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Hi

I have a 2k tournament coming up soon and can't figure out what space wolves I want to run.

One of my friends says I should run a TWC deathstar, since I have the models for it, saying its unbeatable but I'm really not so sure...he thnks 3 WL + wolf priest with jump pack to keep them fearless is the way forward. The rest of the list is sort of limited by what I have, which is GH, LF, lone wolves etc.

It would be:

Wolf lord, saga of bear, thunder hammer, stormshield, runic armour, wolf tail talisman, 2 wolves, thunderwolf
Wolf lord, beastslayer, power fist, stormshield, runic armour, wolf tail talisman, 2 wolves, thunderwolf
Wolf lord, saga of warrior born, frostblade, stormshield, runic armour, wolf tail talisman, 2 wolves, thunderwolf
Wolf priest, jump pack , wolf tail talisman
5 thunder wolves, 1 fist, 1 sheld, 1 bomb, 1 bolter, 1 naked.

Total cost: 1260 points...eek.

What do people think, is there a better setup, and is it really as good as my friend thinks? Anyone also have any experiences playing against it themselves?

Why the wolf priest with a jump pack? It seems to just reduce their efficency, seing as they lose fleet and 12" charge...

I don't think every wolf lord need runic armour AND storm shield, the one with the frost blade could really benifit from just removing the storm shield for a pistol.

For the saved points you could for example add another shield for the wolves.

This is basically a list question so I am moving it to Army Lists.

You would do better by making the Wolf Priest a Wolf Lord with Saga of Magesty, you don't need to be "fealess" anyways.

Take two Wolf Lords and four Thudnerwolf Cavalry. No more, no less. Equip them as follows:

Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Bear, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 260
Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Frost Blade, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Warrior Born, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 265
4 Thunderwolves (Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer, Meltabomb) - 265

Total 790 points and it's extremely effective. The Wolf Lords can each break away from the Thunderwolves to go after their own units (which they will slaughter) or they can stick together as one big death star. Thunderwolves are usually big and bulky models and they are difficult to maneuver. Because of this I recommend taking no more than the above listed models since you will ultimately end up cluttering yourself up.

As for a list that includes those, I'd go with something like this:

Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Bear, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 260
Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Frost Blade, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Warrior Born, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 265
Rune Priest (Living Lightning, Tempest's Wrath) - 100
4 Wolf Guard (2x Power Fists, 4x Combi-Meltas) - 132
8 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino) - 170
9 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino) - 185
5 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Razorback w/ LasPlas) - 155
5 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Razorback w/ LasPlas) - 155
4 Thunderwolves (Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer, Meltabomb) - 265
5 Long Fangs (4x Missile Launchers, Razorback) - 155
5 Long Fangs (4x Missile Launchers, Razorback) - 155
Total 1,997

Four scoring units, six tanks, a big snarly Death Star and a Rune Priest for Psychic Defense as well as decent ranged firepower. It's pretty balanced for a Death Star list and packs a solid punch. Of course this is just what I would run, but I hope it helps you decide on a list.

Cheers!

Aldarionn wrote:Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Bear, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 260
Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Frost Blade, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Warrior Born, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 265
4 Thunderwolves (Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer, Meltabomb) - 265

I have fought against a slight variant of this and I can attest to it's power. Played it with Mech Eldar in a tourney and after 6 rounds I think I had 1 wound on 4 models and 1 killed... and the one only died after 2 mindwars (yes, I got desperate)

Aldarionn wrote:Take two Wolf Lords and four Thudnerwolf Cavalry. No more, no less. Equip them as follows:

Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Bear, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 260
Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Frost Blade, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Warrior Born, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 265
4 Thunderwolves (Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer, Meltabomb) - 265

Total 790 points and it's extremely effective. The Wolf Lords can each break away from the Thunderwolves to go after their own units (which they will slaughter) or they can stick together as one big death star. Thunderwolves are usually big and bulky models and they are difficult to maneuver. Because of this I recommend taking no more than the above listed models since you will ultimately end up cluttering yourself up.

