Quote: (Krieger @ 19 Jan. 2009, 13:43 )
1. Again, the small size of the Grey Hunter packs seems a bit small. They can't take anywhere near the casualties of a Tactical Marine detachment and lack the heavy weapons of a Tactical detatchment. They end up being rather slow assault marine detachment or they get used as a way to get more AA Hunters or similar upgrades.
-Either Blood Claws or Grey Hunters need to get larger.
2. The limited number of Missile Launchers and similar heavy weapons is an issue, characterful but problematic. Not sure if there is good way to address this one.
3. As with most lists drawn purely from Astartes units (ie no Titans or Navy units) There is a lack of units which can take on most War Engines. This is particularly an issue against Eldar because of their Skimmer rules which makes all assaults against them FF only. Again, this is an issue common to all types of Marines.
That all makes sense looking at the list. I also agree that from the background perspective, the Grey Hunter formations need to be larger (possibly others as well).
The lower proportion of weapons, emphasis on CC and slow formation speed means (like so many SM variant lists) the obvious optimal strategy is air assault. A Grey Hunter formation with 4 units, a Wolf Priest, a Venerable Dread and a regular dread (to help soak AT hits) would be a pretty nasty Thawk load - 5x CC3+, 2x CC3+MW, CC4+, CC4+MW, 2x Inspiring - for a pretty reasonable 375 points.
They might work as a ground force using a swarm of fast attack Bloodclaw units, but compared to a Codex list they would be lacking formations for bulk and base of fire.
Russ as independent formations or as close support would help out with the lack of infantry heavy weapons, but independent formations would be most effective. If included, should they also be part of the allowed load for Landing Craft?
I'd really like to see a Space Wolves list work.