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Hello!

I started playing WHF when I was like 10 years old and played quite competitively for T3 until I couldn't keep up with the hobby due to work. I recently settled down and the urge for wargaming started growing on me so I decided to start again! I soon came to realize my beloved Fantasy game was no longer. Since I'm not interested in playing Age of Sigmar I realized Warhammer 40k was the better option for me.

I decided to go with the Space Wolves since I like the models and I like to have some sort of "military" feel to my army. Who doesn't like marines on dogs right? I'm facing a couple of problems right now though and I decided to dedicate my first post to some questions regarding how to build, start and collect my SW army:

1. How do I start to build a competitive list that can take on most of the army lists that I will encounter on tournaments? I'm looking make a list first and only then start to collect the required models. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

2. Which models could I bank on to use in almost every list? In other words: I can't wait to have a decent list, I want to start buying couple of models today.

3. What's the deal with alliances? I'm not very familiar with the exact rules but to my understanding I can mix my Space Wolves with other marine armies? Is that correct? Will this make my SW army more viable in the long/short run? Do I need to have both codexes?

4. As a starting 40k player; which tools do I absolutely need to get for my first game? I've got dice, inch meter, templates, transport box. I already have a plethora of tools to model and paint my army.

5. I already ordered some "ice" bases from Fantascape. However, at this point I'm not sure wich kind of bases are "acceptable" in warhammer 40k. I ordered 25mm infantry bases and 40mm large infantry bases (presumably for my heroes on foot). Did I buy correct bases or was I too impulsive?


Thanks in advance for your replies,

I salute you!


OGSODA.

1) Most people swear by Thunderwolf Cavalry for good reason, one of the top units in the game. Depending on whether you go CAD or Company of the Great Wolf, you'll want Grey Hunters or Iron Priests w/ Thunderwolves to fill out your mandatory slots. Wolf Battle Leader/Lord on Thunderwolf too for HQ. That should be a core for your army, after that you can mix and match what you want to fit your taste.

2) Thunderwolf Cavalry will probably pull their weight in every list, if you send them towards the right opponents. Against vehicles, MC and multi-wound characters? Sure! Against blobs of infantry? Probably not.

3) Being SW, you've got access to the best allies, the entire IoM. This basically means you can use all the nutty little tricks other armies have, such as a 2+ re-rollable save from DA, Hit and Run from White Scars, Furious Charge from BA (for RAW players to get S10 for PF/TH) and other nasty stuff. Thunderdome is a great example of this.

4) Rulebook, top quality banter, beer and pretzels.

5) It's very easy to make ice bases from the GW ones. SM are slowly being shifted onto 32mm (but the 25mm/28mm, I forget what they have, are fine), 40mm work fine for Terminators I think. TWC need Dreadnought bases, 60mm.

I concur. Thunderwolf cavalry are one of the best units in the game. I would definitely build my army around a thunderwolf cavalry spine/base, looking at what units can best support your wolf riding marines. Grey Hunters in drop pods are also a decent bet too.

Their flyers aren't half bad either. If I remember right, Long Fangs get spitfire, which is handy.

I wish our best unit wasn't so silly. Space Marines on giant wolves pushes the limit for me.

Are Space Wolf Drop Pod lists worth it anymore, or should I abandon this idea because the marines do it so much better now?

TWolves are awesome! I think everything about them is badass. I think the NOVA winner was TWolves with DA bikes... or something like that.

Drop pods are still pretty decent for SW.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Drop pods and TWC is a pretty fun mix if you want pure wolves.

 pretre wrote:
Drop pods are still pretty decent for SW.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Drop pods and TWC is a pretty fun mix if you want pure wolves.

Yes, this. Your drop pods will be your alpha strike to soften up the enemy before your thunder wolf cavalry charge in.

What about Blood Claws? Worth considering or is it Grey Hunters everytime in the troops slot?

D

 evildrcheese wrote:
What about Blood Claws? Worth considering or is it Grey Hunters everytime in the troops slot?

D

They might be cheaper, but they aren't as capable and Grey Hunters have a better special weapon ratio. At 10 models, GH get two specials, BC only get one. This would change if the Claw Marines in SW would get the WS4/BS4 that C:SM Scouts received.

Thunderwolf Cavalry first. A big squad of those will go a long way in making all your lists.

Ven. Dreadnoughts, with blizzard shield and great axe. Not the greatest, not even optimal, but I like them anyways.

I use the Logan Grimnar supplement to build my lists. Mostly dreadnoughts and thunderwolf cavalry. I haven't used the TWC in a game yet, but they are a proven unit. The dreadnoughts have worked out well for me. Once in combat they are very stubborn to move and they can cause a lot of harm. I could see hoards bogging them down easily, but you kinda accept that when making a list like these, and you can sometimes semi counter it too. Just depends.

Fun army to use and lots of potential, it's upfront about it's power.

 evildrcheese wrote:
What about Blood Claws? Worth considering or is it Grey Hunters everytime in the troops slot?

D

I often see them in max squads with a priest attached.