The Start of Sons Of Morkai

[TrawlingCleaner]

When I was a young lad, my first army was the space wolves. Back before they were redone and were turned into the wolfiest wolf that ever wolfed (this might be some people's thing but its not for me). When they were only upgrade sprues with barely any bits. I want to start a SW army of Space Vikings like they used to be.

I'm going to try to keep the wolfiness to a minimum, so no thunderwolves and wulfen although I will convert proxies to still use them. I think I'm going to build the Erik Morkai great company. I find it very interesting that they're very heavy on the stealth, which is such a difference to all the other space wolves making them outcasts. I think they'll have dark grey armour like their 30k coliur scheme, making them look different from other space wolves but also making sense stealth wise.

As for army list wise are grey hunters still the solid building blocks? What else are good choices? Where do I even start? Thanks for any help

[Krakendoomcool]

Hello TrawlingCleaner,

 

Ive often wondered what a ‘Sons of Morkai’ Great Company would look like.

 

Of course Scouts is the obvious choice, multiple units of scouts. Grey hunters would be a solid choice too. I’m planning on making a unit of Sons of Morkai Grey Hunters. From a model point of view making them like trackers or rangers. Maybe scopes and silencers on the bolters and ropes and axes on the backpacks. Extending the scout idea basically to the grey hunters.

 

For army selection I was thinking Fenrisian Wolves, Thunderwolves and Wulfen would all fit the brief. They are presumably good trackers and vicious in assault. Like Erik’s characteristics. If you proxy them that does get around the Wolfiness you aren’t so kean on.

 

The scouts aren’t too good right now so the army might be quite hard to play. Any sort of outflank rules you can use would fit the fluff. But not necessarily be that great right now.

 

It will be interesting to see what’s in the new codex. Then you should have a better idea.

 

In the meantime you could be making scouts and grey hunters as that’s pretty much a given for Sons of Morkai.

[Rockythedog]

I’m doing a Morkai great company too, though they are now on hold until the codex. I have gone with fast moving units (sky claws, bikes) and grey hunters and intercessors. Two units of scouts.

When thencodex comes out I’ll pick them back up and carry on building them up.

I’m not a fan of the Uber wolf theme either, hence the Morkai great company.

[TrawlingCleaner]

Hello TrawlingCleaner,

 

Ive often wondered what a ‘Sons of Morkai’ Great Company would look like.

 

Of course Scouts is the obvious choice, multiple units of scouts. Grey hunters would be a solid choice too. I’m planning on making a unit of Sons of Morkai Grey Hunters. From a model point of view making them like trackers or rangers. Maybe scopes and silencers on the bolters and ropes and axes on the backpacks. Extending the scout idea basically to the grey hunters.

 

For army selection I was thinking Fenrisian Wolves, Thunderwolves and Wulfen would all fit the brief. They are presumably good trackers and vicious in assault. Like Erik’s characteristics. If you proxy them that does get around the Wolfiness you aren’t so kean on.

 

The scouts aren’t too good right now so the army might be quite hard to play. Any sort of outflank rules you can use would fit the fluff. But not necessarily be that great right now.

 

It will be interesting to see what’s in the new codex. Then you should have a better idea.

 

In the meantime you could be making scouts and grey hunters as that’s pretty much a given for Sons of Morkai.

 

I’m doing a Morkai great company too, though they are now on hold until the codex. I have gone with fast moving units (sky claws, bikes) and grey hunters and intercessors. Two units of scouts.

When thencodex comes out I’ll pick them back up and carry on building them up.

I’m not a fan of the Uber wolf theme either, hence the Morkai great company.

 

 

My general plan was bikes and jumppacks with vaguely mechanised troops. I can't say that I'm a huge fan of scouts but I'll maybe give them a look. Are Rune Priests any good?

 

Kraken man, your 12 Wolf Lord conversions made me remember how good Space Wolves can look.

 

I think that I'll be mostly using a mix of normal space marine parts with some space wolves kits mixed in. I've got a ForgeWorld Limited edition Ultramarines banner bearer on the way, for a really good price from eBay which I'm going to use for Erik.

[Krakendoomcool]

With bikes, jump packs and mechanised troops you could also go Seawolves if you like them.

 

I think people use Rune Priests for the cover save bonus they provide. They go well with infantry.

 

Thanks for the compliment. There are loads of great wolves here in the Space Wolf section.

 

Look forward to seeing your Erik.

 

Codex is out soon if we are lucky maybe even get rules for Sons of Morkai. There have been lots of attempts at outflanking Space Wolves in the past. With the new changes to deep strike in the latest faq the time is ripe for GW to get outflanking Space Wolves right.

