Could I get some help in equipping a unit of Space Wolves Wolf Guard?

[Captain Bubonicus]

Trying to piece together a decent list before I start gluing and painting - I've been collecting the parts for a "Great Company" detachment, but I'm having trouble keeping the points down to a reasonable level...there are just so many great options, and all of 'em are expensive as hell!

The sticking point seems to be the 10-man Wolf Guard squad...I'm having trouble coming up with something that isn't either an over-kill points sink or an under-powered "why did you even bother" unit.

Any suggestions from old Wolves about how to kit 'em out? I had originally gone assault-heavy, but a shooty unit might actually work better, yah?

[crazyredpraetorian]

Unless you have a bunch of extra models, I suggest you magnetize the arms on WG and TWC. I am constantly changing my lists and magnetizing is the way to go. That said, I have been running a mix of TH/SS, Wolf Claw/SS, Wolf Claw/ combi-melta, Hvy Flamer/power weapon.

[Captain Bubonicus]

I hear ya - those Wolf Claws are tasty(+1S, AP3, Shred)...but the 20 points a pop is killing me. How many in a 10-man unit, do you think? I had 4 in the original build + a TH/SS and a Frost Axe, but the unit ended up coming in at around 335 pts...too many eggs in one basket for this guy.

[40kGamer]

Prior to the new codex I loved Wolf Guard. Now I'm having a hard time finding where they comfortably fit into the army. I think magnetizing the arms is a great way to go as their role may evolve over time.

[Captain Bubonicus]

Mmm...I still have plenty of shootiness in other units, so maybe I'll just go with a smattering of "cheap" CC power weapons to try to keep the points cost as low as possible.

*edit*

Grrr...they're still 15 points a pop. There's no easy answer, is there?

[40kGamer]

Are you planning to pod them in, drive up in a Rhino/Land Raider or use one of the shiny new Fliers?

[Mr.Pickelz]

I'd think you'd be doing some sort of specialist theme with Wolf Guard. a couple are given Storm Shields (and that's it) and are use to tank wounds from Gav/plasma/etc... While you have models with combi plasma/melta to put some damage on tanks. It really depends on what your need is with the unit. Do you want a foot runner unit, drop pod tank hunters, etc?
Wolf Guards need a focus for success, they aren't a "I can do everything" style unit because you're not given enough time in a game to use all of those abilities, and some match ups would be worthless, a combi melta vs a Green tide for example. The Melta is wasted as your just killing a single ork, which equates to wasted points. Pick a direction to send the Wolf Guard in, and then assess what toys they will need to achieve that goal.

Storm Shield on two or three models helps, a combi-plas/melta helps with harder targets, while a couple of thunder hammers or power fists can help with tanks/TEQ (Terminator Equivalent) style units. A Wolf Claw helps with MEQ (Marine Equivalent) infantry. But when and where to put these shiny toys on your models depends on what you want your unit to do.
Sample unit: Tank Hunters
Ten models
2x Storm shields
3x Thunder hammers
7x Combi-Meltas
7x Melta Bombs
Transport: Drop Pod

This unit has every model being able to contribute to the goal of "tank hunting", this also works against monstrous creatures due to the high strength of Melta/Thunder hammer. If you want to save a little points, you could switch the Thunder hammers for Power fists. the model variety also gives way to modeling/painting possibilities with each member show casing their unique trait that they bring to the squad. the Stormshield dudes could be charging shield first, or using it to balance the Combi-melta for a shot, etc... Also with a unit like this it is important to note that the Thunder hammers/Power fists would not go onto the same model with the Storm shields. You want the Storm Shield model to tank wounds, and not be the intended target of the damage.

Edit: A smaller unit imo (in my Opinion) would consist of"
2x Storm shields
2x Thunder hammer/Power fists
5x Combi-Meltas
3x Melta bombs
Transport: Drop pod
This would allow you to attach a character to the squad if you really wanted to, and save on points, while retaining durability and the significant damage output towards Tanks and Monstrous Creatures.

[Captain Bubonicus]

Thanks - I'd been angling towards an assault unit because I already have plenty of anti-armor (lots of twin-lascannon Razorbacks). Unfortunately, I can't think of any good way to deliver an assault unit that doesn't include an expensive Land Raider as a battle taxi. I'd been leaning towards podding them in and taking the inevitable round of enemy fire before they could do anything - but that's when I started sweating about all the points I was putting into the unit...

