White Dwarf Issue #24 Review - Space Wolves!

It's one of the worst kept secrets in history - the Stormclaw Boxed set for the Sanctus Reach campaign for Warhammer 40K. It's been on the boil for a while, but really hit the rumour mill earlier this week with leaked shots from this very issue of White Dwarf.
But what else does this White Dwarf hold apart from a pretty boxed set with some screaming fanged guys and some cool looking greenskins? Well...
There's also the rules for Gerantius, the Forgotten Knight, one of the most striking Imperial Knights to be released with the recent kit from earlier this year. Jervis Johnson also looks at how playing cards can be used as battlefield strategems - but really this issue os all about Stormclaw!
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~ WARNING - 
I am not a photographer, so expect dodgy pictures below 

So here we go - the much-anticipated Stormclaw set in all it's glory.
Interesting thing about this set, you also get a mini version of The Rules! These mini versions of The Rules keep popping up in a number of different sets recently, which is actually a pretty smart idea.
Having a look at this set, you'd have to say it's pretty good value for money!
I had this tallied at $279 without the two characters - so for $190 AUS it's pretty good! I'm sure there's a catch somewhere... (Combat Company in Australia have it for $170 BTW)

Then we get to non-miniature related box contents! The narrative, The Rules etc. The book certainly looks nice form the 4 shots we get of the interior.

We brought you some of the sneak peak images from across the internet earlier this week, but here they are officially! I have to say - I like them both!
I know that Greggles commented on the sneak peek shots that Grukk Face-Rippa isn't really anything new (and he's right) but I like this guy. Not sure about Krom's head - but nothing a helmet can't fix!
To Games Workshop's credit - the way they have set out and sold this set is pretty impressive; there's a fair bit of info to whet the appetite, but not too much to out you off.

After we get through Stormclaw, there is a brief change of scenery and we get a look at the new Forge World Mortarion figure and some of the new Heresy on CD titles (well new to CD anyway!).
What do you think of Mortarion's paint job>? I'm not sold!

Back to Stormclaw (I told you this was pretty dominant this issue) this time to have a look at the scenarios.
You know, I wasn't too sold on this bit.. Seemed rushed.. The pictures would have done me and some more room dedicated to the Designers Notes.

Nice to see both of the lead characters highlighted in Paint Splatter this week.

And here we have Gerantius!! Mighty Imperial Knight. He's a favourite of many a gamer for his colour scheme, but now there are rules that show his cool factor is pretty high!

I do like Designers Notes! I mean if you really hate the model then you know who to blame, but it's interesting to get into their heads. Also nice to see how and why they picked Krom Dragongaze's Company. They have such a cool Chapter symbol, it's great to have the opportunity to use them! Also nice to see they include a transfer sheet for you to use. Speaking of which...

Here we get a better insight into his Company markings, how Space Wolf pack markings work (oh why is it so weird?) and the way the transfer sheet is divided up.
Quick little insight and maybe a glimpse into where we are going for the rumoured Space Wolf relaunch later this year!?

Verdict

If you're intrigued by this boxed set for the Sanctus Reach campaign then by all means get this issue. 
If you like Space Wolves or Orks, then get this issue for sure!
If you just buy White Dwarf now and then to see what';s going on or for the hobby/ painting angle - I wouldn't say this is a necessary issue to own, personally!