Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Just wondering, since this is obviously never going to happen:

1. Would the Inquisition have the authority to declare the Space Wolves Excommunicate Traitoris
2. If so, would they be able to do something about it physically? (I guess this is a bit of a silly GK vs SW thing, and I honestly want to know opinions on whether you think the GKs could wipe out the SWs)
3. Would SWs refusing to accept Inquisition orders sufficient times be reason enough for a military campaign against them?

Thanks for your opinions.

It boils down to that no one single SM chapter (in the age of 40K) could possibly hope to wipe out another chapter. Not enough man power, not enough resources, not enough this or that. Its just that logistically its impossible.

So no. The GK could not wipe out the SW alone. So now you start getting into alliances. Well, everybody has friends and everybody like a good brawl. The entire Empire now falls into disarray with infighting.

The Orks show up because they love a good party.
Chaos comes through the Cadia gate because Abbaddon finally sees his chance.
The Necrons wake up on Mars because of all the damn noise and yell at the neighbor kids.
Nids invade and are somewhat upset that they have to resort to carrion, but don't care anyway and start eating.
And the Eldar just nod to each other and say.. "Just as planned."

 Jayden63 wrote:
It boils down to that no one single SM chapter (in the age of 40K) could possibly hope to wipe out another chapter. Not enough man power, not enough resources, not enough this or that. Its just that logistically its impossible.

So no. The GK could not wipe out the SW alone. So now you start getting into alliances. Well, everybody has friends and everybody like a good brawl. The entire Empire now falls into disarray with infighting.

The Orks show up because they love a good party.
Chaos comes through the Cadia gate because Abbaddon finally sees his chance.
The Necrons wake up on Mars because of all the damn noise and yell at the neighbor kids.
Nids invade and are somewhat upset that they have to resort to carrion, but don't care anyway and start eating.
And the Eldar just nod to each other and say.. "Just as planned."

And thus the plot for DoW 3 was created.

 Mavlun wrote:
Just wondering, since this is obviously never going to happen:

1. Would the Inquisition have the authority to declare the Space Wolves Excommunicate Traitoris
2. If so, would they be able to do something about it physically? (I guess this is a bit of a silly GK vs SW thing, and I honestly want to know opinions on whether you think the GKs could wipe out the SWs)
3. Would SWs refusing to accept Inquisition orders sufficient times be reason enough for a military campaign against them?

Thanks for your opinions.

Will it happen? No because that would be progressing the story a bit and that isnt allowed :/

They would have the ability but there are so many factors as to why they shouldnt (haters be damned) them by themselves no, with the help of sorroritas no, with the help of GK and Sorroritas I still think no, but it will be closer, the inquisition would need a huge force to do this and I think it is because not only would you be fighting the entire chapter all 12 great companies but they will be enraged at the acusations and I feel like there are some unlikely allies that will come to the aid of the wolves and help if needed (not that it would be accepted at first if at all)

The refusals are only known to the Inquisition am i correct? If so, its gonna take a lot of proof for other chapters to campaign against them (IE: Helbreicht isnt going to crusade the wolves just because the Inquisition said they ignored em once or twice) but outside looking in (because I am not apart of this paranoid, war mongering terrified of cloaked men with cybernetic bits destroying my planet for doing the opposite of what the emperor initially wanted and worshiping him like a god) The fluff armor given to both sides would probably enrage a metric feth ton of players, and GW likes money to much to have huge fan bases (on both sides) rage quit because a chapter was wiped out for no reason or the all mighty god mode inquisition failed at a removing a bunch of loyalists that still follow the emperor's teachings >.>


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Madcat87 wrote:

 Jayden63 wrote:
It boils down to that no one single SM chapter (in the age of 40K) could possibly hope to wipe out another chapter. Not enough man power, not enough resources, not enough this or that. Its just that logistically its impossible.

So no. The GK could not wipe out the SW alone. So now you start getting into alliances. Well, everybody has friends and everybody like a good brawl. The entire Empire now falls into disarray with infighting.

