Space Wolves Army Lists: Competitive Review + Tactics - Space Wolf Codex Strategy Guide

[@romangagg5328]

the biggest strength of wolves comes with their characters, and their biggest weakness is getting into combat, so a 2k point list i drew up was 4 drop pods, one jam packed with HQs and the other 3 filled with blood claws, basically assault marrines. with the points left over for intercessors to make sure we have units on the field and we get 3 battalions. does quite poorly against hoarde armies, but against gunlines its impeccable.

[@mikedewberry5833]

Three different list which is nice. Be interested in your Deathwatch lists in the future. As usual quality videos.

[@TheDBall73]

Most my list are something like the third list... I try to cover all my bases and it just doesn't seem to work out all that well, (I rotate characters around). The first list... like you said, cost a LOT in real money... but also it doesn't have a SW feel. Primaris Marines just don't fit into SW that well. They COULD, if they were allowed weapon options like Grey Hunters... they can carry such a variety of weapons, ranged and CC, that is what defines SW in my opinion. How they are nearly all different and NOT uniform at all. Primaris Marines inability to customize their weapons is just such a downer for a SW player.

[@tardigrade8019]

One of the big problems with the primaris for me is their names. It might seem like an inconsequential thing, but the Space Wolves pretty much completely ignore the orginazational aspects of the codex. But for some reason they just follow Guillimans orginazational structure for the primaris. There are no Primaris Blood Claws, Grey Hunters, Long Fangs or Wolf Guard. Only the Wolf Lord and Battle Leader. Its really frustrating.

[@ha-kx9we]

The goal is to be competitive, not to make casual lists;) Those are just two ways to play wh40k

[@ha-kx9we]

@@tardigrade8019 deeply agree with that. I'm in a w8 and see stance, until they finished doing the general stuff and can make more chapter focused models

[@hellsong23]

The biggest piece of advice for Space Wolves is don't glance past the Heroic Intervention phase. As long as your opponent hasn't based you, always look for positioning. There are some epic gaming moments to be had from heroic intervention.

[@kajatta_]

I'm thinking the Wolf Guard Terminator Spam (each with SB and Heavy Weapon) and Thunder Wolfs, with mix of HQ is going to be quite effective. Take mid field shoot, and charge onto objectives

[@user-ft7fy3wh4b]

i was thinking about a list with 20x wulfen 3x warsuit and priests

[@IainK76]

Just started to build an impulsor rush list. Although won't be in a rush to buy all those impulsors :(

[@sirdanthechipwright821]

I've already bought 3, but I just can't stomach buying 3 more. For the time being I'm subbing with 3 axe/shield dreads, Incursors and blood claws in a rhino to fill out a second battalion. Obviously the dreads aren't as fast as the Impulsors, but similarly difficult to bring down

[@bodger8055]

Fantastic video with some great lists. I really like the idea of running invictor warsuits and starting them far up the board to get into combat as fast as possible. If anything it should help give the SW characters and Wulfen some time to get into charge territory.

[@hellsong23]

Tremendous video! Man, it's murder not being able to play lol! Mind if I post an old school list I'm thinking about (I'm not competitive...but I do play competitively lol!) Two of the longest serving and experienced sons of Russ are overseeing a rather brash and reckless company of wolves. Battalion Bjorn the Fell-handed - Helfrost Cannon (181) Njal in Terminator Armour (125) 2 x Grey Hunters (5) (120) 1 x Blood Claws (5) w/ WGPL - TH/SS (60 + 32 = 92) Murdefang (125) Wulfen (5) - Frost Claws, 2x TH/SS, 2xGreat Frost Axe (180) Long Fangs (5) - 2x Missile Launcher, 2 x Heavy Bolter (125) Stormwolf - 2x lascannon, skyhammer (260) Stormfang - skyhammer, missiles (237) Outrider Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf - Saga of the Hunter, Mastercrafted Wolf Claws (106) Thunderwolf Cavalry (5) - TH/SS, 4 x Chainsword/SS (241) 2 x Fenrisian Wolves(5) (60) Outrider Wolf guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf - Saga of the Beastslayer, Wrymsplitter, Storm Shield (101) 3 x Cyberwolves (45) 1998pts The Grey Hunters and Claws are pretty much screening material, willing to give their lives to the heroes. (and it's always awesome to Lone Wolf the pack leader!)

