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Pretty simple question for you guys in regards to the Space Wolf Formation, The Blackmanes. I like the initial look of this formation just for all the Drop Pods that could come down Turn 1, and I am liking the thought of running this with a Skyhammer Formation (With either IF or another Chapter Tactic) for larger point games to make a completely brutal Drop Pod Army. With that being said, I haven't had much success finding examples of it or how it is run personally, which is where you all come in. Looking for the following help with this formation:

* Ragnar Blackmane: Granted he isn't the greatest character, he is still very fluffy and he has the potential to do a lot of damage. Only thing I dislike about him really is his lack of a 2+ save, but other than that I'm good with him. Unless you think a Wolf Guard Battle Leader would be a more cost-effective option.

* Thunderwolf Cavalry, Wolf Guard, Wolf Guard Terminators: Currently leaning towards Wolf Guard in a Drop Pod, however can Space Wolf Terminators take one or would I have to use a CAD detachment in order to give them one to ride in? Considered sticking Ragnar with the Terminators to give him some extra survivability, but would sticking them in a LR variant be worth it with a Drop Pod list?

* Grey Hunters or Landspeeders: Already plan to go with Grey Hunters here, so no real need to dive into this other than how you all equip them. Currently planning on WGBL w/Comb-Melta, 2x Meltaguns, 7x Bolters per Drop Pod. Not sure if the CC weapon upgrade is worth it, then again it has been so long since I have even looked at the Space Wolves I am not sure what the best load-out is for them.

* Blood Claws, Skyclaws, Swiftclaes: This is the hard part of the list for me as I am not sure what route to go here. Blood Claws on Bikes is a solid option for the T5, but the advantage of having as many Drop Pod units as possible is also very tempting. Feedback Needed Here Definitely!

* Long Fangs and Wolf Scouts: For these two units, I plan to go cheap as much as possible. For the Wolf Scouts, I planned to just use them as objective holders and keep them cheap, with at most giving them Camo-Cloaks for the extra protection. For the Long Fangs, I am considering 4x Missile Launchers just for the flexibility, but I have heard the other options as well so if anyone has had success with a particular load-out please let me know.

That’s how things stand at the moment mates. Plan to run a Luna Wolves Drop Pod Army, as this way I can utilize different Army Rules and Chapter Tactics from the SW, BA, DA, and the Vanilla Chapters. This is what I am considering from the SW Codex, so if anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

I'd go for the Swiftclaws. They can move around and grab objectives and if you have too many drop pods you end up having issues placing them all depending on the board.

Hi

I am putting the final touches to my own Blackmane list. It's for a tournament with a LOT of cheesy lists. If it was for friendly I'd probably choose slightly differently.

I run a CoF formation alongside it with Wulfen Auxillary.

Personally I'm leaving Ragnar himself out. As much as I love his fluff and have a nice model for him, he just isn't worth his points. A wolf guard battle leader with equip saves over 100 points to be used elsewhere

Eleites - I've chosen wolf guard with combi plasmas and a single melta to pod down. We lack a decent punch in shooting so these guys can really help with that. Bye bye anything AP2 turn 1 hopefully... WGBL joins these guys for cc punch after they've shot their load

I have 2 full squads of GH with 2 meltas in each. So far they have managed to pop tanks, sentinels and such like. They have cc weapons too. One with a wolf standard. I've not needed them in combat yet but in the past they don't do badly

To fulfil the other slots I have a landspeeder with mm and one with a flamer. These are great annoyance units but haven't done a lot

I have 3 5 man blood claws with flamers. These so far have just sat on objectives as my current opposition are very infantry light. I am toying with changing one to a biker squad for extra mobility. This has yet to be an issue as I've always outnumbered my opponents so far

I have 2 long fangs with mm and the sergeant is bare with bolt pistol just for cc fun as I drop them down very aggressively. These guys are great for stripping super heavies of hull points and popping lighter tanks.

Wolf scout are with snipers and camo cloaks. They have been great for stripping hull points from light vehicles and also flyers. They are a great annoyance unit

Wulfen muderpacks = 2 TH, 2 great axe and 1 claws. These guys are simply stunning... I put them in pods from the CoF formation. They kill anything I point them at, normally in the same turn. 9 hull point super heavy = dead. Lucky scatter on the explosion meant they also survived...

Champions of Fenris formation =

I bare wolf guard battle leader. He joins a blood claw unit

2 servitors to fulfil the elite slots. These sit on objectives in the back

2 drop pods

4 Thunderwolves, 3 with SS, 1 bare and leader with a power axe. So far these have done very little as the Wulfen don't leave much left by the time they get anywhere! I want to find the points to fit in powerfists or thunderhammers but I don't know where to get them

My weaknesses are obviously flyers and psychic shenanigans.

I've faced a 3 flyer list and won twice. I've been lucky to go first so by turn 2 most of his ground forces were dead so when they came on I could just blaze away at his rear armour and get enough glances from bolters to take down 2 in the first game and one in the second. They couldn't do enough to change the game for him.

Not yet faced any psychic stuff...

It's a really fun list if a little unsubtle...