New era for Space Wolves

[Wispy]

The codex leaked, I'm not going to share rules but I will share some new lore.

 

The Iron Wolves and Firehowlers have been retired. A new Grand Annulas has been designed. 

 

Torval Wyrdbane leads the Duskwolves under the new (old) spirit wolf sigil. He succeeds Vorek Gnarlfist, who I guess died. I guess they were feeling so cursed losing Wolf Lords at this point that they picked the most cursed Fenrisian sigil in a 'come at me bro'.'

 

The Firehowlers are now the Runemarked, led by Hrothvyr Runescar. Their sigil is a wolf head shaped like the one used by the Wolf Spears, except there is a rune mark on the forehead.

 

@Bryan Blaire Krom endures in the lore. 

Edited May 20 by Wispy

[Wolf Guard Dan]

13 hours ago, Karhedron said:

Land Raider and Ballistus Dreadnoughts are also good targets for Sustained Hits. Do you know if he retains his repair D3 wounds per turn?

Yes. He heals the unit he is giving rapid fire to 

[Marshall Bretton]

So looking at the rules there are 2 things that jump out at me.

 

Firstly unless I'm missing something it looks like wulfen with hammers are back to where they should be with actual thunder hammers that have a decent profile rather than the old "wulfen hammers" that were utterly useless which is great.

 

Secondly the wolf guard headtakers don't have to be taken with wolves so old/converted wolf guard are still viable if they have the right weapons or with a basic weapon swap without needing to run about grabbing any boxes of fenrisian wolves that can be found on eBay.

 

I am still disappointed by the lack of customisation options in our units but sadly that's reflective of the wider trend from gw in their drive to "simplify" the game by reducing the variation in points for units and removing the need to roll multiple different attacks dice etc. but that's a whole topic on its own and. Ot something to get into here.

[Wispy]

Relieved I don't have to figure out how to give my converted Blade Guard hunting wolves.

[Kassill]

37 minutes ago, Marshall Bretton said:

 

I am still disappointed by the lack of customisation options in our units but sadly that's reflective of the wider trend from gw in their drive to "simplify" the game by reducing the variation in points for units and removing the need to roll multiple different attacks dice etc. but that's a whole topic on its own and. Ot something to get into here.

 

That is more a state of 40k direction than taking away our toys. We were one of the last to have as many as we did (current/old Wolf Guard Terminators for example). Just the nature of any game system as it becomes more widespread it gets streamlined. For the "old guard" we see it as losing something but to the next generation of gamers it's one less learning step having to remember "this guy has claw and this guy has a fist and this guy has a combi weapon, and this guy...." etc etc. For example Repulsor last edition had a stupid number of weapon profiles on it, now it's got the turrent gun, hull gun and then one lump sum profile for everything else. This also helps players at events on a clock to not waste time "what does a frag launcher do again...?". So from GW design perspective they are eliminating rules/learning fatigue from new players as well as helping comp players play efficiently. 

Ultimately it's still a good time for both of the players in that example. They get to roll dice, hopefully kill some stuff dead and make memories. 

Edited May 21 by Kassill

[Wolf Guard Dan]

I am still digesting these new detachments. I do think Stormlance task force still has play.

Hunter's Instincts on a Chaplain on bike and outriders with Logan boosting gives them +2 to treating battle round number.

Njal with grey hunters paired with Blitzing Fusilade- Auto advance 6" get sustained 1 due to Njal already giving assault. And can advance and charge due to detachment rule.

Thunderwolf cavalry still strong in this detachment: ride fast, ride hard, shock assault, and full throttle.

The downside of stormlance is it doesn't boost lethality much. But our data sheets might be enough to push that.

[Knightsword]

4 hours ago, Wolf Guard Dan said:

I am still digesting these new detachments. I do think Stormlance task force still has play.

Hunter's Instincts on a Chaplain on bike and outriders with Logan boosting gives them +2 to treating battle round number.

Njal with grey hunters paired with Blitzing Fusilade- Auto advance 6" get sustained 1 due to Njal already giving assault. And can advance and charge due to detachment rule.

Thunderwolf cavalry still strong in this detachment: ride fast, ride hard, shock assault, and full throttle.

The downside of stormlance is it doesn't boost lethality much. But our data sheets might be enough to push that.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but because the Chaplain on bike and Outriders don't get the Space Wolves keyword in the new codex, then Logan's strategic reserve ability can't benefit them?

