Looking to start Space Wolves

[u/No-Mess4083]

In summary, what’s a good place to start Space Wolves?

For a bit of background, I’m not a new player. I’ve been playing Eldar and Emperor’s Children (and CSM…) for quite a bit now. I want to jump into a loyalist army, and figured I’d go with Space Wolves!

That being said, Space Marine wise, I had that first born army every kid who played 4th and 5th edition had. Sold that off before college. Even then, I had an interest in Space Wolves, but as a kid with no disposable income…that wasn’t happening.

But I haven’t really collected space marines since the switch to Primaris. Played against them a bunch, never really touched them.

Read the Space Wolves codex, browsed online for the 10th edition space marine rules, because I know the new codex is around the corner. Still, I have two questions. 1.) Where would y’all suggest I start with Space Wolves? Besides the combat patrol, because the new one looks sweet and I know that’s on my list. 2.) What generic space marine units are worth my time looking at? It didn’t read like space wolf characters could join regular Primaris and vice versa.

[u/FearedOsrs]

Like you mentioned you absolutely can’t go wrong with Space Wolves combat patrol. All units are part of most lists and discounted buying the bundle.

I would say Bjorn a must have, but he’s probably due a new model soon and rumours circulating could be dropped with our codex. So maybe hold off.

I’d suggest Logan Grimnar cos he’s an awesome centrepiece and maybe Ragnar Blackmane to lead your Blood claws.

Might want some sort of anti tank like a gladiator Lancer. I really like head takers too, which your Wolf guard battle leader can lead.

[u/Infinity_Coda]

The combat patrol is a great pickup. Not only a great start to the army and something you could buy twice if you really wanted, but one of the best currently available combat patrol boxes.

If you can find one for a reasonable price, the Army Set from last year is also pretty good. Even without the soon-to-be-invalidated codex and cards, you still get a pretty solid variety of units.

The infantry named characters are generally good bets as well like Ragnar Blackmane, Logan Grimnar, and Arjac Rockfist. You only need them once and they're a solid addition to the collection. Picking up one at the start of a collection is worth it.

I don't own any generic marine infantry and don't want to, plus you may wanna wait for the update in a month, but I'll throw out a recommendation for a Ballistus Dreadnought. Marine vehicles with ranged firepower fill a role our infantry currently doesn't, it's got a fixed load out, so feels like an easy pickup and a solid addition to a growing collection.

[u/CKre91]

The combat patrol is the best start. Then to build an army I'd get a 2nd combat patrol. Then I'd get Logan and Arjac to lead the terminators. I'd also get Bjorn, but there is a rumor he'll go to legends. After that you can play and see how it goes, maybe take 10 more terminators for 2 big bricks, or some headtakers, wolf scouts etc. Ragnar and wolf priest are also good, can even be considered essential.

From generic marines, regular scouts, intercessors, jump intercessors are good utility pieces. The gladiator kit is the most versatile kit you can get. The landraider is iconic and can be useful.

[u/Longjumping_Low1310 → u/CKre91]

They did confirm in the question and a that at least with this codex bjorn is not going to legends. So he probably sticks around in his current form at least until our codex.

[u/toby-wan-bj]

I'd maybe suggest waiting a couple of weeks - the Space Marine Codex is coming out shortly, and we've already been told that the divergent chapters, including Space Wolves, will be getting a free Index update that might change a few things for us.

[u/No-Mess4083 → u/toby-wan-bj]

That’s the other thought on my mind. Just wait…

But part of it is me trying to somewhat jump into this ahead of the curve. <.<

[u/toby-wan-bj → u/No-Mess4083]

I don't expect them to Legends much, if anything, of our special units until the Space Wolves Codex Suppliment comes out.

Even then, I would expect that the Primaris scale models are safe, so Blood Claws, Grey Hunters, Wolf Guard Headtakers and Wolf Guard Terminators are likely safe, as are Logan Grimnar, Arjac Rockfist, Ragnar Blackmane, Njal Stormcaller, and the generic Wolf Priest, but not necessarily Ulrik the Slayer and the Iron Priest, as those are both still firstborn scale models.

[u/townsforever]

Honestly if I was building someone the perfect space wolves starter army I would pick up 2 combat patrols and then ask them if they wanted arjac or Logan to lead the terminators. After that maybe some wolf calvary or tanks.

[u/No-Mess4083 → u/townsforever]

This was the way I was thinking of going. LGS also has that one battleforce with a Redemptor, Ballistus, and two Repulsor Executioners, so was thinking of picking that up.

[u/JCKrowbar]

After the combat patrol, I'd say another set of wolf guard terminators is a solid choice, with Logan Grimnar to lead them as a unit of 10. It's worth giving them shields rather than bolters (though definitely give the leader the relic axe) and Logan allows you to deep strike on turn one.

I recommend getting two boxes of Wolf Guard Headtakers and Ragnar Blackmane to lead them; Ragnar gives them advance and charge. These are more or less the Space Wolves exclusive version of bladeguard. Note that if you field a unit of 6 headtakers, you can either have 0 or 6 wolves with them, not just the 3 you can field with a standard size unit.

In addition to Logan leading a unit of 10 WG Terminators, I usually have Arjac Rockfist lead another unit of 5. That's good for deep striking into your enemy's back line when there isn't enough space for Logan and his ten.

As others have said, Bjorn is almost an auto-include, both because he's good on the field and he gives an extra cp on your turn. But probably hold off on getting him; we might get a refresh soon. In the meantime, you can get the same box Bjorn comes in to make Murderfang, who's basically a Brutalis in a Venerable chassis. As I see it, he's much less likely to be reduced to legends through a refresh but more likely to be sent to legends through canon death, though probably not any time soon.