The Orks show up because they love a good party.
Chaos comes through the Cadia gate because Abbaddon finally sees his chance.
The Necrons wake up on Mars because of all the damn noise and yell at the neighbor kids.
Nids invade and are somewhat upset that they have to resort to carrion, but don't care anyway and start eating.
And the Eldar just nod to each other and say.. "Just as planned."

And thus the plot for DoW 3 was created.

I would play, the ever loving feth out of that, especially if it had different campaigns for your five chapters (Wolves and allies, Inquisition and pals, Orks, Crons, Chaos) and maybe the bugs and elves could throw down now and then too.

Ok i think I wasn't very clear in mu OP and l apologize.

For point 2, forget allies, ramifications, other chapters and other factions joining in. I understand from the get go that this fight would never happen, that the fluff wouldn't allow it, etc. But speculate on who (and why) you think would come out victorious in an all out battle between GK sanctioned to use full force vs Space Wolves.

 Mavlun wrote:
Ok i think I wasn't very clear in mu OP and l apologize.

For point 2, forget allies, ramifications, other chapters and other factions joining in. I understand from the get go that this fight would never happen, that the fluff wouldn't allow it, etc. But speculate on who (and why) you think would come out victorious in an all out battle between GK sanctioned to use full force vs Space Wolves.

GK coming to fenris to invade against the entire chapter? SW would win this battle

12 great companies

The canny Primach pulled a sleight of hand on his brother Guilliman, ostensibly agreeing to separate the Space Wolves Legion into thirteen independant Great Companies, each roughly a Chapter in strength

With the rage, and all of the leaders of the wolves making an apperance for an affront like this (Bjorn, bran, Logan, Ulrik, Njal, Arjac, Canis and all the Wolf Lords) I cant see the Grey Knights surviving the fight let alone the planet itself.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Kavik_Whitescar wrote:

 Mavlun wrote:
Ok i think I wasn't very clear in mu OP and l apologize.

For point 2, forget allies, ramifications, other chapters and other factions joining in. I understand from the get go that this fight would never happen, that the fluff wouldn't allow it, etc. But speculate on who (and why) you think would come out victorious in an all out battle between GK sanctioned to use full force vs Space Wolves.

GK coming to fenris to invade against the entire chapter? SW would win this battle

12 great companies

The canny Primach pulled a sleight of hand on his brother Guilliman, ostensibly agreeing to separate the Space Wolves Legion into thirteen independant Great Companies, each roughly a Chapter in strength

Spoiler:

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Space_Wolves

With the rage, and all of the leaders of the wolves making an apperance for an affront like this (Bjorn, bran, Logan, Ulrik, Njal, Arjac, Canis and all the Wolf Lords) I cant see the Grey Knights surviving the fight let alone the planet itself.

Edit: I do not want to come off as like "nyah nyah my army is better!" I just dont think the battle would end well, however it would probably be one of the coolest. (I would love to see more terminators jump from their space craft because Feth teleporters

 Jayden63 wrote:
It boils down to that no one single SM chapter (in the age of 40K) could possibly hope to wipe out another chapter. Not enough man power, not enough resources, not enough this or that. Its just that logistically its impossible.

The Minotaurs are known for doing just this exact thing in the 41st Millenium. Besides, there's more than 2 chapters total in the Imperium so it doesn't even need to be 1v1.

In answer to the OP:

Yes, they can excommunicate just about anyone
Yes, they would be able to organise an attack on Fenris - it would be costly, but the Imperium doesn't usually count the cost. That's if they don't just decide to destroy the planet completely to save trouble.
Yes, baiting the Inquisition rarely ends well, even if you are a mutant post-human Jarl Jakobsson.

MarsNZ wrote:

 Jayden63 wrote:
It boils down to that no one single SM chapter (in the age of 40K) could possibly hope to wipe out another chapter. Not enough man power, not enough resources, not enough this or that. Its just that logistically its impossible.

