Space Wolves - Warhammer 40k Guide

The Space Wolves are the savage sons of Fenris, fearsome and primal, bound by honor and ferocity.

Known for their brutal close-combat prowess and unique characters, they strike with the fury of a pack of wolves hunting in the heart of a storm. Their strength lies in aggressive melee tactics and an unstoppable drive for glory.

Painting them requires cold, frosty tones with feral details.

Logan Grimnar, Space Wolves leader, wielding an axe in a snowy battlefield.

Who Are The Space Wolves?

In the cold void of the 41st millennium, the Space Wolves are the Emperor’s most savage and fierce warriors. Descended from the Primarch Leman Russ, they are the warriors of Fenris, an ice-covered death world where only the strongest survive.

The Space Wolves are not like other Space Marines — they fight not only with bolter and blade but with the savage fury of wolves, embracing their wild, primal nature. Legends say that they can even shape-shift into monstrous forms, known as Wulfen, when the bloodlust becomes too much to contain.

The Space Wolves are bound by a code of honor and brotherhood that runs deeper than duty—they fight not for glory or conquest, but for the pack. Led by their Wolf Lords, these savage Astartes fight in brutal close-quarters combat, tearing their enemies apart with claws, axes, and fangs. Yet beneath their ferocity lies loyalty—fierce loyalty to the Emperor, to their Primarch, and to each other.

They are wolves among men, and they are feared by all who cross their path.

What Are The Space Wolves Army Strengths?

The Space Wolves thrive on a battlefield that is chaotic and up-close. Their ability to tear through enemies in melee combat is legendary. Here’s why they stand out as a unique and powerful force:

Close-Combat Dominance: Space Wolves are at their deadliest when up-close, where their savage ferocity shines. Armed with lightning claws, power axes, and frost weapons, they can tear through even the toughest foes with brutal efficiency. Their feral instincts make them unmatched in close-quarters brawls.

Counter-Charge and Mobility: The Space Wolves are masters of rapid, aggressive assaults. With their unique ability to counter-charge and fast-moving units like Thunderwolf Cavalry, they can strike hard and fast, punishing enemies who dare to close the gap.

Character-Driven Heroes: Space Wolves are rich in iconic characters like Ragnar Blackmane, Bjorn the Fell-Handed, and Logan Grimnar. These heroes bring both narrative flair and game-changing abilities, leading your pack to victory with devastating force.

Resilient Infantry: Space Wolves aren’t just berserkers—they also have surprisingly resilient infantry. Units like Gray Hunters and Blood Claws are versatile and tough, making them solid anchors in the battle, able to hold objectives and weather ranged fire until it’s time to strike.

Wulfen: The Wulfen are the cursed, mutated warriors of the Space Wolves, imbued with primal power and relentless savagery. When unleashed, they rip through enemies like living storms, with powerful close-combat attacks and special abilities that make them one of the deadliest units in the game.

Space Wolves and Khorne Berserkers clashing in a chaotic battlefield.

Where Should Beginners Start?

For those just starting their Space Wolves army, here are the key models that will provide a solid core and embody the feral might of the chapter:

Primaris Intercessors: These versatile troops serve as the backbone of your force, providing durability and firepower, all while capable of holding their own in close combat when required.

Blood Claws: The younger, more reckless warriors of the Space Wolves, Blood Claws excel in charging into melee combat. They are cheap, plentiful, and their berserker-like tactics make them perfect for overwhelming enemy forces.

Thunderwolf Cavalry: Few units capture the essence of the Space Wolves like Thunderwolf Cavalry. Mounted on massive Fenrisian wolves, these warriors are fast, brutal, and devastating in close combat, capable of shredding through infantry and even tanks.

Ragnar Blackmane: As one of the most iconic Wolf Lords, Ragnar is a deadly warrior who enhances nearby Space Wolves in battle. His combat prowess and abilities make him an incredible leader for any force.

Wulfen: These savage, mutated warriors are terrifying on the battlefield. Equipped with thunder hammers and frost claws, they tear through anything in their path, and their special abilities make them a terror for any opponent.

Bjorn the Fell-Handed: A revered Dreadnought encasing the ancient hero Bjorn, this unit provides not only devastating firepower but also powerful melee attacks. Bjorn is nearly impossible to kill and provides a solid centerpiece for your army.

Space Wolves Marine crouched in snow beside a wolf under a starry sky.

How to Paint The Space Wolves

Painting the Space Wolves is all about capturing their harsh, icy origins while also reflecting their feral, warrior nature. Their armor is a cold, grayish-blue, reflecting the frozen wastes of Fenris.

The key to painting them is balancing the frosty armor tones with the warm, rich hues of fur and weaponry. Expect a lot of intricate details like wolf pelts, talismans, and runic markings that give the models their tribal feel.

Space Wolves Land Raider tank in blue-gray with yellow accents and mounted weaponry.

