Welcome to the first part of my Space Wolves codex review, looking at the new stratagems available to the army.
For this codex, I am not planning to do a full codex review. I will simply be looking at the generic army special rules, such as stratagems, psychic powers, warlord traits, etc in the book.
Stratagems
The Space Wolves have a whole host of new stratagems to boost their effectiveness on the tabletop, as well as some of the common Space Marine ones that other Chapters have access to.
I'm only going to look at some of the Space Wolves specific stratagem, as I have covered most of the basic Marines stratagems in my Space Marine Codex review.
Overwhelming Impetuosity (1CP)
Use at the start of the Fight phase on a Blood Claws unit that successfully charged this turn and is within 1" of an enemy unit with a higher power rating. You can re-roll all failed hits for the Blood Claws unit that targets that unit.
A decent stratagem for only 1CP. You get full re-rolls to hit against one specific enemy unit. With the +1 to hit from the Space Wolves' Chapter Tactic, this should give you a lot of hits in combat. You can only use it against enemy units with a higher power rating, so may be too powerful for the Blood Claws or difficult to get one if you have a big unit. It also might be difficult to remember which enemy units have a higher power level.
Cloaked by the Storm (3CP)
Use in the psychic phase. Select a Rune Priest that successfully manifest a psychic power. All units within 6" are at -1 to hit when targeted by enemy units with ranged weapons.
This is an expensive stratagem at 3CP, but could be very powerful in the right circumstances. Normally these types of stratagems cost 2CP and only affect a single unit. However, with a 6" bubble on the Rune Priest, this has the potential to affect several enemy units for a single turn and well be worth the 3CP cost to use it. It does rely on you successfully manifesting a psychic power, but you can wait to see if successful before using it, so as not to waste the command points.
This would suit a rune priest supporting a gun line to help keep them safer from enemy firepower and the range should allow him to protect a large number of units. At 3CP, you won't be able to use this for very long before running out of command points.
Cunning of the Wolf (1CP)
Use during deployment on a Space Wolves infantry unit. The unit can be placed in reserve and can deploy at the end of any of your movement phases, wholly within 6" of any battlefield edge and at least 9" from an enemy unit.
This is a great stratagem for keeping units off the table and to launch an assault into the heart of the enemy army, allowing you to come on from any board edge. This could be very powerful against gunline armies or for units that don't want to walk up the board, such as Wulfen. As this is a pre-game stratagem, you can use it multiple times to put several units in reserve.
This is helpful for keeping you safe from enemy firepower before you deploy, as well as getting very close to the enemy army. Can't be used for more powerful units such as Thunderwolf Cavalry, but useful for units such as Wulfen and Terminators.
Mentor's Guidance (1CP)
Used in the shooting phase or fight phase. Select a character within 6" of a Rune Priest. The character may re-roll all failed wounds for the character in that phase.
A nice combo to have a character and Rune Priest for doing maximum damage in combat. Don't see it being used too often in the shooting phase, but could come in useful for a character with a combi-weapon. Will be very useful in the Fight phase for a character with a Thunder Hammer or Power Fist taking on an enemy vehicle or superheavy vehicle.
Lone Wolf (1CP)
Used at the end of the phase when a Space Wolves infantry unit has been reduced to a single model (not a character or Wulfen unit). The model's wound characteristic is increased by 2, it gains the character keyword and can re-roll failed to hit and to wound rolls for the rest of the game.
This is an awesome stratagem when you are able to use it. It might be tricky to have a single model left in a unit, but when you can use it, it will be great for creating a super soldier in your army for only a single command point. Would be very useful on a unit such as Terminators or a Sergeant with a good combat weapon.
Chooser of the Slain (2CP)
Use when your opponent sets up a unit arriving from Reserve. A Space Wolves unit within 6" of a Rune Priest may fire at the enemy unit as if it were the shooting phase, but at -1 to hit.
This is similar to the Aeldari stratagem and a version of Auspex Scan. You are not limited to a range of 12" to the enemy unit, making it more powerful than Auspex Scan and allowing you to, for example, target the enemy unit with a unit of Long Fangs. It is also not limited to an infantry unit firing, meaning you could target it with a vehicle or flyer. However, it is limited to having a Rune Priest in your army and the unit being close to the Rune Priest for it to be used. However, even with these limitations, it is a very strong stratagem to be able to use.