The Minotaurs are known for doing just this exact thing in the 41st Millenium. Besides, there's more than 2 chapters total in the Imperium so it doesn't even need to be 1v1.

you mean like how the wolves did in the past?

and OP said no allies, it was just GK and Inquisition vs SW

this already NEARLY happened.

I reccomend reading the novel "the Empeor's Gift" if you're curious

They would not send the GK, as there are no demons involved.

 Bobthehero wrote:
They would not send the GK, as there are no demons involved.

Look up the "Months of Shame" after the First black Crusade, already happened and a Lord Inquisitor ended up dead as well as a GK Grand Master

The Space Wolves have a fethload of men. (About 12x the standard chapter number, though this number varies heavily depending on the info source and probably the time.) They live on a planet where every citizen is a badass just for surviving at all. Their base is one of the oldest, most powerful fortresses in the galaxy outside of Terra itself. Also, their Rune Priests are really great against other Psykers. (IE the entire GK army.)


Then again, the Grey Knights are far stronger and better equipped on a man-to-man basis, and live in an even better defended area.

So, whoever attacks the other person loses. The home field advantages are just too much to deal with.

 Bobthehero wrote:
They would not send the GK, as there are no demons involved.

However, when the Grey Knights themselves decided to Sanction the Space Wolves, it did not go well for the Grey Knights.

When an Inquisitor did try to Traitoris Extremis the Space Wolves, he took three minor orders of the Sororitas (so one or two thousand Sisters of Battle) and a Battlefleet to Fenris and they got slaughtered. Since destroying rogue Astartes chapters is one of the sacred duties of the Adepta Sororitas, I think it's safe to say that the Space Wolves are completely unassailable as long as they are writing the sagas.

As to the comments about the Wolves outnumbering any other Astartes chapter, the legend that each Great Company is the size of a regular Chapter is wildly inaccurate. Even if the Space Wolves weren't critically undermanned, the majority of those Heroes (in the liedic sense) are off world at any given time. It's probably rare for their to be more than five hundred Wolves at the Fang at any given moment.

Which just cements their status as the Mary Sues of the setting.

A mission that would take five Guard regiments? A mission that would take the Minotaurs chapter? A mission that would take a Major Order of the Adepta Sororitas?

All of these things can be achieved by ten Space Wolves and a broken down old Thunderhawk.

After all, who else could restore the faith of a Canoness simply by arriving?

Waaaghpower wrote:
The Space Wolves have a fethload of men. (About 12x the standard chapter number, though this number varies heavily depending on the info source and probably the time.) .

no they don't.

The 5th edition Space Wolf Codex identifies Ragnar Blackmane's Great Company as being second only to the Great Wolf's company, having "nearly 200 men" thus we can proably figure that the space wolves are a double strength chapter. triple TOPS

Kavik_Whitescar wrote:


GK coming to fenris to invade against the entire chapter? SW would win this battle

12 great companies

Don't take this the wrong way, but each great company is anywhere between 0 to a maximum of 200 (with only 2 companies reaching that kind of number). So definitely NOT Chapter size.

Well you can't really say that the Grey Knights sanctioned the Space Wolves. Technically the Inquisition betrayed the Wolves and ordered all survivors to be killed. The Grey Knights never amassed a huge army to send to Fenris, if memory serves me correctly they couldn't even muster a full brotherhood. The Grey Knights would never be able to bring the full chapter together against the Space Wolves, thus any engagement would always have the Grey Knights outnumbered.

Add upon that the fact that Grey Knights are bred to combat daemons. Yes, they have amazing abilities and are often considered the elite of the Space Marines, but waging wars against fellow Astartes is now their area of expertise.

Also take note that the Grey Knights do not hate the Space Wolves. The GK are pawns of the Inquisition, and they were misused. While both chapters will remain wary of one another for quite some time, it is not the sort of bad blood that other loyalist chapters still cling to in futility.