[@headlockjake156]

Grail I like the list but I’d ditch the bottom for some wulfen or a rune priest and such

[@hellsong23]

@@headlockjake156 Really appreciate the feedback ^^. My army changes depending on what day it is lol (and more importantly what models I own HAHA!) I love my cyberwolves. I use them as markers or smite / deepstrike mitigation! They are very loyal and never question a command! I have 1 unit of Wulfen. Sometimes, my army feels like it has just far too many close combat units (because we all know how good they are!) but they are nothing more than target practice to most armies. I much prefer to be able to whittle down armies on my way to them and mop them up in the last 3 devastating rounds! Once in, they have tons of movement to stay in combat. And the battle leader makes wounding easier if fighting big enemies!

[@headlockjake156]

Grail no it’s a valid idea but wulfen are just real mist adds and rune priests have storm caller which I’d consider to be one of the best spells in the game

[@hellsong23]

@@headlockjake156 Well Njal is a Rune Priest last I looked so I would have that spell on the table. And I do have 1 unit of Wulfen (usually in the Stormwolf) . I'm not into spamming the same units because it's a heavy investment in cheese that can backfire 2 weeks later when they get faq'd haha. It also severely limits your tactical approach. Going all in on a unit doesn't leave much room for a plan B. I find the Wolves to be one of the most technical armies out there. The more options you have to react, the better. I won't be trying to use all the powerful strats as there aren't enough CP to do so (boo), but since I am trying to get into combat, different scenarios play out as that plays out. I'm happy there are more strats for these different scenarios and units now. GW try to design the game to avoid unit spam, so in the spirit of the game, I avoid it too. (Although if I do get 2 units of Wulfen, it could make for a pretty mean elite army lol!) :)

[@jordancole9374]

The wulfen list definitely needs a jump pack rune priest just to get the minus 1 to hit stratagem on the three wulfen units. You have so many cp that the 3cp cost isn’t so bad. You’d need to swap out the battle leader for him but I don’t think he’s that important.

[@danmcdonough]

Keen senses is pretty good against flyers for the first list.

[@FutureTense10]

im surprised you didn't mention suppressors to remove overwatch, I use 2 units of them and they've done wonders for me, granted im not very competitive but when something like tau isn't able to overwatch you it sure does help when your Tcav hit their lines.

[@user-hi1mj4mc3w]

would be great to hear what strats you think have the most synergy with the different lists, cheers :)

[@Connordaboss45]

2 venerable dreadnoughts with shields and a murderfang behind them. Making it near impossible to stop the murderfang from reaching and killing everything. Throw in an iron priest to make sure. That's like only 500pts and 1 detachment

[@Connordaboss45]

(Murderfang is a character btw)

[@sirdanthechipwright821]

Basically what I'm doing but a 3rd shield dread instead of murderfang. Should go nicely with 3 impulsors and a rhino stuffed with blood claws

[@paulkerr7320]

A better plan the 2 venerables is 2 Wulfen dreds they are cheaper and hit just as hard. or they can be the same prices with wolf claw and heavy flamer...

[@Connordaboss45]

@@paulkerr7320 they dont have a feel no pain

[@sirdanthechipwright821]

They don't have a fnp or smoke launchers. Both being absolutely vital to keeping their slow chonky butts alive. This is what breaks the deal for me and Wulfen dreads

[@EternalQuestion]

The first list is pretty good, but I think you should take a smash lord instead of the primaris guy. Give him a TH/SS, SotWK and Wulfen Stone, he will outdamage Ragnar vs. big targets. Also pairs well with the smash battle leader and covers your weakness against flyers. Secondly, I wouldn't take Arjac without any wolf guard to receive his buff. I'd spend his points on a rune priest with jump pack instead, to help cover your advance with storm caller and make those impulsors even more obnoxious to kill.

[@jakevaughn7656]

3rd list is similar to what I run as my main list Harald Deathwolf (warlord) Standard wolf Priest Standard rune priest terminator Bjorn w/ twin las Battle leader on thunderwolf Pack or 4 thunderwolves TH SS Pack of 3 with PF Frost Axe and SS 5 Puppies Long Fangs with 2 missile, 2 Las, 1 Heavy bolter 5 wulfen Murderfang Ven dread with twin las and missile 2x5 grey hunters 10 blood claws with termie I Havnt lost with this list, though i havnt updated it yet for SOTB so we will see

[@nofuxgivens2797]

