Valerian's Plans for 9th Edition

[Valerian]

Fellow denizens of The Fang, I figured I might as well share what my plans are, going forward. It's a turbulent time for everyone, and we all have decisions to make about how we're going to proceed in the hobby. I know many of you are currently struggling with that. What follows is simply my way ahead.

 

THE PAST:

 

A little backstory. I started collecting Space Wolves back when their first 'real' army list dropped in White Dwarf magazines 156-158. This army list coincided with the first unique models for the faction, and pretty much all were pewter. Even the basic troops (Blood Claws, Grey Hunters, etc.) were metal, with plastic arms, weapons, and backpacks. Over time, I slowly collected what I could, to create a playable army, and that took several years, as a young college kid, without a lot of resources.

 

Over the years (hell, decades!) since I started collecting, GW eventually updated all of those old pewter models with plastic models on sprues. I'd integrate some of the newer plastic model units into the army a little along the way, but I resisted, for a very long time, replacing my original units and models. However, I eventually came to appreciate the plastic models. They were simply better. More variety in how you could assemble them, lighter and easier to transport, and if you dropped one, they usually held together, whereas a metal model with plastic arms and weapons would inevitably snap into pieces. GWs techniques and processes really have improved tremendously over the years, so eventually I made the decision to sell off most of my old metal models (I held onto just a few of the more special ones), and focus on building a new army that was primarily plastic. I did this sometime in the years of 5th and 6th edition. I usually did my own assembling, and I bought all of the special Space Wolves shoulder pads I could get my hands on, so the whole army had the 'bas relief' style markings on both shoulders, for Great Company and for Pack. I never developed the skills or patience for painting, so I used commission artists to do the painting for me; have found several different folks over the years that did good work for me. I've been really happy collecting and playing with these guys over the past decade+.

 

When 8th edition dropped, and GW first revealed the initial Primaris Marines, I was pretty stoked. I know a lot of folks didn't like what they saw, as they knew these new models were going to be a threat to their collections. I realized this too, but instead of focusing on the bad, I focused on the positive. We were finally getting 'true scale' Marines that would be as large on the table-top, as they are supposed to be in the fluff. Giants among men, finally, instead of models that were more-or-less the same as Catachan Imperial Guardsmen. Not only were they finally a proper size, they came with boosted stats, and better weaponry. 2A and 2W base, and a more powerful basic rifle (AP-1 with an extended range). After 30 years of collecting them, we were finally getting models and units that evoked what Space Marines should have been like all along. And, I really like the style of the new Tacticus Armour and Helmets, and the new Gravis Armour and Helmets. Some of the units look a little goofy, to me, but I don't have to use those, or can make some modification to them to make them into something I'm happy with. But for the most part, I've been a huge fan with what they've done to refresh and modernize a 30+ year old line of core miniatures.

 

Despite loving most of the initial models, I didn't do anything with them for most of the three years of 8th edition. After all, I already had nearly 4k points worth of models to play with, and I wanted to see where, exactly, GW was going with these. What other developments were in store for us? But in play-testing, using my existing models for "counts-as," I've been really impressed with how many of the new Primaris units performed. And, knowing that they really are the future of Space Marines, I finally decided to go "all-in" and refresh my army once again.

 

THE FUTURE:

 

As I type this, I have Ragnar Blackmane, Haldor Icepelt, 4x units of 5 Intercessors, 2 units of 3 Eliminators, a unit of 3 Aggressors, and a unit of 5 Wulfen, all with an artist being painted as we speak. They should be finished up in the next week or two. These units alone are a little over 1000 (current) points worth of models, and will form the core of a new, modernized, Primaris (primarily) Space Wolves army.

 

Luckily, I hadn't coordinated with the painter yet on the next batch of models. My initial plans were to add 10 Incursors to the above, to fill out the last two required Troops units for a double-Battalion. Now, however, i'm going to wait and see what we learn about the newly revealed Assault Intercessors. If they can also get a special melee weapon on the Pack Leader, and especially if they can take advantage of the Veteran Intercessor stratagem, then I'm going all in on these guys, and will add 2 Packs to serve as proper escorts for both Ragnar and Haldor.

 

With the next batch, I'm going to get the painter to add 4 Impulsors to the army. I've been play-testing these using Rhinos and Razorbacks as "counts-as," and they have been phenomenal. In the past, I was always a fan of Drop Pod (Claws of Russ) style Space Wolves, and have never played a mechanized list before (the Rhinos and Razorbacks are from my Grey Knights army, and I used them in previous editions, when they could cast psychic powers, too), so this style of play is new to me, but I've really grown to appreciate it. Impulsors are amazing at getting your melee units into close combat, safely, right where you want them to be.