 

Scouts are bound to be getting better in new codex.

 

Really want you to stick with Sons of Morkai but would suggest waiting for new codex. If your into the fluff just go for it though. P.s. There is a short audio story called Deathwolf which features Erik Morkai you might like.

[Krakendoomcool]

I forgot to say. In the fluff Erik doesn’t have Rune Priests in his Great Company. His brother is a Rune Priest and left to join Logan Grimnar’s Great Company. Erik doesn’t trust them anymore because of this.

[TrawlingCleaner]

I only play friendly game swith my mates so making things peak performance really isn't a problem for me. Even if they're going to be one of the last codexes to be released, I still play index DW from time to time, they really can't be that bad.

 

I really like the idea of a great company thats pretty much the complete opposite of what the other great companies specialise in. So I'm definitely going to go for it. I'll definitely listen to the audio story, I've read a summary of a bit of it and it sounds great.

 

I feel like even if he hated Rune Priests, if Logan Grimnar told him to take a Rune Priest with him, although with a lot of gritted teeth, he'd probably do it. You can't really say no when top dog gives you an order right?

 

I'm assuming that Long Fangs are just the SW equivalent of Devestators? I think I remember they used to be able to split fire in the old edition but now everyone can do that

[Rockythedog]

IF Logan ordered him to take one. I remember reading that all the wolf lords are scared of Erik Morkai, and presumably that might include Logan, so maybe he never would tell him?

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

Long fangs are just devastated from a role perspective however this edition they have an inherent reroll 1s to hit since everyone got split fire.

[Kasper_Hawser]

Hi Trawler,

 

The old 6 man units with combi plasma and plasma gun, together with their Razorback IFV, is still viable and respectable, pouring decent amount of fire, and fast enough to get objectives where needed. Suggest you re-build your armies along 4 such squads and Razorbacks, then fill the rest with Long Fangs and other big guns.

 

Rune Priests are a bit overcosted, but they are still necessary to provide support for your army, particularly Stormcaller which gives cover save within 6", which is invaluable to boost your Razorbacks survivability so that even when hit with a melta, they still get a 6+ save. Mostly it'll be lascannons you are saving, which will be boosted to 5+ save. I normally put them on bikes for speed and toughness.

 

Bear in mind that we got an outflank strategem, but according to recent beta rules, cannot deepstrike outside deployment zone on Turn 1. Not a bad handicap, chance are you will outflank on second turn anyway, but it fits your Morkai scheme where even Grey Hunters can outflank,

[TrawlingCleaner]

Long fangs are just devastated from a role perspective however this edition they have an inherent reroll 1s to hit since everyone got split fire.

Sweet, I'm glad they got something extra

 

Hi Trawler,

 

The old 6 man units with combi plasma and plasma gun, together with their Razorback IFV, is still viable and respectable, pouring decent amount of fire, and fast enough to get objectives where needed. Suggest you re-build your armies along 4 such squads and Razorbacks, then fill the rest with Long Fangs and other big guns.

 

Rune Priests are a bit overcosted, but they are still necessary to provide support for your army, particularly Stormcaller which gives cover save within 6", which is invaluable to boost your Razorbacks survivability so that even when hit with a melta, they still get a 6+ save. Mostly it'll be lascannons you are saving, which will be boosted to 5+ save. I normally put them on bikes for speed and toughness.

 

Bear in mind that we got an outflank strategem, but according to recent beta rules, cannot deepstrike outside deployment zone on Turn 1. Not a bad handicap, chance are you will outflank on second turn anyway, but it fits your Morkai scheme where even Grey Hunters can outflank,

Plasma combi plasma was the plan I think, I just love plasma guns but not Dark Angels 

 

 

I got the base model for Erik, it's the Limited edition Ultramarines Standard bearer. It's the second one of these I've bought, I just love the very calm pose which I think suits Morkai very well. I would like to know which head people prefer on him. I think I prefer the first one and I modelled the second one myself (I need to tidy the beard up around the nose). I'm not overly great at modelling as I haven't done much. Any C&C is greatly appreciated

 

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[Krakendoomcool]

He looks great! Thats a great model to base him on. The two weapons help sell the viciousness. He really wouldn't be above stabbing someone if need be. The first head I much prefer. The second one could well be an ultramarine in it's current form. I would also recommend a longer chain. It doesn't look like he could swing the axe much with a short chain attaching it to his hip. I'm also assuming the eagle heads are gonna be replaced by wolf heads.

 

Great job so far. Realy like him.

 

(I'm reminded I have this model in my garage, a gift I'm supposed to pass to another friend who lives in another city now. It's so tempting to use him as something now!)

