Jump Pack Wolf Guard

[L30n1d4s]

Anyone else experimenting with these yet?

 

 

Supported by a JP Rune Priest (Wulfen Stone) and a JP Wolf Lord (Bolts of Morkai), a Pack of 10 JP Wolf Guard with 9 Combi-Plasmas, 4 Storm Shields, 5 Lightning Caws, and Pack Leader with dual Lightning Claws and "Frost Weapon" Relic (for 6 attacks at S5 AP-2 Dmg2).

 

 

For mobility, obviously the entire group can move 12" a turn, or start in Reserve and DS in from turn 2 onward. Additionally, you can use the new "Relentless Assault" Strat to consolidate an extra 3" (so 6" total), making it quite possible to win a combat and then consolidate into a nearby enemy unit.

 

 

Firepower-wise, against massed infantry they can put out up to 18 Bolter Shots and 18 Plasma shots (with re-rolls of 1s to Hit from the Wolf Lord and 1s to Wound from the Bolts of Morkai). If you need to put out damage on more elite infantry or vehicles/monsters, then just use the Plasma and Overcharge for S8/Dmg2 to soften them up prior to charging into melee. Additionally, if you want to shoot both parts of the Combi-Weapons with no penalties (and also avoid any enemy debuffs to your charges) then you can use the "Keen Senses" Strat on the unit.

 

 

Speaking of melee, this unit gets re-rolls to its charges and can be in Assault Doctrine any turn (thanks to the Rune Priest powers), meaning that it can put out 20 S4 AP-3 Dmg1 and 6 x S5 AP-3 Dmg2 attacks, all hitting on 2+s (re-rollable) and full re-rolls to Wound. Additionally, you can amp this up further with the Wulfen Stone (i.e. once a game get extra hits on 5+s, vice 6+s, to Hit) and the new +1 to Wound in melee Strat, "Savage Strike." Finally, if necessary, you can also use the new Astartes "Hammer of Wrath" Strat to inflict MWs on the charge (5 MWs average against T4 infantry, if you have 10 JP Wolf Guard in the unit charging).

 

 

Finally, in terms of durability,  if you successfully cast Storm Caller and activate "Cloaked by the Storm," you can give the whole unit -1 to Hit and a 2+ save against shooting (the Storm Shield models get a 1+/4++ save). To put that in perspective, it would take 48 x BS3+ bolt rifle shots or 18 x BS3+ Heavy Bolter shots to kill a single Wolf Guard (or 4-5 Lascannons, on average, to kill a single Wolf Guard with a Storm Shield).

Edited November 13, 2020 by L30n1d4s

[Commander_Moustache]

Powerful, but exspensive. Deep strike would be the better option IMO to keep them safe.

[L30n1d4s]

Yes, you are right, pretty expensive points-wise, no doubt about that.

 

What you are paying for with this unit is the versatility, I think: unlike Plasma Inceptors, which are mobile and can shoot, but are not a serious melee threat, and also unlike TWC, who also are mobile and very dangerous in close combat, but have not shooting to speak of, Jump Pack Wolf Guard with a load out like this can participate in both the Shooting and Assault phases pretty handily (a bit like Terminators, in that sense). This is particularly useful against the recent trend of heroes like Ghazkull and the Necron C'Tan who can only take a max of 3W lost per phase... if the Rune Priest can chip off 3W from Smite/Living Lightning in the Psychic Phase, then these Wolf Guard could finish off the other 6W in Shooting and Fight phases.

 

While they are not as tough as Terminators (lacking the base 2+ save and 3W), they have more than double the mobility, which can mean a lot in 9th edition.

 

I also have to agree with you that, in a lot of cases, starting them in DS might be the best call... if you do so, it might be good to add a JP Wolf Priest into the mix, for that sweet +2" to the charge (re-rollable with the Wulfen Stone nearby).

Edited November 13, 2020 by L30n1d4s

[Karhedron]

The combo of Jump Pack, Lightning Claw and Storm Shield is very good and a lot of people are experimenting with Vanguard Veterans in the same configuration. I do have a couple of suggestions though.

 

1. Drop the Morkai Bolts or put them elsewhere. You don't really need to reroll 1s to wound when the Lightning Claws reroll all wounds anyway. Give the Lords something more punchy.

 

2. Rather than using the Rune Priest to protect them and then bump them into the Assault Doctrine, get a Wolf Priest instead and put the whole lot into Reserve. When they come down, use Commanding Oratory to auto-chant Canticle of Hate for +2" to their Charge move (keep the Wulfen Stone for rerolls). You can then use Bestial Nature for 1CP to bump them into the Assault Doctrine. I prefer this to the Psychic Power as the that becomes less useful from T3 onwards. I would rather take powers that are useful all game.

[Dark Shepherd]

^2 is bang on the money

 

Id go 2 units of 5 as theyre easier to place and youre opponent has to guard more against them eg 360 bubblewrap for characters

 

They only have one hard charge to make so Id go Wolf Priest with Saga of Majesty