Friday, July 31, 2009

Wolf Scouts Conversions

How to make Wolf Scout conversions: My Wolf Scouts are made from Space Marine Scouts and Chaos Marauder Horsemen. I've seen a lot of Wolf Scout conversions online, but I believed I could make my Wolf Scouts better -and cheaper!

Before starting my Wolf Scout conversions, I looked online for inspiration. Half of the Space Wolves players seem to favour the look of the metal Wolf Scouts from 3rd edition, with their bald heads, short beards and bare arms. Meanwhile, the other half seemed to favour the original Space Wolf Scout Sergeant miniatures from the tail end of 2nd edition, who were essentially wearing stripped down space marine power armour.

As I already had a box of Scouts and some spare Scouts leftover from my Necromunda gang conversions, I went for the former. I'd recommend you do the same for your Wolf Scouts and follow my simple conversion guide -because it's a lot easier than I thought!

You Will Need:
1 box of Space Marine Scouts
1 box of Chaos Marauder Horsemen
Collection of Space Wolves accessories

Note: I've used a pair of beastmen arms, a pointing power fist and a space marine left hand from my bitz box in some of my conversions, but you can get buy with just the basic components shown above.

Sort Your Bitz Out
These conversions use a lot of components, so it's best to get a nice clean surface, cut off all the parts you need and organise them.

I glued the Scout legs to their bases and then the Scout bodies on top of their legs, all facing forwards.

I then organised piles of bitz:
  • Marauder Horseman bare heads
  • Marauder Horseman right arms
  • Marauder Horseman left arms
  • Space Marine Scouts combat arms
  • Space Marine Scouts pistol arms
  • Space Marine Scouts belt accessories
  • Space Marine Scouts heavy bolter shoulder pad
  • Space Wolves knives and wolf tails, 1 power axe, 1 powerfist

    Note: You'll probably notice that the left Marauder Horseman arms don't have shoulders. Don't worry, because we're going to use the shoulder pads from the Space Marine Scouts.

    Basic Wolf Scout Conversion
    My first Wolf Scout conversion was relatively basic with a Marauder right arm (wielding axe) and a converted left arm, along with a Marauder Horseman head.

    The biggest challenge was the left arm.
    The Scout left arm which you will take the shoulder pad from will dictate the position of the Marauder left arm when you stick it on. So baring this in mind, I took the left arm from a set of Scout shotgun arms. This would help the left arm to face directly forwards.

    I cut the Scout arm just under the shoulder pad, then trimmed and cleaned the component with a knife.

    I took the Marauder left arm and used my knife to create a flat edge along the top of the clenched fist so that a pistol would neatly sit there.

    With all the components cleaned, I glued the Scout shoulder pad in place, followed by the Marauder arm which glued to the underside of the shoulderpad, fitting perfectly.

    Once this was dry, I cut a silenced pistol from a Scout right arm and glued it into the hand.

    I used a similar technique for getting weapons to sit neatly in (or on top of) hands for the other models whether it was a pistol or an axe.

    Two Handed Axe Man
    I liked to have a variety of weapon options at my disposal. So for the days when I couldn't afford a powerfist for the squad, my pack leader would need a power weapon instead. I saw this as the perfect chance for some double handed axe-tion!

    I took the Marauder Horseman flail arms and glued them together. Because there is no left shoulder pad yet, the left arm only just touched the side of the Scout body. That's fine for now, so I glued it in place.

    It's too difficult (for me anyway) to trim a Scout left shoulder pad to perfectly fit this gap. So I padded out where the left shoulder should be with some Green Stuff (aka: modelling putty). Once dry, I took the loose shoulder pad from the Scout heavy bolter model and glued it over the shoulder -perfect.

    Now I needed to get the head of the Space Wolves power axe on to the end of the pole held in my Wolf Scout's hands. In a similar way to fitting the pistol to a hand in the previous example, I chopped the top off the flail, just above the right hand. I then cut the right hand at the top, creating a perfect flat surface.

    I then took the power axe from the Space Wolves accessory sprue, cutting the axe head off, just above the grip. After making sure that this was also a flat edge, I glued it to the end of the fail pole held my the right hand.

    Finally, I stuck the Marauder Horseman head on to the body in a direction which would give the most ferocious pose.

    Melta Gunner
    This conversion was very difficult and I had to used a Space Marine left hand which normally supports a boltgun held in the right hand. As you can see, it now supports the melta gun.

    For this, I took the right arm from a pair of Marauder Horseman flail arms.
    I cut a Scout right hand away from the boltgun it normally holds.
    I then had a mad panic in trying to get the model's left arm right and ended up blending parts from 2 Scout left arms, a Marauder left arm and a space marine left hand!

