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I am very interested in starting a space wolves Army.

What do you think about the space wolves?

What do you like and don't like about them?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks DAKKA!

I've been playing Wolves since they had their old 3rd ed min-codex, and I've got to say I love them. Here's some stuff to keep in mind:
- Grey Hunters are point-for-point one of the best troops in the game. They're incredibly versatile, and more dangerous in close combat than shooting. However, they can be kitted out with two special weapons to wreak some havoc.
- Wolf Guard Terminators can be individually kitted out however you want. This means that you could have a squad of 10 guys with storm shields and combi-plasmas if you really wanted. They get pricey, but they're like mini-characters.
- Space Wolf HQ choices are pricey, but really good. You pay a premium, but you can have 4 in one army. You can take sagas on your ICs which can give them eternal warrior, preferred enemy vs. a certain unit type, extra attacks, or what have you.
- Rune Priests have some psychic powers that are really good, really lousy, and kinda broken. Jaws of the World Wolf lets you erase units from the game basically. I don't use it, since it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Just unsporting if you ask me, but there are other powers to choose from.
- Mechanized armies are easy and effective. Being able to dump out of a rhino and shoot two flamers into a unit can do a lot of damage.
- There are lots of weird units like Fenrisian Wolves and Thunderwolf Cavalry that sound cool on paper, but not many people use. TWC aren't bad from what I can tell, but will draw a lot of fire. Good luck finding suitable models for cheap though.
- People will call your army a bunch of furries, team Jacob, Space Woofs, broken, cheesy, or what have you; but it's best to ignore it.

Anyway, there's a wall of text from a veteran Space Wolf player.

Powerful, fun to play, fun to convert, great fluff.

If I didn't dislike MEQ I would get an army of them.

Brother SRM wrote:I've been playing Wolves since they had their old 3rd ed min-codex, and I've got to say I love them. Here's some stuff to keep in mind:
- Grey Hunters are point-for-point one of the best troops in the game. They're incredibly versatile, and more dangerous in close combat than shooting. However, they can be kitted out with two special weapons to wreak some havoc.
- Wolf Guard Terminators can be individually kitted out however you want. This means that you could have a squad of 10 guys with storm shields and combi-plasmas if you really wanted. They get pricey, but they're like mini-characters.
- Space Wolf HQ choices are pricey, but really good. You pay a premium, but you can have 4 in one army. You can take sagas on your ICs which can give them eternal warrior, preferred enemy vs. a certain unit type, extra attacks, or what have you.
- Rune Priests have some psychic powers that are really good, really lousy, and kinda broken. Jaws of the World Wolf lets you erase units from the game basically. I don't use it, since it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Just unsporting if you ask me, but there are other powers to choose from.
- Mechanized armies are easy and effective. Being able to dump out of a rhino and shoot two flamers into a unit can do a lot of damage.
- There are lots of weird units like Fenrisian Wolves and Thunderwolf Cavalry that sound cool on paper, but not many people use. TWC aren't bad from what I can tell, but will draw a lot of fire. Good luck finding suitable models for cheap though.
- People will call your army a bunch of furries, team Jacob, Space Woofs, broken, cheesy, or what have you; but it's best to ignore it.

Anyway, there's a wall of text from a veteran Space Wolf player.

Thanks for the words.

I am not crazy about some of the models but I really like the space wolf Fluff. And I like the fact that Grey Hunters have close combat weapons besides boltguns. I have been trying to decide between space wolves and Salamanders for some time. I think the space wolves are pulling ahead. The sound fun from everything I have read.

I also play Space Wolves, and I find them a lot of fun to play. They can be immensely fun to model (The Space Wolf kit comes with alllllll sorts of goodies, including a whole bunch of bolt pistols, boltguns, and chainswords in various poses, plus a wide variety of legs, torsos, and I believe 50-some heads to pick from) although you probably will be forced to use some bare heads without helmets, which isn't fun if you dislike painting flesh.