Howl of the Great Pack (2CP)
Use in the morale phase. Choose a Wolf Lord to apply to. All friendly Space Wolves units within 12" of the Wolf Lord automatically pass morale tests. In addition, all enemy units within 12" must add 1 to the results of morale tests.
A very powerful boosted version of Insane Bravery. Could be very useful if you have several units in range of the Wolf Lord needing a morale test, and could help cause more casualties from a successful combat near the Wolf Lord. The 12" bubble is huge and should allow you to cover a wide range of units.
True Grit (1CP)
Use in the shooting phase. Select a Space Wolves infantry unit within 1" of an enemy unit. The unit may fire all Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolter, Bolt Rifles and Bolt Carbines as if they had the Pistol 2 type (can't fire other pistols as well).
This is another great stratagem for being in combat with an enemy unit, allowing you to fire two Bolter shots for each Space Wolf in combat. This could help you finish off a damaged or weak enemy unit in your turn, allowing you to then charge another nearby unit in the Fight phase. Very useful in the right circumstances.
Overwhelming Savagery (1CP)
Use in the Fight phase on a unit of Thunderwolf Cavalry. They can re-roll to wound rolls of 1 for that phase.
Very useful for maximising the damage output of a unit of Cavalry for a single phase. Great for units with Thunder Hammers to maximise damage, re-rolling all failed wounds against most infantry targets and half of all failed wounds against tougher enemy units.
Talismanic Shield (1CP)
Used at the start of the enemy psychic phase. Choose one Space Wolves character, they can attempt to deny a psychic power as if they were a psyker.
Another useful stratagem to allow you to potentially block enemy psychic powers if you have no Rune Priest or none in range.
Keen Senses (1CP)
Used in the shooting phase. Choose a Space Wolves unit, they unit suffers no penalties to hit that phase.
This is an incredible stratagem and an absolute bargain at only 1CP. This is very strong against those armies with the ability to stack multiple negative modifiers against enemy shooting, such as Aeldari and Drukhari. Also great for Long Fangs, allowing you to move and fire to full effect for the phase. I can see this one being very popular with Space Wolves players.
The Emperor's Executioners (1CP)
Use in the fight phase against a unit of Thousand Sons. Each time you roll a 4+ to hit, you can make an extra attack using the same weapon (they cannot generate further attacks).
Very useful when facing off against Thousand Sons. With the +1 to hit from charging, you will be generating a huge number of extra attacks against such units, allowing you to deal a lot more damage to Thousand Sons units.
Overall
The Space Wolves have access to some amazing stratagems of their own. Keen Senses is fantastic for a unit of Long Fangs or any vehicles, allowing them to move and fire to full effect. Cloaked by the Storm is also a fantastic ability to use on a Rune Priest and could save you from a lot of damage when used correctly.
Many of them have a strong focus on using a Rune Priest, meaning you are likely to see them pop up in the Space Wolves army to make the most of the new stratagems.
In fact, I don't think they have a single bad unique stratagem available to them. I don't think you will use them all the time, but there are several that could be very useful in the right circumstances.
Use at the start of the Fight phase on a Blood Claws unit that successfully charged this turn and is within 1" of an enemy unit with a higher power rating. You can re-roll all failed hits for the Blood Claws unit that targets that unit.
A decent stratagem for only 1CP. You get full re-rolls to hit against one specific enemy unit. With the +1 to hit from the Space Wolves' Chapter Tactic, this should give you a lot of hits in combat. You can only use it against enemy units with a higher power rating, so may be too powerful for the Blood Claws or difficult to get one if you have a big unit. It also might be difficult to remember which enemy units have a higher power level.
Cloaked by the Storm (3CP)
Use in the psychic phase. Select a Rune Priest that successfully manifest a psychic power. All units within 6" are at -1 to hit when targeted by enemy units with ranged weapons.
This is an expensive stratagem at 3CP, but could be very powerful in the right circumstances. Normally these types of stratagems cost 2CP and only affect a single unit. However, with a 6" bubble on the Rune Priest, this has the potential to affect several enemy units for a single turn and well be worth the 3CP cost to use it. It does rely on you successfully manifesting a psychic power, but you can wait to see if successful before using it, so as not to waste the command points.
