Sons of Russ: new to 40K Space Wolf Army

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**416_SpaceWolves**

Captain_Brown and Brushcommando, thanks for the continued support.

I played a quick 500pts combat patrol over the weekend. Carried a simple list, Ragnar, Bloodclaws, Aggressors, a rhino and a razorback. He brought genestealers, a stormlord, and a pysker type unit (blanking on the name.) We played a straight up shoot-out (I'm still learning the rules..)

We ended in a draw (one unit left each, my Rhino with 2 wounds left, his stormlord with 4 wounds.) I realized a few things about strategy: 1. I needed a pysker unit 2. never put anything close enough to genestealers on a small table (they destroyed my aggressors in the first turn.) 3. Ragnar is a bad***. (He took out 7 genestealers, and put 4 wounds on the stormlord, who's quite a crazy model himself.)

1 and 3 made me do some thinking on the drive home. With Ragnar being so strong, I don't think I'll often take another Wolf Lord. If I do, it will be the Krom Dragonze model above, who at 90 points is a cheaper version of Ragnar. I also, upon reading the codex a little more, realized the abilities provided to Rune Priests are something I'll strongly need to consider in my next list. However, I don't want to spend more $ on another model with so much in my pile of shame.

So, what was I to do? Well, the first SW I ever made was the standard nameless wolf lord out of the getting started box (one of the first photos in this thread). I was never going to use him in a battle. So... I chopped him up this afternoon to build a new Rune Priest for my army!

I present to you, Erling Skybreaker, Space Wolf Rune Priest. His two pyskers will be Living Lighting and Murderous Hurricane. Tried to paint him similar to the Ragnar model. CB, I used washing on parts of this model for the first time! BC, I tried to use the edging techniques you suggested. It's my first attempt at a serious base as well.

**brushcommando**

Cool rune priest conversion! Yes, I've also learned the hard way that you should never entirely yield your opponent the psychic phase if you can help it. Just having someone who can attempt to deny can really mess up and opponent's battle plan.

**JulietTango343**

Looks nice! I like the axe

that's unfortunate about your aggressors. Did they have flamers or bolters? If they had flamers I'm surprised they didn't eat the genestealers with overwatch. Also did you play 8th or 9th edition?

**416_SpaceWolves**

brushcommando wrote:Cool rune priest conversion! Yes, I've also learned the hard way that you should never entirely yield your opponent the psychic phase if you can help it. Just having someone who can attempt to deny can really mess up and opponent's battle plan.

The smite wasn't that annoying, it didn't hit often, and when it did it was just a wound. The chance at adding a wound back to the Stormlord every turn did hurt- that model took out my razorback, Ragnar at the end, and a squad of bloodclaws.

The teleport ability also helps with the rune priest, as I can hold them in reserve until after the first time, and strategically place them 18" from whomever I want to target with the two lighting/hurricane attacks.

JulietTango343 wrote:Looks nice! I like the axe that's unfortunate about your aggressors. Did they have flamers or bolters? If they had flamers I'm surprised they didn't eat the genestealers with overwatch. Also did you play 8th or 9th edition?

Thanks! I'm very proud of the axe!

They had flamers, and should have eaten the genestealers... as you mentioned this, I realized I didn't do overwatch, likely a major game defining oversight on my part.

It was 8th edition, haven't received the 9th yet.

**416_SpaceWolves**

Quick update from an evening of fun! I was reading a batrep, which featured Lukas the Trickster prominently. I then spent an hour or so just scrolling through different things about him. By lunch, I knew I had to have him. Space Wolves are entirely character driven, and who was I to not happily sit in the passenger seat and let them drive? However, I have restricted myself from buying any new models until all the ones I have (and those which are in the mail..) are built, primed, and finished.

SO- back to converting an old model I went! It's my first time playing with green stuff. Had to adjust the legs I cut in half, bring the torso together a bit better, add the classic Lukas facial hair to a standard blood claw face, and make his cloak. Currently, it looks very kitbashed and unfinished. I'm very excited to see what this looks like with paint. What you won't see in these photos is that I didn't like the angle of his wolf claw once I mocked his head in, so I've used GS to bulk up his shoulder joint and to push the arm out away from his face. When I put everything together later today, hopefully that will come through.

