to see them get used at all, let alone in such a variety of ways. I don't know many Space Wolf players, but the ones I cross paths with tend to be more concerned with All the Tanks, All the Time, which is as valid and thematic as any other list, no doubt, but light on the canine elements.

[Greylocke]

If you're looking for inspiration to take wolves you should check out the stories coming out of Afghanistan and Iraq about military working dogs. I know that I wouldn't have left my second tour in Tarin Kowt  with two legs if not for our dog giving his life. Because of that dog, Geno, I always have wolves on the table even if it means not having a unit  I really need.

[WG Vrox]

I like having a big ole pack following behind my Rhinos as I advance forward. On turn one I look for that part of my enemies line that looks most in need of my tender ministrations, scoot my rhinos in that direction (usually 2 or 3) screening my wolves with them. Hopefully he'll look to re-enforce that part of the board with something tasty and I may send my wolves at that sending my GH towards the line. Mostly though on turn 2 I'll disembark, shoot the crap out of the weak spot, multi charge my wolves to tie the enemy up and to set up my turn 3 GH charge. Usually I have 5 or 6 survive and I'll have them either charge a weak Infantry Heavy support choice or back up my Lone Wolf if for some odd reason he is dealing with Infantry. In my experience if they survive that first charge they'll have all kinds of fun in the back field. I've also found against IG, Tau, and other gunlines it is best to reverse the order and charge a pack of GH to soak up the overwatch instead as they at least have a chance of survive and verses weak CC units the Fen Wolves shine better then GH IMO. 

 This,,,,

[dswanick]

Personally, if i ever meet the guy who suggested taking the Leman Russ out of C:SW in favor of wolves and Wolves riding wolves, I'll smack him.

 

Edit: I realized my response was kind of cryptic. I avoid taking any actual wolves when I play my Wolves (i can almost unbend enough to take a Loyal Companion or two, but that is all). A Space Marine army may have a 'totem' (wolf, raven, etc),but that's a far cry from actually bringing such beasts to a high-tech battle.

[skeletoro]

I'm not so sure about the multi charge thing. They're fast and don't need to disembark, so theyre very capable of that kind of maneuver. But you're losing one attack per 8 points spent to multi-charge. Moreover, fenrisian wolves really benefit from Zerg tactics (multiple units charging the same target unit). Assuming that you took the initiative 5 upgrade (and are fighting against MEQ), the more damage you do, the less damage you'll take. If you're tar pitting and doing trivial damage, your poor wolfies will die really quick as they have no armour saves!

 

I guess if the tactical advantage conferred to your army as a whole is high enough, it might be worth it. Ie you're multi charging some very shooty units. Are fenrisian wolves the best fast attack choice for this, though?

[Valerian]

No units of FWs for me, but I do have a pair each as wargear for both Ragnar, and my Lone Wolf. The fluff on Ragnar's is already partially established, and I suppose the "Beastmaster" theme fits for my LW. For the latter, they are meant to help see him safely to close-combat, so they bravely dive in front of Lascannon shots, and the like.

 

That's the theory, anyway, as I haven't actually played a game with them yet- the FW boxed set was the last that I bought for my Wolves army, and I've only had them built and painted relatively recently.

 

ADB, I wish you luck in getting to write about the Wolves, and in that pursuit, getting to write about how the various "breeds" of Fenrisian Wolves fit in.

 

Valerian

[eyeslikethunder]

Hi ADB

 

I always take some fenrisian wolves in my lists normally as companions to my heroes rather than units of them.

I originally had a rune priest with wolves as my background But the current codex does allow that to be fielded

 

 

Am I the only who feels it weird that the psyker is only one in the Space wolves to use technological connection to his companion?

[DanPesci]

I play against my housemates dark angels a lot, so im used to him having deep striking and occasionally drop podding units. I use a large squad of wolves usually spread out in my backfield to limit where his units can deepstrike. It also means that when they do deepstrike, and dont shoot the wolves, they get charged and usually overwhelmed by numbers of attacks. I had one game where a 15 pack of wolves went through 3 squads of deathwing terminators.

Against non-DS armies, they still work nicely as a counter attack unit or something to bubblewrap hunters. Or as a cheaper retinue than TWC for a thunderlord ;)

[Thunderhawk3015]

I like fielding a unit with my thunderlord or just sending two packs screaming across the table.  If they get to combat they do decently, and most of my opponents are not fans of having to chose between the FW's who will tie them up or force them to burn overwatch and the skyclaw/bloodclaw charge that is imminent. 

[ErikThunderclaws]

Hi there! I use my wolves to overwhelm the enemy with vast amount of attacks, always inside the forest. I often put them behind the Grey Hunters, so when the Hunters are charged the wolves are ready for a countercharge. Also, I think of them like a pack of wolves who are loyal to their Grey Hunters. I mean: each Grey Hunter and each Fenrisian wolf are friends, and they fight like brothers, but each one with his pack.

Sorry, I speak very poor english, but you can handle it!

[mactire]

Please A D-B dont write about TW cavalry, please, please, please. Would love to see your take on the vlka fenryka but please no marines riding around on wolves i beg you

[Styrbjörn]

From a fluff point of view. I prefer the fenrisien wolves over the thunder wolves. I see fenrisien wolves as war hunds, it's hard to resist the "release the hounds" frase when they charge.

[eyeslikethunder]

If there is one thing that I'd like to see in a space wolves novel it would be the space wolves tactical use of wolf scouts

"many a foe has underestimated the space wolves expecting a full frontal assault all the while there ecsape routes and supply lines were being cut off by the silent blades of the wolf scouts" Space Wolf codex p27

 

Yet every BL book has space wolves do full frontal assaults

[eyeslikethunder]

The fact we have scouts which are a elite special ops unit and used as such(rather than a rookies unit) seems to me to missing as it does not fit the BL libraries one dimensional tactical view on the space wolves.

As an author who avoids the one dimensional it would be very good to see some of these aspects reflected

[[TA]Typher]

There are no wolves on Fenris.

[Ozeryk_Sleipnijr]

Cpt Sleipnijr uses his packs of fenrisian wolves in a very nasty way. (Its known that they are the most cunning and deadly predators on Fenris as big as a horse etc....) He secretly drops packs them behind the lines on the enemy planets. Each pack is led by a cyberwolf and much terrorisim is caused.