As for your questions.

1) Yes the Inquisition could claim the SW are traitors, but I believe that if a first founding chapter were to be marred by such a claim it would create rifts amongst the High Lords of Terra. While the SW are not the most popular kids on the block, they are still one of the oldest surviving chapters and can trace their loyalties back to the very battlefields the Emperor himself set foot upon.

2) If it was deemed necessary to attack the SW, the Inquisition would win. They operate without borders or limits to means. Assuming they garnered support from the High Lords they would unleash everything they could at the Wolves. No chapter survives when titan legions, space marine chapters and armies of guardsmen march down their throats. I believe the Wolves would put up a valiant fight, but they couldn't possibly survive.

3) No, not really. Declining a superiors orders will earn you a reprimand and possibly a discharge in most circles. Inquisitors however are not exactly superior to a Chapter Master. They claim to be at times, while sometimes they will play the subservient role if they believe it will provide them with what they want. It's a very grey area for all parties involved. Yes the Inquisition can sanction you (much like the United Nations), however this doesn't mean the end of the world. The Space Wolves have operated autonomously for centuries and will not bow to the whims of anyone they deem to be "lesser men".

The Inquisition would never go to war with them over such discrepancies. As I said early within this post, the event that led to an engagement in the space around Fenris during the novel True Grit was provoked by a maddened Inquisitor. These men/women often lose themselves to their near limitless power and believe they are beyond reproach. The SW would not accept this man's betrayal and thus honored the pact they made with the citizens and guardsmen of Armageddon. It's difficult to be angry with an honorable action, especially when the opposing side refuses to see sense or reason.

With all of that said, I still HATE the Space Wolves and love the Grey Knights.

1. Yes they could, but it would have serious complications. The Space Wolves, as a first founding chapter have lots of allies and political power, not to mention a huge amount of political and religious significance.

2. The Grey Knights not on their own. The Grey Knights are specialised in fighting deamons, not astartes (though they surely can fight them as well), while the SW were specially designed to kill astartes (According to many sources they served as the Emperor's executioners and are responsible for the 2 missing legions and they were also sent to eliminate the Thousand Sons and World Eaters). It should be noted that the SW and GK are unlikely to fight each other at full strenght however. The Grey Knights are supposed to deal with deamons and fall under the authority of the Ordo Malleus. Dealing with wayward SM chapters falls under the authority of the Ordo Hereticus.

3. No. Space Marines do not fall under the authority of the Inquisition and do not have to follow their orders, and as long as the chapter is powerful enough, there is not much the Inquisition can do.

In the end, such important matters would likely be beyond the authority of the Inquisition and would have to be decided on by the High Lords of Terra themselves.
In any case, there are no reasons for the Inquisition to fight the SW, as the SW are still loyal to the Emperor.

1. Yes they could, but it would have serious complications. The Space Wolves, as a first founding chapter have lots of allies and political power, not to mention a huge amount of political and religious significance.

Actually space wolves would be one of the few that don't have lots of political power, considering their actions throughout have offended most, they've been brutish, vile, and pretty much they aren't a socializing bunch when it doesn't come to their sort of kind. Possibly allies, but not enough for them to potentially save them as see above.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

1. Yes they could, but it would have serious complications. The Space Wolves, as a first founding chapter have lots of allies and political power, not to mention a huge amount of political and religious significance.

Actually space wolves would be one of the few that don't have lots of political power, considering their actions throughout have offended most, they've been brutish, vile, and pretty much they aren't a socializing bunch when it doesn't come to their sort of kind. Possibly allies, but not enough for them to potentially save them as see above.

