Power Armour Wolf Guard Questions

[Urauloth]

So I really want to like these guys. Not so much because I'm determined to use the unit on the tabletop, more because the modelling and painting opportunities they offer are prettymuch unparalleled. Tons of combi-weapons, unique gear on everyone, excuse to use the awesome storm shield from the pack box, cherry-picked kitbashing for lavish detail, extravagant beards, cool black and yellow heradry, and so on.

 

Of course, I don't want to build a pack just as a modelling project, so I need some kind of gaming plan for them. I could just make a selection of characterful wolf guard minis to attach to other units as pack leaders, of course (which might be the best option) but I figured I'd ask people who know their way around the dice and measuring tape side of the hobby if there's any mileage in PAWGs as a unit in their own right, and if so how you run them.

 

For that matter, how good an idea is the PAWG pack leader? Seems like he could be valuable to long fangs as a storm shield tank, but a TDAWG could do the same job while adding a cyclone launcher. Adding a combi-weapon (or again, a shield) to a grey hunter pack seems great, but it means footslogging or giving up a (free!) special weapon. I like the idea of footslogging, admittedly.

 

As a unit, PAWGs seem a lot like the chosen I'm used to not-including in CSM lists: good stats, huge array of options, absolutely harrowing price tags for most of those options, ultimately too expensive. Could be missing something, though, and I'd like to hear the thoughts of battle-brothers whose sagas have taken them beyond the modelling desk. ;)

[logun]

i have some tooled up in various ways and generally only use them for sargents, but have given thought to running a ten man squad with bp/ccw with maybe a couple of power sword/axes out of my redeemer in bigger games. they are only 3 more points than a blood claw with better ws/bs and leadership 9. cheaper than the SM vanguard.   

[Jarl Deathwolf]

I generally use my Wolf Guard as Drop Podding terminators or Sarges to the Grey Hunters. 

 

When they are drop podding (5 lads), I have two combi-melta, two combi-plasma, an assault cannon, 2 wolf claws, a frost blade, a powerfist and a power axe. Each model is unique and posed for maximum badass-ry. :)

 

When they are sergeants I vary between PA and TDA. When they are PA I give them a Powerfist and a combi-melta. Usually, the PAWG goes in a rhino, but sometimes I just want Ld 9. When they are terminators I give them a Wolf Claw and Powerfist and just slaughter nearly everything in challenges. I've started going for just a vanilla power weapon for the PA sarge, since its cheaper, and having the valuable Powerfist locked in a challenge sucks. 

[SerEightBall]

I like to run mine in a small squad with combis of melta or plasma, in a razorback or drop pod. If plasma, I've been known to include a wolf priest to avoid those gets hot deaths. Still not entirely sure if it's worth it for the points, but that build is guaranteed to kill something. In a razorback I'll usually keep it in reserve to sneak up on anyone in my back line. I don't like to use them as pack leaders because of losing the free special.

[Schertenleib]

Guys I play against use a lot of horde armies. So I like to throw 10 WG in a Drop Pod with combi-flamers!

[Valerian]

In general terms, my recommendation on how to build units has always been for you to figure out what you want/need a unit to do for you, then then find the unit option from the army list that best suited accomplish that task or fill that role, and then tailor it as needed.  When you approach unit selection and army design in that way it then becomes easier to determine when and where you might want Wolf Guard units and/or Wolf Guard Pack Leaders, as well as figure out how to arm and equip them.

 

Valerian

[Mammon]

I have always been jealous of the C:SM with their command squads on bikes. So a decent sized pack of WG in PA on bikes would be awesome and even better considering our ready access to combi weapons and close combat weapons. I am drooling just thinking about the kind of punch that squad could bring. 

[Valerian]

I have always been jealous of the C:SM with their command squads on bikes. So a decent sized pack of WG in PA on bikes would be awesome and even better considering our ready access to combi weapons and close combat weapons. I am drooling just thinking about the kind of punch that squad could bring. 

That's a ridiculously expensive unit; C:SM command squads can do it at a fraction of the cost.

[Rift Blade]

That's probably why he's jealous. I had the same problem with the C:SM Vanguard & a similar pack of WG. With jump packs & power weapons--kick ass but expensive. SOOOO expensive. LOL!!!