    It went something like this:
    Having trimmed off the lump on the wrist, I glued the Marauder right flail arm into place, then glued the right Scout bolter hand to the end of the wrist stump.

    I needed the left arm to be facing forward, so once again, I used the left Scout arm for a shotgun and trimmed it offer, just below the shoulder pad, trimmed it down and glued it into place.

    I glued the Marauder left arm into place and was about to glue the space marine left hand on to it, but realised that the arm was too short and I couldn't bring the melta gun closer, because of the detail on the model's chest.

    So I cut the wrist guard off the marauder left arm, cut a slightly longer wrist guard from a Scout left arm and glued it on in its place -then glued the space marine left hand on to the wrist stump.

    Once dry, the melta gun taken from the Space Wolves accessory sprue fitted into place perfectly.

    FINISHED!
    I'm really pleased with my Wolf Scout pack. I've created a group of very individualistic and feral models. Each model seems to have his own character and story from the raw ferocity of the pack leader to the old veteran with massive brawny arms to the arrogant young pup with a mohawk and dual pistols.

    These Wolf Scout conversions took me a few hours to make and considering they were done on the fly, I'm very happy with myself -and with them.

    It's important to note that even though the Marauder Horsemen left arms look very difficult at first, you can put them to good use with a little conversion work and forward planning.

    It is possible to convert 9 Wolf Scouts (providing you have 9 scout models) using the arms and 9 bare heads from the Marauder Horsemen. There are 5 left shield arms (referred to throughout this article, simply as 'left arms'), 5 left flail arms and loads of right arms.

    Even so, I still struggled to use all of the arms effectively and made quite a few mistakes as I went along. Using a couple of beastmen ungor arms on a Wolf Scout made life much easier, but only as a one off. Otherwise they'd all look like a mob of Orks.

    I suggest that you only use 1 Marauder Horseman box per 5-7 Wolf Scouts.
    And I wish you the best of luck if you want to give one of them a melta gun!
  • Saturday, July 25, 2009

    Play for Fun or Play to Win?

    6:04 PM by Adam Smith · 1 comments
    I've been assembling some Wolf Scouts for my Space Wolves while James was round painting some more of his Dark Angels army. Between cups of tea, me showing off my Wolf Scout conversions and James painting Dark Angel space marines at super-sonic speeds, we got talking about our army compositions and the Warhammer 40K game itself.

    And the big question came up, about the balance between playing to win and playing for fun.

    As my regular opponent, James is great to play against, because he not only builds reasonably strong army lists (with a bit of tuning), but he is a very much a 'purist' when it comes to the units he fields. He's one of those guys with a Thousand Sons army who outright refuses to field anything without the mark of Tzeentch for example.

    So it was interesting when I was telling him about the Space Wolves drop pod army that I'm building in anticipation of the next Codex, which is due out in October.

    I explained that I saw the Space Wolves as an aggressive, drop pod force, with their space marines disembarking in the thick of the fighting and continuing the advance on foot.

    Meanwhile, James suggested that I wait for the new Codex. With rumours of a new land raider variant, a giant wolf riding special character and the inclusion of Wulfen, I may need these new units to create a competitive army.

    It was an interesting role reversal. As someone who forever tells him how he could 'optimise' his army to better effect, he will often reject these suggestions because it doesn't fit with his army's background or the way that he views his army.

    The same has to be said of my Space Wolves. I've got this picture of them in my mind and that's what I want to go with. It doesn't matter that the best Grand Tournament winning army may have a Venerable dreadnought, 2 squads of Wulfen, 3 squads of Grey Hunters all in Razorbacks, backed up by 3 Land Raiders, each with a trio on twin-linked assault cannons. Leman Russ taught the Space Wolves to fight on foot, not to cruise around in luxury Armoured Personnel Characters. And what's the best way to deliver the Space Wolves into the fray so that they may fight on foot more effectively -in drop pods of course!

    I find that it's becoming more and more difficult to comfortably start a new army in Warhammer 40K now that there are so many tactical options available. But I persevered with my Tau army and after playing them for 2 years, they bring me a lot of pleasure to play, even when they lose horribly. With some games under my belt and having mastered drop pod tactics in my mind, I'm sure the Space Wolves will be the same.

    And if they're not -sod it, I'll copy the Space Wolves list that's winning the most games in the Grand Tournament and maybe tweak it slightly to my own tastes!

    As for the whole 'play to win' or 'play for fun': We all play to win, just not at the exception of all else. I think we all have a stronger desire to win when the competitive bar is raised.

    But until the new Space Wolves Codex is released and cheesy army lists begin to pour forth from it, it's a Space Wolves drop pod army for me.