Do you have any sources for that claim? The SW have plenty of influence in the Imperium (see the Wolfblade for an example) and it is only logical for a first founding chapter to make sure to have the neccessary spies, allies and influence among the Imperium's ruling elite. The SW are not different in that regard. The SW are not 'brutish and vile'. They can and do offend those they do not like or care about, but they are sophisticated tacticians and can be very charismatic when the circumstances require it.
Also, many other first founding chapters would not take kindly to action being taken against one of them, as it could have unfortunate implications for them as well.
And that is before even mentioning the historical and religious significance of a first founding chapter.

 Iron_Captain wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

1. Yes they could, but it would have serious complications. The Space Wolves, as a first founding chapter have lots of allies and political power, not to mention a huge amount of political and religious significance.

Actually space wolves would be one of the few that don't have lots of political power, considering their actions throughout have offended most, they've been brutish, vile, and pretty much they aren't a socializing bunch when it doesn't come to their sort of kind. Possibly allies, but not enough for them to potentially save them as see above.

Do you have any sources for that claim? The SW have plenty of influence in the Imperium (see the Wolfblade for an example) and it is only logical for a first founding chapter to make sure to have the neccessary spies, allies and influence among the Imperium's ruling elite. The SW are not different in that regard. The SW are not 'brutish and vile'. They can and do offend those they do not like or care about, but they are sophisticated tacticians and can be very charismatic when the circumstances require it.
Also, many other first founding chapters would not take kindly to action being taken against one of them, as it could have unfortunate implications for them as well.
And that is before even mentioning the historical and religious significance of a first founding chapter.

Considering how close the DA are coming close to it, not to mention from brother chapters it seems that there are limits to how much you can spit in the face of others. As well as the fact that even if say the SW have some power, even the Ultramarines, a founding chapter could do nothing when the Minotaurs killed off one of their split off chapters and took Ultramarine Relics for themselves, and the UM are a group who most would have far more power when it comes to being 'Charismatic."

And yes 'Sophisticated tacticians'. The one's that would fire a Whirlwinds payload on the move, driving at top speed towards the explosions so they can get an up close view like silly children. I mean we know the SW are SM + 1 who have the biggest Mary Sue armor when it comes to their fluff because of how silly it is from time to time, but if there was any consistency, it's certainly that they aren't exactly stalwart champions of Charisma.

 Mavlun wrote:
Just wondering, since this is obviously never going to happen:

1. Would the Inquisition have the authority to declare the Space Wolves Excommunicate Traitoris
2. If so, would they be able to do something about it physically? (I guess this is a bit of a silly GK vs SW thing, and I honestly want to know opinions on whether you think the GKs could wipe out the SWs)
3. Would SWs refusing to accept Inquisition orders sufficient times be reason enough for a military campaign against them?

Thanks for your opinions.

1 No as much of a pain in the ass the wolves are for the inquisition they are heroes of the imperium and with the exception of the Dark Angels on good terms with every chapter that they have worked with they are offcourse allo a first founding chapter. If the Inquisition ever tried to declare them traitors it would start a civil war.
2 Not without starting a civil war
3 No a first founding chapter can pretty much tell the inquisition to feth off.

 Furyou Miko wrote:
he took three minor orders of the Sororitas (so one or two thousand Sisters of Battle) and a Battlefleet to Fenris and they got slaughtered

No, it wasn't a slaughter. The fluff just says that they fought the Wolves for a while, and were eventually told to withdraw. No mention of it being a slaughter.

 Troike wrote:

 Furyou Miko wrote:
he took three minor orders of the Sororitas (so one or two thousand Sisters of Battle) and a Battlefleet to Fenris and they got slaughtered

No, it wasn't a slaughter. The fluff just says that they fought the Wolves for a while, and were eventually told to withdraw. No mention of it being a slaughter.

The fluff doesn't say anything beyond that they fought and that the SoB withdrew after being unable to defeat the SW defending the Fang, so it could very well have been a slaughter. The SoB are after all not known for giving up easily.
But as the fluff doesn't say anything everyone is free to think whatever he/she wants of it.

Regardless, the SoB are part of the Ecclessiarchy, not the Inquisition, so this is irrelevant.

