I've finally relented. My Space Wolves army is not going to be all Primaris.
Now, who let the dogs out?
These poor pups made their debut in the last battle report, where they didn't exactly cover themselves in glory. I guess a Cyberwolf would bolter their staying power, but that might be throwing away good points to the wolves.
It didn't help that I got completely mixed-up about their rules - I had it in my head that they could advance and charge (in fact, they can re-roll charges). I think the latter seems more characteristic (it's not like they're going to shoulder their guns and march), but then I have the same feelings about Spawn, so ignore me.
For all their shortcomings, they're the cheapest way of soaking up Smite in a Space Wolves army, and when you're facing Thousand Sons, that's not to be sniffed at.
They're great models (even with the connection point being inexplicably right through the middle of the head - try filing that down) and, since there's not a trace of sci-fi about them, they'll fit in well with whatever gaming scenario I need.
Seriously, what story isn't improved by having to fight off a pack of wolves?
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| I finally get to reenact that scene from Beauty and the Beast! Or Frozen. |
The only drawback with the kit is the monopose models (although they are an improvement on the 'walking' or 'running' variants of the original GW wolves). You can switch the heads around, but that's it. So I think ten wolves will be as much as I'll want.
The painting was very quick and easy (having used it for Grom the Paunch's steed, and never being one to innovate when I don't have to): a grey primer, wash the top fur with Nuln Oil, drybrush with The Fang, then Dawnstone, then Ulthuan Grey. The underside was drybrushed with XV-88, then Zandri Dust.
And before things get too feral here, a couple more characters to keep everyone in line!
The Phobos Battle Leader and Phobos Librarian from the Shadowspear box (I haven't actually bought the box, but with my usual false economy appear to be collecting it piecemeal). I think the Battle Leader is fairly useless on the tabletop - but I just love the model.
The Librarian (sorry, Rune-Priest) is another model I couldn't pass up, and he may actually be of some use to me, either as a second Rune-Priest or to open up the Obfuscation Discipline (which I really like).
Same colours as my previous Rune-Priest, so these wolf-brothers can face the Thousand Sons together.
Same paint schemes as the rest of the Vlka, but repeated for convenience:
- Armour: The Fang base, Agrax Earthshade wash, Russ Grey drybrush, Fenrisian Grey drybrush
- Yellow pauldron: Averland Sunset base, Cassandora Yellow wash, Yriel Yellow drybrush
- Red pauldron: Mephiston Red base, Agrax Earthshade wash, Evil Sunz Scarlet drybrush
- Belt buckle, helmet coils and gun parts: Ironbreaker base, Nuln Oil wash
- Gun frame: Chaos Black
- Eye Lens: Evil Sunz Scarlet
- Belts and holsters: XV-88 base, Agrax Earthshade wash
- Talismans and bolter shells: Hashut Copper, Agrax Earthshade wash
- Rune Priest robes: Karak Stone base, Bleached Bone highlights / Rhinox Hide base, Mournfang Brown highlights, Agrax Earthshade wash
- Force Sword: Ironbraker base, Drakenhof Nightshade wash, Ulthuan Grey highlights, Hexwraith Glow glaze, Ulthuan Grey highlights,
- Base: Vajello Earth Texture, Agrax Earthshade wash, Zamesi Dust drybrush, Mounfang Brown lip
And finally, for spiritual guidance and healing balms, a Primaris Wolf Priest! This is just the regular Chaplain with a third-part wolf-skill helmet (can you believe in the GW kit of several millions skulls, there is not one wolf in there) - I got it because I really like the model, and Wolf Priests appear to be a big deal, so worth including.
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| "I have healing balms..." "What do you want to give him a BALM for? It might bite him!" |
With their reroll hit aura (the new Chaplain litanies have yet to catch up to Fenris) and ability to heal back wounds, they'd also make a pretty good escort for a big block of Aggressors. But we shall see.
For the All-Father!
I'm a big fan of the Chaplain and Librarian models there, really good sculpts both. Like the wolves, too, their slightly cartoony heads make for excellent disney stand-ins!
ReplyDeleteI reckon they were just unlucky in their debut. New model syndrome, and all - a pack of five ought to be able to eat a single Plaguebearer without too much hassle on a normal day. And having some fast chaff to confound your opponent is always handy, as any good 'Nid knows.
Yes, they're cheap and fast, so as long as you don't expect too much of them, they have a role to play.
DeleteSurprisingly large models too. Those are 40mm bases and they're chest-high to a Primaris - it would look very strange dwarfing a classic marine.
Mind you, have you seen the new giant wolves as part of the Underworlds Goblin Riders expansion? They are gorgeous (although I'll bet the goblin legs are sculpted onto the model, damnit)
Yes, I did! I like the hobgoblin vibe they have, gave me flashbacks to Something Rotten in Kislev. I wouldn't judge the sprues until I've seen them, GW are often very good with stuff like that these days (unless it's easyfit).
DeleteThe problem is, with just three wolf riders to a box, you'd need about twenty boxes to start with...
Delete"...GW are often very good with stuff like that these days (unless it's easyfit)."
DeleteUnfortunately for this specific purpose, everything for WH Underworlds is ETB.
Some great looking Hounds and Characters, especially like the Chaplain AKA Wolfy Wolf Priest. Shame the Phobos Lt is a bit meh, his sculpt is great, if only the combat knives were as good...
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, my Battle Leaders keep running into trouble - I should stop trying to use them how their sculpt suggests they should be, and start hiding them around the back and giving out aura buffs. :'(
DeleteA whole bunch of good bois!
ReplyDeleteIf you decide you want to, it's pretty easy to make a Cyberwolf by just using a head from a Thunderwolf that has some cyber-bits.
And yeah, I felt the same disappointment regarding the availability of wolf skulls suitable for putting over a helmet when I was making my own Wolf Priest conversion.
Thanks for the Cyberwolf tip, I might apply that if I dip back into more wolves.
DeleteWolf skulls should be filling up the SW conversion sprue, along with tails, talismans and bare heads. Still can't believe it gets padded out out with pauldrons (and ones that would only apply to Blackmanes, even if you didn't already have decals for it!)
Eh, they can be adapted for a few of the others fairly easily. I used them for Ironwolves and nobody thought they looked out of place.
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