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So I’m new to the hobby and so far I’m loving it. Played my first game the other day and I want to add some swift attack unit to my build because I saw how effective they can be. I’m limited on funds and time so I want to build a model, paint it, and play it before I get something else. My question is Space wolves Calvary vs Swiftclaws on Assault bikes. What has everyone found most effective combat wise and points wise.

Not a SW player (BA), but I'd reckon in terms of funds and time and flexibility, the bikes are your better bet.

How many points is your army currently, and what have you got in it?

I'm pretty new myself, still building up (although now at a healthy 811 points with a decent range).

Space Wolves are currently in a tough spot.
Swiftclaw Attack Bikes have expensive Heavy Weapons they can barely use.
TWC will be focus fired off the table before they reach melee unless you have something even scarier to demand attention and if they do reach melee they’re only really good at killing infantry and small vehicles. Currently they’re over priced and less than stellar with a carry over reputation from last edition.
Wolf Guard Bikers can take great load-outs but since they’re Index only some TOs will nix them and I’d be iffy about telling someone to buy models that might only be usable for a limited amount of time.
Wulfen are the kings of Space Wolf melee but you really need a plan to get them in there because they’re rightfully feared, people will happily sacrifice units to keep them back.

Right now my army runs pretty light. I have the starting Primaris Space Wolf pack which contains a Primaris battle leader 3 Aggressors 10 intercessors and a dreadnaught with multi-Melta that I got from my brother and suggestions on adds would be welcome

Supersoldiermedic83 wrote:
Right now my army runs pretty light. I have the starting Primaris Space Wolf pack which contains a Primaris battle leader 3 Aggressors 10 intercessors and a dreadnaught with multi-Melta that I got from my brother and suggestions on adds would be welcome

that's a solid patrol detachment, perfect for a small game. to expand on that I'd reccomend picking up Know No Fear, it's the medium size starter set and will give you 5 more intercessors, 5 hell blasters, 3 inceptors and a Captain/Wolf Lord in Gravis armor. assuming you run your 10 man intercessors as 2 5 man squads that'd give you a battalion, the standard building block of 40k. that box comes with death guard though so ideally you'll be able to find a chaos player willing to go halfers on the box.

you'll note this box contains primaris Marines as well, that's not because I'm pushing primaris it's just the start collecting boxes all happen to contain primaris.

moving on from that I'd reccomend picking up a box or two (or three) of the space wolf pack box
https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Space-Wolves-Pack-2016

it's essentially a greyhunter/bloodclaw/wolf guard box. that contains an absolute ton of wolfy bits. priceless for wolfing out your army.

with that stuff you'll proably have sufficant infantry and can expand really as you wish. to be blunt it's not worth listening to us when we talk about the meta because the game changes so fast these days chasing that meta isn't worth it, buy what you like the look of.


edit: regarding fast units I'd reccomend going with Thudnerwolf Cavalry. they have more melee weapon options and you're proably gonna wanna melee with them. that and they're a distinct space wolf unit

I used my intercessors as two five man squads in my first game and they were really effective. I’ll probably do the same moving forward