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Tell me what you guys think of my middle of the road, not too expensive for Thunderwolves squad.

5x Thunderwolves

1 normal
1 with meltabomb
1 with SS
1 with PF or TH
1 with boltgun

250 base plus 65 = 315

The goal here obviously is to keep the cost down, yet still have one storm shield, a S10 power weapon and the all important ability to do wound allocation (that's why I took a boltgun for 'free' even though it loses me one attack). If this squad is coupled with a Wolf Lord, a non-ridiculous one, let's say on a mount with a frost blade and a belt of russ, maybe a couple of wolves to soak wounds (100+45+25+25+20=215), the grand total is 530. Something that can fit ok in a 1500 point list. Does this loadout sound good to you guys?

any str10 weapons will rip this squad in half... demolisher shells and dreadnought CCW's are the main cause of that really.

also, the squad plus a lord is still only 13 wounds. Remember that 13 3+ saves isn't really all that much... most armies, if they focus fire, can do at least that. I don't think such a large squad would pay off in a game of 1500 pts, because it would likely end up being focus fired, loosing 1-2 TWC before it engages, kills a small unit, and then is wiped out.

Honersstodnt wrote:also, the squad plus a lord is still only 13 wounds. Remember that 13 3+ saves isn't really all that much...

I appreciate your response, but I would appreciate it even more if you read more carefully. With 5 TWC, a Wolf Lord, and two wolves, the total wounds is 15, not 13.

And clearly, like always, the TWC needs to be crafty so that it doesn't get shot up before it gets into combat. That is a general complaint of yours about Thunder Wolves, not a specific one about my middle of the road build for them.

I would rather run a squad of three with stormshields. If join them with a tooled out Wolf Lord they are a real death star unit.

G

That load out is pretty good. Don't know if I'd lose the A for the bolter though. Having 2 the same isn't worth the loss IMO.

Personally I don't think the Thunderwolf squad is the best possible Hammer unit for SW. Check out a decked out Skyclaw squad like the one talked about on CNC. Capture and Control: Space Wolves Tournament Report

jaweyermuller wrote:Personally I don't think the Thunderwolf squad is the best possible Hammer unit for SW. Check out a decked out Skyclaw squad like the one talked about on CNC. Capture and Control: Space Wolves Tournament Report

That report is fail. Admitted noob opponents and horde Guard proves nothing.

Back to OP...

Don't sacrifice unit effectiveness just to allocate wounds. Unit is 300+ points another 15-20 for gear isn't the worst thing.

The opponent wasn't a noob he was new to the BA Codex, and that Guard army was destroying people. I do see your point though; my first round pairing wasn't all that difficult. But to get back on topic. I agree with your assessment of equipping the TWC. 20 points for wargear on a 300 point unit is simply not worth worrying over. TWC are supposed to hit hard and destroy the enemy, don't become cheap with your hammer units or they become ineffective at their job.

In my opinion, the best Thunderwolf load-out is:

4x Thunderwolf Cavalry:
1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder Hammer
1x Meltabomb
1x Naked
265pts

Combines great hitting power with versatility and durability and for not too much. I think if you have a screen (eg. Fenrisian Wolves) then they'll do great. Maybe attach the Lord to the Fenrisian Wolves, then you get two hard hitting squads that both have a lot of wounds and attacks.

Just Dave wrote:I think if you have a screen (eg. Fenrisian Wolves) then they'll do great.

I am a little confused by this. You mean wolves to give the cavalry a cover save? In the event of AP2 or better attacks?

Yes, if you have something infront of them (such as Fenrisian Wolves) then they well get a cover save, to help protect them from enemy fire - AP3. Or they may even simply decide to shoot the Fenrisian Wolves instead!
Or if you have something in front of them (eg. Rhino's/Razorbacks) that blocks line of sight entirely.

It simply increases their chance of reaching the enemy intact - where they will cause a massive amount of damage.

Right, AP3 or better. I don't know what I was thinking last night.

Now if only I could figure out how to make the darn guys, I could play them...

Most people simply by Canis Wolfborn 5 times then modify it. That makes the squad damn near a buck a point though.

doubled wrote:Most people simply by Canis Wolfborn 5 times then modify it. That makes the squad damn near a buck a point though.

Actually I've been seeing nothing but resin aftermarket wolves lately. I bet if Canis wasn't sculpted to the wolf, we'd see alot more of him.

I know that Maximini do some Thunderwolves and I can't remember who else...

- http://www.maxmini.eu/store/

There are some really sweet aftermarket options, which I have seen in other threads here, but 1) tourneys probably won't allow them and 2) if GW ever gets off their ass and releases TWC models, then FOR SURE tourneys won't allow them and even worse in other games some players won't let you use them because they may be different in size or base size or whatever from the official models.

This wouldn't be that much of a concern if the cost was low, but all options cost somewhere around 100 bucks for 5 thunderwolves.

I actually run my wolves in that exact config, so far I have had nothing but good experiences. They still crush everything they land on for a reasonable price.

Keep your Thunderwolf Units small. 3 is an ideal number as 15 attacks in close combat is great. If your unit is too big it will be exposed in areas to enemy fire and will get reduced to nothing in a shooting phase. Small units can go in and out of cover granted their is room and assualt when needed

20+ attacks is great(er).
8 Wounds is tougher.
4 Man Squads can still hide behind cover.