Here's my test 2000 point army list for a "wolfen" army, aiming towards a massive horde type of bestial feel. It's probably not very tactically sound (need more magic support) but I think that it'll be fun regardless of how super good it is. I'd like to think characterful armies are sometimes more fun that "normal" armies. Gimme suggestions, comments, etc.

2000 Pts. List:

Von Carstein Vampire Lord - Hand weapon, extra hand weapon, Flayed Hauberk, Talisman of Protection, Warrior Familiar, Wolf Form
= 436 pts
Dire Wolves w/Doom Wolf (19)
= 200 pts

Vampire Thrall - Hand weapon, shield, heavy armour, Sword of Battle, Wolf Form
= 131
Dire Wolves w/Doom Wolf (19)
= 200 pts

Dire Wolves w/Doom Wolf (20)
= 210 pts

Dire Wolves w/Doom Wolf (20)
= 210 pts

Bat Swarms (5)
= 300

Fell Bats (10)
= 200 pts

Wraith* - Scythe (great weapon), Enchanted Shield, barded Ethereal Nightmare
= 112

TOTAL = 1999

*admittedly, the wraith is somewhat out of character, however I thought he'd be good for flanking and annoying the enemy.

Tell me what you think! :)

It seems fairly solid, however it will get shot to pieces by any army with even a moderate missile base, but if its just for fun that shouldn't be a problem.

Changes I'd make are as follows:

Give your Vamps great weapons rather than magic weapons. S7 attacks on the charge are better than most of the magic weapons available to Vampires.

Drop the Talisman of Protection and the Warrior Familiar, a S5 attack and a 6+ Ward save won't make up their points on a Vampire Lord. Maybe a dispel scroll instead, as you are woefully short on magic protection.

Cut down the Wolves to units of 14. They can't get rank bonus, being fast cavalry, so why bother having that extra rank.

Get a couple of small units of wolves for sacrificial purposes.

Split the fell bats into two units of 5.

I'd drop the bat swarms. They are too slow to keep up with the rest of the army, and would be left behind. Not sure what to put in their place.

You could make the wraith fit by modelling it as a big scary wolf with lots of loose skin/blood dribbling from open wounds/ zombie hands bursting forth from its mangy hide etc etc, to make it clear that it is terror causing. Also maybe putting cotton wool "smoke" around the base to signify it's ethereal.

Just my thoughts.

DLJ

Thanks for the tips. This is actually only my second list (traditionally I play lizzies), so I have a couple more questions:

My thoughts with this were that the Lord and Thrall would be in the Dire Wolf units (19 apiece). Is this a good move, or no? Also, you said that a great weapon would be better than a magic weapon, but would you say the same about the lord with his 2 HWs?

Definitley a good idea to keep them in the units of Dire Wolves, otherwise they will dissolve from combat resolution quite quickly: even a Vampire Lord will struggle to beat a fully ranked up unit without his buddies.

As for the Lord's equipment, 2nd hand weapons will give you 6 S5 attacks, a great weapon will give you 5 S7 attacks. I'd go with the latter because you lack anything that can take on heavily armoured troops.

Few more points I've come up with. You don't have a very large magical presence (magic being one of the vamps strongest properties), and this may well handicap you. This, along with no standards, ranks, musicians or re-raisable troops will be a large handicap which may well mean no victories for a while.

Therefore, it may be worth investing in some Black Knights (you could convert these to be especially large and nasty wolves, or even Undead wolf riders) to give you some punch. One to two units should do it, each led by a character.

Buy the Aura of Dark Majesty for your general, to keep your army moving as a whole. Also, as powerful as a Vampire Lord is, you may find it more cost effective to field a Count and a Thrall/Necromancer (all suitably converted to keep with the theme of course).

If I had any other points, they have temporarily slipped my mind. I will of course post them if/when they return.

Cheers,
DLJ

Personally I think this sort of army would work far better with Strigoi Vampires, mine would look something like this

Vampire Lord with Curse of the Revenant and Bat Form (Flying Regen WOO!)

Thrall with something like Summon Ghouls

Bat Swarm at least 3 Bases

Two to Three Units of Dire Wolves

Fell Bats

Black Knights

I actually made an army list similar to this (can't find it though :( ). I don't think the Bat Swarm will ahve any trouble keeping up can't it fly 20"?

No, it says very specifically in the bat swarm rules that although they can fly, they are not very strong flyers and so may only move 10" rather than 20". Hence being left behind by 18" moving wolves.

DLJ

Can that wolfen army work?
for wolf form it says the model must be on foot (smallbase) and that his movement is incresed to 9" not that he becomes a wolf :(

They don't have to become a wolf to be able to join the unit. Characters can join any unit unless it specifically says that the unit may not be joined by characters (as is the case with ghouls). So it is fine for the Thrall to be put with the wolves, as it doesn't matter what size base they are on, whether on foot or mounted.

DLJ