Space Wolves Tank Inventory

[Bloody Legionnaire]

Anybody have any clue how many of each types of tanks the Space Wolves have in their inventory? Or any fluff that would remotely reflect it? I from the way the Codex describes things I would say it is the Predator.. but I have never read any of the books. 

[Vash113]

There's no hard figure to point to that lists the Space Wolves armoury contingent. Also it would vary significantly over time as vehicles are damaged, undergo repair, are scrapped for parts and replaced or potentially phased out entirely.

 

Not to mention the Space Wolves are entirely fine with salvaging whatever they can get their hands on from battle, weapons, armor, vehicles, even battleships when needed. Thus almost anything could potentially appear in the Space Wolves arsenal.

[Sturm Moonwolf]

Don't think there are any solid numbers out there for the Chapter. But if you look at the old poster from WD that had the Predator on it, it says in the fluff that the Space Wolves developed the first "Annihilator" pattern when Long Fangs needed to mobilize their lascannons. IA volume 2 talks about the Wolves deploying a Land Raider Helios against Orcs. Gunnar Red Moon's Great company fielded a mass underwater Land Raider attack against the Tau, but no exact numbers on how many Land Raiders that was. So all I can say is that the Wolves pretty much field anything other Chapters do, but I don't think you can ever get an exact quantitative # on how many of each type that have as the Wolves are not a normal sized Chapter.

[Grey Mage]

So, think about the numbers presented for the ultramarines, then double it. That would be our active duty tanks, pods, and available dread-pool at any given time.

 

Now take that number, and double it again to represent the outter edge of whats likely included with lost companies etc.

 

Now take that, and multiply it by a factor of four to get whats likely included when we consider stuff thats mothballed, in maintenance, or simply sitting in the armory of a garrison somewhere.

 

Now roll 2d10 and thats the number of Fellblades and their variants that are likely sitting below the fang as survivors of the great war. There may have been a handful made since then, but nothing alludes to us having needed to do that and the materials for them are very precious.

 

For Thunderhawks, consider that we have about 15 capital ships at any given time, not including those of the lost companies, and that the average compliment for a strike cruiser is about 6 thunderhawks- and atleast three of our ships can be considered battle barges, who double that without a thought.... so thats 88 thunderhawks right there, before lost companies. Lets add half again as many for the lost companies, since THs are harder to make and repair it seems- 132, and then another 60 some odd simply at the Fang, for inter-system transport, defense, and so forth, and another 40 in maintenance/on hand to replace losses that come up- so about 240 thunderhawks on the outside. We have atleast Stormeagles and Caestus Assault Rams in addition to this.... but no viable numbers for them that Im aware of. We also have literally hundreds of escort ships, shuttles, and landers available *from previous descriptions of the Fang and its impressive port*.

 

Then for DPs figure one per pack, and about 16-17 packs per great company gives us ~200 for the chapter. Lets multiply that by a factor of 15 to include decoys, and Deathwind pods- the funny automated guns we use to clear landing pads. So thats about 3000 drop pods, and since theyre reusable we can perhaps say that this is likely to include immediate replacements, but there may be an easy thousand after that depending on the ease of their manufacture.

 

So that puts us in the ballpark of over 8,000 or so vehicles, including everything from Rhinos to spaceships, with literally every class of imperial vehicle represented somewhere within. Its good to be a first founding isnt it?

[Bloody Legionnaire]

So it's safe to say in an Apocalypse style game if I wanted to stay "fluffy" and satisfy my desire to field lots of tanks it would be completely fluffy to do so? 

The only reason I asked is because I noticed in my Blood Angeles Dex their was a break down of companies and what company had what and how many of that what. Would be kinda cool if all the Chapters had something like that. 

I am dreaming and drooling over what my great company would look like with all I want to include in it. 

 

Since our troops and Long Fangs are so good people spend so much more time focusing on those you never hear about the Space Wolves Armored fist is like. The Space Wolves Codex kinda hints at it under the Predator entry but I really wish they would have more information about Egil Ironwolf. That's what I'm basing my Great Company on. 