As for a list that includes those, I'd go with something like this:

Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Bear, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 260
Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Frost Blade, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Warrior Born, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 265
Rune Priest (Living Lightning, Tempest's Wrath) - 100
4 Wolf Guard (2x Power Fists, 4x Combi-Meltas) - 132
8 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino) - 170
9 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino) - 185
5 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Razorback w/ LasPlas) - 155
5 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Razorback w/ LasPlas) - 155
4 Thunderwolves (Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer, Meltabomb) - 265
5 Long Fangs (4x Missile Launchers, Razorback) - 155
5 Long Fangs (4x Missile Launchers, Razorback) - 155
Total 1,997

Four scoring units, six tanks, a big snarly Death Star and a Rune Priest for Psychic Defense as well as decent ranged firepower. It's pretty balanced for a Death Star list and packs a solid punch. Of course this is just what I would run, but I hope it helps you decide on a list.

Cheers!

At the risk of sounding like I agree with everything Aldarionn has to say, I really REALLY like this army list. I would say run with something like this and you have a good shot at doing well in that tourney.

Aldarionn wrote:Take two Wolf Lords and four Thudnerwolf Cavalry. No more, no less. Equip them as follows:

Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Bear, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 260
Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Frost Blade, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Warrior Born, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 265
4 Thunderwolves (Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer, Meltabomb) - 265

Total 790 points and it's extremely effective. The Wolf Lords can each break away from the Thunderwolves to go after their own units (which they will slaughter) or they can stick together as one big death star. Thunderwolves are usually big and bulky models and they are difficult to maneuver. Because of this I recommend taking no more than the above listed models since you will ultimately end up cluttering yourself up.

As for a list that includes those, I'd go with something like this:

Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Bear, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 260
Wolf Lord (Thunderwolf Mount, Frost Blade, Storm Shield, Wolf Tooth Necklace, Saga of the Warrior Born, 2x Fenrisian Wolves) - 265
Rune Priest (Living Lightning, Tempest's Wrath) - 100
4 Wolf Guard (2x Power Fists, 4x Combi-Meltas) - 132
8 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino) - 170
9 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino) - 185
5 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Razorback w/ LasPlas) - 155
5 Grey Hunters (Meltagun, Razorback w/ LasPlas) - 155
4 Thunderwolves (Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer, Meltabomb) - 265
5 Long Fangs (4x Missile Launchers, Razorback) - 155
5 Long Fangs (4x Missile Launchers, Razorback) - 155
Total 1,997

Four scoring units, six tanks, a big snarly Death Star and a Rune Priest for Psychic Defense as well as decent ranged firepower. It's pretty balanced for a Death Star list and packs a solid punch. Of course this is just what I would run, but I hope it helps you decide on a list.

Cheers!

That's pretty much an optimal use of the TWC deathstar unit. The unit in your example is too expensive and as someone pointed out the WP w/ JP really hinders the unit more than helps it. That being said I prefer to run my TWC like this.

WL TWM SS FB no saga 2 Fenrisian Wolves
Canis 2 Fenrisian Wolves
4 TWC MotW, PF, MB, SS on all of them

I like Canis because he is cheap and adding him to the squad makes him more survivable. Normally I will get close then detach Canis and his two wolves (if the two wolves are still alive) and send him after a unit on his own so he can get the most out of his special rules. Brutal and effective plus not too bad on points.

As a side note, a lot of people talk about using TWC and the OP mentioned he has the models. I was wondering what the OP is using for your TWC? I made mine using Chaos Warhound heads and Chaos Knights you can check them out on the website in my signature if you like.

Wow, such praise for my list lol! In all honesty that set of gear is pretty standard for Thunderwolves and Wolf Lords joining them. The rest of the list is about as balanced as I could make it with as many tanks as I could cram into the remaining points. Glad you all like it!

Thanks for the comments guys. After playing a few games and reading advise here this is the list I went with:

Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, fist, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf, saga of majesty
Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, wolf claw, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf , saga of beastslayer
Runepriest, chooser, living lightning, Jaws

Lone wolf, chainfist/stormshield, terminator armour
5 wolf guard, 2 naked, 2 with combi melta/fist, 1 with terminator armour + cyclone missile launcher

7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
5 GH, flamer

4 TWC, 1 fist, 1 shield, 1 bolter, 1 bp/ccw

5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles
5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles

1750 points.

