What have Space Wolves done to 40k?


If you're looking for Wolf bashing, move on soldier.
If you're looking for GW bashing, this isn't it either.
If you're looking for something about 40k armies, keep reading.

Wow.
I don't ever remember there being this much to do about any other Codex when it came out. Maybe I just wasn't aware of it, but then again, maybe this is different. The new Space Wolf Codex has changed something. I don't know exactly what it is, but you can feel it when you look around at the boards and blogs and such.

And I'm not gonna lie, it's had it's impact on me too. I've got the new Codex and I've given it a good read through a couple times now. My army of choice is Deathwing and like everyone probably knows, Space Wolves can do this now too.

I even spent the time and worked up my list using the new Space Wolf rules. Just like everyone else will do when they get ahold of the Codex as well.
But why? That was the question that came to mind when I was done.
Because I wanted something I thought was better?
Like having Wolves was going to be an auto win?
Am I afraid that by not playing Space Wolves, I'll lose all the time?

Here's the conversation I see happening in the next couple weeks at most every game of 40k...

Player 1: What do you play?
Player 2: Mentor Legion
Player 1: Cool, I've got Eldar.
Player 2: But I'm using Space Wolf rules.
Player 1: So... you're really Space Wolves.
Palyer 2: Oh no, I'm Mentor Legion.
Player 1: Uh... ok, Mentor Legion it is.

I suspect I will be playing against a lot of Space Wolves in the near future. And I wonder, will it be because those people really like Space Wolves or will it be because they need to have what they think is the best?

Even more is this, how many of those armies will be fully painted and based? I'm willing to bet I'll see lots of finely tuned "Space Wolf lists" that are made up of unpainted and unfinshed models. I'll even go so far as to say most of those armies will look the same too in their build AND appearance.
Why don't players put as much effort into the look and appearance of their army as they do the rules for it? And don't tell me you can't paint.

I've read a few posts recently about how people picked their armies and what got them into the hobby originally. It's made me think about what all this means for me.

I'm not going to use Space Wolf rules for my Deathwing.
But that's a decision I came to on my own. Ask yourself why exactly you're starting up/using/switching over to Wolves now or why you're not going to. And if you do, are you going to paint them up as Wolves or will you be using them to replace rules already in existence?

I can only hope that those players looking for the "best army" find it... before they miss out on the whole point of the game. To share a few hours with some friends playing with some cool looking miniature soldiers on a nicely terrained table.

An good luck to those of you looking for the "best army," I suspect you've been on it for a while now and still haven't found it.


Ron, From the WarpIf you've got any questions about something in this post, shoot me a comment and I'll be glad to answer. Make sure to share your hobby tips and thoughts in the comments below!