 

I really do hope that there's a day 1 errata that grants the Space Wolves keyword to generic Space Marine units when included in a Space Wolves detachment. I had Frost Weapon on a Jump Pack Chaplain and Black Death on a Judiciar in the COR list that I've been very slowly assembling over since last summer that I can't switch to the new anologus ones in the new detachments. I assume that they've tried to alleviate it this by making half the enhancements in each detachment be Space Wolves only and the other half available for any Adeptus Astartes, but I would have liked to try Braggart's Steel on a Judiciar.

[Northern Walker]

I really hope they either FAQ things to let people play with their models. This has annoyed me enough that I'm actually considering defending some of 9th's keyword mechanics!

Someone a GW needs to give the rules writers their personalities back.

[Karhedron]

I hate to admit it but I think the split of SW/Non-SW units is a fair compromise. I wanted to retain access to the various units like Intercessors that I have wolfed-up over the last couple of editions. It have got that and can still run all my toys. I just can't mix SW/Codex units and Characters which is a fair restriction overall.

 

This Codex encourages you to lean on your SW units if playing one of our new Detachments but still allows you to add Codex units in a support role. They can be taken, they benefit from 2/3 of the Detachment rules but don't get to access all of the toys like Enhancements and Stratagems (although they still get some).

[Tokugawa]

52 minutes ago, Knightsword said:

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but because the Chaplain on bike and Outriders don't get the Space Wolves keyword in the new codex, then Logan's strategic reserve ability can't benefit them?

 

I really do hope that there's a day 1 errata that grants the Space Wolves keyword to generic Space Marine units when included in a Space Wolves detachment. I had Frost Weapon on a Jump Pack Chaplain and Black Death on a Judiciar in the COR list that I've been very slowly assembling over since last summer that I can't switch to the new anologus ones in the new detachments. I assume that they've tried to alleviate it this by making half the enhancements in each detachment be Space Wolves only and the other half available for any Adeptus Astartes, but I would have liked to try Braggart's Steel on a Judiciar.

No chance. The rules tell "space wolves model only" and "adeptus astartes model only" very clearly, and almost 50%-50% in enhancement section, so it must be intended and not typo error.

[Apokalypsi]

The crazy part I think is a squad of Grey Hunters with a character attached is 40+Character OC!

[Knightsword]

Whilst it has rather annoyed me i'll give up complaining any further as it's all in ink now. I'll have a play with my list later this evening. Do we reckon there'll be day 1 points adjustment?

 

Some musing on the decision making behind this that may also be complete hogwash, but with the design decision to increase base movement I guess they would logically then have to go down one the below routes:

• Block generic units getting the Space Wolves keyword;
• Come up with a reason these units wearing the exact same mark of power armour move slower despite all being Space Wolves with the Space Wolves keyword;
• Increase the base movement of those generic units which would be unfair on Codex compliant and other divergent Chapters.

Blocking would be easiest route.

[Wolf Guard Dan]

2 hours ago, Tokugawa said:

No chance. The rules tell "space wolves model only" and "adeptus astartes model only" very clearly, and almost 50%-50% in enhancement section, so it must be intended and not typo error.

Didn’t catch that on the first read through. Ah well, woe is me :).  I’ll just have 2 units with +1 instead of one unit with +2. Probably the better strategic move anyway. 

[Karhedron]

3 hours ago, Knightsword said:

Do we reckon there'll be day 1 points adjustment?

 

Probably, there have been for most recent codices I think. The Wolf Guard Battle Leader seems a steal at just 65 points so I would not be surprised to see him go up 5 or 10 points. On the other hand, the Wulfen Dread has gone up from the Index cost despite getting worse rules so could definitely do with coming down 15 points or so.

[TiguriusX]

First draft...Beastslayer detachment idea

 

    Total
    Bjorn w/MM
    WGBL w/TH w/ Elder's Guidance
    WGBL w/TH
    WGBL w/TH w/ Wolf touched
    Combi LT
    Iron priest
    Iron priest
    Predator Annihilator
    Predator Annihilator
    Predator Destructor
    Predator Destructor
    10xWulfen with hammers
    5xIntercessors
    10xBC
    10xBC

    5xWolves
    5xWolves
    5xWolves
    Desolation marines

PINNING FIRE for desolation marines and they can use oath if nobody else needs it b/c all melee units have sustain and reroll 1s

Annihilators will have 8 total anti tank shots (2 HK 4 LC 2 Predator LC) with rerolling damage when buffed by IP
Destructors will have 6 total anti tank shots (2 HK 4 LC) and extra AP against infantry

 

Wolves are early turn action monkeys and scoring units (daisy chain them within 6" of a character to grant OC)

After turn 3 Bjorn doesn't have to babysit the home objective and gets to uppy/downy and join the fight using COORDINATED STRIKE

 

 

*************************

 

 

Couple hours later...after experimenting with lists I'm bummed out...I predict the SW players will end up using good old Gladius instead of our new detachments

 

GLADIUS TASK FORCE

Bjorn w/MM
Iron priest
Iron priest
Wolf priest
Wolf priest

3xHeadtakers + 3xWolves
3xHeadtakers + 3xWolves
10xWulfen with hammers
10xWulfen with hammers
10xWulfen with hammers
5xIntercessors
5xWolves
5xWolves
5xWolves

Lancer
Lancer
Predator Annihilator
Predator Annihilator

 

*Wolves and their ability to gain OC and do actions are one of our strongest codex items

Max out wolves!!!

