This is the squad I play with. These guys kick butt. I'll give info. and tell about the different types of Space Wolves there are.
Space Wolves are one of over a thousand Chapters of Space Marines that
maintain the age-long vigil against the enemies of mankind. One of the
original twenty Chapters created by the Emperor, the Space Wolves are known
throughout the galaxy for both their bravery and their ferocity.
The homeworld of the Space Wolves, and their only recruiting
place, is the ice world of Fenris. From the clans of barbarians the best
and bravest of the warriors are selected as worthy of becoming a Space
Wolf. To become a Space Wolf an initiate must undergo a rugged series of
trails, not the least of which is absorbing the geneseed of the Space Wolves.
If the young barbarian survives this ordeal he is deemed ready to begin
training in earnest.
In keeping with their own unique character, the organization
of the Space Wolves is different than that of any other Space Marine Chapter.
It is said that the Space Wolves developed their rugged individuality and
contempt for the "official" Space Marine guidelines laid out
in the Codex Astartes from their headstrong and battlekeen Primarch, the
legendary Leman Russ. Under the rule of a Wolf Lord, the Space Wolves are
broken into Great Companies. Each of these Great companies is divided into
several groups, each an expert at one certain aspect of combat.
The youngest and most hot-blooded of the Space Wolves
are gathered into packs known as Blood Claws. These fierce warriors will
take almost any risk to prove themselves in combat. Armed for hand-to-hand
these troops are renowned for the savagery of their charge - and few dare
to stand before them! In game terms Blood Claws are allowed to roll double
their attack dice in combat during a turn in which they charge!
The great mass of Space Wolf armies are made up with Grey
Hunter packs. These are strong and resolute fighters, tempered by battle,
yet still hungry for more honor! While still awesome in hand-to-hand combat,
most Space Wolf players use their Grey Hunter packs as a more flexible
mix of ranged and close combat weaponry. The close-in fighting is left
primarily to the Blood Claws, while the bolter-armed Grey Hunter packs
move into superior position and use bolter fire to wipe out any survivors.
The cunning battle ploys and extreme patience of the Grey Hunters distinguishes
them from the hot-headed packs of Blood Claws.
Many Space Wolves fall in battle, but those hoary veterans
who have survived and won honor become Long Fangs. A peculiar trait in
their geneseed causes a Space Wolf's canines to grow as they age, so the
term Long Fang is really quite literal!
These highly esteemed warriors are the heavy weapon support
for the rest of the Space Wolf army. With their vast life spans these ancient
Space Marines have survived countless battles, and so they are rarely if
ever rattled. Content to leave the hand-to-hand to the younger Space Wolves,
the Long Fangs prefer to sit back and use their array of heavy weapons
to gun down the foe from afar. Even enemy vehicles and Dreadnoughts are
not safe on the battlefield when there are Long Fangs about!
The bravest of all the warriors within each Great Company
are chosen to be battle-brothers of the Wolf Lord himself. This group forms
the Wolf Lord's personal bodyguard, and they are known (and feared) throughout
the galaxy as the Wolf Guard. Each member has earned the right to join
the Wolf Guard by committing some especially heroic and brave deed, so
the unit is invariably a mix of seasoned veterans, and hot-blooded youth
straight from the Blood Claws!
More so than any other pack, the Wolf Guard may be equipped
in any number of different ways. As the bodyguard to the Wolf Lord himself,
the Wolf Guard may even bare the legendary Space Marine Terminator Armour.
Equipped to fulfill any battlefield role, the Wolf Guard are easily one
of the most powerful squads in the 41st Millennium. Individual Wolf Guard
Champions may also join other packs to lead them into battle.
In addition to the Wolf Lord, who rules over all the Great
Companies, a Space Wolf army has several unique characters. Other Space
Marine Chapters have Apothecaries and Chaplains, but the Space Wolves have
Wolf Priests to perform the duties of both. Where Chapters that conform
more to the Codex Astartes have psychic Librarians, the Space Wolves have
Rune Priests. In addition, the technicians and mechanics of the Space Wolves
are known as Iron Priests.
Space Marine forces are meant to be fast and mobile, so
they can be deployed rapidly if need be. With this in mind, the Space Marines
rarely use vehicles and support in the same quantities as their slower
and more ponderous counterparts, the Imperial Guard. Having said this there
are a number of support devices that Space Marines have been known to bring
to battle - from the armored might of the Predator tank and living Dreadnoughts,
to the Rhino armored personnel carrier. Where speed is needed the Land
Speeder with its anti-gravitic motors can come in handy, or another option
might be mounting an entire pack of Blood Claw on bikes.
The Space Wolves Codex contains histories and
backgrounds for many special characters, including Ragnar Blackmane. The youngest Wolf Lord in the long history of the Space Wolves,
Ragnar's skill in close combat, his lethal berserk charge, and his mighty
battle howl make him a highly feared opponent.
Conventional Space Marine Chapters have Apothecaries
and Chaplains - the Space Wolves have Wolf Priests to fulfil the duties
of both. Here is a special character, Ulrik the Slayer - the oldest
of all living Space Wolves and a famed fighter!
My Space Wolves squad right now has:
2 Marines w/ Power Gloves & Storm Bolters
3 Marines w/ Chain Fists and Storm Bolters
2 Marines w/ Flamer and Power Gloves
2 Marines w/ Assault Cannon and Power Gloves
2 Rune Priests w/ Force Axe and Storm Bolters
1 Marine w/ Lighting Claws
1 Marine w/ Thunder Hammer and Force Shield
1 Cyclone Marine w/ Missile and Storm Bolter
1 Marine w/ Heavy Bolter and a Bolter
1 Marine w/ Chain Sword and Plasma Gun
1 Marine on a Motor Cycle w/ Bolter
2 Sergeants w/ Power Swords and Storm Bolters
2 Captains w/ Power Swords, Power Gloves, Grenade Launchers, and Storm Bolters
And Ragnar Blackmane
Psychic Squad:
3 Gray Knights w/ Nemesis Force Weapons
1 Ordo Malleus inquisitor w/ Psycannon and Force Rod
Chaos:
1 Captain w/Chaos Storm Bolter and Chaos Power Sword
The colors I use to paint my guys are:
Space Wolf Gray
Shadow Gray
Snake Leather Brown
Blood Red
Gold
Black
Gun Metal or any metallic color
Mauve
Purple
A flesh color
White
Brown Ink Wash
Black Ink Wash
Green
Last Updated May 20, 1999 by Branden D