I also, last night, finished the Eliminators, Incursors, and started the Stormhawk. For the first two, I kinda rushed through, but just wanted something I'd be happy to have on a table. For both units, it was the first time I went full snow on the bases, and not included some gravel or others.

For the Stormhawk, I'm trying to think about what to include on the base, beyond just rocks and snow. I have a landspeeder storm that I don't want to finish or use... maybe it could be crashed?

**Captain Brown**

Keep at it 416_SpaceWolves.

Cheers,

CB

**416_SpaceWolves**

Updates from the last two evenings of modelling!

I decided I wanted another character in the list, so I turned a wolf guard I dropped into my own version of Lukas the Trickster. Photos to come soon.

Inspired by the great work of: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/774993.page I decided to introduce a "Werewulfen" type model into my army. I've built out a body of greenstuff, with some leftover bits from my thunderwolf kit. One arm will be a thunderclaw and bolt gun to have the weapons a "wolf lord on thunderwolf" would have. The left arm might be just an enhanced stormshield, but he might also carry a frost axe. I might try to build out my own data card for the guy. Not sure how I'll cover him so he isn't entirely nude.Would appreciate feedback or ideas

I also got two squads of storm legion troops on a good deal. Figuring they can "Count as" some DKK squads in my IG army. The scheme is wash heavy, and focused on brown. The bases will be done "muddyish" I did the helmets grey. Not sure if I'll keep it that way.

I'd appreciate your thoughts! Enjoy the gaming everyone.

**JulietTango343**

You might be able to fit him with spare marine shoulder pads, or maybe leman Russ treads strapped to his chest for crude armor, but otherwise I can't think of any bits that would help. If you have eliminator bits, you could cut the straps off the extra rifles and use them to link stuff together. You might also be able to greenstuff a loincloth of some kind.

**brushcommando**

Deathkorps samples look promising. I think the DkoK actually started as an offshoot of steel legion in codex: armageddon. I would recommend applying a second wash of each color onto the models, as this helps give you a more even color coveage on the models than a single one would, but they look good either way. Have you thought about the camo scheme for your tanks? Also, as one would be krieger to another, if your're going for mud on the bases, I would recommend using citadel's stirland mud texture paint, washed with agrax earthshade, and then overbrushed with Steel legion drab. Gloss varnish if you want it to appear wet. I used this on some of my guard and it looks the part pretty well. You can even apply it to the tank treads to make them look muddy.

Looking forward to what you paint next.

**416_SpaceWolves**

JulietTango343 wrote:You might be able to fit him with spare marine shoulder pads, or maybe leman Russ treads strapped to his chest for crude armor, but otherwise I can't think of any bits that would help. If you have eliminator bits, you could cut the straps off the extra rifles and use them to link stuff together. You might also be able to greenstuff a loincloth of some kind.

I like the idea of treads or pads.. will certainly explore my bits box. I'm thinking, as a larger version of a wulfen, it should have some type of armour similar.. while also having a more "werewolfy" vibe. Including a cool wulfen photo below. I'm quite proud of some of the greenstuff work, so I'm not sure I'd want to cover it up entirely. I keep going back and forth on this. Knowing me, I'll just fricking do something at somepoint, and live with it.

brushcommando wrote:Deathkorps samples look promising. I think the DkoK actually started as an offshoot of steel legion in codex: armageddon. I would recommend applying a second wash of each color onto the models, as this helps give you a more even color coveage on the models than a single one would, but they look good either way. Have you thought about the camo scheme for your tanks? Also, as one would be krieger to another, if your're going for mud on the bases, I would recommend using citadel's stirland mud texture paint, washed with agrax earthshade, and then overbrushed with Steel legion drab. Gloss varnish if you want it to appear wet. I used this on some of my guard and it looks the part pretty well. You can even apply it to the tank treads to make them look muddy.

Looking forward to what you paint next.

Happy to have your endorsement of the use of SL! Nice little historical fact as well. Yah, I've realized the benefit of taking and posting photos is that the areas which need a touch-up are easier to spot. I'll be touching up soon. I am doing mud on the base.. I have Vellejo's mud gel in the mail.. if that doesn't work out, I'll try your technique.

