Returning to the Fang

[Bjorn Wulfsen]

Hail brothers,

Over the last 25 years I have been involved in an on/off love affair with the sons of Russ.

Throughout that time i have played forces lead by everyone from Ragnar and Bjorn, through to lords of lesser reknown.

The fluctuations of the warp have seen me take divergent routes from my one true calling, in those times i have visited the xenos realms and searched the eye of terror for signs of our missing brothers.

 

But once again (for about the 4time since 2nd ed) I find myself before the gates of the Fang.

 

As of yet, i have not played the newest incarnation of 40k. Though i see the changes are drastic, flyers (guess we have no access to) Super heavies that i again guess we have no real access to as a chapter.

So i was wondering how we are fairing under these evolving times? How do we truly deal with the threat of air power and the super heavy slam that faces us?.

 

I must confess on my journies i did become somewhat disheartened by the game. But some recent blog posts about going back to basics, playing for fun and putting the laughter back into the hobby, got me thinking. Then those talented folks at GW threw out the Knight model and i was once again hooked.

 

I fully intent to field a knight alongside my wolves. I am thinking through the fluff of a freeblade who has sworn to help the wolves after they rescued him. I also hope to wolf up the model once i can lay my hands on one.

 

So with all this in mind, I have returned to where my love of 40k began, to the 1 army i always felt was the most fun, and hey...who can argue with drunken, rabel rousing vikings on a galaxy wide pub crawl looking for their best mate Russ.

 

I hope to bring glory to the all father and look forward to your replies.

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

So with all this in mind, I have returned to where my love of 40k began, to the 1 army i always felt was the most fun, and hey...who can argue with drunken, rabel rousing vikings on a galaxy wide pub crawl looking for their best mate Russ.

First, This is easily the greatest synopsis of the space wolves I have ever heard.

 

Second welcome back to the fang!

 

Depending on your local meta your mileage with the sons of russ may vary, but on the whole I find myself doing quite well with drop pod heavy lists. Sadly most lists these days have a pretty standard core of 3 grey hunter packs a couple long fang packs and one or two rune priests, as these are our best units, and then other units for taste and flavor. If you create a list and want some feedback, the army list section usually gets some helpful replies.

 

As for the flyer issues, there are 3 easy ways and one ok, but less reliable way. Forgeworld is the first easy way, we can take both the fire raptor and another flyer (name escapes me at the moment). The second easy way is allies/data slates, guard allies or other marine allies give us access to several good anti flyer options and the storm wing formation data slate gives us access to a decent group of flyers as well. The last option is fortifications. The aegis or bastion with quad gun are excellent anti flyer options and make a nice base for the long fangs plus the basic rules are in the brb so no extra stuff to buy. The less reliable but still OK way is long fangs and a divination rune priest taking prescience. Yes you only hit on 6's but with the re roll it's not so bad.

 

Good luck wolf brother and enjoy the sons of russ.

[Vash113]

The Storm Eagle is the second Forge World flyer we have access to, and we also can use the Thunderhawk though that one is considerably pricey!

 

As for Super Heavies, even with Escalation they are still very rare at the various hobby shops I frequent, the unit cost and lack of scoring make setting aside a huge chunk of one's army for a giant fire magnet less appealing than you might think. Knights are cheaper and very cool so I expect we'll be seeing a number of those but then there's no reason you can't take one eh?

 

Anyway since super heavies usually only come out at 2000+ points I usually just play Apocalypse at that scale, and since I can for Apoc I got a Stormlord Super-Heavy tank to add to my Wolves as a giant armored transport capable of delivering 40 of my wolves right into combat! But there are plenty of other options, including the Forge World Fellblade and all the variants of the Baneblade and Shadowsword which can be brought along for Apoc. The Fellblade is accessible outside of Apocalypse too I believe as it's a Legion vehicle.

 

Anyway welcome back to the Fang!

[Valerian]

Frankly, it's hard to fare well in 6e if you keep to the outdated mindset that you have to stick with what's in your codex - I, too, struggle against that.  This is the edition of "pretty much anything goes," so ForgeWorld and Allies are how you solve any shortcomings in your army choice.  I actually prefer the old way, where you knew what the inherent strengths and weaknesses were for you codex choice, and you made the best of what you have available.  The new paradigm, however, is to "circumvent" any shortcoming in your army by using supplements, data slates, allies, fortifications, and ForgeWorld units to shore up your weaknesses.  It is a drastically different meta than we've ever had before.

 

Welcome back Brother.

 

Valerian

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

I agree with jbickb's opening statement!! I laughed quite loudly at that one!!

 

Welcome back to the Fang brother. Oh the times have changed indeed. The thing that caught my attention about your post was the sentence "But some recent blog posts about going back to basics, playing for fun, and putting the laughter back into the hobby, got me thinking.". If this is truly how you feel about the hobby in it's current incarnation, then you will be one happy SOB!! And for the reasons Valerian suggested too, but for me it's a slightly different reasoning.

