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I am fairly new to Wolves; I normally run Helbrute formations (and love them), but I want to branch out towards a more walker-centric build...And Wolves seem like the best bet in regards to a Dreadnought-heavy list. I want to take almost entirely dreadnoughts, but decided to throw in some Thunder Wolves in order to add a fast-moving hammer.

The list:

*Company of the Great Wolf Detachment*
[HQ]
Bjorn the Fell-Handed
--Warlord, TL LC
Wolf Lord
--Thunder Wolf mount, Runic Armor, Krakenbone Sword, PP, MB, DigiWpns
[ELITE]
Murderfang
--Drop Pod w Deathwind
Dreadnought #1
--TL LC, HF, Smoke L
Dreadnought #2
--TL LC, ML, Smoke L
Dreadnought #3
--MM, HF, Venerable, Drop Pod
Dreadnought #4
--Helfrost, Venerable, Drop Pod
Dreanought #5
--Great Axe/Shield, Venerable, Drop Pod w Deathwind
Dreadnought #6
--AC, HF, SL, Venerable
[FAST ATTACK]
Thunder Wolf Cavalry x3
--2, PF, 1 PM, SSx3
1850, 16 models

Bjorn and #1 and #2 will hang back and provide backfield support, while MurderFang and the #3 drop turn 1 into the opponent's start zone; #4 and #5 will drop in where needed. Everything else will be placed (or walk on) according to need. The Thunder Wolves' mobility will help to offset the slow plod of the walkers, while the Lord can break off where needed.

Some questions, if you please:
-Murderfang: is he worth it? He seems like a great beatstick, but perhaps he is better replaced with a Venerable with Axe/Shield combo, at least for the first-turn drop?
-I don't have any experience with Axe/Shield or Helfrost: are they worth their cost?
-Should I take the Brethren of the Fell-Handed formation for Bjorn and the LC-wielding dreads? This gives them a 5++, and an assault boost if it gets messy in the backfield, while not changing much towards the list.
-TL weaponry is my only AA. I reckon that I could work in a Stormfang, but I usually just ignore flyers, or pop shots at them. Thoughts appreciated.

I've been thinking about a wolves dread list myself. I managed to squeeze 9 dreads into a 1500 point list just to put you in perspective. I also gave every single one a drop pod. The idea was to start 4 dakka dreads on the field, and then drop the other 5 in on turn one. I took Bjorn, muderfang, 3 other venues dreads and 4 plain dreads with an assortment of weapons. I made sure my 3 vens were armed with Melta and flamers. I don't think the Axe and shield are worth it due to the pathetic number of attacks. Especially compared to muderfang. I like muderfang. And don't forget the FAQ which improved his strength.

As for the formation, in your list I'd take it. But you need the other dreads in the formation to have the venerable upgrade, so you'd need to do some upgrading. But I think he's wasted as backfield.

Lastly, for AA I just took some auto cannon dreads. Slightly weaker then lascannons, but an extra rain linked shot....

 Khaine's Wrath wrote:
I've been thinking about a wolves dread list myself. I managed to squeeze 9 dreads into a 1500 point list just to put you in perspective. I also gave every single one a drop pod. The idea was to start 4 dakka dreads on the field, and then drop the other 5 in on turn one. I took Bjorn, muderfang, 3 other venues dreads and 4 plain dreads with an assortment of weapons. I made sure my 3 vens were armed with Melta and flamers. I don't think the Axe and shield are worth it due to the pathetic number of attacks. Especially compared to muderfang. I like muderfang. And don't forget the FAQ which improved his strength.

As for the formation, in your list I'd take it. But you need the other dreads in the formation to have the venerable upgrade, so you'd need to do some upgrading. But I think he's wasted as backfield.

Lastly, for AA I just took some auto cannon dreads. Slightly weaker then lascannons, but an extra rain linked shot....

Hmmm; true, 2/3 attacks for the Axe/Shield does not seem like much. I was more interested in the 3++, but they would probably just be ignored for other targets, or tarpitted early. Good call in regards to Bjorn, as you have me thinking that he might be better served up as part of an early alpha strike (where that 5++ and AV13 can shine). I might still take his formation, as having the 5++ for two other vens (provided I can drop them in close proximity, which might be another no-go), seems worth it. Half of my force will be starting on the board or walking on, so having some tough threats dropping in the opponent's startzone - and Bjorn fits that bill - is probably the way to go.

Thanks for the info, and time for some retooling.

No worries. Post the update up. I'm looking forward to seeing how it grows.

Update: I ran with the following list in an 1850 tourney -

*Company of the Great Wolf Detachment*
[HQ]
Bjorn the Fell-Handed
--Warlord, Helfrost

[ELITE]
Murderfang
--Drop Pod w Deathwind
Dreadnought #1
--Great Axe/Shield, Venerable, Drop Pod w Deathwind
Dreanought #2
--Great Axe/Shield, Venerable, Drop Pod w Deathwind
Dreadnought #3
--Helfrost, Venerable, HF
Dreadnought #4
--MM, Venerable, HF
Dreadnought #5
--Venerable, AC x2
Dreadnought #6
--LC, Venerable, ML

[FAST ATTACK]
Thunder Wolf Cavalry x3
--SSx3, Melta Bombs
Drop Pod w Deathwind
Drop Pod w Deathwind

Aegis Line

Allies:
-Culexus Assassin

1850, 17 models


I had some very aggressive drops (usually right on my opponent's table edge) in order to get the shield dreads or MM dread (and Bjorn a couple of times) in the thick of it. The drops paid off, and I was able to move other things up generally unhindered. The T Wolves came in late game to capture objectives, and the Culexus proved his worth against Daemons and Draigo/Centurionstar (not so much against a couple of Tau matchups).

I am now a fan of the Axe/Shield dreads, as they absorbed a horrendous amount of firepower, while squaring up with and even killing daemon princes. The smoke launchers saved their bacon once, so I am glad that I brought them along.

I went 2 wins and 2 ties out of 4 games, with the ties being primarily due to mobility issues in the end-game. That being said, mobility was a bit of an issue once my front line dreads started getting thinned out. The T wolves obviously helped, but my game vs daemons ended up leaving me no way to contest the relic, as all of my wolves and close dreads were killed, with an axe-wielding dread and Murderfang too far away to close the distance. A more refined 'all comers' list would probably include the removal of the assassin and addition of a Stormwolf variant and tough occupant, or possibly another squad of T wolves (or an Iron Priest or Wolf lord with either Fenrisians or Cyber Wolves, since they can either run with my T wolf squad, or break off as needed).