Wolves Rumours

So I stumbled across this linked from a post on another blog that I follow. It updates from time to time as new news comes to light, so is worth a revisit from time to time.

Looking through it, my thoughts are:

October/ November Launch (Confirmed but maybe earlier)
- Can't come early enough.
2+ New Special Characters (probably Kjarl and Bjorn again. I think those were the 2 removed) (Bjorn Confirmed)
- not too bothered as I prefer to put together my own characters for the fluff I am building around my army.
2+ New Units. One is possibly the 13th Company Wulfen Guard as an Elite
- This would be pretty cool, and as regular SMs get the legion of the damned, seems to make sense. I'm curious to know what the other new units might be.
Long Fang's may get Slow and Purposeful Special Rule
- This would be great, and finally make the LFs worth taking. It would also fit fluff wise somewhat as they are the veterans of the wolves and so most likely to have that kind of ability.
Minor reduction to Long Fang points [1/6/09]
Full sized Codex (Confirmed)
- cool, not much else to say. I don't think they would do it any other way though, GW seems to be going back to full codex.
Possible removal of True Grit Army Special Rule. (80% Confirmed. Grey Hunters may have 2 attacks standard now)
- curious, if they do get the 2 attacks, then I wouldn't mind, if they don't then I really hope the mention about wargear (next point) had better be true otherwise GHs will end up being nothing but regular marines.
(Standard Space Marine Wargear: Frag and Krak Nades, Bolt Pistol, Bolter)
(Standard Chaos Wargear: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, CCW)
Standard Space Wolves Wargear: CCW, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Nades [1/26/09]
- If they then allow the GHs to take an additional bolter, not replacing the bolt pistol so they end up like a mix of regular SM and CSM then happy, otherwise this will really hurt them.
Grey Hunters may get Heavy Weapons added to squad [1/26/09] (50% Confirmed because notes currently suggest higher point costs)
- Not totally keen on this, I would take the lack of heavy firepower to keep the fluff difference of the wolves, and the different composition and structure.
Possible removal of Leman Russ "Exterminator" (80% Confirmed)
- I'd like to see this stay, I don't think it is used that much, but is a nice piece of fluff and could be fun to have from time to time.
Blood Claws lose Berserk Charge (+2 charging attacks instead of +1) but gain Furious Charge (+1 I and S) [1/6/09]
- Why not, this fits in with GW removing as many special special rules and using universal special rules if at all possible.
Rune Priest gains psychic powers but not the same as Librarian [1/6/09] (50/50. Apparently they get Storm Caller and Librarian powers)
- Can't really comment as I've never been a fan of psychic powers and haven't played with them since restarting the hobby.
Fenris Wolf Packs count as Fast Attack Choice[1/6/09] (80% Confirmed. May not add to force org chart)
- If this ends up like the WG so that you can take as many as you want, and spread them round your army for on organisation slot, then cool.
Frost Blade unchanged [1/6/09] {False. According to sources its now the same as the Relic Blade}
- Not too keen on this as it becomes a double handed weapon, so not something you would want to give to a character, if this happens, I don't think we'll see many of these.
Iron Priest may get Full-Servo Option [1/6/09]
- This would be good, and iron priests kind of need something. Would be nice to get heavy weapon servitors as well.
Get Ironclad option but Venerable is going to be cheaper like currently [1/26/09] - ok.
Gain Land Raider Crusader and Redeemer but do not get Thunderfire Cannon [2/9/09]
- Absolutely fine with that, I wouldn't want to see the thunderfire in a wolves army, completely goes against the theme of the force.
Removal of Wolf Guard Battle Leader [2/9/09]
- I'm half and half on this, I'd like to see them stay, but if they go, it won't be the end of the world.
Wulfen Rune Priest may be available but can only have The Gate power. [2/9/09] - ok.
All of this is obviously assuming that the Wolves get to keep counter-attack (gaining the extra attack when charged as well as charging) which I think is one of the better fluff additions to the army, and also very nice to use in game.

All in all, I think that if all this came to pass, I think that the wolves could certainly become something worth thinking about again, and I'm sure that there will be a few new rules that won't ever get leaked before the Codex release that might be game changing, and of course I really hope the new models are kick ass. I'd love to see a more extensive customisation sprue (something more like the Templars have) and a terminator conversion sprue.

So, what do you guys think of it all?