[PeteySödes]

I used that model for my world priest, it’s really nice! I like the first head over the second but maybe think the position is a bit off?

[TrawlingCleaner]

I used that model for my world priest, it’s really nice! I like the first head over the second but maybe think the position is a bit off?

The head ball bit is still on combined with the blutac makes him look like he's got a very long neck. Could that be it?

 

He looks great! Thats a great model to base him on. The two weapons help sell the viciousness. He really wouldn't be above stabbing someone if need be. The first head I much prefer. The second one could well be an ultramarine in it's current form. I would also recommend a longer chain. It doesn't look like he could swing the axe much with a short chain attaching it to his hip. I'm also assuming the eagle heads are gonna be replaced by wolf heads.

 

Great job so far. Realy like him.

 

(I'm reminded I have this model in my garage, a gift I'm supposed to pass to another friend who lives in another city now. It's so tempting to use him as something now!)

Yeah I agree the chain is too short needs a little more dangle the axe arm shoulder pad needs to be cleaned up too. I'm not too sure about the backpack, on one hand there isn't much on the model in the way of wolfiness so it would make sense to swap out the backpack. On the other it could be painted as a Raven's head which is quite norsey. I need to think about it tbh

[Krakendoomcool]

Raven heads is a nice idea. I remember your going more Viking look. If you did go for the two wolf heads you would be totally justified in this instance as Morkai is a two headed wolf after all. You could happily go with either.

[PeteySödes]

Could be it yea. I do have trouble sometimes working the stock head beards over some of the more pronounced gorgets though too.

[Rockythedog]

Yeah the gorgets on the deathwatch models stopped me using a wolf helmet or a bearded head on my kill team.

 

I’m looking to use the bearded head from the Khorne exalted death bringer model. Awesome looking Viking head would be great for Erik Morkai.

[PeteySödes]

Yeah the gorgets on the deathwatch models stopped me using a wolf helmet or a bearded head on my kill team.

I’m looking to use the bearded head from the Khorne exalted death bringer model. Awesome looking Viking head would be great for Erik Morkai.

Well I can tell you it certainly fits:

[Rockythedog]

Love it

[TrawlingCleaner]

Raven heads is a nice idea. I remember your going more Viking look. If you did go for the two wolf heads you would be totally justified in this instance as Morkai is a two headed wolf after all. You could happily go with either.

I didn't even think about the two headed wolf thing. Do you know which kit the wolf backpack is on?

Yeah the gorgets on the deathwatch models stopped me using a wolf helmet or a bearded head on my kill team.

I’m looking to use the bearded head from the Khorne exalted death bringer model. Awesome looking Viking head would be great for Erik Morkai.

Well I can tell you it certainly fits:

Wow. Thats a really gnarly model mate. It also looks like a 40k Tormund Giantsbane almost

[Rockythedog]

The two headed assault back pack (the one I used) is in the space wolf upgrade spruce I think. I’m heading to store in a bit so can confirm. It’s only £8 and has some nice little bits on it

[Krakendoomcool]

That sounds right, depending on where in the world you are.

 

Also old Grey Hunters circa 3rd/4th edition had one in. Characters too have them. If you only want the one bit eBay can be great for finding that one piece you need. You can make them too, I’ve made one before using two identical wolf heads and that very same eagle head backpack.

 

Thank you Trawling Cleaner and FearPeteySodes. I think I’m gonna join your club and make Bulveye using this body too.

[Rockythedog]

Yep just checked in store. Two headed pack is in the wolf upgrade sprue

[TrawlingCleaner]

That sounds right, depending on where in the world you are.

 

Also old Grey Hunters circa 3rd/4th edition had one in. Characters too have them. If you only want the one bit eBay can be great for finding that one piece you need. You can make them too, I’ve made one before using two identical wolf heads and that very same eagle head backpack.

 

Thank you Trawling Cleaner and FearPeteySodes. I think I’m gonna join your club and make Bulveye using this body too.

 

I have no doubt it'll look amazing

 

Yep just checked in store. Two headed pack is in the wolf upgrade sprue

 

Sweet, cheers dude!

 

So I fixed the chain on the axe and I've decided on the non-sculpted dude, he looks calm and perfect for the idea I had for Erik.

 

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I've also started the test scheme on a normal space marine I had spare. I'm pretty happy with it so far, it's my first attempt at blending and freehanding. He's pretty bland at the moment, but I think that's because it doesn't have the space wolves shoulder pads for some differences. C&C is very welcome

 

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[Krakendoomcool]

Erik looks good.

 

Like the colour you've chosen for your army. I think it will go well with the Chapter badge.