 Iron_Captain wrote:
The fluff doesn't say anything beyond that they fought and that the SoB withdrew after being unable to defeat the SW defending the Fang, so it could very well have been a slaughter. The SoB are after all not known for giving up easily.
But as the fluff doesn't say anything everyone is free to think whatever he/she wants of it.

What it does say is that the SoB are still fighting them after three weeks, when the Ecclesiarchy decides to withdraw its forces becuase it decides to leave the Wolves alone. This implies that they could have kept fighting if they wished. The decision to withdraw was entuirely willing, not a result of their forces being decimated.

Space Marines ignore, and sometimes disappear, Inquisitors so I doubt that them not following orders would be enough.

There wouldn't really be a point in condemning the Space Wolves by branding them as Excomunicate Traitoris as they'd only prove to be another thorn in the Imperium's side. While they aren't my favourite Chapter they are loyal and have humanities best intentions at heart, well as much as they can really given the setting.

It's hard to get any concrete information of the size of the Space Wolves during the HH. Given how some Legions have tens of thousands of marines it would appear they never got anywhere near that level.

The thing about saying 'The Inquisition vs X' is that Inquisitors can request the resources of any Imperial assets. So in that respect, having the Inquisition vs Space Wolves is tantamount to the Imperium vs Space Wolves.

 Sturmtruppen wrote:
The thing about saying 'The Inquisition vs X' is that Inquisitors can request the resources of any Imperial assets. So in that respect, having the Inquisition vs Space Wolves is tantamount to the Imperium vs Space Wolves.

This is important, because that is how the Inquisition operates.

Someone earlier said that the Astartes are not subject to the Inquisition. This is wrong. There are all of 2 groups in the Imperium who are beyond an Inquisitor's authority. One of them is the God-Emperor, Himself. The other is the Adeptus Custodes who guard the Emperor's person and the Golden Throne of Terra.

If you are not one of these two groups, you are under the authority of the Inquisition, from High Lord of Terra down to the lowliest scum-dweller.

However, the Imperium being what it is, having the authority to do something does not automatically grant you the ability to do something.

If the Wolves were considered Excommunicatus Traitorus, though, it would not be a long fight.

1) Inquisition rounds up Imperial Navy assets and either the Minotaurs or the Space Sharks.
2) Fleet approaches Fenris. Space Sharks/Minotaurs engage SW fleet above Fenris.
3) Navy asset flies towards the south pole of Fenris, which is on the opposite side of Fenris from The Fang, and thus shields itself from the Fang using the planet itself.
4) Navy asset deploys Cyclonic Torpedoes under Inquisitorial authority.
5) Fenris ceases to exist. The Space Wolves are now doomed to extinction.

... when you have an Inquisitor with brains and tactical acumen, taking out someone like the Wolves isn't so hard.

 Psienesis wrote:

 Sturmtruppen wrote:
The thing about saying 'The Inquisition vs X' is that Inquisitors can request the resources of any Imperial assets. So in that respect, having the Inquisition vs Space Wolves is tantamount to the Imperium vs Space Wolves.

This is important, because that is how the Inquisition operates.

Someone earlier said that the Astartes are not subject to the Inquisition. This is wrong. There are all of 2 groups in the Imperium who are beyond an Inquisitor's authority. One of them is the God-Emperor, Himself. The other is the Adeptus Custodes who guard the Emperor's person and the Golden Throne of Terra.

If you are not one of these two groups, you are under the authority of the Inquisition, from High Lord of Terra down to the lowliest scum-dweller.

However, the Imperium being what it is, having the authority to do something does not automatically grant you the ability to do something.

If the Wolves were considered Excommunicatus Traitorus, though, it would not be a long fight.