And like Brother SRM said, Grey Hunters are among the best/most efficient-cost troops in the game. They are slightly cheaper than the standard Space Marine (by 1 point, but hey) and slightly better (CCW/Bolter/Bolt Pistol). They can't take heavy weapons, but are able to take specials without being at full strength (In fact, they get a second special for free if you do put 'em at 10). While the pups do take a few hits in losing Sternguard, Vanguard, sergeants in the squads (No access to LD 9 without losing that second special weapon) and decent bikes/jump marines, they also get Thunderwolf Cavalry, which I've found to be a lot of fun. The only problem is that there's no official model for 'em yet, so if you want to try them out, you'll need to use proxies or do some serious kitbashing to build them (Or buy models online, which can vary in price).

Good hunting!

I didn't realise they lose Stern guard and vanguard. That kinda bites.

But they gain outflanking scouts which can appear on the other side of the table and so much more. Really, they lose little from a normal marine army and gain a lot. On top of this, they also are able to sit back and accept a charge and STILL HAVE 3 attacks each. That alone is a huge gain. Plus, Wolf Guard are the replacement for Sternguard and Vanguard. They can get tons of combi-weapons, each only 5 points. Then couple this with the fact that, if not taking combi-bolters, they'll have 3 attacks base (thanks to pistol and CCW) and a fourth on the charge. Plus, they're how you get awesome power fists in your squads since you can give each squad a Wolf Guard leader.

Locclo wrote:
And like Brother SRM said, Grey Hunters are among the best/most efficient-cost troops in the game. They are slightly cheaper than the standard Space Marine (by 1 point, but hey) and slightly better (CCW/Bolter/Bolt Pistol). They can't take heavy weapons, but are able to take specials without being at full strength (In fact, they get a second special for free if you do put 'em at 10). While the pups do take a few hits in losing Sternguard, Vanguard, sergeants in the squads (No access to LD 9 without losing that second special weapon)

Unless you're talking about mechanized units, this isn't true - you can just take a Wolf Guard to lead the pack.

Although they don't have Vanguard veterans, they have Skyclaws - Blood Claws with jump packs. They're a lot cheaper, and get +2 attacks on the charge instead of just +1. While they don't have Sternguard, they have enough other options to make up for the loss. For some reason Space Wolf drop pods don't have as much space in them, but that's just because they need to make room for the kegs

Do the bloodclaws have any abilities like the vanguard ability in the assalt?

No, but you're paying through the nose for Vanguard so they're not really viable. If I recall Skyclaws are cheaper than jump pack-enabled Vanguard by about 10 points a pop. Then you can take a Wolf Guard Pack Leader with a frost blade, which is a bitchin' strength 5 power weapon that, unlike the relic blade, still gets an extra attack with an extra ccw.

Brother SRM wrote:team Jacob

Really?

For some reason Space Wolf drop pods don't have as much space in them, but that's just because they need to make room for the kegs

By the time the pods have dropped the kegs are empty.
That is why SW's have the "Dash for a Slash" special rule when the pod doors open.

Go Wolfy Vagorin, if you don't like the model, out with the scalpel and GS

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:

For some reason Space Wolf drop pods don't have as much space in them, but that's just because they need to make room for the kegs

By the time the pods have dropped the kegs are empty.
That is why SW's have the "Dash for a Slash" special rule when the pod doors open.

Go Wolfy Vagorin, if you don't like the model, out with the scalpel and GS

Well, makes sense to me, and personally... what's better when falling on a planet from outside thr orbit? Praying or drinking mjodhr?

I have thrown my lot in with The Sons of Russ. I really like the codex I think they did a pretty smurfy job with the thing.

...I have been trying to decide between space wolves and Salamanders for some time. I think the space wolves are pulling ahead. The sound fun from everything I have read.

Why don't you paint an army the way you want but use the SW rules and mini's? Or if you're not keen on the Space Wolves mini's buy other marine types. As long as you stick with the rule set it should be even more fun IMO.

OoieGoie wrote:

...I have been trying to decide between space wolves and Salamanders for some time. I think the space wolves are pulling ahead. The sound fun from everything I have read.

Why don't you paint an army the way you want but use the SW rules and mini's? Or if you're not keen on the Space Wolves mini's buy other marine types. As long as you stick with the rule set it should be even more fun IMO.

Yeah thats what i have decided to do. All my space wolves minus some major characters will have helmets on. I don't care for bearded marine looking models. Thats just me. otherwise i like the paint schems. Nice and simple.