    Tuesday, July 14, 2009

    Back in 2 Weeks

    1:36 PM by Adam Smith · 0 comments
    The Space Wolves blog is going to be quiet for a couple of weeks (although I'll do my best to update the Space Wolves rumours page from wherever I am!). This is because I'm moving into my new apartment and will be without internet connection for a couple of weeks.

    I've nearly finished moving all my junk in. There's just this PC, my armies, paints and general building materials to pack up. I also need to buy a freezer this week as well.

    To celebrate the imminent moving in, we had a Battle At The Flat on Sunday with a spot of Necromunda, a few cups of tea and then settled down to watch Top Gear. So overall, it's home and I was impressed when my mates took their shoes off at the door and generally treated it with respect.

    On the Space Wolves army front, I have 3 squads of Grey Hunters coming in the post as well as some Blood Claws. I also have to order some more Drop Pods as well. I'm really fired up to build and paint my Space Wolves and the imminent release of new miniatures and a new codex couldn't have come at a worse time -while I'm in the middle of moving!

    So until my return, here's some must-read posts to keep you entertained:
  • Space Wolves Rumours
  • Space Wolves Dreadnought Conversion
  • Ironclad Dreadnought VS Dreadnought
  • My Tau Blog
  • Friday, July 10, 2009

    Rogue Trader Designs

    12:26 PM by Adam Smith · 2 comments
    Labels:
    As I'm doing my Space Wolves in Pre Heresy colours, I thought it would be fun to dig up some images from Rogue Trader (aka: 1st edition Warhammer 40K).

    However, I'm against the use of yellow on Space Wolves as I feel it makes them far too bright. As you can see, these Space Wolves icons are from way back before Grey Hunters, Blood Claws, Long Fangs and Wolf Guard even existed. In Rogue Trader the Space Wolves were just Space Marines like everyone else...but with long fangs and beards and pet wolves.

    Even so, I still love the medieval heraldic designs for Space Marines, which even today are the equivalent of 'knights in space'.

    I'll do my best to incorporate these designs into my army, especially on my Space Wolves venerable dreadnought.

    Speaking of 'old things', my friends and I have been thinking about playing a game of 2nd edition Warhammer 40K for kicks. I think it's an awesome idea, especially as I have the 2nd edition Space Wolves codex.

    PS: Look at the old Leman Russ Primarch miniature! He's tiny, but you can see where the inspiration for the cover of Prospero Burns comes from.

    Wednesday, July 8, 2009

    The Space Wolves Unleashed!

    5:16 PM by Adam Smith · 0 comments
    Labels:
    October is the official release date of the new Space Wolves codex. It's come a little sooner than I expected, so it's time to knuckle down and paint like crazy! With any luck, I'll have a sizeable Space Wolves force ready in time for the new army book.

    My plan is to order everything I want which won't be changed too much in the new codex, build it and basecoat it, then play games with it while gradually painting the details on it. Then I can play and paint to my heart's content.

    Wolf Scouts, Terminators and Long Fangs I'm going to leave until the new Space Wolves accessory sprue comes out. Grey Hunters, Blood Claws, Dreadnoughts and my Venerable Dreadnought I will start work on now, plus all of their Drop Pods.

    After all the Space Wolves rumours confirmed last night, I'm really fired up to unleash the wolves of Fenris upon the enemies of the Imperium -especially James's Dark Angels Space Marines. My Tau took a beating on Friday at the hands of his Codex Space Marines list and the only punishment worthy for such insolence (and so many armour saves passed!) is a good kicking from the latest Codex!

    "Space Wolves! CHAAAAAAAARGE!!!"

    Tuesday, July 7, 2009

    New Space Wolves Rumours

    5:47 PM by Adam Smith · 4 comments
    Labels: ,
    Space Wolves Rumours are coming in thick and fast. Space Wolves are only a few months away as the rumours window has been breached. Now, I was given some Space Wolves rumours while up at Warhammer World the other weekend, but told to keep things to myself. Now that Warseer has unleashed the latest Space Wolves rumours, I'd better fill you in with the rest of what I've been told.

    Canis Wolfborn is a new special character riding a giant wolf.
    Someone I know has actually seen the model and described the wolf as "bigger than a juggernaught". He also said "I know that a Space Wolf riding a giant wolf sounds completely ridiculous, but trust me, it looks amazing."

    I was also informed of a new Njal Stormcaller model. My source was also told that there would be new sculpts of ALL the Space Wolves special characters as well as new character models.

    Having glanced at the codex, my source didn't give much away, but merely said "The Space Wolves are one of those armies that really captures peoples' imaginations and the new Codex will be all about that. I think it's going to be brilliant."