 

Until something better comes along, the plan for now is to finish off the army with Bjorn the Fell-handed - not Primaris, but still one of my favorite units and characters. And, he still brings a ton of utility to the army in shooting (Twin lascannons) and Close Combat (Trueclaw), in addition to the the re-roll Hits aura and the extra CP. And, the final unit will be the Jump Pack Wolf Priest. He's just too important for getting the Canticle of Hate to the right place when you need to make those charges.

 

Anyway, this is what I'll be working on building and developing, as we transition into yet another new edition of the game.

 

Best,

 

Val

[Lord Blackwood]

It looks like you've got a solid plan in place, nice to see positive outlooks

[Kassill]

Good to see your plans and see a bit of your past. I admittedly was not excited about Primaris initially (I felt much like I did when Fantasy rolled into AoS), but with time and some appreciation (they are joy to build and paint) I have really come to enjoy and embrace them to the point that going forward I'm working on mostly filling out my growing force with Primaris and these new kits. (The same happened in AoS and I'm now rather fond of the setting and models  )

Im hoping we'll get some rules previews soon. I think I will primarily stick with abr/hammer squads and incursors, however an Assault Intercessor compliment for Ragnar just makes sense. 

 

 

 

oh and some of those chonky bikes because I really, really like them 
 

[The Pounder]

Great article!

 

Your journey through the years is quite interesting.

 

I can remember the Blood Claws Packleader with the claw and chainsword (at least that’s what I armed him with!) was the first ever miniature I painted that didn’t look shocking!

 

Really nice to read some positivity. There’s a lot of doom and gloom about recent releases and the introduction of the Primaris line.

 

I have a tonne of mini marines to work on, but I’m wondering if I could use the bitz to better effect building a Primaris army for my boy?

 

Thanks for sharing, I’m feeling much more inspired.

[Iain_Stormeyes]

I'm right there with you on holding off.  I started with 8th, but only got into Primaris in the last year because I liked the look of older Wolves models.  But right now I am planning to finish my third Invictor Warsuit (which, btw, I'm pretty sure is the most underrated thing we got out of PA) and then hold off on buying more stuff until 9th drops, or at least we get a better sense of what it will be.  I've got one Knight to finish painting, another Knight to build and paint, then do scenic bases for 4 Knights to finish a hobby project, so that is what I will spend the next month or so doing.

 

Also, I hope, if it is necessary, you re-do your Guide to Army Building.  I've had that thing stickied since my second week playing Wolves and share it with every new player, no matter their faction, and tell them "Find what units you have that fill these rolls, and apply this wisdom."  

 

Thanks for being an awesome member of this community!

[Wispy]

heh, that's funny - i was also planning on adding 10 Incursors. Me and a buddy were going to split a RagnarVGhazghull box. I hadn't got it yet, but I had amassed all the bitz to make the Incursors Blood Claw themed, dual wielding side-blades (knives and axes)...

 

but the 9th edition news blew those plans out of the water. Of course I'd rather make chainsword wielding, Blood Claw themed Primaris instead.

Edited May 24, 2020 by Wispy

[Valerian]

But right now I am planning to finish my third Invictor Warsuit (which, btw, I'm pretty sure is the most underrated thing we got out of PA)

Yes, Invictor Warsuits are awesome. I've play-tested with those, too (using Dreadknights as substitutes), and they've been great. I'm sure I'll grab a couple of those at some point, too. Just have to figure out what to drop to fit them in, really. Always good to have more than 2k worth of models, just so you can play around with things anyway, though.

 

Also, I hope, if it is necessary, you re-do your Guide to Army Building.  I've had that thing stickied since my second week playing Wolves and share it with every new player, no matter their faction, and tell them "Find what units you have that fill these rolls, and apply this wisdom."  

 

 

Oh, I'm so pleased to hear that that has been helpful to you.  Yeah, I think I first created that back around 5th edition or thereabouts, so I'm sure I'll continue to update it as things change, so be on the lookout for a new version once 9th edition drops.  I had already been thinking that it probably deserved another pass soon, given recent changes with the Saga of the Beast and Vanguard units from last year.

 

Much appreciated!

[Debauchery101]

I remember when SW first released rules for Wolf Guard Terminators. Dudes seriously fielded 5-10 terminators each armed with assault cannons and Cyclones.