[Grey Mage]

To date, very few of the chapters have that exact kind of thing. But yes, if you wanted to field 30 predators, a dozen leman russ, and a few superheavies you would not be exhausting the chapters resources by any means.

 

I suggest you check out forgeworlds host of tanks- that company was designed by, and for, tread heads.

[Bloody Legionnaire]

Well that is what brings me to the 2nd question I was asking (which I know can't be definitively answered). Which tank do you think the Space Wolves have the most? I know they bring whatever is necessary to the fight to get the job done, but is it more common place to see a lot of Rhinos and Razorbacks? Or would it be Predators and Vindicators with just a few APC's moving troops around? 

[Grey Mage]

Depends on the Great Company honestly. And theres nothing solid except for a mention that one prefers the thunderous noise of vindicators.

[Bloody Legionnaire]

Roger that! Appreciate it! 

[-Volsung-]

Hey hey hey,  hate to be the annoying one to do it...

 

But don't forget the three or four dozen (give or take) Leman Russ Exterminators now gathering dust in the Fang's motor pool, fielded by the Chapter for centuries of battle mowing down Tyrannids, Orks, Traitor Guardsmen with powerful autocannons up until the most recent codex damned their proud machine spirits to an existence of inactivity within the oily and smoky garages of Asaheim.

 

Crippled old warriors, betrayed and forgotten...

[Vash113]

Well technically by far the greatest number of vehicles in the armory, discounting drop pods, would be rhinos and razorbacks. On average one for each Pack in the entire Chapter, plus some extras. Whether those vehicles are frequently used by each Great Company is another matter but most Chapters are able to field a sizable number of Rhinos, the Rhino chasis is the basis for the majority if an astartes Chapter's armory so it is very common.

 

After the APCs which aren't technically tanks, the most common would most likely be the Predator, versatile, well armed and based on the Rhino chasis it would likely be the most common. More specialized weapons such as the Vindicator, Whirlwind and the new anti-air tanks we don't (yet) have access too would most likely be fewer in number as they would be more situational. Land Raiders would be considerably fewer, maybe 2-3 per company in most cases, some GC would have more, others less depending on the mood of the Wolf Lord and availability.

 

Most fluff stories about the SW do focus on the infantry, as the Chapter is known for furious close combat prowess, rolling around in tanks is less characterful for the Chapter. That is not to say the Space Wolves are not fully capable or willing to conduct massive tank assaults, on the contrary armored assaults are one of the most common deployment methods for astartes forces and one of the GC specializes in armored assaults. If you want to field sizable numbers of tanks in Apocalypse, go for it, that is entirely within the realm of the Space Wolves capabilities according to the fluff.

 

Also don't forget, as others have mentioned, the SW are a first founding Chapter with an extensive armory containing all manner of equipment dating back to the Great Crusade. All of the vehicles, including the super-heavies, that Forge World has made for the Horus Heresy line would be fluffy to include in a Space Wolves list, at least in moderation. All standard super-heavies are not outside the realm of possibility either. Leman Russ Exterminators are fluffy to include, possibly other variants as well, and the Skaerls could have access to pretty much everything in the arsenal of the Imperial Guard, except I'd say some of the artillery. As long as you aren't throwing down a dozen Sicarus tanks and a squadron of jetbikes you're golden.

[Valerian]

The only vehicle that I remember a specific number for is Dreadnoughts, and that we had over 200, which was well beyond the inventory of any other Chapter.  The problem is, in my old age, I have forgotten the reference for this fluff data.  Will see if I can locate it, however.

 

V

[Bloody Legionnaire]

Well technically by far the greatest number of vehicles in the armory, discounting drop pods, would be rhinos and razorbacks. On average one for each Pack in the entire Chapter, plus some extras. Whether those vehicles are frequently used by each Great Company is another matter but most Chapters are able to field a sizable number of Rhinos, the Rhino chasis is the basis for the majority if an astartes Chapter's armory so it is very common.

