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Looking to play my first game with my new Space Wolves against a friend (he plays chaos). Wanted to try some of the different units in the codex, and see what will play well. Feel free to critique and give some insight.

HQ: Rune Priest in Terminator Armor- Combi-Melta, Melta Bomb, Wolftooth Necklace, Master of Runes

HQ: Wolf Priest - Combi-Plasma, Melta Bomb, Runic Armor, Wolftooth Necklace, Saga of the Hunter

TROOPS: 15 Blood Claws- Plasma Gun x2, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist

TROOPS: 8 Grey Hunters- Meltagun x2, Power Fist, Wolf Standard in Drop Pod

TROOPS: 10 Grey Hunters- Plasma Gun x2, Power Sword, Wolf Standard

The Rune Priest will be attached to the Grey Hunters in Drop Pod hoping to make a nice alpha strike to get rid of any big threats with the Meltas and power fist in close combat (Defiler, and Oblits come to mind).
I know a lot of people don't like Blood Claws but as it is my first game I wanted to try them out and that's why I'm bringing a wolf Priest to give Fearless and Saga of the Hunter to be able to outflank and Stealth (hope that confers to the rest of the unit) from the flanks, and just walking up the rest of the Grey Hunters (he also agreed not to take any flyers as I don't have anything yet that can deal with them effectively).
I think that should be 1000 points even. The only questions I have is when would it be the best time to use the Standard, and what would be the best psychic powers to use for the Priest? I was thinking Storm Caller and either Living Lightning or Jaws of the World Wolf. So what do you think so my first game list? As far as changing the lists around the only other models I have finished are Logan, who in my opinion is to expensive for 1000 points, and a standard Dreadnought.

You need 10 Grey Hunters to get the second Melta-Gun
As far as the Wolf Standard I like to activate it in my Assualt Phase the turn before he Assualts, that way it activates durring the turn He Assualts you, giving you two turns of Bolt Gun Fire. The 1st one on your Shooting Phase and the second one durring his Assualt Phase with you overwatch fire.
Murdrious Hurricane is a good Power to if you are not going for the Divination route.

Oh I did not realize that. And thanks for the advice

While fluffy, the Wolf Tooth Necklaces are next to useless on your Rune Priest and Wolf Priest. They are already WS 5 so hit anything WS 4 on a 3+, and most anything that is WS 5 or 6 will tear them up in a Challenge usually (Wolf Priest might be an exception thanks to that Wolf Amulet he comes with, but then he is only AP 4). So I'd drop those.

The Combi-Melta on the Rune Priest is sub-par if you are using Codex Psyker Powers. They're almost all Shooting powers, and so you can't use the Combi-Melta that turn. Really, given some of the powers available you won't really want to pass up the opportunity to use them.

Master of Runes is also fairly bad. For what it gives you its hideously overpriced, and its near useless to boot if you don't take Storm Caller usually. Even then... Really not worth that point cost. Its just too much.

Power Fists are bad on models that have only 1 Attack in their profile. They are O.K. on a model with 2 attacks, but are terrible if you are in a Challenge without a good Invulnerable Save or multiple Wounds (and Eternal Warrior). They definitely are not worth it for the point cost you pay in Grey Hunter or Blood Claw units. Dropping them down to Power Axes/Swords would be a good move.

Plasma Pistols are also a bit expensive for what they give you. They are more expensive than Plasma Guns and far worse. I'd leave them at home personally (and I love the idea of them, they just really aren't that great).

BTW if you clean up the above like I suggest you'll have 105 points left over. More if you drop the Meltabombs and Rune Priest's Combi-Melta. You could take that Dreadnought or you could take a second Rune Priest to stick with the Wolf Priest and Blood Claws to cast Storm Caller on the unit constantly. Between that and Stealth from Saga of the Hunter you'll have a 4++ in the open (yes, Stealth from Saga of the Hunter is given to the whole unit; its not from Camo Pants found in Codex: IG)!


There are 4 powers I normally consider with my Rune Priests: Living Lightning, Murderous Hurricane, Jaws of the World Wolf, and Storm Caller. JOTWW I only take if I'm in a Transport of some kind. I usually pair it with Murderous Hurricane. Living Lightning I'll take if I'm short on long ranged fire power (even if I'm Drop Pod'ing the guy) or need some more hard hitting shots. Typically with LL I'll also take a Chooser of the Slain to bump the BS to 5 for the Rune Priest, and if I have the points I'll grab Saga of the Beastslayer as well since it works for shooting attacks.


For the Wolf Standard, its tricky. Its very hard to use. You have to use it BEFORE the assault phase you NEED it. So you kind of have to know what your opponent is going to do. Does the opponent's unit stand a good chance of winning if he charges me? If so, pop it at the end of his Shooting Phase if he has something that can hit you. If not, pop it at the end of your Shooting Phase so you can use it on your turn. This really kind of just depends. Tau Firewarriors aren't likely to charge you, but Genestealers obviously would.