Razorwolf vs RazorAngel: Breaking Down the Play Style

Ok to continue my discussion on the common power armor theme in todays tournament scene, the razorback spam.

Ok well Ill give two examples of the common SW and BA Razorback lists. For a Vanilla reference/control list go back to my Razorspam article to look at my 1750 point Razorspam list.

First we will look at Stelek's Razorwolf List since it is the most commonly seen Space Wolf Razorback spam list...This was his NovaCon list from YTTH


Wolf Guard Battle Leader w/ combi-melta, wolf claw, thunderwolf mount, beastslayer saga, 2 fenrisian wolves

10 Wolf Guard unit, Lasplas Razorback
5 Wolf Scouts w/ Meltagun + Wolf Guard w/ Power Weapon, Combi-Melta
5 Wolf Scouts w/ Meltagun+ Wolf Guard w/ Power Weapon, Combi-Melta

5 Grey Hunters w/ Meltagun, Rhino + Wolf Guard w/ Power Weapon, Combi-Melta
5 Grey Hunters w/ Meltagun, Rhino + Wolf Guard w/ Power Weapon, Combi-Melta
5 Grey Hunters w/ Meltagun, Rhino + Wolf Guard w/ Power Weapon, Combi-Melta
5 Grey Hunters w/ Meltagun, Rhino + Wolf Guard w/ Power Weapon, Combi-Melta
5 Inquisitorial Stormtroopers w/ 2 Plasmaguns
5 Inquisitorial Stormtroopers w/ 2 Plasmaguns

Landspeeder w/ Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Landspeeder w/ Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Thunderwolf Cavalry w/ Wolf Claw, Bolt Pistol

5 Long Fangs w/ 4 Missile Launchers, Lasplas Razorback
5 Long Fangs w/ 4 Missile Launchers, Lasplas Razorback
5 Long Fangs w/ 4 Missile Launchers, Lasplas Razorback

For the RazorAngels List I'll throw down the current favorite BA Razorspam list, This is from Heresy online and was written by mercer. I couldn't finda better example elsewhere.

HQ

Librarian shield of sanguinus & unleash rage
Librarian shield of sanguinus & unleash rage
Honour Guard w/ Razorback 2 x meltaguns - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasma gun

Sanguinary Priest

5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback 1 x meltagun - sgt w/ power fist - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun
5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback 1 x meltagun - sgt w/ power fist - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun
5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback 1 x flamer - sgt w/ power weapon - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun
5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback 1 x flamer - sgt w/ power weapon - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun
5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback 1 x flamer - sgt w/ power weapon - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun
5 x Assault Marines w/ Razorback 1 x flamer - sgt w/ power weapon - Razorback w/ lascannon & twin-linked plasmagun

Land Speeder multi melta
Land Speeder multi melta

Predator lascannons sponsons
Predator lascannons sponsons
Predator lascannons sponsons

total: 2,000



These Lists are both 2000 points compared to my Razorspam at 1750 so mind that when comparing the three. The 'Nilla Marines will be used as a control in this article. I will try and focus on these two lists as BloodWolf has overtaken us. We essentially see the same style and same List between both parties when it comes to the core of the army. Both have essentially an assault troop choice inside of a razorback decked out with the RB weapon flavor of the month, LasPlas.

The real difference between the two styles comes out in two ways, its play style and its Support choices (not just heavy support). Space Wolves can take a more static approach to 40k with the common theme of Long Fang spam. The ability to dish out that many missile launchers that can split fire is always a scary aspect. Blood angels come in with the usual three units of Predators with Lascannon sponsons. this is the common thing being seen this day with preds. Also the preds are fast giving them the ability to be very mobile as well as shoot. Which is a better choice? I prefer the Long fangs because of my play style and also because of the ammount of wounds a long fang unit can have. Stelek downsized the long fang units and gave them a razorback. By doing this he basicly gave him more firepower and a bunker if needed as well as some mobility. Now I am not including the Storm Raven, even though it is a good vehicle, because it is common in Major tournaments. For all these reasons I give the heavy support edge to Razorwolf

Now there is not much difference in the fast attack between these two lists. Yet a common theme being seen is this is one of the biggest differences in armies. Baal Preds vs Thunderwolf Cavalry. Baal preds can be a scary thing at that much firepower with Fast and outflanking abilities. Yet thunderwolf Cavalry provide a nerf bat in the nuts so to speak. I like both units so I have to split my oppinion here. They are two different play styles. Yet when it boils down to it more BA players play with less Baal Preds these days instead are running our control army's standard, Melta Speeders. Since this is the common occurence I give the edge to the Space Wolves here.

Now lets move on to all independant/special/hq characters. I am gonna put them all under here for reasons of ease. The BA side comes out with thier version of Librarians with the space wolves coming out with Rune Priests and gang. When it comes to Psychic powers Space Wolves just beat BA across the board, although blood lance is a nice power. The BA then come out with Sanguinary Priests. These guys are cheap spreadable mini chaplains of goodness. FNP+ FC bubble=woofle ball bat to the face. This is where BA can excel giving essentially any unit in thier army these special abilities. Though using up precious elite slots can limit thier numbers. Then BA comes out with Mephiston and gang. BA special charcters are in my personal oppinion better than Space Wolf ones with Logan coming out strong to give them a run for thier money. It is a matter of play style in combination with these characters that makes me give Blood Angels the edge in this department.

Lastly I end in special/elite units(minus the BA SP's). Wolves come out strong here with Wolf Guard and ill include scouts as well. These aren't Scouts, they are veterans with outflank. wolf Guard are way better than normal assault terminators. More like chaos terminators in style. BA doesnt come out in this department (other than SP and regular terminators) any stronger.Advantage Space Wolves.

Now I do believe Space Wolves win in the unit catagories but what they dont have that BA have is all BA vehicles are fast, this can be a crucial element. With long fangs dominating SW's it makes them a very static army while BA is a quick moving army with an assault element. The ability to move and shoot as much as they can is an effective one, two punch which evens out the game. This as well as the ammount of Tanks BA can turn out with Pred types in FA and HS slots.

Both armies are very good but it really comes down to your style, Mobile fast gun slingers or mobile static heavy shooters. SW's do win more these days it seems in the tournament scene but I give that to the fact thier codex is still more understood than the BA one as well has been more played in tournaments. So between the two major Razorspams? Both will be the best but it has to be in the right hands who plays with the right style...

more on this in the future....give your shout out to your favorite style of Razorspam in the comments...