Two 1500 point lists I will be running.

Today I played two very enjoyable games in my local club, against a shooty Salamander Space Marine army, and the Fenrisians of the other local Wolf Lord. In my first game against the space marine player I used a Thunderwolf Lord for a bit of a change, and against the Space Wolves I used my standard 1500 list, as shown below:

Bran Redmaw
Wolf Lord in Terminator Armour; Storm Shield, Chain Fist, Wolftooth Necklace,
Saga of the Bear (attached to Aesir Pack)

Jorek Stormgaze
Rune Priest in Power Armour; Chooser of the Slain

Elite
The Wolf Guard
Torgarl Mjodbane; Combi-Meltagun, Power Fist (attached to Lupus Pack)
Gyngrist Giantsmite; Combi-Meltagun, Power Fist (attached to Jotun Pack)

Kjel Wyrmslay; Combi-Meltagun, Chain Fist
Alarik Icehowl; Combi-Plasmagun, Wolf Claw
Svorlrik Thunderfang; Pair of Wolf Claws
Hengnir Scar-eye; Storm Shield, Power Sword
Olaf Keenblade; Assault Cannon, Chain Fist
Drop Pod

Troops
Aesir Pack
8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
Drop Pod

Lupus Pack
8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
Rhino

Jotun Pack
8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
Rhino

Heavy Support
Vanir Pack
6 Long Fangs; 5 Missile Launchers
Razorback, Lascannon, Twin-linked Plasma guns

(Total 1500 points).

I also ordered myself some of the excellent new Thunderwolf Cavalry models, and a pack of Fenrisian Wolves. I knocked up a list that is not too disimilar to my standard list, as I prefer not to change the way my packs are set up (it would be bad luck to keep swapping wolf brothers in and out of their squads). I eventually settled with the list below, which swaps the Wolf Guard Terminators and the Terminator Lord for a Thunderwolf pack, Thunderwolf lord and some Fenrisian Wolves:

Wolf Lord
Wolf Lord in Runic Armour; Storm Shield, Frost Blade, Wolftooth Necklace, Thunderwolf Mount, Saga of the Warrior Born (attached to Fenrisian Wolves)

Elite
The Wolf Guard
Torgarl Mjodbane; Combi-Meltagun, Power Fist (attached to Lupus Pack)
Gyngrist Giantsmite; Combi-Meltagun, Power Fist (attached to Jotun Pack)
Kjel Wyrmslay; Combi-Meltagun, Chain Fist (attached to Aesir Pack)

Troops
Aesir Pack
8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
Drop Pod

Lupus Pack
8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
Rhino

Jotun Pack
8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
Rhino

Fast Attack
Fenrisian Wolves
5 Fenrisian Wolves

Thunderwolf Cavalry
A; Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer
B: Storm Shield, Close Combat Weapon
C: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
D: Plasma Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
E: Bolt Pistol, Close combat weapon, Meltabombs

Heavy Support
Vanir Pack

6 Long Fangs; 5 Missile Launchers

(Total 1499 points).

I've yet to name the Thunderwolf riders, but I'll make sure it's done before they head into battle and start building their worthy sagas!

Xenos Sighted.

Okay, it's not a Space Wolf or a Raven Guard, but this model was purchashed, built and painted in one day! A collosal achievement for a slow modeller and painter such as myself.





Sorry about the poor lighting, comments and criticism will be much appreciated!

Deliverance Found.

I recently picked up the latest Horus Heresy book, Deliverance Lost. I haven't done much work on my Raven Guard lately, but this book instantly rekindled my inspiration, The catch was that I was finding it hard to put the book down in my spare time. So enter the Audiobook!

I purchased the audiobook from black library yesterday and have made some progress as I can build my miniatures and listen at the same time. I've currently been working on my "counts as" furioso dreadnought, using the contemptor forge world model:

He's pretty big! Although it is quite hard to tell from the picture, he's actually stooping as I'm going to attempt to model him as if he is striking his claws into a mass of much smaller opponents.

If you haven't tried the horus heresy audiobooks, I heartily recommend them. Besides, there's nothing like listening to a tale of Corax rebuilding his legion whilst building Raven Guard (it's almost like taking part!)

Merry Christmas!

The forges will be hard at work this Christmas as I have just received some Apocalyptic Reinforcements!

It is also cause for a double celebration, as I have finally finished painting a squad!!! This is the first time I have ever (ever!) achieved this in my many years of wargaming. I usually get to about 7-8 models then move onto something else.

So here they are, it's a bad photo, but I haven't applied all the decals yet, so I'll take a good one once they're done and the bases are tidied up.

Have a Maleficarum-free Christmas!

Narrative Campaign.

My regular opponent is a space marine Iron Hands player, and we have played many one off battles against each other. I've decided to write a narrative campaign similar to the one in the hardback 40k rulebook to make our battles have a little more purpose and also to justify why Space Wolves and Iron Hands seem to be constantly slapping each other about on our gaming tables! The campaign will consist of five to six missions using all of the expansion books available to 40k, as well as some custom missions.

