Grey Hunter

A Grey Hunter is a veteran Astartes of the Space Wolves Space Marine Chapter and the equivalent of a Codex Astartes-compliant Chapter's Sternguard Veterans. The Grey Hunter packs form the greater mass of Space Wolves warriors. They are strong and resolute fighters, tempered by battle but as hungry for honour as any proud warrior of Fenris. They are experienced warriors, dour and sombre, proud of their skills, and rightly honoured by their younger brethren.

History
Most Space Wolves begin their careers as Blood Claws, hotheaded young warriors who cannot wait to prove themselves, charging in howling packs at the front lines of the enemy in their efforts to garner personal glory. The Blood Claws are the shock troops of the Space Wolves and spearhead the majority of assaults. If the Blood Claws survive the fiercest conflagrations of war to become mature and capable warriors do the Wolf Guard consider them to be eligible for elevation to the ranks of the Grey Hunters. It is the Grey Hunters who comprise the main body of each Great Company. These doughty warriors are still hungry for honour as any of their younger brethren, but their raw aggression has been tempered by battlefield experience. Nonetheless, the Grey Hunters stand ready to give their lives in the name of honour. Each Grey Hunter pack can be a small army in its own right, their oaths of brotherhood binding them fast in the face of impossible odds.

The transformation from aspirant to fully-fledged Grey Hunter may take decades or even centuries, but should a Blood Claw not find his death upon the field of battle than that transition is all but certain. Their hair begins to grey and fangs lengthen, skin becomes more tanned and leathery and, in extreme cases, eyes yellow and transmute until they are like those of the wolf. These physical signs born by the Grey Hunters mark them as having come into their heritage as strong and mature battle-brothers at the peak of their powers, truly worthy of the name Grey Hunter. Their name is well chosen, for they are masters of the hunt, stalking their enemy as they might one of the giant Fenrisian Wolves of Fenris. The Grey Hunter track their prey with the cunning and patience of the wolf pack. Laying down disciplined overlapping fields of fire, the Grey Hunters drive the enemy to seek cover. Once surrounded, only then do the Grey Hunters spring their deadly trap. The Grey Hunters leap at their foes with the elation of a savage beast that has long stalked its prey ans scents blood at last. Or they may perhaps draw the enemy forward by feigning weakness whilst in reality awaiting for the opportune moment to strike. The battle ploys and cunning of the Grey Hunters are legendary. It is this uncanny calm and patience which distinguishes the mature warrior from the fiery young Blood Claw.

Wargear

 * Power Armour
 * Close Combat Weapon (Bolt Pistol, Power Weapon, Power Fist, Plasma Pistol, Flamer & Melta Gun)
 * Bolter
 * Frag & Krak Grenades

Grey Hunter Pack Markings
Each Grey Hunter pack adopts a red and black shoulder pad design. These patterns are unique to the Space Wolves. Similar primitive tribal markings proliferate among the barbaric tribes of Fenris, where they appear as shield designs and are woven onto furs or painted onto armour. The Space Wolves' barbarian heritage is reflected in their disregard for any formal military system of uniform insignia. There is simply no one style or design which is regarded as official. The illustrated pack markings are just some of the many hundreds of different patterns used by the Chapter over the centuries.

Notable Grey Hunters

 * Sven - Member of Ragnar Blackmane's Blood Claw Pack, Sven was promoted to the Grey Hunters and served with distinction under the command of Wolf Lord Berek Thunderfist. Sven was badly wounded by the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion Chaos Sorcerer Madox, but lived to fight again though with the help of a new augmetic hand.