The OTHER Space Wolves HQ Choices
Let’s talk a bit about Space Wolves HQ. I think everyone’s envisioning “all Rune Priests - all the time”, but there are some darn good HQs that just aren’t getting the attention they deserve.
WOLF PRIEST
What You Get: Think “Chaplan ++” when you hear Wolf Priest. They are nearly identical to the standard Space Marine Chaplain (exact same price, stats and wargear) with a few minor changes.
The most important of which is Oath of War. This little ability gives the Wolf Priest (and attached unit) Preferred Enemy against one type of unit (infantry, monstrous creatures, etc.) named at the beginning of the game. This is SOOOOO much better than Liturgies of Battle.
They have a few more wargear options (Runic Armor, Wolf Tail Talisman and Wolftooth Necklace) and a few different wargear prices (Terminator armor is 10pts cheaper, combi-weapons are 5pts less and jump pack is 10pts more). They also have the ability to take a Saga (Beastslayer, Hunter, Wolfkin and Warrior Born).
What to Expect: You are going to see the Wolf Priest most often with a jump pack attached to Skyclaws (Power Weapon/Fist, Meltagun and MotW). Less often you’ll see him on a Bike with some Swiftclaws. Both units combine Berserk Charge with Oath of War into something like the 40K equivalent of a threshing machine.
Dirty Trick #1: Saga of the Hunter is a nice addition to the Wolf Priest and the Wolf Guard Battle Leader. This let’s them to outflank with Wolf Scouts. If you feel lucky on that 3+ die roll, you can bring a Wolf Priest, Wolf Guard Battle Leader, some Wolf Scouts (2 Power Weapons and MotW) with a Wolf Guard buddy (MotW) into your opponent’s backfield for a pretty reasonable price. Ouch.
WOLF LORD
What You Get: This is Space Wolves equivalent of a Space Marine Captain. Same price and similar statline (+1A), but no 4+ Invulnerable. The Iron Halo is definitely missed but can be purchased for a hefty 25pts in the form of a Belt of Russ.
The wargear is pretty similar with some very strange changes. Storm Shields have doubled in cost for a power-armored Wolf Lord. (A pretty good indication that GW feels they underpriced the Storm Shield.)
They have different options (no digital weapons, no hellfire rounds, no relic blade but you can have a Wolftooth Necklace, Wolf Tail Talisman and a couple of Fenrisian Wolves instead). Plus a Saga.
A couple of other minor surprises Wolf Claws are 20pts (instead of the expected 15), Runic Armor is a bit more than I expected, and Mark of the Wulfen is a hefty 15pts (very expensive for a model with a base Attack of 4). I was also sad to find Saga of the Hunter missing from the Wolf Lord and also disappointed that a second Wolf Claw is so expensive (unless you are in Terminator Armor). Thunderwolf Mounts are 10pts more than bikes; giving you an interesting but pricey option for your Wolf Lord.
What to Expect: There should be a cheap Wolf Lord in most armies, but don’t expect to see them until the “shiny” wears off of Rune Priests. When they come, they’ll come in two varieties: The power armored version with a Frost Blade, maybe Belf of Russ with Saga of the Bear (or Warrior Born). This is a pretty cheap killing machine. The second is the Wolf Lord in Terminator Armor with twin Wolf Claws (and generally Saga of the Bear, Beastslayer or Warrior Born). The former in a Reedemer with Grey Hunters and the latter in a Crusader with Wolf Guard.
Being able to have a 2+/4+ character with Eternal Warrior is an awesome option, but it’s expensive. Space Wolves are going to LOVE Apocalypse!
I’m hoping to see a few Wolf Lords on Thunderwolves (mostly because I think they’ll look awesome). A S5 T5 Rending Wolf Lord with Fleet and a 12” assault is attractive, but he’ll definitely need a Belt of Russ to survive (although Wolfkin and Warrior Born would be fun too).
Dirty Trick #2: Arjac is a Wolf Guard. That means you can attach him to other units for some nastiness. Grey Hunters and Blood Claws can both benefit from this Thor cline. Were your sense “acute” enough to notice that he’s Stubborn? As an upgrade character he doesn’t lose Stubborn when he joins a unit, so it looks like a nice little perk for spending the mega points on Arjac.
Edit: Fixed a reference to Wolf Scouts. Arjac’s Terminator Armor prevents him from joining Wolf Scouts.
MY 2 CENTS
Don’t miss out on the Wolf Priests. They are awesome.
I’ve been tinkering with a few Space Wolves lists and I’m becoming really partial to the idea of having a Wolf Priest and two Rune Priests (with Jump Packs and maybe a Chooser of the Slain) in a 2,000pt army. I’m trying to put more models on the table in my next couple of lists (just to see how Space Wolves do en masse), so that means no Land Raiders and no special characters.
I also want to see how the 18pt Skyclaws work (Assault Marines with a Meltagun? Yes, please!), especially with a Tempest’s Wrath (or TWO!) playing havoc with my opponent’s ability to maneuver.
Last Thought: Is it wrong of me to want to buy a transport for my Long Fangs just so my Lone Wolves have something to ride in? I’m dreaming of an Eternal Warrior, Feel No Pain monstrocity (with a Thunderhammer or Power Fist that re-rolls to-hits against walkers, monstrous creatures and T5+) barreling toward your lines for less than 100pts.
Edit: that last paragraph originally included a comment about using the Long Fang’s Drop Pod. That was a brain fart on my end — my greedy eyes missed the “dedicated” word in the transport heading.
If you are crafty enough to find the Flywire, then I’d love to hear your comments!