1) Inquisition rounds up Imperial Navy assets and either the Minotaurs or the Space Sharks.
2) Fleet approaches Fenris. Space Sharks/Minotaurs engage SW fleet above Fenris.
3) Navy asset flies towards the south pole of Fenris, which is on the opposite side of Fenris from The Fang, and thus shields itself from the Fang using the planet itself.
4) Navy asset deploys Cyclonic Torpedoes under Inquisitorial authority.
5) Fenris ceases to exist. The Space Wolves are now doomed to extinction.

... when you have an Inquisitor with brains and tactical acumen, taking out someone like the Wolves isn't so hard.

This is pretty much what I was thinking as well. The GKs though, you don't see as doing that well vs. SWs, do you?

Troike wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:
The fluff doesn't say anything beyond that they fought and that the SoB withdrew after being unable to defeat the SW defending the Fang, so it could very well have been a slaughter. The SoB are after all not known for giving up easily.
But as the fluff doesn't say anything everyone is free to think whatever he/she wants of it.

What it does say is that the SoB are still fighting them after three weeks, when the Ecclesiarchy decides to withdraw its forces becuase it decides to leave the Wolves alone. This implies that they could have kept fighting if they wished. The decision to withdraw was entuirely willing, not a result of their forces being decimated.

The Sisters were involved in a battle. Both sides probably got slaughtered. However, since it's a piece of fluff involving the Space Wolves, who can do no bloody wrong, it's probably safe to say that the Sisters came off worse for it.

That said, I am very bitter about anything involving the Wolves. It probably comes from being a Thousand Sons sympathiser and a Sisters player, as contradictory as that may seem.

Edit: Oh, yeah, and the horrible way the Wolves are written. There's being a large-than-life hero... and then there's being Adam West's Batman.

 Mavlun wrote:

 Psienesis wrote:

 Sturmtruppen wrote:
The thing about saying 'The Inquisition vs X' is that Inquisitors can request the resources of any Imperial assets. So in that respect, having the Inquisition vs Space Wolves is tantamount to the Imperium vs Space Wolves.

This is important, because that is how the Inquisition operates.

Someone earlier said that the Astartes are not subject to the Inquisition. This is wrong. There are all of 2 groups in the Imperium who are beyond an Inquisitor's authority. One of them is the God-Emperor, Himself. The other is the Adeptus Custodes who guard the Emperor's person and the Golden Throne of Terra.

If you are not one of these two groups, you are under the authority of the Inquisition, from High Lord of Terra down to the lowliest scum-dweller.

However, the Imperium being what it is, having the authority to do something does not automatically grant you the ability to do something.

If the Wolves were considered Excommunicatus Traitorus, though, it would not be a long fight.

1) Inquisition rounds up Imperial Navy assets and either the Minotaurs or the Space Sharks.
2) Fleet approaches Fenris. Space Sharks/Minotaurs engage SW fleet above Fenris.
3) Navy asset flies towards the south pole of Fenris, which is on the opposite side of Fenris from The Fang, and thus shields itself from the Fang using the planet itself.
4) Navy asset deploys Cyclonic Torpedoes under Inquisitorial authority.
5) Fenris ceases to exist. The Space Wolves are now doomed to extinction.

... when you have an Inquisitor with brains and tactical acumen, taking out someone like the Wolves isn't so hard.

This is pretty much what I was thinking as well. The GKs though, you don't see as doing that well vs. SWs, do you?

Not really. The Space Wolves are not the sorts of opponents the GK are designed to fight. It's really just a waste of resources to send the GK to fight the SW, when there are Chapters and other factions who are explicitly better at Marine-purging than the GK are.

It should be noted, however, that the events leading up to the Months of Shame, caused by the Space Wolves, got more Imperial citizens killed than would have been had they just let the ships get blown up. As it was, because the SW intervened, and let some vessels containing possibly-Corrupt individuals escape, the Imperium was forced to commit Exterminatus on several planets and other locations. The Space Wolves come out of that looking like fething morons who, even though they are woefully, terribly, stupidly wrong, still win the battles in the end because Plot Armor. However, they are... really stupid. Really, really stupid.