[Mr.Pickelz]

Wolf Guard are expensive because of their "bad-assery" element.
For anti infantry/assaulter style unit, I'd leave out the Combi Meltas and give one or two Wolf Claws, or a Frost Sword/Axe. The trick is to keep them small, the less models, the less points investment per model. Wolf Guard are great character units, tossing in Ragnar or an appropriately kited Wolf Lord (without Thunderwolf Mount) would be a great addition.
Sample unit:
2x Storm shields (if you have points, give these guys melee Power/Frost weapons)
2x Single-Wolf Claws
1x Thunder hammers/Power fists
4x Melta Bombs
Transport: Drop pod/ Stormfang Gunship (the one with the BFG on the front)
This gives you a really good reliable assault unit, small models, can hurt everything in melee, and with the Storm shield models placed correctly you're able to take some punishment back. The Stormfang seems like a weird option, however it does hold 6 models, so you could toss a character in the unit, and have a good gunship after deploying cargo. Drop pods are nice and quick ways of tossing that unit up fast, this paired with ThunderWolf Calvary can give you a nice "shock and awe" strategy, as you're tossing multiple good targets at your opponent. Depending on opponent, you could get away with tossing the Wolf Guard mid-field to match the first turn of movement of the Thunderwolves, this would saturate the middle of the board with multiple good shooting targets, while units like Long Fangs sit back, giving your opponent an issue of dividing firepower.

[Captain Bubonicus]

OK - that looks very nice! Thanks - I'll get to pointing it up and gluing 'em together.

[Houghten]

The Stormfang seems like a weird option, however it does hold 6 models, so you could toss a character in the unit, and have a good gunship after deploying cargo.

What you can't do, however, is take a Stormfang as part of the Great Company formation. It's not a dedicated transport option for anybody, even though both Razorbacks and Stormwolves are.

[40kGamer]

Thanks - I'd been angling towards an assault unit because I already have plenty of anti-armor (lots of twin-lascannon Razorbacks). Unfortunately, I can't think of any good way to deliver an assault unit that doesn't include an expensive Land Raider as a battle taxi. I'd been leaning towards podding them in and taking the inevitable round of enemy fire before they could do anything - but that's when I started sweating about all the points I was putting into the unit...

Unless you can tempt your opponent into targeting some of the other parts of your army 1 podding unit is going to get wiped pretty quickly. That said I do prefer podding in as it makes for fun, fast games. Mr Pickelz units look really solid. I personally prefer the thunder hammer over the power fist as the drop to I1 can be game saving with all the awful stuff running around the table these days.

[Captain Bubonicus]

Yeah, I appreciated his input - I was packing too many "gee-whiz" gadgets into the squad, when the truth is that 3 or 4 is plenty for a 10-man squad. This way I can keep the points down!

The cool thing about the Great Company formation (and the other, regular SW formation) is the chance for the many troop units to gain the "outflank" rule before deployment. Hopefully, an outflanking squad or two would tempt my opponent into splitting his fire and not concentrating on the 'podders.

[40kGamer]

Yeah, I appreciated his input - I was packing too many "gee-whiz" gadgets into the squad, when the truth is that 3 or 4 is plenty for a 10-man squad. This way I can keep the points down!

I always count on losing upwards of half a 10 man squad in the drop so keeping some cheap and cheerful models to the front can help you max out the points. One build that works for me with podding

1 x CC Wolf lord (or other IC)
2 x Stormshields and Combimeltas
2 x CombiMeltas
2 x Meltabombs
1 x Wolf Claws
1-2 x Thunderhammer or Powerfist

I use at least 5 pods.

When you pod in place the Wolf Lord to the front with the 4x Combimeltas equidistant and the others bringing up the rear. You use the Wolf Lord to tank wounds and pass things off with Look Out Sir to the 2 x SS or 2 x CM guys. You should be podding in where you use the 4 x Combimeltas the turn you arrive so these become the extra wounds for the Lord while your killy melee guys are ready to pounce next turn. You have to adjust deployment a bit if the enemy has loads of interceptor (Tau) or tons of Barrage templates.

Also if you are giving up the objective secured troops by going with a different FOC the Champions of Fenris FOC gives WG some tasty bonuses. :)

[Blood Shadow]

1 x CC Wolf lord (or other IC)
2 x Stormshields and Combimeltas
2 x CombiMeltas
2 x Meltabombs
1 x Wolf Claws
1-2 x Thunderhammer or Powerfist

I use at least 5 pods.


If you took a WG Battle Leader the points you'd save would pay for some empty pods to ensure your full pods can all come in turn one!

I really like the idea of Jump Packs, Storm bolters, Melta bombs and Wolf Claws, a ridiculously expensive unit even in a 5 man squad....

10 WG, 20 str4 shots at 24" with a 36" threat range, plus a 12" charge threat with either WS5 Str5 shred or Str8 Armour bane... Given them a StormWolf for ridiculousness..... :)

Of course even just a few guys armed like this can really make a difference...

[Captain Bubonicus]

I appreciate the input - getting the right amount of special equipment (but not too much) is a tricky thing...

I think the main problem I'm running into, though, is that it's almost impossible to shoehorn that "Great Company" formation into 2000 points and have it be anything but masses of vanilla-armed Space Wolves (which maybe ain't too bad, eh?). Maybe I should stop trying and just resign myself to running it at 2500 points...