 

This list has everything it needs from a Gladius detachment
Can put 1 or all wulfen into assault doctrine so they gain advance and charge

Can fight on death for 2 CP guaranteed so you don't need murderfang or his wulfen aura

Wulfen will crush infantry with lance or destroy monsters/vehicles b/c they have anti 3+ and 3dmg

Wulfen will be able to storm objectives b/c wolf priests have 12" aura buff

 

The vehicles with rapid fire will punch through anything without an invulnerable save (lancer and storm of fire is ignore cover + AP)

Don't need oath +1 because lancer has S14 guns and annihilator has S14 hunter killer and S14 special predator LC

With iron priest rapid fire buff the lancer provides quality shots (3 anti tank) and the annihilator provides volume (8 anti tank)

Edited May 21 by TiguriusX
removed points

[Kassill]

Gladius has been one of our weakest detachments with only a few peaks since edition launch, what makes you fall back on it?

 

This is gladius wolves from the last year:

[Wolf Guard Dan]

Kassel, Tigurius is a man of the people and doesn’t run TWC/Stormlance lists which were popular this edition. I however am a rogue and will probably run Stormlance. 

 

I like the second list but I would consider breaking the Wulfen into 3 x 5 of each flavor of Wulfen. 10th edition is such a trading game and I’m not sure a 10 man Wulfen unit is sturdy enough. The 3 x 10 still better probably to max hammers. 

[Kassill]

Champions of Russ was also popular. As seen below:

 

and here is Stormlance:

 

I'm just curious what a detachment like Gladius has that is appealing. Maybe now that CoR is off the table but we haven't even gotten games in yet with the new ones. I guess I just got tired of Gladius in the first few months of 10th and the other chapters play it so much better than us (Ultras, DA, etc) 

The new book looks like it has some good stuff and the datasheets mostly look great on their own so maybe doctrines are fine. Play whatever you're comfortable with I guess. I for one want to get a bunch of reps on the new 3. 

[TiguriusX]

I like gladius bc it is tactically flexible and encourages a mix of shooting and melee

 

-Fire discipline was amazing before nerf

-Storm of fire is real good in certain matchups (you can punch through targets with no invulnerables)

 

It also provides extra AP in melee when needed

 

Finally...I hated wolf wolf wolf space wolves and refused to play TWC lists

[sbarnby71]

Dumb question about the boxset, will that have the most modular version of the troops - in the past the boxsets have been kinda push-fit versions and then when they release an individual unit, it's a multi-part kit which has more bits and spares.  I did notice on the headtakers they have left handed swords, right handed axes, but only left handed shields.

[Karhedron]

The box set is the full multi-part kits.

[Bryan Blaire]

@Wispy Does it mention anything about Krom as Primaris? (I’m wondering if that’s just assumed for every Marine at this point as well.)

 

Sounds like I’ll just keep on trucking with all the stuff I’ve bought before as I won’t enjoy 10th Ed games and hope for a better 11th/12th, and buy some new models as I finally start running out of things to paint.

[Lord Clinto]

After seeing some of the leaks: Other than Bjorn, I'd willingly give up access to Ven Dreads and Wulfen Dreads to keep WG Pack Leaders (power, term & jump pack) and Thunder Wolf Characters...

[Harald Fairmane]

On 5/20/2025 at 10:16 PM, Wispy said:

The codex leaked, I'm not going to share rules but I will share some new lore.

 

interestingly about wolf scouts, there is no mention whatsoever of carpace armor in the lore section, only that wolf scouts fill the different phobos roles, ie reivers, eliminators and infiltrators, maybe wolf scouts have been postponed to 11th ?  Or kill team box and it will just be considered a normal scout squad in big 40k with some illegal options like the rumored runic staff and fenrisian wolf companion.

 

Hounds of Morkai is described there too as psyker hunters, but no rules for them yet.

Edited May 22 by Harald Fairmane

[Wispy]

One thing I think will for sure change is the Grey Hunter minimum. It's like they don't want us to buy Impulsors.