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I love the lore and fluff of the Space Wolves. I'm still relatively new to Warhammer, but I wanted to be Space Wolves from the get go. I love that they're aggressive and rough around the edges, yet cunning, smart and all that stuff. Leman and Logan are dope as feth and I love SW fiction. The only problem is, it feels like there's less to do with them. I'm not sure if I feel that way because I'm pretty new or because I have never played another army. It feels like the only way to go with a Wolves army, if you want to win, is to take a gak load of Grey Hunters. Well, maybe not the only way, but it's like that's why you'd pick Wolves, like you'd be silly to not majorly revolve things around your Grey Hunters.

Aesthetically, too, it's like the Wolves got the short straw. I love the barbaric look and pelts and the whole aggressive warrior image they have, but is it just me, or is there not enough variety? Once again, I'm throwing around the word 'feel', but it feels like I could be doing more with another army.

This is more of a rant than anything in specific, but I'm just kicking up some dust to start a discussion, I guess. If I had unlimited money to spend on armies, I probably wouldn't be thinking like this.

What's your point? Do you want to play them or not?

It's called discussion, mate. Of course I want to play them. I was looking for some opinions, because I'm rather new and inexperienced. If I had unlimited money, I'd be playing every army and with every combination I could think of.

Short straw? Having the best troops in the game is probably the longer straw out of long straws. There's nothing stopping you from playing to the special characters and powerful warrior aesthetic. Every codex has under powered, over costed special characters. Some of us chose the army because we love the play style of relying on troops rather than Death Stars of powerful characters.

The short straw in terms of aesthetic variety, I meant. I love the way they look, it just feels like they should have more. I'm constantly tempted by the look of other armies. It's like they can be customized more, or stand out more. Like when I'm making a couple units of Longfangs, but all I can do is chuck little skulls and drinking horns to identify them as SW. But yeah, it's just like I'm thinking out aloud. I'm going to stick with SW regardless because they're badass.

I guess I've gotten a little demotivated the more I learned, such as buying the not-cheap Canis and a Techmarine (for Iron Priest) and having 9/10 people say they're gak. I've only played a little myself, and seriously have a way to go before I'm a competent gamer, but from what I've took in so far, Ulrik, Bjorn and Ragnar are supposedly pretty shoddy/not worth your time or points, either. Jetpacks aren't worth using with either Wolf Guard or Bloodclaws, the latter being pretty crap to use in general (including Lukas). I don't say this off experience, just off what I've learned and heard so far. I'm new and have a lot to learn, so if anyone can be bothered, let me know what's rubbish or what's true. Fill me in on gak you think I should know.

The list I've written up for myself is what I consider (or want, really) to be fun and efficient/competitive. It's got 3 decked out Lone Wolves in Terminator with 2 wolves each, a Razorback, a LRCrusader, 2 x 10 Grey Hunters with a power wep in each, Logan, a decked out Wolf Lord in Runic on Thunderwolf (using Canis as the model, so x2 wolf claw), 1 all missile unit of longfangs, and a unit of 8 WG Terminators including Arjac. Not all the specifics but you get the idea.

Iron Priests on foot aren't great, but on thunderwolves with cyberwolf buddies they are pretty awesome, especially if you have a Land raider - he can hide behind it at the start, repairing hull points and broken weapons, then pounce later to smash something with his str 10 thunderhammer.

I know where you're coming from. I think the problem with Space Wolves is that Grey Hunters and Long Fangs are just too good in relation to the rest of the options in the codex.

Inspectah Cax wrote:
The short straw in terms of aesthetic variety, I meant. I love the way they look, it just feels like they should have more. I'm constantly tempted by the look of other armies. It's like they can be customized more, or stand out more. Like when I'm making a couple units of Longfangs, but all I can do is chuck little skulls and drinking horns to identify them as SW. But yeah, it's just like I'm thinking out aloud. I'm going to stick with SW regardless because they're badass.

I guess I've gotten a little demotivated the more I learned, such as buying the not-cheap Canis and a Techmarine (for Iron Priest) and having 9/10 people say they're gak. I've only played a little myself, and seriously have a way to go before I'm a competent gamer, but from what I've took in so far, Ulrik, Bjorn and Ragnar are supposedly pretty shoddy/not worth your time or points, either. Jetpacks aren't worth using with either Wolf Guard or Bloodclaws, the latter being pretty crap to use in general (including Lukas). I don't say this off experience, just off what I've learned and heard so far. I'm new and have a lot to learn, so if anyone can be bothered, let me know what's rubbish or what's true. Fill me in on gak you think I should know.

