Email in: New to the hobby: My initial Space Wolves 2000 points list

"Hi,

I'm new to the hobby and I would like to ask for your opinion regarding my initial 2000 Space Wolves army list. Also, could you give me a list of what I should buy to get all the units and equipment for the army? I'm having trouble on what packs I should buy to get the parts for the combi-plasma, combi-melta and tactical missile launchers. Can I find the parts in the Space Wolves Battleforce?
Most of the ideas for the list came from your blog combined with how I imagined my Space Wolves would function in the battlefield. It's no quite obvious that I refer to your blog for most things Space Wolf and basic info about the other armies. :D

I'm asking for this favor so that when I can try to minimize unnecessary purchases once I start buying the units piece-meal. Thanks a bunch and more power to your blog. You guys rock! I'll be looking forward to your future articles. :)

Land Raider God-Hammer Pattern (250)
- Extra Armor (15)

5 Wolf Guard Terminators (165)
- Cyclone Missile Launcher (30)
- Chain Fist (15)
- Wolf Claw (5)
- Combi-Plasma (5)
- Combi-Melta (5)

9 Grey Hunters (135)
- Melta Gun (5)
- Wolf Standard (10)
- Mark of The Wulfen (15)
Wolf Guard Pack Leader (18)
- Combi-Melta (5)
- Power Fist (20)
Rhino (35)

9 Grey Hunters (135)
- Melta Gun (5)
- Wolf Standard (10)
- Mark of The Wulfen (15)
Wolf Guard Pack Leader (18)
- Combi-Melta (5)
- Power Fist (20)
Rhino (35)

Rune Priest (100)
- Chooser of the Slain (10)
5 Grey Hunters (75)
- Melta Gun (5)
Rhino (35)

Rune Priest (100)
- Chooser of the Slain (10)
5 Grey Hunters (75)
- Melta Gun (5)
Rhino (35)

6 Long Fangs (90)
- 5 Missile Launchers (50)
Razorback (40)
- Twin-Linked Lascannon (35)

6 Long Fangs (90)
- 5 Missile Launchers (50)
Razorback (40)
- Twin-Linked Lascannon (35)

Land Speeder Tornado (50)
- Heavy Flamer (free)
- Multi-Melta (20)

Land Speeder Tornado (50)
- Heavy Flamer (free)
- Multi-Melta (20)

TOTAL: 1996 points"

I'll preface this by saying hold off on major purchases until 6th ed - things will change. Space Wolves are unlikely to become crap but knowing the tweaks for a new army is going to be important before purchases.

A solid force with only one true issue - the Wolf Guard Terminator squad and Land Raider. Godhammer Land Raiders aren't great (even in 6th if some sort of hull point is assigned to tanks, Crusaders are the better bet). I'd be looking to cut back on the Terminator armor for the Wolf Guards and expand the squad a bit in terms of numbers (i.e. 2-3 Terminators, 4-5 power armored guys) and get them a bunch of storm bolters + 2xCMLs and make them a nice midfield unit which can shoot and combat (therefore you don't need the Land Raider to escort them up the field).

With any excess points another Grey Hunter or Long Fang squad are good choices otherwise Scouts to provide some utility or Thunderwolves for more combat punch. Also, the Razorbacks are best done as LasPlas for the extra weapon and shots as the game wears on.

In terms of buying things - you're not going to find combi-weapons or mass missiles easily (though lasplas are pretty easy to convert as you get plasma guns with everything). You generally need to convert the combi-weapons (bolter + special weapon) or missile launchers (some sort of tubing) or use bitz sites/ebay, etc. Otherwise getting Razorback kits (never Rhino kits) and Grey Hunter/Wolf Guard kits will give you basically what you need with lots of little extras.