 

After the APCs which aren't technically tanks, the most common would most likely be the Predator, versatile, well armed and based on the Rhino chasis it would likely be the most common. More specialized weapons such as the Vindicator, Whirlwind and the new anti-air tanks we don't (yet) have access too would most likely be fewer in number as they would be more situational. Land Raiders would be considerably fewer, maybe 2-3 per company in most cases, some GC would have more, others less depending on the mood of the Wolf Lord and availability.

 

Most fluff stories about the SW do focus on the infantry, as the Chapter is known for furious close combat prowess, rolling around in tanks is less characterful for the Chapter. That is not to say the Space Wolves are not fully capable or willing to conduct massive tank assaults, on the contrary armored assaults are one of the most common deployment methods for astartes forces and one of the GC specializes in armored assaults. If you want to field sizable numbers of tanks in Apocalypse, go for it, that is entirely within the realm of the Space Wolves capabilities according to the fluff.

 

Also don't forget, as others have mentioned, the SW are a first founding Chapter with an extensive armory containing all manner of equipment dating back to the Great Crusade. All of the vehicles, including the super-heavies, that Forge World has made for the Horus Heresy line would be fluffy to include in a Space Wolves list, at least in moderation. All standard super-heavies are not outside the realm of possibility either. Leman Russ Exterminators are fluffy to include, possibly other variants as well, and the Skaerls could have access to pretty much everything in the arsenal of the Imperial Guard, except I'd say some of the artillery. As long as you aren't throwing down a dozen Sicarus tanks and a squadron of jetbikes you're golden.

 

 

And this is why I cannot stand it when people trip on the whole "space wolves no flyers.. space wolves no flyers.. only fight on the ground.. flyers no fluffy.." I makes complete sense for space wolves to have Aircraft as the disposal and I think I will be pretty angry if we don't get one. 

 

Back on topic... I don't know if I would want to field an entire Armored division (I would love to put all those tanks on the board but my mind keeps me and check and reminds me how much money that would be.) For my great company I was thinking of having 10 squads of troops and all the supporting elements. So the Wolf Lord of course, and I figured he'd have his Wolf Guard body Guards with him, in an Apocalypse Game I would see to Logan being Present and his body guards. I feel they both would have their own land raiders to ride in style in. (Especially Egil Iron Wolf) I'm glad you mentioned what you did about the Rhino so there would be at least 10 of those. Possibly 1-2 Land raiders for the Blood Claws...Razorbacks for Long Fangs and then it makes perfect since for the Predators to have quite a few numbers, the long range-reach out and touch you fire power would be great support for such a large force. Not that I think I would ever own any, but it would be impressive to have two Thunderhawks fly in and deep strike some takes and then circle around and lay down some heavy fire. 

[Grey Mage]

Theres no official fluff source for the SWs no flyers thing, as you put it. There is a source that says a particular wolf lord thinks we shouldnt use jump packs, etc- though seeing as BCs, WG, and all of our Heroes can use them its obviously not that big of a hangup eh?

[Bloody Legionnaire]

I know there isn't but when it says "Space Wolves prefer to fight with their feet on the ground as russ intended" people take it out of context. 

[Urauloth]

That's specifically a reference to teleportation, too, so it just makes it weirder when people insist on applying it to flying things. I mean, they don't think great companies forego the use of thunderhawks, right? ...right?

 

I'm still bewildered as to why death from whatever didn't allow for a space wolf stormraven. It wouldn't violate any fluff that I'm aware of, it would be useful, and it would have sold a ton more expensive kits. Odd decision, imho.

[Grey Mage]

Agreed, though honestly I do prefer the look and stats of the Eagle, if it was only codex instead of FW....

[Vash113]

I added a Stormraven to my SW with allies from the Blood Angels, took a Chaplain, Death Company and Stormraven as my counts-as Wulfen, Wolf Priest and captured gunship, fun stuff.

 

And yes the Storm Eagle does look better IMO but I just can't justify the cost of the FW resin kit.

[Rift Blade]

Yeah, my vote is for the Eagle as well. You can convert a fairly decent Eagle out of a Storm Raven though. Just extend the body, put some fins near the nose & use the whirlwind missile pods on the back & voila. It really is to bad that's its FW & not Codex. But , who knows, maybe we'll get something similar with the new Dex.