 

If those guys didn't jam you were Effed no lube..

The Cyclones were stupid as well. You got 12 missiles and could fire them all at once to make a 6" template. The over watch back them was an alternate choice to shooting on your turn and those guys were the kinds...3+ save on 2d6...lol

 

But it was awesome to see players roll triple jams and frag half their squad

Edited May 25, 2020 by Debauchery101

[BadgersinHills]

Good to hear your plan, especially with so much confusion and more in this situation. Like a change in imperial dynasty, edition change is chaotic as all heck. I'm planning to stick to my current marines, all firstborn, I'm more of a painting and modelling person and since I've never played a game since I started in 2015, I doubt I'll suddenly turn into an alligator of a gamer. I was planning to counts as my marines as Primaris when I felt like it as I'm truescaling it, and my gaming scene is fairly relaxed so I doubt I'll run into much trouble. 

 

Hah, and I'm getting Bjorn soon too. The chunky dreadnoughts are just adorable~! 

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

I too have decided to lean into primaris. As I have collected a very large great company under the great wolf, my decision is to switch great companies for primaris. Because of his epic new model, I have decided to make all of my primaris blackmane's great company. Long ago I had a hard time choosing between ragar's GC and Logans. This seems like the perfect opportunity to start a new great company.

 

Changing editions is definitely weird but very survivable no sense tossing out your collection that you've worked so hard on, shelf it, break it out for apocalypse, play narrative games with, and most important, keep enjoying the hobby.

[Valerian]

I remember when SW first released rules for Wolf Guard Terminators. Dudes seriously fielded 5-10 terminators each armed with assault cannons and Cyclones.

 

If those guys didn't jam you were Effed no lube..

The Cyclones were stupid as well. You got 12 missiles and could fire them all at once to make a 6" template. The over watch back them was an alternate choice to shooting on your turn and those guys were the kinds...3+ save on 2d6...lol

 

But it was awesome to see players roll triple jams and frag half their squad

 

Yeah, those days were weird, but fun.  I seem to recall supporting the double-Heavy Weapon Terminators with Blood Claws packs that all had Power Fists.  It was pretty ridiculous.  

[clanfield]

thats a great read our journeys are similar it seems. I remember bunking off college to travel to the nearest gw to get ragnar and some grey hunters after seeing them in white dwarf in the refectory that morning :) great times ahead brothers

[Valerian]

The first batch is ready.

 

 

[NightHowler]

Wow! Those look amazing!!! Great job!

[Wolf Guard Dan]

These look great!!!

[Valerian]

 

I've got another set of 3 Eliminators, but will edit in the pic later.  Time for dinner.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent works.

[Kassill]

I saw those earlier on KFstudio fb page. They look great! 

[HvitrValdyr]

The first batch is ready.

 

 

We’re some of these featured on KF Studio’s Facebook page? I swear I saw these earlier today.

[Wispy]

holy crap, valerian, that's a beautiful job.

[Valerian]

I saw those earlier on KFstudio fb page. They look great! 

 

Yeah, Vasily, from Liber Daemonica did these for me.  I think he also owns (or maybe just supports?) the KFStudio, too.

 

I'm very pleased.  Money well spent :)

holy crap, valerian, that's a beautiful job.

 

Agreed, Vasily does fantastic work.

 

The first batch is ready.

 

 

We’re some of these featured on KF Studio’s Facebook page? I swear I saw these earlier today.

 

 

Yes, and they were posted here, as well:  https://www.facebook.com/LiberDaemonica

[Valerian]

 

I love the subtle camouflage pattern on the cloaks, too.  Might have to zoom in.

[Debauchery101]

 

I love the subtle camouflage pattern on the cloaks, too. Might have to zoom in.

I have yet to do camo on any of my Infiltrators or scouts. I'm a retired marine, hunter and custom paint firearms..i want to do camo but I know once I start down that path its going to draw too much time from other stuff because ill feel compelled to make it perfect lol

 

But I do like this subtle effect. Do you have a fairly quick method for this?

Edited June 5, 2020 by Debauchery101

[Valerian]

I have yet to do camo on any of my Infiltrators or scouts. I'm a retired marine, hunter and custom paint firearms..i

What did you do in the Marines? Brother Tyler is also a retired Marine, if you didn't already know that. I'm retired Army, myself.

 

But I do like this subtle effect. Do you have a fairly quick method for this?

It was the commission artist that managed that; all I do is shove money his way.

[Lord Blackwood]

What was your MOS in the army