 

Having access to allies gives you access to, well, what ever you want!! Always thought Calgars TDA was sweet, use him!! For some unknown reason you like Tau, play them (just kidding, don't do that... ;) ) , and on and on.

Forgeworld has opened the door to power armor space marine heaven, and they're handing out cookies there!! Expensive cookies, mind you. But good stuff none the less. Old marks of armor, colorful characters, and I know I'm not the only Son of Russ awaiting the release of Leman Russ himself, in the Horus Heresy series they are in the midst of!! I mean good stuff, go look if you haven't already!!

And the supplements act as a kind of second codex. New goodies, rules, relics. The works. So far most of them have been pretty meh, but I'm not playing anything that's been fortunate enough to be graced with one. Yet!! 

 

It's gamers like you returning to the game, or getting excited about it all over again for other reasons that makes me glad that I never sold off all of my models or lit them on fire while trying to stay warm on those long winters nights!!

 

End of Line

[Bjorn Wulfsen]

:) Glad some of you enjoyed my old timers view on the lads.

 

I am old enough to have owned the 2nd ed army box when it was released. To have slaughtered eldar whilst bjorn looked on dice pool ready to modify his way to eternal life. Oh and vortex grenades and virus bombs.

 

I hope to use a lot of Forge World stuff for conversions as i want to mix up the armour marks, especially amongst the wolf guard. Not so keen on doing it amongst packs as to my mind they came into the wolves at the same times and thus should be issued with relatively similar marks of armour.

Any vehicles i get from FW will need some serious wolfing up though.

 

My meta does not massively stress me. I would love to win, but i plan on going and having fun and trying to prove that wargames should be FUN!. If that involves beating the local triple helldrake chaos player in the process then bonus.

 

Using allies, especially xenos filth allies, just doesn't feel right with any marines let alone 1st founding legions. Guard yes, other legions yes, maybe even those girls in skirts...ok ok that may be pushing it. But the idea of allying with xenos to cover a weakness...each to their own but i will keep closer to the fluff to be honest.

 

I'm glad you feel that way Rhapsody. I lost my way for a while, got swept up onto the GW hate wagon etc. But some of the #warmongers on twitter had been discussing the issues with the game in general, tournament scene and general feeling amongst gamers. A few of the guys made some really positive posts and got me thinking about the whole thing. It also got me thinking about those 'fun' moments in games (even when they are against you). A lot of thought went into realising that in truth, though i have played many other games, none have combined the cinematic feel, with the background in such a way that you can truly visualise those moments.

 

Like i say, maybe i'm just getting old and senile and mumbling too much 'back in my day'. But I plan to bring that back to the tabletop, my opponent can either ignore my random moments of 'for russ!!!!' 'pew pew' and other inane noises and narration of battle. Or they can join in the fun and laugh along with the dice gods.

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

I agree that that's what it's all about.

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

PEW PEW away brother!!

 

End of Line

[Fytharin]

I will admit to straying away from 40k for the reasons mentioned above. I'd much rather it was what you see in your codex is what you have to work with. Instead it's I need to buy escalation rules, forgeworld models, research all of our patches and hidden rules posted through out the years in small corners of the universe. To be honest it's why I even started my High Elves army (That and I love the models).

 

Having said that though, keep up with that attitude! This game needs more people with that have fun perspective because ultimately that's what this whole game is about. We have the unique position to bring whatever we want to the table which in turn, determines the type of gaming experience we get. It's all up to you and I'm looking forward to hearing more from you brother. :)

[Rift Blade]

Welcome back to the Fang Brother. Yes, pretty much anything goes in this current incarnation of 40K & like some, I'm kinda of a traditionalist, trying to stick to my codex only but Wolves are canny & know how to take advantage of situations. Having just picked up the Imperial Knights Codex(come on, who doesn't want to toy with mini titans if you can't afford the real ones!!!!), I could't help but notice that not to far from Fenris is Knight house Argentor. They are honourable like us Wolves as well as..conservative. So I know I plan on making House Argentor very Wolf like. As for true Space Wolf options, there is also a flyer formation we are allowed to take consisting of 2 Storm Talons escorting a Storm Raven. It's pricey but an option. My preferred tactic is to take a Bastion with Quad gun throwing a LF pack on the battlements with a WGPL to man the gun & 5 GH in the Bastion itself to man the HB's. I've also tried the Hyperios Missile launchers(not bad) & have converted a Storm Eagle(yet to use it thought as it's not quite finished). So we do have options. Just a matter of what works for you. Good Luck. 

[Night Runner]

Nice to see a prodigal wolf return back to the den.

[Ozeryk_Sleipnijr]

I bought myself an Imperial Knight. The closest IK world is Argentor, the word is related to argent which means silvery; as in; the argent moon. I am thinking about the Heraldry of Ysgarran the Freeblade. I figured that Erik Morkai wouldnt say no to such a hero joining his great company. Welcome back brother, I am glad you can make the time to build & play.