I'm going to try a 3 battalion list Wolves and Watch...one wolf Battalion with the calvary and blood claws will be stalker pack...battle leader on Thunderwolf is warlord Ragnar Primaris Wolf Priest Phobos Rune priest(obscuration discipline) Iron Priest on Thunderwolf-hellfrost pistol and tempest hammer Battle leader on Thunderwolf-storm shield, power axe (upgrade to IronFang of Ammgrimgul), saga of the savage 3x5 Incursors 2x5 Intercessors w/AutoBolters and hammer 10 Blood Claws-wolf guard w/hammer/shield, fist on pack leader 2x Impulsors with shield domes, hvy stubber 1 drop pod Watch Master Primaris Librarian 5 man Intercessor kill team w/stalkers/chainsword 10 man Intercessor kill team- 8 Intercessors w/auto bolters, sgt-auto/fist, 1 aggresor 5 veterans-sgt +4 vets w/storm bolters/shields

[@nofuxgivens2797]

I figure I can run the characters on Thunderwolves near the impulsors. The phobos Librarian can slingshot incursors with psychics. I can deep strike the Intercessors kill team and pop bolt storm.

[@TheMopnomore]

My lists have been trying to use twc as the big melee threat. With the strat to make wolf guard deal mortals on 6s, and 7 attacks per model on the charge you can get a lot of mortals with chainswords and a hammer. Shields make them relatively tough, transhuman helps and running with the wolf priest to get +2 on charges and heals. 2 units of 5 supporting a 4 impulsor list is very difficult to choose a target

[@thetragicallyripped1]

TheMopnomore auspex tactics made a good video comparing thunder wolf cavalry vs wulfen. Basically the wulfen beat out twc in almost every situation for points and overall damaged. Twc are great for rule of cool for sure as I don’t like the wulfen models very much. Overall though, you need stratagems and lots of resources or lists tailored/dedicated to make twc “ work” while wulfen just murder everything very efficiently without as much resources dedicated to them

[@Stormtalus]

Auspex any thoughts on how to make use of the stalker specialist detachment? Also best ways to use a Storm Wolf?

[@hellsong23]

They need backing up with long range firepower. (Stormfang / wolf maybe) That way, you can damage a unit so you can activate the stratagem easier. If you include 2 Battle leaders in your battalion, they benefit from this too. I would avoid the temptation of giving them thunderhammers (Ironfang and / or wyrmsplitter are fine) but defo stormshields. Put the thunderhammers on wolf guard pack leaders. But don't tank with them. Let claws dies and Lone Wolf the pack leaders if you get chance (they will get +2 attacks on a charge and hit like trucks, making them mini heroes!). Like most strats for wolves, use them if the opportunity presents itself as opposed to playing trying to pull it off. Claws are best as a screen, but if they are too low threat to your opponent, then you have a very nice strat to help them punch above their weight. Saga of the Beastslayer on one of the battle leaders would make this more so! They are pretty low power level, so in the perfect storm you can get a flurry of +1 to hit (rerolling failed hit rolls with overwhelming impetuosity strat), with +1 to wound (+2 in a Beastslayer aura against big things). With 6's scoring extra hits and -1AP, chainswords are rather good. For fun you can include Lucas the Trickster if you want to put your Battle leader somewhere else but still give Claws reroll 1s Not tried Skyclaws, Swiftclaws or Reivers but I think that starts going into the realms of actually trying to pull off some sort of grand design.

[@joecouture1880]

So quick question; for the rule of three, are dedicated transports like Impulsors immune to that?

[@macharim]

Yes.

[@Ulfhednir9]

Would Murderfang be competive? Like bjorn is a character so can't be targeted and with touch of the wild can even kill knights

[@andrevanas85]

murderfang is really strong. Just make sure you screen him with shield dreads or impulsors and he will do some work

[@Ulfhednir9]

@@andrevanas85 was thinking about using him and bjorn in infantry /rhino+raider rush lists

[@Ulfhednir9]

@@andrevanas85 thank you :)

[@CarlosSC10]

Great video as always, but Im trying towrite down your Impulsor list and its something about 2040 points man.

[@auspextactics]

Really? Not sure where I've made the error there, thought it was just under. If so the easiest fix is to just drop a wulfen I guess

[@BecXke]

@@auspextactics you can't bring 6 wulfen with TH & SS, you need to bring at least one pack leader with frost claws, so 5+1 wulfen which will be 2002 points total.

[@janfolch5779]

Thanks!!! :D

[@ha-kx9we]

Imo the impulse list lacks of a psyker.also I would like to have a second smash captain and one less Impulsor.