    Other Space Wolves Rumours

  • There is a double page image of Space Wolves battling Tau in the new Planetstrike book as well as new background information.

  • The Horus Heresy book "Prospero Burns" is due out in October time. The release of Space Wolves is expected to tie in with this.

  • Space Wolves are expected to dominate Games Day UK 2009 with rumours of a Prospero Burns Apocalypse table display of Heresy era Space Wolves battling Thousand Sons.

  • A plastic Space Wolves upgrade kit, much like the Dark Angels sprue has been confirmed.

  • LC's are called Wolf Claws in the new codex, you can choose to either re-roll to hit or to wound.

  • You can upgrade your characters in a similar way to the Vampiric Powers used by Warhammer Fatnasy Vampire Counts.

    I think Space Wolves players are in for a real treat with the new Codex. It's going to be rich in character, options and personalisation while depicting the ferocious nature of the Space Wolves chapter of the Space Marines. I think we'll all be ordering a lot of Lightning Claws!

    UPDATE 10th July:

  • Leman Russ Exterminator is out, a Land Raider Variant with possible assault cannon armament is in.

  • Space Wolves ICs are equipped in a method broadly similar to WFB Vampire Counts characters. You basically build a "Saga" for your hero, which fluff wise lists his heroic deeds, and grants various sets of package-deal special abilities. ~Very much Viking in nature. I Approve!

  • Bjorn is said to have AV:14 front armor, with other details contradictory in nature.

  • Jump-pack options will be changing in the new codex, and jump-pack marines are called "Skyriders".

    I think we're looking at a very, very different kind of Space Marine Codex!

    UPDATE 11th July:

  • Photo of two Space Wolves sighted in White Dwarf. 1 is a Grey Hunter, the other is a Blood Claw. Both use parts from the new Space Wolves accessory sprue.

  • All SW except Blood Claws seem to have True Grit as standard (as long as they carry Bolters), and can assault after shooting bolters.

  • Blood Claws are WS4 and BS3, the lose the berserker charge and pick up Furious charge.

  • Something about Long Fangs being better than they are currently, retaining Split Fire, but also allowing Fearless or Relentless? (Implacable)

  • Still unknown if Bjorn is just 14 on his front armour or 14 all round

  • Ragnar seems to offer +1A to the unit he joins on the charge, gives Fleet of Foot to the whole army.

    Update 17th July:

  • Someone leaking rumours at the Bolter & Chainsword forums has confirmed that the Space Wolf army is themed on movement. Move, Assault, Fire, Move, Assault, Fire, etc. Its not meant to be a static army. It's also an army to be filled with lots of Troop Choices.

  • 13th Company are not officially dead but are special choices based on your army. This Im not clear on whether they are a "Legion of the Damned" choice, or something based on the HQ you purchase.

    Note: I heard something similar from a GW staffer who went on to explain that they may arrive 'unannounced' from Deep Strike in a similar way to the Legion of the Damned.

  • Pack Leaders are now unit upgrades and are not purchased from Elites.

  • Grey Hunters are strongly rumored to be able to take a second special weapon in their squads.

  • Long Fangs "May" be able to have some sort of a special rule where they can move and fire, but not assault.

  • Blood Claws have been re-worked to level with 5th Edition in respect to "Bezerk Charge."

  • Wolf Lords will be able to take two "sagas". They will have a wide variety of weapon options. Rumours also suggest that they will be able to take Wolfguard as a Troops choice. This would tie in with the rumour about Space Wolves having lots of Troop choices earlier.

  • Wolf Priests will basically be a chaplain and apothacary combined in that they will have a Power weapon, Iron wolf amulet and Healing balms and potions as standard. So they will ignore armour saves, have a 4+ invulnerable save and confer Feel no Pain on any unit they join. They will be able to take one sage and apparently cost about 130pts.

  • Rune Priests will come with Force Weapon as standard and will be able to take some very nifty psychic powers unique to them. They will be able to take one Saga.

  • Iron Priests will be brought in line with the Techmarines of the normal codex. Uncomfirmed if they will be HQ or Elite but they too will take one Saga.

  • Wolf Guard battle leaders will be an upgrade for Wolf Guard packs and will be able to take one Saga as standard.

    A lot of confirmations this week, many of which had already been suggested. It looks as though 'sagas' will be the Special Rule for Space Wolves armies. Watch this Space for more Space Wolves rumours as they unfold!
  • The Ultimate Space Wolves Resource

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    We aim to provide you with all the painting guides, modelling tutorials and game winning tactics you need to get the most from playing your Space Wolf army!


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