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It's no secret that Wolf Scouts really suffered from 6th edition changes. Is it just me, or is the only viable way to run Wolf Scouts now with 2x Plasma Pistols and a Plasmagun? I used to always do Meltabombs + Meltagun in 5th, but now that we can't assault on arrival, a 2/3 chance to hit rear armour with a meltagun isn't worth the points. 4 plasma shots coming in on the enemy's deployment zone seems pretty great to me, threatening rear armour and units behind an Aegis Line. Plus it can get Linebreaker and is a decent price at 120pts. I've tried it out a couple times already and quite liked my results with them as a disruption unit. Am I alone in thinking this is a pretty good configuration or am I missing any other viable options for a diminished unit choice in 6th edition?

Thats how I have always run them, compleat with Bolt Guns and a MotW.

 Anpu42 wrote:
Thats how I have always run them, compleat with Bolt Guns and a MotW.

This is how I would run them if I used them.

Am I right in thinking that characters can't benefit from their behind enemy lines any more? It's a shame really, the short ranged plasma ball might be worth it if they could bring a TDAWG with them.

 Griddlelol wrote:
Am I right in thinking that characters can't benefit from their behind enemy lines any more? It's a shame really, the short ranged plasma ball might be worth it if they could bring a TDAWG with them.

"Q: Can a Wolf Guard Pack Leader or Independent Character join a
squad of Wolf Scouts and benefit from the Outflank special rule
because at least one model has the ability? (p27)
A: Yes.
Q: If so, do they roll to see where they enter play using the Wolf Scouts’
Behind Enemy Lines special rule or the normal Outflank special rule?
(p27).
A: The normal Outflank special rule."

Yeah, they only get normal Outflank, not BEL. Which, obviously makes a huge difference with Plasma (rear versus side)

Hmm, outflank isn't terrible, but it kinda defeats the object of Wolf Scouts. With AV:10 on the rear not being uncommon, the plasma ball with bolters all around might net a tank or two if you get lucky.
135pts isn't a trivial amount for a suicide unit though. I dislike throwing away 105pts of stormtroopers which are roughly equivalent (a terrible Elite slot with one niché suicide role).

 Griddlelol wrote:
Hmm, outflank isn't terrible, but it kinda defeats the object of Wolf Scouts. With AV:10 on the rear not being uncommon, the plasma ball with bolters all around might net a tank or two if you get lucky.
135pts isn't a trivial amount for a suicide unit though. I dislike throwing away 105pts of stormtroopers which are roughly equivalent (a terrible Elite slot with one niché suicide role).

The trick I have found is to have them arrive is to find some cover if you can, but if not they can [with the Bolt Guns] easily clear out a ADL with a Flamer, this is why I am planning on making a second Wolf Scout Pack. One with the Plasma Gun for Anti-Armor and one with a Flamer [a good candidate for the MotW]

It depends on what you want them to do. My favorite combo isn't that effective anymore since it relied on charging on the turn they arrived, but you still have options:

Wolf Scouts Type A - 170pts (Or 176 if you replace the Bolt Pistols and CCW for the first two Wolf Scouts with Sniper Rifles)
1 w/ Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Mark of the Wulfen
1 w/ Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Power Weapon (Sword or possibly Mace)
1 w/ Flamer, Close Combat Weapon, Power Weapon (Sword or possibly Mace)
5 w/ Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon

Wolf Scouts Type B - 165pts
2 w/ Bolt Pistol, Plasma Pistol
1 w/ Plasma Gun, Mark of the Wulfen
4 w/ Bolt Pistol, Bolter

Wolf Scouts Type C - 97pts
1 w/ Missile Launcher
4 w/ Sniper Rifle

Keep in mind you can drop off or pick up extra bodies as needed; some people forget that when discussing these things.

Type A is my current favorite oddly enough. I mainly use it to clear off enemy back field units from Objectives, secure Line Breaker, and be a general nuisance of a denial unit. Excepting a few armies, there aren't a lot of vehicles in the back field these days. Of those that are, Krak Grenades and MotW can make short work of it when I eventually need to deal with it. Occasionally I end up Infiltrating + Scouting rather than taking advantage of OBEL. I've played with giving them a few Sniper Rifles but find the Bolters more useful on this variant.

Type B is my least favorite, but seems to be popular with most others. 4 Plasma shots can be helpful. But why not spend the points towards another Grey Hunter pack in a Drop Pod? Its tougher, scoring, and can do the same thing better. Sure, it is more expensive. But only by 75 points (comparing a 5 man version of Type B to a 10 man Grey Hunter in Drop Pod; both with MotW). That's a healthy amount of points, but for another scoring unit and a 3+ save its worth the premium.

If you argue that its not worth the premium, then take advantage of the wonderful allies at your disposal. A 5 man Stormtrooper squad with Plasma Guns costs 115 (20 points less than the 5 man version of Type B). You miss out on MotW (so call it 5 points cheaper) but you gain AP 3 on all your other attacks and more basic attacks in close combat (Stormtroopers get Rifle, Pistol, Knife versus just your Pistol and Knife and options to replace one or both).

By the way, that means you could waste the points on a Plasma Pistol with the Stormtroopers and still come under the Wolf Scout point cost. Did I mention Stormtroopers are BS 4 and also have a 4+ save?

Type C is a fun little option, more useful as part of an Allied Space Wolves detachment or in smaller point games. Heavy Weapons are hard to come by for Space Wolves, and Sniper Rifles are found no where else. Best take advantage of them when you can in my opinion.


Anyways, the trick with Wolf Scouts is to find out what you need to accomplish and equip them accordingly. Loading them with all Plasma is the worst option you can take since there are better ways of accomplishing that mission. You need to know what the rest of your force is doing, and plan based on that. It was always bad to use them as suicide Melta units (they only got 1 or 2 Melta Shots and that cost you a Wolf Guard or IC before; now they only get 1 shot) but its even worse to do so now.

Option B: I think the issue I have with them is the Plasma Gun on the MotW, that is a good way to loose him quick from a “Gets hot”.

To me one thing Wolf Scouts do is force your opponent to plan for their arrival. Sometimes I am happy to them not come in until Turn 4-5 as it will keep his “Counter-Assault” Unit stuck in place near something vital.

I have also considered running them as a Suacide unit [even though I hate doing that] is keep it small with:
2x Plasma Pistol
1x Bolt Gun
1x Plasma Gun
1x MotW/ Bolt Gun

That’s 150 points of Plasma with 1 Meat Shield and a Counter Assault Model.

 Anpu42 wrote:

 Griddlelol wrote:
Hmm, outflank isn't terrible, but it kinda defeats the object of Wolf Scouts. With AV:10 on the rear not being uncommon, the plasma ball with bolters all around might net a tank or two if you get lucky.
135pts isn't a trivial amount for a suicide unit though. I dislike throwing away 105pts of stormtroopers which are roughly equivalent (a terrible Elite slot with one niché suicide role).

The trick I have found is to have them arrive is to find some cover if you can, but if not they can [with the Bolt Guns] easily clear out a ADL with a Flamer, this is why I am planning on making a second Wolf Scout Pack. One with the Plasma Gun for Anti-Armor and one with a Flamer [a good candidate for the MotW]

This, like I've said, in the games I've used the plasma scouts, they've actually pulled more than their weight. Wolf Scouts always tend to perform beyond my expectations. I just wish Wolf Priests could go behind enemy lines with them, that would be amazing...