I've found this works ok:

Wolf Lord, mount, wolf claw, storm shield, saga of majesty 210

Wolf Lord, mount, wolf claw, storm shield, power fist 200

Wolf Lord, mount, wolf claw, storm shield, wolf tail talisman 200

Wolf Lord, mount, thunder hammer, storm shield, saga of the beastslayer 215

15 Fenrisian wolves 120

= 945

You have to shoot away 15 cheap body bags before getting to the good stuff, and those 4 lords will kill anything, pretty much. You can also advance the unit so the wolves are in cover but the lords arent, so you can disengage them and charge off without having to take difficult terrain tests.

Jpr wrote:Thanks for the comments guys. After playing a few games and reading advise here this is the list I went with:

Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, fist, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf, saga of majesty
Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, wolf claw, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf , saga of beastslayer
Runepriest, chooser, living lightning, Jaws

Lone wolf, chainfist/stormshield, terminator armour
5 wolf guard, 2 naked, 2 with combi melta/fist, 1 with terminator armour + cyclone missile launcher

7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
5 GH, flamer

4 TWC, 1 fist, 1 shield, 1 bolter, 1 bp/ccw

5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles
5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles

1750 points.

I like the lone wolf tank hunter, I don't know how much action he will get, but I have this sneaking suspicion he will surprise carve up a tank or two in many game, or draw LOTS of fire and not earn an opponent a kill point, lol. Either way, seems worth his points to me.

Jpr wrote:Thanks for the comments guys. After playing a few games and reading advise here this is the list I went with:

Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, fist, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf, saga of majesty
Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, wolf claw, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf , saga of beastslayer
Runepriest, chooser, living lightning, Jaws

Lone wolf, chainfist/stormshield, terminator armour
5 wolf guard, 2 naked, 2 with combi melta/fist, 1 with terminator armour + cyclone missile launcher

7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
5 GH, flamer

4 TWC, 1 fist, 1 shield, 1 bolter, 1 bp/ccw

5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles
5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles

1750 points.

Looks pretty good to me! Is the small GH squad with the flamer hoofing it on foot?

I would actually run 2 squads of 3 TWC with a lord in each squad.


If your going by the list above my post. Drop the lonewolf, and wolve guard. and add the other unit.

Also cant stress enough how bad they all need stormshields. A lot of people will say they dont. But it makes them that much more powerful. My friend runs a list with 2 squads of 3 TWC and 2 lords all with SS. and it is nasty. He just went 5 and 0 at the GT this past weekend. But got owned on COMP.

OverwatchCNC wrote:

Jpr wrote:Thanks for the comments guys. After playing a few games and reading advise here this is the list I went with:

Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, fist, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf, saga of majesty
Lord, TW mount, rune armour, shield, wolf claw, wolf tail talisman, 1 wolf , saga of beastslayer
Runepriest, chooser, living lightning, Jaws

Lone wolf, chainfist/stormshield, terminator armour
5 wolf guard, 2 naked, 2 with combi melta/fist, 1 with terminator armour + cyclone missile launcher

7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
7 GH, melta, banner, rhino with dozer blades
5 GH, flamer

4 TWC, 1 fist, 1 shield, 1 bolter, 1 bp/ccw

5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles
5 Long Fangs, 4 missiles

1750 points.

Looks pretty good to me! Is the small GH squad with the flamer hoofing it on foot?

Yeah I generally use them to claim objectives at the back of the board, mostly attaching the cyclone terminator wolf guard to them so they make him scoring and give him 5 bullet catchers .

I would give the Lone Wolf some Fenrisians for ablative wounds so he has a better chance of crossing the field. Otherwise, I fully endorse the list.


@Italia
The reason why people don't recommend giving the Cav unit Storm Shields is the fact that 1 or 2 well placed Demolisher shots abolishes upwards of 300 points of Thunderwolves. As tough as they are, they can be broken so you need to prepare for the worst. I use this extreme example because in my area almost everyone who can take high strength Ordanance does so, namely Vindicators and Medusas...it's not fun.


