We now have an onslaught of information about the new Space Wolves rules in the Curse of the Wulfen supplement, due to a teaser video which allows us to see the rules of the new formtions, plus confirmation on a new codex, which is a digital only. Also here I'm going to touch on two of the new entries; the Iron Priest's updated rules and the Wolfkin (a new formation for fenrusian wolves).
The teaser video can be seen here, and someone has kindly freeze framed and captured the images on Imgur here, which makes it possible to click on each image and zoom in slightly to read the rules.
Other information that has come out yesterday is a pre-order on Black Library for the Space Wolf Codex: Wulfen Edition (link here). This codex is a digital only exclusive, and takes the existing Space wolf codex and adds the new Curse of the Wulfen Space Wolf rules, including all the new dataslates and formations.
This would make this the cheapest way to get access to the new Space Wolf rules, with the tablet (android) edition being £22.
All this information gives us a very good idea of what the Space Wolves are getting rules wise:
- 7 New Formations
- 4 New Dataslates, for Wulfen, Wolf Lord Krom, plus updated rules for Ulrik and the Iron Priest
- 6 New Great Company Formations
- A "Decirion" style detachment called the Wolf Claw's Strike Force
The Great Company formations are a bit big, requiring a large number of units, however they do not require the specific Wolf Lord, and can instead be run by a Wolf Guard Battle Leader. Some of the benefits are quite good (eg. units get free drop pods and they all come in turn 1, or units can disembark after a vehicle has moved 12"), but I'll have to look at them more closely to see if they are worth the heafty points investment, and can compare them to the straight forward but very nice +1 WS for Wolf Guard and Thunderwolf Cav from the Champions of Fenris' detachment (Company of the Great Wolf).
I now want to look at two of the updates close to my heart, first up the Iron Priest.
Iron Priest Update
The first thing you notice is that he has gone up 20 points, but then you notice that he has moved from Elites to HQ, and that his stats have improved. As well as his WS increasing to 5 he also has doubled in wounds to 2 and gained a point of leadership. The extra wound is huge, plus the extra WS will come into effect often, overall very much worth the 20 point increase. His change also puts the Iron Priest in even more direct competition with the Wolf Guard Battle Leader. The Iron Priest is 25 points more, but comes with a Thunderhammer and Servo arm for weapons, plus having Runic armour, while having one less Initiative (nearly irrelevant when using a Thunderhammer).
A Wolf Guard Battle Leader with a Powerfist and Runic Armour is 100 points. Both Strike at Initiative 1 with their weapons, the Wolf Guard Battle Leader, and they have the same attacks in combat because although the Wolf Guard Battle Leader has one extra attack on his profile the Iron Priest's Thunderhammer and Servo Arm are both specialist weapons so can be used together to get +1 attack.
The move from Elites to HQ is an issue for people using the Company of the Great Wolf detachment from the Champions of Fenris supplement which requires 2 Elite units. Previously the Iron Priest was the go to option. Luckily the new Wulfen unit is an Elites slot to help here.
The other big changes to the Iron Priest is the cost of Cyberwolves. Previously they were 15 points each, but now they have
As pointed out by aracersss in the comments section Cyberwolves have not changed in cost - I looked to quickly at a slightly blurred number :( So every thing is as usual and I think cyberwolves will still be joining Iron Priests in battle
One of the main uses for an Iron Priest was to mount him on a thunderwolf, give him 4 cyberwolves and join him to a thunderwolf cavalry unit, giving them a 2+ save tanker with some ablative wounds to Look Out Sir any nasty hits to. Now I've been correctly informed that cycberwolves are still 15 points this tactic will be sure to continue :)
It's quite ironic when my painting table has 4 (high elf) lions for cyberwolves, which will quickly be reassigned as leaders of fenrusian wolf packs or character fenrusian wolves:
Wolfkin Formation
One of the unintended ways that formations are great is that they gets units out of a CAD's (or simular detachment's) limit on particluar slots, eg. in my necron army I use a Havest and Destroyer Cult formations, effectively using 5 Fast Attack slots which would not be possible in a normal CAD (Combined Arms Detachment).
At the moment I use Thunderwolf Cav, Fenrusian Wolves & Skyclaws (I know, but I like them) as my 3 Fast Attack units, this formation would free up a Fast Attack slot to allow me the option of putting in a second Thunderwolf Cav unit (or splitting up the existing one into two units). So how good is the formation ?
It consists of 2-5 Fenrusian Wolf units, which is quite flexible as they can come in units of anywhere from 5 to 15. They gain Monster Hunter, which is ok, but their low strength will make them struggle against most monstrous creatures. They gain Outflank, I've never been too much of a fan, but 5 wolves to gain line breaker might be useful.
The big benefit is that the units can all join together to form an Alpha Pack, and additionally when they do they all get +1 attack if the units if 20 models or more. Now keeping this unit over 20 models will be hard if the enemy fires at them, as they only have a 6+ save, but it will force the enemy to choose between them and the thunderwolves.
I already use a max size unit of fenrusian wolves with Canis, who boosts the fenrusian wolves in two ways already. When he's with them they reroll to hit in the first round of combat, plus (because of his warlord trait) he gives them furious charge if he's within 12" at the start of the assault phase). I was thinking Canis with 5 units of 5 wolves, which would give 100 attacks, rerolling to hit, at Str5. Now this will rarely happen, what opponent wouldn't put some fire into such a large unit ? Killing 7 models would reduce all the remaining models attacks by 1 each. However a swarm of 8 point models can be underestimated in both their hitting power and speed compared with other threats like a drop podded Murderfang, Thunderwolf Cavalry, and even Assault Marines accompanied by a Iron Priest on a Thunderwolf. I just have to paint up some more fenrusian wolves, and unfotunately I use old Khorne hound models for mine, but I think I have a few more lying around.
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| [My "Fenrusian Wolves" can be seem on the right of the pic] |
So overall there's lots to take in with the new information about the Space Wolves release, and I'm looking forward to having a more in depth look at all the other formations.
What part of the Space Wolf release is most exciting for you ? Which models are looking forward to getting on the battlefield ?
Rathstar
Post Edited 8th Feb to correct the cost of the cyberwolves for the Iron Priest