This would suit a rune priest supporting a gun line to help keep them safer from enemy firepower and the range should allow him to protect a large number of units. At 3CP, you won't be able to use this for very long before running out of command points.
Cunning of the Wolf (1CP)
Use during deployment on a Space Wolves infantry unit. The unit can be placed in reserve and can deploy at the end of any of your movement phases, wholly within 6" of any battlefield edge and at least 9" from an enemy unit.
This is a great stratagem for keeping units off the table and to launch an assault into the heart of the enemy army, allowing you to come on from any board edge. This could be very powerful against gunline armies or for units that don't want to walk up the board, such as Wulfen. As this is a pre-game stratagem, you can use it multiple times to put several units in reserve.
This is helpful for keeping you safe from enemy firepower before you deploy, as well as getting very close to the enemy army. Can't be used for more powerful units such as Thunderwolf Cavalry, but useful for units such as Wulfen and Terminators.
Mentor's Guidance (1CP)
Used in the shooting phase or fight phase. Select a character within 6" of a Rune Priest. The character may re-roll all failed wounds for the character in that phase.
A nice combo to have a character and Rune Priest for doing maximum damage in combat. Don't see it being used too often in the shooting phase, but could come in useful for a character with a combi-weapon. Will be very useful in the Fight phase for a character with a Thunder Hammer or Power Fist taking on an enemy vehicle or superheavy vehicle.
Lone Wolf (1CP)
Used at the end of the phase when a Space Wolves infantry unit has been reduced to a single model (not a character or Wulfen unit). The model's wound characteristic is increased by 2, it gains the character keyword and can re-roll failed to hit and to wound rolls for the rest of the game.
This is an awesome stratagem when you are able to use it. It might be tricky to have a single model left in a unit, but when you can use it, it will be great for creating a super soldier in your army for only a single command point. Would be very useful on a unit such as Terminators or a Sergeant with a good combat weapon.
Chooser of the Slain (2CP)
Use when your opponent sets up a unit arriving from Reserve. A Space Wolves unit within 6" of a Rune Priest may fire at the enemy unit as if it were the shooting phase, but at -1 to hit.
This is similar to the Aeldari stratagem and a version of Auspex Scan. You are not limited to a range of 12" to the enemy unit, making it more powerful than Auspex Scan and allowing you to, for example, target the enemy unit with a unit of Long Fangs. It is also not limited to an infantry unit firing, meaning you could target it with a vehicle or flyer. However, it is limited to having a Rune Priest in your army and the unit being close to the Rune Priest for it to be used. However, even with these limitations, it is a very strong stratagem to be able to use.
Howl of the Great Pack (2CP)
Use in the morale phase. Choose a Wolf Lord to apply to. All friendly Space Wolves units within 12" of the Wolf Lord automatically pass morale tests. In addition, all enemy units within 12" must add 1 to the results of morale tests.
A very powerful boosted version of Insane Bravery. Could be very useful if you have several units in range of the Wolf Lord needing a morale test, and could help cause more casualties from a successful combat near the Wolf Lord. The 12" bubble is huge and should allow you to cover a wide range of units.
True Grit (1CP)
Use in the shooting phase. Select a Space Wolves infantry unit within 1" of an enemy unit. The unit may fire all Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolter, Bolt Rifles and Bolt Carbines as if they had the Pistol 2 type (can't fire other pistols as well).
This is another great stratagem for being in combat with an enemy unit, allowing you to fire two Bolter shots for each Space Wolf in combat. This could help you finish off a damaged or weak enemy unit in your turn, allowing you to then charge another nearby unit in the Fight phase. Very useful in the right circumstances.
Overwhelming Savagery (1CP)
Use in the Fight phase on a unit of Thunderwolf Cavalry. They can re-roll to wound rolls of 1 for that phase.
Very useful for maximising the damage output of a unit of Cavalry for a single phase. Great for units with Thunder Hammers to maximise damage, re-rolling all failed wounds against most infantry targets and half of all failed wounds against tougher enemy units.
