Well folks, the wait is pretty much over. Codex Space Wolves is in black boxes headed to FLGS across the world, and will be available for purchade October 3rd. Eyewitness first hand tidbits are reporting that:
Counter-attack and Acute Senses is the de-facto standard for the Space Wolves, replacing Combat Tactics, and Combat Squads.
All our favorite HQs are back,and a few new ones. The basic Wolf Lord is a close combat monster (WS:6, A:4) at the relatively budget cost of a Necron Lord. If equipped lightly he offers quite a point-efficient punch.
We will be seeing a VERY strong retooling of the basic troops choices in the army. Grey hunters will be equipped as CSMs, with Counter-Attack, Acute Senses, and ATSKNF, for the price of a standard CSM. Blood Claws are BS/WS:3 but have a huge number of attacks on the charge. Same price as Grey Hunters. Both troops choices offer no heavy weapon options, but double specials at max squad size (some of them free).
Wolf Guard add +3 pts per model for an extra attack, and a huge myriad of weapon options, plus the critical ability to be assigned as needed to many squads in the army at deployment time.
Wolf Scouts are back with a reduced number of special weapons available to them, but still can pack quite a punch, with a potent combo of USRs (infiltrate, scout, move-thru-cover, behind enemy ines, etc...)
Thunderwolf Cavalry are real. Yes you heard that right, marines riding giant wolves are headed for a tabletop near you...be warned!
Fenrissian Wolf Packs are in.
Longfangs are the sole heavy weapon toting infantry in the list, and boy do they get them at a bargain rate (cheaper than any other marine/csm dev-havoc squad), and up to 5 per squad. Look for these small teams popping up all over the place with thier budget cost and ability to split fire intact.
The Leman Russ tank is gone, but the LR Crusader and Redeemer will make it up to you.
In general, the real meat of the army is not overcosted, and smart players will have a mass infantry option (with rhinos/razorbacks/pods options) if they desire that play style. The army looks like a true "shock and awe" elite force that can really go for the jugular, compared to the finesse deployment and maneuver tricks you see with players exploiting the combat-squads/tactics rules.
~Look for copies of the codex to hitting your FLGS this week.