Color Scheme Ideas

Frostclaw Warriors

Base Color: Fenrisian Gray. The primary color for the armor, giving the models a cold, icy look that reflects their connection to the frozen world of Fenris.

Shading: Nuln Oil. In the recesses and armor joints, creating depth and shadow in the light gray armor.

Highlights: Ulthuan Gray. For edge highlights, making the armor look sharp and crisp against the frost gray.

Accent Colors: Retributor Gold. On shoulder pad trims, weapon hilts, and armor details to give a regal, noble contrast to the cold armor.

Additional Accent: Khorne Red. For eye lenses, purity seals, and pack markings, giving a bold splash of color.

Highlight for Accents: Stormhost Silver. To edge highlight the metallic elements, such as weapons and armor details, adding a polished, reflective finish.

This scheme captures the cold, unforgiving nature of Fenris, with icy gray armor contrasted by rich gold and bold red accents.

Thunderhowl Pack

Base Color: The Fang. A darker, wolfish blue-gray for the armor, giving the Space Wolves a more aggressive and weathered appearance.

Shading: Drakenhof Nightshade. For recess shading, adding a deep, cold shadow to the armor and enhancing its sense of weight and ruggedness.

Highlights: Fenrisian Gray. For edge highlighting the darker armor, giving it a sharp, cold finish.

Accent Colors: Leadbelcher. On weapons, mechanical parts, and small armor details like chest plates, reinforcing the idea of war-forged warriors.

Additional Accent: Mephiston Red. On insignia, lenses, and pack markings, providing a strong contrast to the dark armor.

Highlight for Accents: Runefang Steel. For highlighting metallic details on weapons and armor, making the metal elements look sharp and battle-ready.

This scheme leans into the more feral and brutal aspects of the Space Wolves, with darker armor tones and minimal gold, emphasizing their fierce and pragmatic nature.

Winter’s Fury

Base Color: Russ Gray. A medium gray-blue base for the armor, striking a balance between the light and dark tones traditionally associated with the Space Wolves.

Shading: Agrax Earthshade. In the recesses and panel lines to give a warmer, more rugged look to the armor, reflecting the wolves’ connection to nature.

Highlights: Pallid Wych Flesh. For sharp edge highlights, giving the armor a slightly bleached, weathered appearance, as if exposed to the harsh elements of Fenris.

Accent Colors: Balthasar Gold. On shoulder pad trims, weapon embellishments, and chest emblems, providing a warm, rustic contrast against the cold armor.

Additional Accent: Moot Green. For glowing elements like plasma coils, runes, and energy weapons, adding an unexpected burst of color.

Highlight for Accents: Auric Gold. To edge highlight gold details, giving them a bright, refined finish.

This scheme blends the wild, untamed feel of the Space Wolves with the noble, heroic elements of their warrior culture, using a balanced gray-blue tone with warm metallics and vibrant accents.

Space Wolves model carrying a wolf-pelt banner and axe, painted in icy blue-gray armor.

Space Wolves Painting Techniques

To truly bring your Space Wolves to life, you’ll need to employ a range of painting techniques that emphasize their primal, savage nature as well as their ties to the frozen world of Fenris.

Layering for Armor: Start with a dark blue-gray base like The Fang, then gradually build up layers with Fenrisian Gray. Use lighter shades like Russ Gray or Administratum Gray for final edge highlights. This layering creates a frosty, rugged texture for their armor that feels true to their icy origins.

Fur Detailing: Begin with a dark base for the fur, like Rhinox Hide or Zandri Dust, then drybrush lighter tones over it to bring out the texture of the fur. This drybrushing technique gives the fur depth and makes it look natural, blending the wild and savage elements of the Space Wolves.

Snow and Ice Effects: Use a mix of white and light blue drybrushing to create frost or snow effects on bases or weaponry. Apply a snow texture or crushed glass to bases for added realism. This will give your models a wintery look, grounding them in the icy wastelands of Fenris, making them appear like they’ve walked out of a blizzard into battle.

Weathering: Use a light drybrush of metallic silver on weapons, shoulder pads, and armor edges to simulate wear and tear. Add battle damage using a sponge technique for chipped armor. Adds grit and wear to the model, showing that the Space Wolves are seasoned warriors who have fought countless brutal battles.

Runes and Tribal Markings: Paint glowing runes and tribal symbols using bright blues or reds, blending the colors into a glowing effect by adding small amounts of white to the center. This brings a mystical element to your models, reflecting their ancient, warrior traditions and their connection to Fenris.

Object Source Lighting (OSL): Apply OSL on plasma weapons, visors, or runes by lightly glazing the surrounding area with a bright color like blue or red, then highlighting the light source itself with pure white or a bright color. Adds a dynamic, glowing effect that makes the model look like it’s brimming with energy or ancient power.

By mastering these techniques, you’ll bring your Space Wolves to life with their frosty armor, savage furs, and tribal markings. On the battlefield, they’ll look every bit the ruthless, unstoppable predators that they are, ready to bring ruin to their enemies with fang and fury.