I haven't firmly landed on something for the tanks. I'm thinking two types of gray camo spray painted on, with touch ups for the LRs and Heavys, and then a light grey for the Chimeras. Maybe do some red accents. TBD.. What would you recomend?

**416_SpaceWolves**

Quick update.

I think I've finished the building of my "Wulfen Lord." I've added a loin cloth, gave his right hand a frost axe, and then added a storm shield. I've also written up a data sheet, based off the "Wolf Lord on a Thunder Wolf" with a little "Wulfen" sprinkled in. Would love feedback on it, is it over powered and under priced? Etc?

Also arrived today was my Necromunda Palantite Enforcer Kit. I've tried to kit them out to fit in as Wolf Scout proxies, to be part of my primaris list. I've built two as is, with their shotguns counting as astartes shotguns. The other two I've added bolters, and one gets to hold his combat knife. The Wolf Squad Leader gets a chainsword and a bolt pistol. Needed to filing and cutting to make the arms fit.

**brushcommando**

Ooh! I like the idea of using the arbites enforcers as SM scouts. The old scout models are beginning to show thier age a bit, and that helps modernize the look. Also, to answer you're earlier question, I was genuinely curious to draw inspirttion from your ideas of krieger tank camo. I myself settled for WW2 german field-grey drybrushed with vallejo green grey. I'm not sure how I felt about it...

Spoiler:

I'm also excited to see the flyer in space wolves colors. For some reason I thought the only flyer they had was one of those things that looks like half a castus assault ram.

**416_SpaceWolves**

brushcommando wrote:
Ooh! I like the idea of using the arbites enforcers as SM scouts. The old scout models are beginning to show thier age a bit, and that helps modernize the look. Also, to answer you're earlier question, I was genuinely curious to draw inspirttion from your ideas of krieger tank camo. I myself settled for WW2 german field-grey drybrushed with vallejo green grey. I'm not sure how I felt about it...

I'm also excited to see the flyer in space wolves colors. For some reason I thought the only flyer they had was one of those things that looks like half a castus assault ram.

That is a very krieg-ey tank! It looks great. I was thinking something similar to that, but maybe with more "two-tone" grey in a "Stripe" way... kinda like WW2 navy patterns.

Ask, and you shall receive! I wanted to keep it simple and clean. There are some touch-ups needed, but I like how it looks a bit different.

A few other updates:

Finished a dreadnought (much smaller than the new ones):

Finished the swift claws:

And, the scratch built lukas the trickster I did:

**416_SpaceWolves**

A quick update on the process of painting the steel legion counts as DKOK. It’s pretty bland and dark style, will be even more so once I’ve added mud to the bases and painted the rims black. However, I kinda like it. With the lighter grey tanks (TBD) it should be a nice looking army!

I’ve also kitbashed a wolf priest for the August painting challenge.

Built his priest thing out of a thunderhammer and imperial wing bit.

Built the jet pack out of mainly Lemman Russ sprue bits. In my head I think it’s a relic pack from old days.

**JulietTango343**

Dark and bland is perfectly valid. Gives a ww1 kinda vibe. Is the helmet going to stay white?

**416_SpaceWolves**

JulietTango343 wrote:
Dark and bland is perfectly valid. Gives a ww1 kinda vibe. Is the helmet going to stay white?

Exactly the vibe I'm looking for!

The helmets are Mechanicus Grey.. but do appear a bit white. I have been going back and forth on if I should do them black or metallic.

**416_SpaceWolves**

Quick update: wolf scouts made from Necromunda Palantite Enforcers.

Included a sniper scout for scale purposes. Used SW heads on four. Converted three to have scout weapons. The other 2 took the kits shotguns. Figure they can “count as astartes shotguns”

**brushcommando**

A lot of cool updates while I've been offline. I really like the palatine-scouts and the flyer. Death korps shaping up as well. I might try to darken the helmets with a black wash so they fit the grimy feel of the rest of the uniform, but that's just me. Keep up the good work!

**416_SpaceWolves**

Thanks all. I appreciated the comments on the helmets.

Re: Steel Legion pretending to be DKoK until my DKoK models arrive. Painted them with the "Khaki" from Valejero. I finished them with the acrylic gel mud, also per your suggestions. They look a lot better. Have really improved from the first photo I shared of them here.