Talismanic Shield (1CP)
Used at the start of the enemy psychic phase. Choose one Space Wolves character, they can attempt to deny a psychic power as if they were a psyker.
Another useful stratagem to allow you to potentially block enemy psychic powers if you have no Rune Priest or none in range.
Keen Senses (1CP)
Used in the shooting phase. Choose a Space Wolves unit, they unit suffers no penalties to hit that phase.
This is an incredible stratagem and an absolute bargain at only 1CP. This is very strong against those armies with the ability to stack multiple negative modifiers against enemy shooting, such as Aeldari and Drukhari. Also great for Long Fangs, allowing you to move and fire to full effect for the phase. I can see this one being very popular with Space Wolves players.
The Emperor's Executioners (1CP)
Use in the fight phase against a unit of Thousand Sons. Each time you roll a 4+ to hit, you can make an extra attack using the same weapon (they cannot generate further attacks).
Very useful when facing off against Thousand Sons. With the +1 to hit from charging, you will be generating a huge number of extra attacks against such units, allowing you to deal a lot more damage to Thousand Sons units.
Overall
The Space Wolves have access to some amazing stratagems of their own. Keen Senses is fantastic for a unit of Long Fangs or any vehicles, allowing them to move and fire to full effect. Cloaked by the Storm is also a fantastic ability to use on a Rune Priest and could save you from a lot of damage when used correctly.
Many of them have a strong focus on using a Rune Priest, meaning you are likely to see them pop up in the Space Wolves army to make the most of the new stratagems.
In fact, I don't think they have a single bad unique stratagem available to them. I don't think you will use them all the time, but there are several that could be very useful in the right circumstances.
Thanks for the review, indeed these stratagems are powerful. Which creates a sense of mistreatment / neglect towards other chapters :S
ReplyDeleteLet's hope they all get a review in next chapter approved.
Cheers
A lot of the more powerful Space Marine stratagems are available to all chapters, there are very few Space Marine-specific ones that are all that great. I think Tremor Shells is awesome, but the Dark Angels and Blood Angels get a lot of very strong ones in their own codex, plus the good ones like Hellfire Shells, Flakk Missiles, etc.
DeleteCloaked by the Storm and Chooser of the Slain together seem like a pretty strong inducement to run a firebase with a Rune Priest in the middle. Note that Cloaked by the Storm (And the Psychic Power Storm Caller, the best one for these purposes) also works on any Space Wolves Units, not just Infantry, so you can have Predators and Land Raiders and stuff at -1 to Hit and gaining Cover.
ReplyDeleteI kind of miss being able to just take Lone Wolves in my list, but the potential with the Stratagem is cool when it comes up.
Oh, wow. Keen Senses isn't restricted to Infantry either. Very nice for Dreads, Tanks, and Stormhawks.
I kind of wish True Grit also worked with Storm Bolters, at least for Terminators. As far as I can tell, tho, it does work with the Bolter portion of Combi-Weapons, given the way those profiles are written out.
The Emperor's Executioners is probably going to be the least-used of them, just because it's limited to only targeting one Faction, but yeah, I don't see anything here that's outright bad, and a number of them are awesome. Unless the FAQ that's due out soon changes something, I'd expect to see them running along with an Astra Militarum CP Farm most of the time. Even without that, tho, between Servitors and Cyber-Wolves, and even some pretty affordable Heavy Support choices, a SW Brigade is probably viable.
Thanks for the additional analysis, WestRider! Yeah, they have some really strong stratagems and abilities that work well together. I'll be covering the rest of the special rules today.
DeleteThe Lone Wolf as its own unit would be very strong. Could fill the role of a Lieutenant-type character in the army.
Yeah, the Lone Wolf did kind of fall into the same niche as the Wolf Guard Battle Leader and Great Company Champion. But at the same time, they were far more customizable than the Champion, and the Battle Leader is the more direct analogue to a Lieutenant, while the Lone Wolves were just all out beatsticks. It was cool just being able to teleport a couple of individual 4 Wound TH/SS Terminators into someone's backfield and have them go nuts.
DeleteThey might actually still be available through the Index, but I suspect it's going to be ruled like the Stimulant Injectors were for Tau, where the Codex Stratagem replaced the Index Wargear option.