The list I've written up for myself is what I consider (or want, really) to be fun and efficient/competitive. It's got 3 decked out Lone Wolves in Terminator with 2 wolves each, a Razorback, a LRCrusader, 2 x 10 Grey Hunters with a power wep in each, Logan, a decked out Wolf Lord in Runic on Thunderwolf (using Canis as the model, so x2 wolf claw), 1 all missile unit of longfangs, and a unit of 8 WG Terminators including Arjac. Not all the specifics but you get the idea.

If you're feeling a little lacking in motivation, here's a picture for you:

http://youtu.be/PJR-Mp92HBM?t=3m41s

[for a better look, pause the video]

That is what happens when Space Wolves hit the field. Charging at the enemy, deflecting bullets with a storm shield, about to slam a thunder hammer in someone's face.
Space Wolves can be an awesome army to play with and against, and their sheer manliness is only out-stripped by those balls-of-steel guardsmen.

For a bit of a laugh, I recommend reading this:
http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Space_Wolves

Still not motivated? Get yourself a nice HQ with a thunder hammer, and shout "HAMMERTIME" whenever he gets into melee.
I'm no expert on SW's, so that's all I can help with, but those wolves have some of the best fluff/flavour around (A truly flavourless army is the vanilla marines).

I'm not overly familiar with SW either but Logan, Arjak and 5 TH/SS Terminators in a Crusader. Not sure if you can take power armour librarians or not in SW but if you can, stick one in there too with prescience (+ other divination depending on mastery). thats what you call a scary death star. And fits with that picture from Selyn. Aesthetics, google image some inspiration and convert.

I understand what you are saying, but on the other hand because GH and LF are so stupidly underpriced, once you've got a solid core made out of them, you can easily afford to take some slightly less optimal units.

Have you considered allies? If you'd like to have jump troops that suck less, try taking BA as allies. Some HQ dude, Assault Squad and a Stromraven. Now, BA assault marines are not terribly good, but they're better than Skyclaws and they're scoring. Stormravens are quite good, and SW lack flyers, so that's a solid addition. And of course you can paint your BA allies in SW colours.

Other armies aren't that different. Most codices only have one or two viable builds in a competitive environment and are loaded with terrible special characters that make the SW characters look like stars.
If you care about being competitive then it's going to be an issue. If you are just playing friendly games then special characters or subpar units won't make enough of a difference to matter.

You don't have to mass GHs...you could run Loganwing Combi spam. I mean it looks basically the same, but there is a second option.

Inspectah Cax wrote:
I love the lore and fluff of the Space Wolves. I'm still relatively new to Warhammer, but I wanted to be Space Wolves from the get go. I love that they're aggressive and rough around the edges, yet cunning, smart and all that stuff. Leman and Logan are dope as feth and I love SW fiction. The only problem is, it feels like there's less to do with them. I'm not sure if I feel that way because I'm pretty new or because I have never played another army. It feels like the only way to go with a Wolves army, if you want to win, is to take a gak load of Grey Hunters. Well, maybe not the only way, but it's like that's why you'd pick Wolves, like you'd be silly to not majorly revolve things around your Grey Hunters.
.

Not trying to piss in your cornflakes mate, but most codices have only a handful of viable builds. space wolves are hardly unique in that regard - its a symptom of GWs (lack of) balance in their games. this is not the game where everything is viable in every list.

Inspectah Cax wrote:

Aesthetically, too, it's like the Wolves got the short straw. I love the barbaric look and pelts and the whole aggressive warrior image they have, but is it just me, or is there not enough variety? Once again, I'm throwing around the word 'feel', but it feels like I could be doing more with another .

Well, to be fair. what exactly can you do? there are only so many ways to dress up power armour in any codex. a space marine is a space marine is a space marine. all space wolves use the same armour, wear the basic same pelts, and use the same weapons. there is only so much you can do with it. Just like real life soldiers - fatigues are fatigues.

Inspectah Cax wrote:


This is more of a rant than anything in specific, but I'm just kicking up some dust to start a discussion, I guess. If I had unlimited money to spend on armies, I probably wouldn't be thinking like this.

you're new. you've probably not been exposed to it, but this is just how things work in the game, with yours and with any other codex.

There are particular lists that are very successful, and are thus prominently mentioned when talking about SW. I think that can give an impression that there isn't much room for creativity or many options. It is true that we have few Troops choices, which is limiting, but what we have are pretty awesome.

The more you learn about SW, the less restricted it'll feel. Don't be afraid to venture out and experiment with things other than what is commonly accepted as the 'best' choices. Have fun with them.