Here is a sneak peak of some fiction I have prepared for the campaign:

Iron-Captain Xosius surveyed the readouts on the command deck. Within one Terran standard cycle the Iron Hands strike force would arrive at Tarsor IV and he would be one step closer to his goal. He could not fail the task ahead of him, as it would redeem him in the eyes of the Clan Council. Xosius gripped his axe which clicked and whirred as the cog headed blade extended from the haft, snapping menacingly into position. He pondered over his fate, his anger flooding the datalinks between flesh and iron. The Iron-Captain had only narrowly avoided exile after losing a great portion of his clan in battle against the Eldar. Even though the loss of valuable Astartes had concerned the council, death could always be justified with victory. This had not been the reason he had lost their favour, in their eyes, he had done something viewed as far worse. He had chosen the illogical. The Clan leaders and Iron Fathers had not been on the moon of Belkus during the campaign against the Eldar and they believed he had acted against the will of the Chapter. Fools. They could not understand the neccersary sacrifices and tactical decisions he had made to achieve victory and because of their short-sightedness, he had been demoted from the council and tasked in retreving an ancient relic known only as the Heartshard. It was rumoured that during the great crusade, the Heartshard had been discovered by the forces of Ferrus Manus and Leman Russ, who decided to keep it a secret from their brothers. However, the two Primarchs had disagreed upon the application of the device and after stealing it away, the stubborn Wolf King had hidden it. Xosius had reason to believe the device was on Tarsor IV after his librarians had gleened information during the brutal interrogation of an Eldar witch. The planet was being watched over by mere mortals of flesh and bone, warriors guarding the planet's secret. If Xosius struck hard and fast, was sure his show of strength would convince them to hand over the device. His plan would not fail, he would recover the Heartshard and return to the Chapter with his head held high. The council would have no choice but to accept him back. It was only logical.

In other news, the Raven Guard army has been on hold for a while whilst I have been painting and gaming with my Wolves. I have managed to have a few enjoyable games against the new Necrons as well as Tyranids which I have not played against since the latest codex.

Raven Guard Squad Colours

I'm having a bit of a conundrum when it comes to choosing the shoulder trim for my raven guard. Index Astartes states that the shoulder trim colour denotes what squad type the marine is in. (Red for Assault, Green for Tactical, Yellow for Devastator).

However, GW has painted all their Raven guard with the red shoulder trim. This may be to show that they are 3rd Company led by Captain Shrike.

(Slightly off topic Imperial Armour 8, they describe Shrike as the leader of the 1st Company Veterans, and Aajz Solari as the Captain of 5th, even though in Index Astartes, which was his first appearance, he is described as leader of the 2nd.  In short nothing adds up!)

When it comes to squad markings, company formation and named heroes, I am slightly OCD and like to get as much "right" as possible. I'm finding this a bit of a headache with Raven Guard as the small pieces of background on them are contradictory.

So far I have only painted Assault marines, (with the red trim) and I don't have any tactical squads in my list, so therefore I am thinking of giving the devastators a yellow trim and sticking with tradition.

The next complication is what company to make my army and who will lead it? I'm going to have to go with one of the 5 Battle companies as I want both Assault marines and Devastors. (Raven Guard companies are supposed to be highly independent in the GW fluff, rarely fighting alongside each other. This is again contradicted by the forgeworld material, which has a strike force assembled from all of the companies)

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Raven_Guard states the following:

First Company: Unknown

Second Company: Captain Aajz Solari

Third Company: Captain Kayvaan Shrike

Fourth Company: Captain Aethon Shaan

Fifth Company: Captain Corvane Valar

(It seems to follow the GW and Black Library fluff as opposed to the forgeworld material).

If there's anyone out there with any knowledge/material that I may have overlooked then feel free to point me in the right direction!

2000 Point Battle

Today I played a 2000 point game against an Ork list with lots of boyz, dreadz and kanz. It lasted a good few hours and was played on a smaller 4'x4' board.

I used the following army list:

HQ 
Bjorn the Fell-Handed
      Venerable Dreadnought; Plasma Cannon

Bran Redmaw

      Wolf Lord in Terminator Armour; Storm Shield, Chain Fist, Wolftooth Necklace,

      Saga of the Bear (attached to Aesir Pack)

Jorek Stormgaze

       Rune Priest in Power Armour; Chooser of the Slain

Elite

 The Wolf Guard
      Torgarl Mjodbane; Combi-Meltagun, Power Fist (attached to Lupus Pack)
      Arjac Rockfist, The Anvil of Fenris; (attached to Jotun Pack)

      Kjel Wyrmslay; Combi-Meltagun, Chain Fist
      Alarik Icehowl; Combi-Plasmagun, Wolf Claw
      Svorlrik Thunderfang; Pair of Wolf Claws
      Hengnir Scar-eye; Storm Shield, Power Sword
      Olaf Keenblade; Assault Cannon, Chain Fist
      Drop Pod

Mjol Onn-ax
      Lone Wolf  in Terminator Armour; Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer

Troops
Aesir Pack
      8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
      Drop Pod

Lupus Pack
      8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
      Rhino

Jotun Pack
      8 Grey Hunters; Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Meltagun
      Drop Pod

Heavy Support
Vanir Pack

      6 Long Fangs; 5 Missile Launchers

      Razorback, Twin-Linked Lascannon

Total Cost: 1996 points

Although I lost the game, it was a bloody affair. The highlight of the battle had to be when Arjac destroyed 3 Kans in one round of combat. They exploded killing another 23 orks, winning the combat!