[@paulkerr7320]

I had a mad idea for a list before you posted this with 3 10 man units of WG Terminators with bolt/shield clocking in 810 pts. With -1 ap and explosions in assault doctrine and usuing teh mortal wound strat for damage increase they seem surprisngly brutal and 120 bolt shells a turn at 24" is not to be sniffed at. Flank denial, a castle unit thats really obnoxious to get rid of support them with a CC terminator rune preist for a 1+/3++ and a fighter with 10 attacks at S5 -3/4ap and you are causing some signifacnt headaches...

[@tronicmighty8843]

Can you do a other one of this with chaos space marine?

[@KillerOrca]

To be honest these arent just competitive, they fit the style of the Wolves. Especially the Wulfen Charge. Just...literally yeet a bunch of coked up wolf-men with thunderhammers into the enemy and watch the bones FLY.

[@mrdraken87]

you are falling into the trap that too many do with your army lists for wolves. you are not providing long range support to back up your heavy hitters. we are NOT a smash list army. we are hunters. we use long range firepower to pick off threats, mid range fire to fully engage the enemy. and deadly combat units to fully break them. wulfen. whatever. especially in this edition... you NEED to support your combat units, or they will never ever get in..... AND you need to have the firepower to back them up.

[@jordancole9374]

I have to disagree here... all our special rules and most of our relics and stratagems are focused on close combat. Our characters are all also focused on close combat or support for close combat (except MAYBE a rune priest). If you’re gonna play wolves and you want the most out their rules you unfortunately just need to commit to close combat. Our only unique shooty units are long fangs, storm wolves and maybe plasma terminator bombs and none of these are really that good in my experience. I think space wolves SHOULD be focused more on mid range firepower AND assault (like they used to be) but that’s just not what all the rules are telling us to do anymore.

[@mrdraken87]

@@jordancole9374 but thats not true. We have great support for our shooting units in strats and such. (Long fangs specifics etc) yes. We def lean more to close combat. But the mistake people continue to make is only going that way. And then complaining they get shot off the board. You need the firepower to back up our heavy hitters. Or our amry just falls down.

[@hellsong23]

@@mrdraken87 You are so right mate. Cannot like this enough! If you go all in on melee (and let's face it, it's an easy trap to fall into) then you are stuck in the rut of a zerging army and Space Wolves get the unfair label of bezerkers (Blood Claws and Wulfen exception lmao!). With long range support (I posted an example on here) you have more flexibility, you can weaken the enemy as you approach. And a weakened enemy is much easier to hunt. Once we are in combat they are amazing, with so many hits and some game changing movement shenanigans but it boggles my mind folk moaning it's too difficult to get into combat. Of course it is, if you are purely about the Thunderhammer! It would be a crazy unbalanced game if it was as easy as shooting! Wolves are fierce, loyal and cunning. Conversely, if you go full melee, then we are nothing but target practice for some armies (Ultramarines are so mobile!). I find it best not to pre-plan wanting to use stratagems, but have options and use them when you think best. Out of all the armies I play, these guys play best pouncing on opponents mistakes as opposed to simply trying to get them in combat asap! They aren't orks...they are just as ferocious as them.

[@namewastaken360]

I think you can move, shoot, but not charge out of an Impulsor.

[@tardigrade8019]

yup

[@benp4607]

Can you do some tyranid stuff please I am trying to get a good tyranid list

[@nathanieleck1023]

How many gants do you have?

[@julden5851]

Do Dark Angels next please! (These guys are way better in 1v1 situations than their wolf counterparts eheheh)

[@konigstiger3252]

Space wolf is now ultra marine with some rune decorations. Sad af.

[@CloudianMH]

The wolves have some of the best flavour in the space marines codex, primaris ruined it... long fangs? blood claws? nah leave those cool fluffy pieces home, they just don't cut it anymore, make room for primaris (impulsors only carry primaris? kindly explain that to me GW without some BS pulled out your ass). You'll not see me leaving my Wolf list without it's fluff and flavour.

[@malekiththeeternityking5433]

Eww the Space Furies. All jokes aside I must be the only one who really dislikes this legion.

[@Makarislethal]

They're obnoxious in combat and rules are broken but they look cool and get hunted by other SM so its fine to me

[@malekiththeeternityking5433]

@Aaron B Cool. I don't like them. They are over the top cringe. The Blood Angels and the Ultramarines are the cool ones. Salamanders are pretty dope tho

[@malekiththeeternityking5433]

@Aaron B I know sob my Golden little Hawk Boy and my Grumpy metal hands boy

[@BIFInvaider]

@@malekiththeeternityking5433 "cringe" Tired of roleplaying on youtube?

[@malekiththeeternityking5433]

@@BIFInvaider While on Quarantine? Nope get used to it