For example, a list I run has 2 full GH squads, and I also run a full Sky Claw unit, TWC. I have my troops, and some things to mix it up and make it interesting. I don't see Sky Claws used very often. I also like to use a lot of vehicles in my lists too, though this one doesn't have too many. I'm also a big fan of Arjac and have him in a DP with some WGT. The other SW Characters are interesting, but I personally have never been interested in them enough to try them out. I like the sound of Njal, but haven't ever used him. Admittedly, it's based on comments in regard to a relatively steep learning curve with him. Though logically, I'm not sure why that would be.

 Selym wrote:

Inspectah Cax wrote:
The short straw in terms of aesthetic variety, I meant. I love the way they look, it just feels like they should have more. I'm constantly tempted by the look of other armies. It's like they can be customized more, or stand out more. Like when I'm making a couple units of Longfangs, but all I can do is chuck little skulls and drinking horns to identify them as SW. But yeah, it's just like I'm thinking out aloud. I'm going to stick with SW regardless because they're badass.

I guess I've gotten a little demotivated the more I learned, such as buying the not-cheap Canis and a Techmarine (for Iron Priest) and having 9/10 people say they're gak. I've only played a little myself, and seriously have a way to go before I'm a competent gamer, but from what I've took in so far, Ulrik, Bjorn and Ragnar are supposedly pretty shoddy/not worth your time or points, either. Jetpacks aren't worth using with either Wolf Guard or Bloodclaws, the latter being pretty crap to use in general (including Lukas). I don't say this off experience, just off what I've learned and heard so far. I'm new and have a lot to learn, so if anyone can be bothered, let me know what's rubbish or what's true. Fill me in on gak you think I should know.

The list I've written up for myself is what I consider (or want, really) to be fun and efficient/competitive. It's got 3 decked out Lone Wolves in Terminator with 2 wolves each, a Razorback, a LRCrusader, 2 x 10 Grey Hunters with a power wep in each, Logan, a decked out Wolf Lord in Runic on Thunderwolf (using Canis as the model, so x2 wolf claw), 1 all missile unit of longfangs, and a unit of 8 WG Terminators including Arjac. Not all the specifics but you get the idea.

If you're feeling a little lacking in motivation, here's a picture for you:

http://youtu.be/PJR-Mp92HBM?t=3m41s

[for a better look, pause the video]

That is what happens when Space Wolves hit the field. Charging at the enemy, deflecting bullets with a storm shield, about to slam a thunder hammer in someone's face.
Space Wolves can be an awesome army to play with and against, and their sheer manliness is only out-stripped by those balls-of-steel guardsmen.

For a bit of a laugh, I recommend reading this:
http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Space_Wolves

Still not motivated? Get yourself a nice HQ with a thunder hammer, and shout "HAMMERTIME" whenever he gets into melee.
I'm no expert on SW's, so that's all I can help with, but those wolves have some of the best fluff/flavour around (A truly flavourless army is the vanilla marines).

Lol. Thank you for that ^^

As far as wolves go, i love thier fluff. Tau, Wolves and Nids are my 3 favs in that order. grey hunters are bad ass! you want a lot of them because they can pretty much do it all. Long fangs are pretty much the same but i like to run a squad of full bolters sometimes just for gaks n giggles. Dont be afraid to explore your dex. You can find lots of cool things in it. Wolf scouts can be pretty sweet sometimes(comin in on any board edge is nice) and i love TWC. Watched a squad of them occupy an entire army of necrons' shooting. for 3 turns full turns and still made it into combat lol

Also, TAKE ANYTHING YOU SEE HERE, with a huge grain of salt. Not everyone plays for fun it seems. Nothing truly sucks in any codex IMO but if its not used in the right way then yes it will suck. Just have fun with it man! Oh and if your worried about options then just wait for their 6th update and have fun playin till then, maybe take some allies(which im not a fan of but lots are) but at the rate they are going it shouldnt be too long

Don't spam Grey Hunters, Long Fangs or Rune Priests - everyone does it because it's cheap and efficient - playtest the other options, you may be pleasantly surprised.

You CAN'T really spam GH. Load them out differently, that's the best you can do. Or, take a squad of Blood Claws to mix it up, but we only have two troops choices, so that's why people say take so many.

I agree though on the LF. Great unit, but there are other ones out there that get forgotten!

I don't understand the idea that it all looks the same out of the box. The wolf pack box and SW terminator box is probably the best detailed and fluffy looking place for finding things that make your army stand out.

Feel free to use those bits to flesh out your vehicles.

Landraider - IMO looks very spacewolf and nothing like a BA \ GK \ UM raider.


Razorback -



As for lists, my list is very much not a net list. But its fun as hell.

Rune Priest -
2 units of grey hunters in drop pods
1 unit of grey hunters in razorback
1 dread in drop pod
2 landspeeders
2 vinicators
1 missile launcher long fang squad

(I will sometimes switch it up and put 15 bloodclaws plus wolf priest in the landraider just for giggles in place of the termis.)