I've also shared, in the background, a sneak peak at how I'm thinking I'll do the LR. The same khaki, plus Valejero "German Field Grey." With red accents in Citadel "Khorne Red." I wanted to go lighter, so that I could weather with mud etc and have it really jump.

Also, I've included some photos of my wolf priest for this month's painting challenge. Tried some new techniques. Edging doesn't look great.. might paint over with black and re-try with a newer smaller brush.

Other than that.. I kinda want to re-do the head. Any other thoughts?

**416_SpaceWolves**

Quick update- finished the first LR. C&C on the scheme please!

**JulietTango343**

Looks great

Only suggestion would be to maybe make the treads the same brown as the mud.

**brushcommando**

JulietTango343 wrote:
Looks great Only suggestion would be to maybe make the treads the same brown as the mud.

I concur. If you have ever seen the treads on construction dozers, they're pretty well covered in mud over every inch of tread. Color scheme looks good though. I like the french-style playing card markings.

**416_SpaceWolves**

JulietTango343 wrote:Looks great Only suggestion would be to maybe make the treads the same brown as the mud.

brushcommando wrote:
JulietTango343 wrote:
Looks great Only suggestion would be to maybe make the treads the same brown as the mud.

I concur. If you have ever seen the treads on construction dozers, they're pretty well covered in mud over every inch of tread. Color scheme looks good though. I like the french-style playing card markings.

Yes. I agree. Thanks both. It is really a stark contrast in the photos.

Should I run some different browns over them as a dry brush?

@brushcommando - thanks, its from a bolt action transfer sheet for a french tank!

I'd also add there is some significance to the choice of 88 for the tank squadron, my grandfather flew in the 88th in WW2.

**brushcommando**

Very cool. Nice to be able to connect some family significance to the hobby

As for the browns, I do find it helps to brush progressively lighter tones to achieve a dried mud effect. You'll probably want a mid tone like steel-legion drab or gorthor brown, and then end with almost a khaki color like color of the tank itself.

**416_SpaceWolves**

Hey everyone!! Long delay in an update. Long story short, changed jobs, have been crazy busy. Haven't got a lot of hobbying in, sadly. Hopefully doing a distanced game tomorrow with my space wolves vs some ad mech.

I *have* however done a lot of purchasing to grow the pile of shame. Below you'll see some evidence of this. 1. pile of DKOK stuff and a FW Raptor 2. Inquisitor Model which is slowly being put together... 3. test model for a small 500 pt DA successor I'm thinking through.. making them medieval/knighty monk order kinda. The hooded head, shoulder shield, and burning bible shoulder ensign are all 3D prints. A question for those who have given so much great advice to date: whats missing!

I have almost close to 3500 points of SW now I think.. I've added two full squads of blood claws, a rhino, a drop pod, a wolf priest, three more thunderwolf cavalry, and a Njall..

ALL models are 85% completed... either final details not painted, or the bases not finished... etc etc. Need some motivation to get stuff finished..

**brushcommando**

Pretty cool supply drop. It's too bad about not having much hobby time. I'm in the same boat. Decided to go back to college and get my degree and between that and work I don't really have much free time.

**FeistyRips**

Nice stuff in here, you've come a long way from when you started out!

The sculpted Wulfen Squad Leader looks like it was a hell of a lot of work but it paid off

I especially like the combat patrol game you played on the billiard table with improvised terrain! Soon, when Codex SM comes out I will start playing too. Until then, I have some more time to paint

Anyways, keep up the good work man!

**416_SpaceWolves**

Thanks to both brushcommando and FeistyRips!

The Wulfen Lord is out for paint right now, I'm very excited to see what he comes back like.

Figured I'd give y'all an update of my wolf pack! Over 3000 points (using battlescribe) of standard SM Space Wolves. This is since COVID shut down everything this summer, so I've been busy. Some models are built through and painted by me, some bought used from gaming stores and ebay and needing some finishing, and some bought finished (Ragnar and Njall)

There is an additional 700 points of Primaris Space Wolves on the right. I'll share that list some other day. It's pretty vanilla - suppressors, aggressors, eliminators, infiltrators, intercessors.

Spoiler:

**Captain Brown**

Nice work 416_SpaceWolves.

Cheers,

CB