Space Wolves Codex Review, Addendum: Wolfwing Example

Posted by Ranillon on 19. October 2009 16:08

Stating that the new Wolf Guard rules make for an effective substitute for a Dark Angels Deathwing army, but let’s do a direct comparison of two 1500 point army lists and see what differences pop up.

However, let me first list what I consider to be the “average” Deathwing force:

• The Big Leader in charge (who allows for terminators to go as troops)
• Another character to add some extra punch
• 3-5 Terminator Squads
• 1-2 Dreadnoughts, usually with Drop Pods so they can join the infantry in deployment

Keeping that in mind let me produce two roughly comparable lists, one using the Dark Angels rules and the other the Space Wolves.

The Deathwing Force (1500 Points):

• Belial with two Lightning Claws      
• Interrogator-Chaplain in Terminator Armor   
• 5 terminators with Apothecary, 1 chainfist and assault cannon  
• 5 terminators with 1 chainfist and assault cannon   
• 5 terminators with 1 chainfist and assault cannon   
• 5 terminators with 1 chainfist and assault cannon   
• Dreadnought with TL Lascannon in Drop Pod  

 The Wolfwing Force (1499 Points):

• Logan Grimnar        
• Wolf Priest in Terminator Armor     
• 4 WG Terminators with 3 PF, 2 combi-plasma in Drop Pod w/DW* 
• 4 WG Terminators with 3 PF, 2 combi-plasma in Drop Pod w/DW* 
• 5 WG Terminators with 4 power fists and assault cannon in Drop Pod 
• 5 WG Terminators with 4 power fists and assault cannon in Drop Pod 
• Dreadnought with TL Lascannon in Drop Pod    

* There are only 4 members in order to make sure that the characters have space in the drop pod

So, just what are the differences between the two and how well do they compare?

 The Deathwing force has 23 models, 5 heavy weapons, 2 vehicles, 21 storm bolters, 5 power weapons, and 16 power fists.  They are all fearless and can teleport wherever they wish to go.

 The Wolfwing force has 21 models, 5 heavy weapons, 6 vehicles, 16 storm bolters,  4 combi-plasmas, 5 power weapons, 14 power fists, and Logan’s funky “I can be anything” axe.  They have great leadership, acute senses, counter-attack, and everyone has a drop pod to use.

 In terms of firepower it’s a toss-up:  The Deathwing assault cannons are more dependable, but the Wolfwing has enough extra Deathwind and combi-plasma guns to produce even more damage - just not in a way you can necessarily rely upon.  That is, you need to be careful in how you use the latter to get the most out of it. 

 In close combat the Space Wolves are clearly going to be superior with the possible exception of vehicles since the Deathwing come with extra chainfists.  Whether or not this is important will depend greatly on the sort of enemy it’s facing – usually, this won’t be a big deal.  By comparison, Space Wolves – especially with the abilities of Logan Grimnar – are going to go up against even specialized close-combat armies with a good chance of success (only their fewer numbers really hamper them, a deficiency the Deathwing shares).

 To my mind the real advantage of the Wolfwing isn’t per se whether or not purposefully identical armies in design as the same in power (it seems to me that generally speaking they are), but that the Wolfwing gives you so many different options.  It’s easy to switch out abilities, add different sorts of troopers to any of the units, and so forth. 

 In other words, you aren’t as likely to get bored with army selection nearly as quickly as with the Deathwing.  It also gives you many more ways to adapt to the forces you play.