The new Space Wolves Codex is out there. Come see the latest on all the new rules that are coming your way week for the Vlka Fenryka in 8th edition!
Rounding up all the reviews out there, we’ve got the latest in-depth look at the Space Wolves codex itself.
Sadly, there’s no Leman Russ primarch model or rules, but don’t give up hope just yet! You never know what Games Workshop will release for Warhammer 40k next, right?
Winter’s Coming: 8th Edition Space Wolves Codex Reviewed
This is the chapter tactic of the Space Wolves. As long as you’re battle forged, your infantry units, Bikes, and Dreadnoughts will be able to hit on 2’s and if you’re a character, intervene 6″.
Space Wolves are also getting the full Primaris lineup. They’ll have Repulsors, Intercessors, Aggressors, etc.
Warlord Traits/Sagas
Editors Note: Games Workshop update these traits via a PDF document before the codex was even released.
Wolfkin: Warlord, Wulfen, Beasts, and Cavalry units can make an additional attack in a turn where they charged while within 6″ of your Warlord. They also are immune to taking morale tests.
(Unknown): Always choose your warlord to fight first in the fight phase
Saga of the Hunter: Add 2 to saving throws when your Warlord is getting the benefit of cover. The Warlord can also advance and charge in the same turn.
Saga of Majesty: Friendly Space Wolves units within 12″ of the Warlord don’t have to take Morale Tests.
Space Wolves Relics
Wulfen Stone: make one additional attack for any Infantry or Biker units while within 3″ of the bearer of this relic. (doesn’t effect Wulfen.)
Kraken Bone Sword: Reroll failed wound rolls for the weapon.
Black Death: (Frost axe only). Each time the bearer fights, it makes an additional D3 attacks with +2S -2AP 1D.
Unknown: Reroll failed hit rolls for the model’s ranged attacks and enemy units don’t get benefits for being in cover.
Stratagems of the Wolves
Howl of the Great Pack (2CP): Use the stratagem in the morale phase only. Choose a friendly Wolflord and any unit with 12″ of the model can automatically pass morale. The Opponent must add one to the roll for morale for any enemy units within 12″.
Chooser of the Slain (2CP): Use the stratagem as your opponent sets up an enemy unit on the battlefield as reinforcements. A friendly unit within 6″ of a Rune Priest that has LOS can immediately shoot at the unit and must subtract one from hit rolls.
Overwhelming Impetuosity (1CP): Bloodclaw units that made a successful charge and are within 1″ of an enemy unit with a higher Power Level rating only. Reroll all failed hits against that unit.
Mentors’ Guidance (1CP): Use the stratagem in the shooting or fight phase. Choose a Space Wolves character other than a Wolf Priest that is within 6″ of a Wolf Priest. You can reroll all failed wound rolls for that model.
Laugh in the Face of Death (1CP): Use the stratagem in the fight phase for an Infantry or a Biker unit that’s affecting the units’ leadership. Reroll all failed hit rolls for that unit.
Overwhelming Savagery (1CP): Use the stratagem in the fight phase for a Thunderwolf Cavalry unit. You can reroll wound rolls of 1 for the phase.
Seeking a Saga (1CP): Pick a character fighting a unit with a higher Power Level rating and the character can reroll failed wound rolls for its attacks.
Keen Senses (1CP): Use the stratagem in the shooting phase. Choose a Space Wolves unit from your army. The unit doesn’t suffer ANY negative penalties to hit for this phase.
Emperor’s Executioners (1CP): Choose a Space Wolves unit in combat with a Thousand Sons unit. Every hit on a 4+ immediately generates an extra attack.
Living Storm (1CP): Three Psykers must be within 6″ of each other. Instead of doing D3 mortal wounds from Living Lightning, do D6 instead.
Tempestus Discipline
Tempests Wrath (WC6): Visible enemy unit within 24″ of the Psyker. Until the start of the next psychic phase, they must subtract 1 from ANY hit rolls until the start of the next psychic phase.
Murderous Hurricane (WC5): Select an enemy unit within 18″ of the Psyker. Roll a dice for each model in the unit. Any roll of a 6+ does a mortal wound.
Stormcaller (WC8): All Space Wolves units within 6″ of the Psyker gain the benefit of being in cover until the start of the next psychic phase.
Jaws of the World Wolf (WC7): roll 2D6 and subtract the target’s move characteristic. The unit suffers mortal wounds equal to the difference.
Major Point Value Changes
- Venerable Dreadnought went down 5 points.
- Logan Gimnar went down 20 points. (now costs 170)
Most units stayed the same from Chapter Approved transitioning to the Codex.
All in all, Space Wolves look like they got some Stratagems to help shift the meta in what we see in competitive play. 1CP to ignore all negative hit modifiers is just one great example.
It seems like Space Wolves will still be very character-centric so stock up on Rune Priests. What will you be taking in your Space Wolves army? What does your list look like now that we know what they’re getting in the codex? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
Latest & greatest on what’s coming to Space Wolves
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
