Wolf Guard Bikers: How to model their load out?

[MosesGunn]

Hey all, trying to dip my toe slowly back into the hobby after some time out. Have picked up my Wolves project again and am trying to model a unit of Wolf Guard bikers as stand ins for Stormclaw Bikers from the old 13th company list back in 3rd edition.

 

However, I'm a little lost given their status as an index unit and what a legal load out can be - I'm investing in them for army theme more than anything, but should I ever want to field them I want to make sure my modeling choices reflect their load out.

 

It seems the online consensus is stormbolters and storm shields - I'm assuming this is across all five models including the pack leader?

 

So if I'm to understand right the storm shield replaces their bolt pistol, and the storm bolters replace the close combat weapon.

 

If you're primarily looking for them to provide a moving bolter platform is it even worth it keeping one or two models with close combat weapons or give the pack leader a power fist or thunderhammer, or would I be keeping them out of any close combat engagements entirely?

 

Here's the first of the unit made out of one of my old models, so the bits and green stuff are covering up some truly awful attempts by 10 year old me to assemble it.

 

 

[Gherrick]

I could see giving the leader a powerfist instead of a shield, since they get an extra attack. Makes slightly less durable vs mass plasma, but you can at least do something meaningful if have/need to melee vs tougher threats.

[Kasper_Hawser]

Hi Moses,

 

Fluffwise, if the wolf guard take to bikes, I wouldn't think they would use their bikes to kite the enemy with dakka. Doesn't quite fit the preference of close combat for the Wolves over keeping the enemy at bay. That being said, Wolves have always been pragmatic even over stuff that isn't "traditionally wolfy", aka dakka loadout. After all the oldest Long Fangs get the honor of wielding the big guns.

 

So to answer your question,

 

1) if you want to fit fluff, I suggest putting close combat frost/power weapons + storm bolters. Close combat punch over resilience.

2) If you want crunch, then storm bolters with shields makes for a superb if somewhat over priced fast ranged dakka unit. (40ppm) although not by much. for comparison, a Blackwing Knight which has an Assault 2 plasma gun and a power maul (Corvus hammer, slightly better than normal maul), is only a couple points less. But no doubt the WG on bikes will be more resilient due to stormshields.

[CaptainStabby]

Pop goes the Monkey has Stormbolters. I bought a bunch, mine are all dakka shield guys specifically to deal with things that need the fire poured into them that other things just arent cost effective to do that with.

 

StormBolters aren't really "big guns" by any stretch.