But thats me. There are so many fun combinations that may not work overly well in a cut throat tourniment, but are crazy fun in a casual atmosphere.

For a really fun time put Ragnar in a unit of wolf guard kitted out for HTH.

Inspectah Cax wrote:
I love the lore and fluff of the Space Wolves. I'm still relatively new to Warhammer, but I wanted to be Space Wolves from the get go. I love that they're aggressive and rough around the edges, yet cunning, smart and all that stuff. Leman and Logan are dope as feth and I love SW fiction. The only problem is, it feels like there's less to do with them. I'm not sure if I feel that way because I'm pretty new or because I have never played another army. It feels like the only way to go with a Wolves army, if you want to win, is to take a gak load of Grey Hunters. Well, maybe not the only way, but it's like that's why you'd pick Wolves, like you'd be silly to not majorly revolve things around your Grey Hunters.

Aesthetically, too, it's like the Wolves got the short straw. I love the barbaric look and pelts and the whole aggressive warrior image they have, but is it just me, or is there not enough variety? Once again, I'm throwing around the word 'feel', but it feels like I could be doing more with another army.

This is more of a rant than anything in specific, but I'm just kicking up some dust to start a discussion, I guess. If I had unlimited money to spend on armies, I probably wouldn't be thinking like this.

Just play, brother....

Space Wolves are 1 of the easily customizable armies in the game. All their boxes come with a ton of bitz that you can chop to make more bitz. Also using certain parts of CSM and WOC armor works really well such as weapons, pauldrons, fur, skulls.

Most armies resort to spam if they want to be as competitive as possible. It's simply the nature of the game. If X is your best unit, you're going to fill your list with X. All armies will be like this. You aren't going to find an army, Eldar, for example, that can make an army that wins a lot against competitive opponents by picking one of each Aspect warrior with every single squad in your army being unique and different. You're going to find the best units or combination of units and maximize those.

As for customization and looks, yeah, you're right. Whereas other Space Marines get all sorts of cool tassels, ropes, capes, and ornamentation, you're pretty much stuck with fur, bones, and other wolf paraphernalia. But that's still an avenue for creativity. You can load up on decorative bone bits or make bone armor for a voodoo look, or you can do lots of scrimshaw patterns for your runes. The only other army that shares this aesthetic would be Carcharodons.

And don't forget, war trophies are a great way to accessorize.

Each book has its units that people spam in order to give them better chances to win, its just a fact of life with the GW community, there are units that played alot or barely/not played at all in each book. That being said it does not stop you from trying out the less played units and finding and developing new tactics to through at your opponent.

And on a funny not there was an apocalypse game a few weeks ago at my FLGS and Lukas the Trickster died and locked a titan in his stasis field! Just saying it was hilarious, the poor guy had no idea what Lukas did!

As far as customizing the look, yes wolf stuff, pelts, and runes are the most prominent and leave a lot of options. People tend to focus on that and forget that Space Wolves are still Space Marines and fervent loyalists to the Emperor. There is absolutely no reason you can't use other symbols of the Imperium or the symbols and aesthetics of generic Space Marines. I make sure to incorporate a good balance, not adding too much wolf detail, or too much detail in general. That way you get a good balance, they're still obviously Space Wolves, members of the Imperium, but not cluttered. I went a little over board on my first set of GH. They were a little bit of a pain to get painted.

SW are viewed as savage drunken Vikings in space. It's a pretty over simplistic and inaccurate view. They still say litanies, and pray etc like any other SM. So, I also like to use purity seals, though you do have to get them separately.

I personally don't think the space wolves got the short straw at all.

Best standard troops in the game by a mile.
Very good Dev's (long fangs-5missiles=140pts)
Logan is a beast for 275pts, maybe needs either 4W or 3+INVUL but still a monster.


The only real complaint is Ragnar=240pts WHY?

Or Bjorn the fell handed needs to be 13,12,12 rear 10 is far to melta happy.

I agree, especially with HP, Bjorn could use a bit of a boost.

Ragnar is Ragnar. Awesome tales of heroics and valor come at a cost. Even if it is pretty steep. His extra attacks and 4++ don't hurt, I'm sure. Though my Wolf Lord costs about the same. Granted, he's mounted on a Thunderwolf, has two Fenrisian wolves, Runic Armour....

Certainly wouldn't be hard to make an equivalent Wolf Lord to Ragnar for cheaper. IT JUST WOULDN'T BE RAGNAR!!! He's pricey, but I don't think ridiculous when compared to a well kitted out WL. Really dislike his official model though. Whoever designed the SW, went a little crazy with the top knots...