Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I picked up a Space Wolf dex. Finished my Tau army, which I like playing, but not so much painting (odd, I thought I'd like painting them but I didn't find it very enjoyable myself...). Anyway, I'm looking for a new modeling project but no point putting an army together if I never use it.

For the SW HQ's they are mighty pricy but impressive in what they can do. Seeing as I like custom HQ's I'll probably make at least on Wolf Lord or a Battle Leader. So some questions on people's opinions:

Is it worth making a Wolf Lord, or would I be better of using a Battle Leader and saving points for someone like Blackmane or Grimnar?
Is Runic Armor worth its points cost?
In practice how useful are Frost Weapons? Would it be better to equip my HQ with just a normal power weapon or a Thunderhammer/Powerfist?
Belt of Russ worth it?

IMO the best HQ choice has got to be the Rune prist always has something to add in any game and is very good at giveing you what ever you need. However if you whant to try a "fighty" body i dont think the extra points for the wolf lord is that grate but how do you plan to run him? In a land raider/rino or with Tunderwolf?

I think the runic armour will be woth it with Thunderwolf cav (only way to get the 2+) but in a laindraider I would have wolfgard in terminator armour i think.

go with the frost blade keeps the Initive 5 attacks and still wonds MEQ and T4 on a 3+ (and on thunderwolf its 2+ which is just nasty)

that my 2 cents

The Space Wolf named characters are all immensely powerful, and worth the points you pay for them, so if you have to have a customized HQ choice, go for the Battle Leader.

Runic armor is pretty much souped up Artificier armor. I don't think it's quite as valuable in a SW list, since almost everything that can take it can also take Terminator armor, which is slightly better, since it has a 5+ invul save vs. everything.

Frost weapons are an interesting thing. Not quite as good as a powerfist, better than a power weapon. Probably not worth it unless you've got 5 point to fill, and someone already has a power weapon.

Belt of Russ gives you a 1/3rd chance to save, but a Storm Shield gives you a 1/2 chance, and is 5 points more. Take that for what you will.

Also, in any discussion about SW HQ's, you have to mention a Rune Priest with JotWW. Considered one of the most overpowered things in the codex.

It really depends what you want to do; if all you want to do is fill the FOC requirement a Rune Priest is a great choice, as he brings psyker defense and some pretty sweet powers.

If you want a CC monster, though, a Battle Leader or Wolf Lord on a thunderwolf with Saga of the Warrior Born will rip through pretty much anything in CC. It'll be expensive (and probably require some Fenrisian Wolves to absorb wounds) but I'm rarely disappointed with how it fares.