The Wolftime - Spring Clean Challenge 2025

Ragnar, lord of the Blackmanes Great Company breathed deep of the thinning air as he left the halls of the upper levels of The Aett, the mighty fortress known to outsiders as The Fang,  and entered the embarkation platforms where his warriors had assembled, to show their readiness and offer respects to the Master of The Rout, before departing Fenris to lend their might to The Allfathers wars….

So, as this years Spring Clean Challenge comes to a close I felt it worth posting one last update as to where this project currently stands:

• Finished building the contents of the Space Wolf army box!
• Built a **whole** bunch of Dreadnoughts of various classes as you really can go to town on them.
• Ahead of the army box release kitbashed together a fresh pair of Rune Priests and some Primaris-scaled Grey Hunters.
• Used the leftovers from the army box (and some other bitz) to Wolf-up some Heavy Intercessors.
• And built a third Pack of Grey Hunters out of Assault Intercessors (see further down for details on those).

Now, one thing I am holding off on is list building as having read the new Codex I am convinced that there will be both points adjustments and an FAQ pretty close to release (if not on Day One) as I spy some omitted details and things that could do with clarification. We will see though….

Like I said, I finished off building the contents of the Space Wolf army box this past week with the Grey Hunters and the Blood Claws. Some interesting choices in how things have been cut up on the sprue, but overall any issues with the build are more than off-set by just how dynamic the two packs end up looking.

I’m looking forward to getting at least a couple more of each, Claws because I really want to have at least a couple at 20-strong and the Hunters to mix in to builds of Sternguard and Support squads. And whilst the sprues may not give you as many extra bits at the end as the previous Wolf kits, you do still end up with a bunch of parts. So much so that I was able to add some Fenrisian flair to some Heavy Intercessors (I really dig the idea of Gravis being favoured by Long Fangs) and, using a bunch of Assault Intercessor bodies I had spare, built a whole fresh pack of Grey Hunters.

Now, whilst with the Heavy Intercessors I did file down the aquila on the chest of one of them to match the aesthetic GW have opted for, for the Grey Hunters they are completely stock Assault Intercessor bodies that I’ve used bits from the Grey Hunter & Blood Claw kits to give some flair. Now I *did* need to dip in and make use of a spare chainsword and three bolters from older Space Wolf kits, but could probably gotten around that.

If you’ve been following this project though, thank you. I’ve really enjoyed the focus having this noodling around in my brain has given me, and I hope I’ve given you some ideas for builds & kitbashes of your own.

Now, let’s see if I can get this lot all painted up…..

The Old Wolf stalked through the massed ranks of the Blackmanes, casting a stern eye over the eager packs of Blood Claws, so prideful at being able to see their first true battles at last, nodding approvingly at the restraint of the Grey Hunters, battlefury tempered by experience, and exchanging banter amongst the packs of Long Fangs & Wolf Guard, reminisces of battlefields long past, before finally arriving back at the head of the formation and the two warriors who would lead this host into the stars.

“Well, Jarl Ragnar,” spoke Logan Grimnir, Great Wolf and High King of Fenris, “the Blackmanes seem more than ready to sail the Sea of Stars once more. But what of their Lord?”
The Young Wolf bared his teeth in what to outsiders would be a terrifying snarl, but amongst the scions of Russ was a rueful smile “Aye, my liege. Cawl’s Rubicon has healed my body and The Slayer’s ministrations have helped calm my mind. There will be a reckoning with The Beast Thrakka, but when & where the Wyrde will decide.” Ragnar brought an armoured fist up to his chest “You have my oath Old Wolf, the Blackmanes and their Jarl stand ready to fight alongside the servants of The Allfather in defence of The Imperium, no matter the foe.”
Logan eyed the youngest of commanders steadily, before accepting the oath that had been offered up. He then turned to the second of the two warriors, and even in his Terminator plate he had to tilt upward to address the venerable Dreadnought and the legend interred within “And you Ancient One? Still determined to accompany this pup?”
A garble of static erupted from the vox-speakers built into his chassis as Bjorn the Fell-Handed chuckled at Grimnir’s tone “Aye young Logan” the old warrior pointedly said, “I would see if our brother here has truly reigned in his more temperament humours. And I would see the wider galaxy again,” the dreadnought’s tone turned contemplative, “the intelligence that the Legion-breaker provided troubles me. I sense… something we are all missing.”

The two Wolf Lords, the Old and the Young, eyed one another at this pronouncement by the oldest of their kin. “If any of us have earnt the right to follow their instincts, then it is you old friend” said Logan “so I proclaim any doubts satisfied!”, his voice rising as he addressed the assembled warriors “Ragnar, called Blackmane, Jarl of the Blackmanes Great Company. Long have you waited as the other Great Companies have departed Fenris whilst your own Company rebuilt and fortified itself with the tools provided by the All-Fathers Avenging Son. I now release you! Go forth amongst the stars, bring hope to His children, and remind mankinds foes to fear your howls! VYKKA FENRYKA!”
The answering battle cry from hundreds of post-human throats shook the muster-hall and with a gesture from their Lord, The Blackmanes pivoted and began marching towards their assigned transports and vessels, the small fleet that would carry them to battlefields across the galaxy…..