Just be aware of what points are going where because while having an 800 point death star sounds awesome,,,it can go bad REAL fast.

Unholy_Martyr wrote:I would give the Lone Wolf some Fenrisians for ablative wounds so he has a better chance of crossing the field. Otherwise, I fully endorse the list.


@Italia
The reason why people don't recommend giving the Cav unit Storm Shields is the fact that 1 or 2 well placed Demolisher shots abolishes upwards of 300 points of Thunderwolves. As tough as they are, they can be broken so you need to prepare for the worst. I use this extreme example because in my area almost everyone who can take high strength Ordanance does so, namely Vindicators and Medusas...it's not fun.


Just be aware of what points are going where because while having an 800 point death star sounds awesome,,,it can go bad REAL fast.

Would you rather have a 240pt unit with only 1 having a Invul. save. Or have a 320pt unit were all have a 3 plus invul.? From what you are saying you rather them just die from the ordanance then having a chance to get a 3+.

Would you rather have a 240pt unit with only 1 having a Invul. save. Or have a 320pt unit were all have a 3 plus invul.? From what you are saying you rather them just die from the ordanance then having a chance to get a 3+.

Against Medusa you get a 3+ save eitherway it is then just a matter of how many points you're kissing goodbye to. Which is his point. Personally though I'd go with the Storm Shields as it makes the unit far more versatile and able to stand up to far more types of opponent.

To answer the title:

You need to ask yourself some questions:

1. Does it involve Space Wolves?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then yes, it's as good as people say.

First off, if you're assuming 320 points for a pack of Thunderwolves, I'd write them off anyway as you're assuming a pack of 4 only armed with Storm Shields...no Power Weapons or the like? You'd be missing the point.

I kit my Wolves in the following way:

Thunderwolves 4x
1 Storm Shield, 1 Thunderhammer/Storm Shield, 1 Bolter, 1 CCW -285

2 Wolves have a 3++, this is all you need as the ability to find cover for the unit is not difficult if you know how to maneuver. With that said 50% have 3++ the other have a 4+ cover. That is all you need, if you need 4 Storm Shields in combat then you should probably not be in combat with that unit (seriously, are you staring down 3 Death Company Dreadnoughts? That's what Long Fangs are for...)

Unholy_Martyr wrote:First off, if you're assuming 320 points for a pack of Thunderwolves, I'd write them off anyway as you're assuming a pack of 4 only armed with Storm Shields...no Power Weapons or the like? You'd be missing the point.

I kit my Wolves in the following way:

Thunderwolves 4x
1 Storm Shield, 1 Thunderhammer/Storm Shield, 1 Bolter, 1 CCW -285

2 Wolves have a 3++, this is all you need as the ability to find cover for the unit is not difficult if you know how to maneuver. With that said 50% have 3++ the other have a 4+ cover. That is all you need, if you need 4 Storm Shields in combat then you should probably not be in combat with that unit (seriously, are you staring down 3 Death Company Dreadnoughts? That's what Long Fangs are for...)

I dont know how many points they are I was just throwing out numbers. As i stated before though. My friend runs 2 units of 3 TWC. All have SS, 1 with powerfist in each unit, and 1 with meltabomb in each unit. Idk why people take thunderhammers when powerfist are cheaper by 5 points.

Yes they get a 4+ from shooting. You seem to forget that these are assault beast and can take on anything (i mean anything). Your more then likely only going to get to shoot at them 2 to 3 times in a entire game since they will be in combat.

The unit all with SS takes on 10 TH/SS termies all day long with lysander and comes out on top 90% of the time. I've seen it happen to many times. The unit is the new nob bikers. He even played another space wolve player with TWC and they all didnt have SS they were kitted like yours and had 2 squads of 4 instead of 3. And they got scrapped.

Overall all SS TWC are better. You can give some of them SS if you want to cut points, but if you want to get the most out of them SS make them a beast