My 10 reasons for the Space Wolves

There are some good reasons to go with the Space Wolves, at least for me there are. And I want to write them down for once – and if it’s only for myself.

The reasons are presented in order of relevance (to me, of course).

1. Most Colourful – None of the first founding Legions, and only few of the later chapters can choose from such a wide colour palette: Blue (basic Armour of course), Yellow (the most used secondary Colour), Red, Black, White and Gold. You could almost use any of these Colour in almost any extend anywhere on the Minis. That give the Painter an incredible wide spectrum of use. Indeed the Ragnars black Wolf Badge on the yellow left Pauldron – that’s just the most single iconic Design in 40k for me … at all.
2. Beards, Braid and long Hair – It’s already part of DecoySnakes Cartoon: The Space Wolves are almost the only chapter that wear beards. The White Scars also have Fu-Manchu-Moustaches, but that hardly counts. All other Chapters and especially the Vanilla-Marines have hardly any Form of facial Hair at all. Arguing that this is unrealistic seems to be the wrong direction for me, because … hello … we’re talking about the 40.999, “realism” simply isn’t a part of the setting.  I just do like Warriors with Beards, Braids and long Hair. More then the others. Much more. Aaand  … I like, that two of these features are considered very “manly” when portraited on (Space-) Vikings, but generally are considered to be primarily within of the female part of the (hair-) fashion world. I very much like the crossgender notion of that. And of course, I always had a thing for the Sons of Durin …
3. It’s just my Codex – The way the Space Wolves Army is organised suits me most.  Gray Hunters and Blood Claws as Troops, both with the Option to have a Wolf Guard Pack Leader in Terminator Armour, Björn the Fellhanded (and … hell … even Björn alone is a good reason to play the Wolves – the oldest linving-ish Astartes, that last that has fought in the Horus Heresy!) as HQ and many other HQ Units,  Wolf Guards with Jump Packs and in Terminator Armour, Powerful Long Fangs,  and a Lone Wolf for every Troop Unit  … that’s just almost 100% the perfect Army for me. I especially think, that it allows you to field more Terminators than in any other Army. And you have slightly more options on outfitting them.
4. Humor and Hedonism – The Space Wolves seem to me as the only Astartes that have at least something comparable to Humor and Hedonism. All the others seem to be only grim and only dark and only war. Although it’s contradiction in terms: This makes them the most human Legion or Chapter, in my humble Opinion. Their boasting and brawling … you don’t have to love it, but can’t just not like it. And to put it with the Words of a good friend of mine … there’s always a thin thread of romanticism within each Story of the Space Wolves. Often you don’t see it beneath all the rage and blood and gore, but it’s there.
5. The Minis and Bits and Kitbashing Walhalla – It’s not the sheer amount of Miniatures, thrid party Bits and Transfer Sheets that are available for the Space Wolves and Speeehs-Vikings and Science-Fiction Celtic Warriors … it’s the fact that they so well integrate and kitbash with the common Fantasy Barbarians. It’s like you get the best of two worlds: Conan and Han Solo – with Beards and Braids and braided Beards and long Hair and even braided long Hair. I think there’s not a second Chapter or Legion, that has such great kit-bashing opportunities.
6. The Thousand Sons are their Arch-Enemy – That is also a point very worht mentioning. It’s not only the fact, that some say that your reputation is measured in the relevance of your foes … it’s the fact that the Thousand Sons fell from grace despite their better intentions. They were loyal to the Emperor, they wanted to serve and to protect. They are lost Sons. To me their Story is the only interesting among the Traitor Legions. And it’s inextricably interwoven with the Fate – and I would say, even with the nature of the Wolves.
7. There’s a lot to read – I probably spend more time reading Black Library Novels, Novellas and Short Stories, than building and painting Minis. So having a lot to read from “my Legion, my Chapter” is a big plus, although I must admit, that William Kings first Space Wolf Novel was a rather … harsh experience for me. :]
8. There’s a big Community of Wolfplayers – To be honest, this is not necessarily a good thing. I still have a weak spot for the Underdog-Legions, for the White Scars, the Iron Hands and the Imperial Fist. Being part of a small Community among many bigger Communities welds people together. But on the other Hand: There are so many playable Factions in 40k, that every Community of Player is only one among many. And to be part of a bigger one brings the Advantage of many helping Hands. Mutual Support is an important part of the Hobby and when you’re not 16 anymore and have looots of time to build, paint, read and play … then it’s very motivating to have many player, who are willing to share their experience with you.
9. It’s 30k-able – If you do it right, you can play both – 40k and 30k. That it not only cool because of the growing community of players but also becaus the Horus Heresy is just a damn good story … no wait … it’s not “a” story … it’s a thousand great stories.
10. Yes, they are Vikings in Space  – and I’ll give you that one: It’s certainly not the most creative Legion or Chapter someone ever came up with. But … I am german … the Nordic Mythology are even closer to me than Christian Mythology. Not, that I would believe in the smalles part of any of this … it’s just … it doesn’t feel wrong to play around with this tradition, as it feels wrong for me to play with the Mongol Traditions or the Roman Traditions. I’m neither a Mongol, nor a Roman … I don’t know what the think about people playing around with their heritage. But I feel at least partly to be an heir of the nordic heritage and to have the right and freedom to play around with it.