Deathwolf (spoilers in tags)

[Deakor]

So I bought and listened to Deathwolf today (MP3 only Space Marine Battles Audio Drama). I like the Space Wolves so I figured this would be right up my alley. It was ok all around, nothing spectacular, but certainly better than most anything I'd find on the radio as I drove to work.

But there was one thing that bugged me about it. I'm not averse to the 40K fiction (books/audio, etc.) deviating from the established fluff and/or game mechanics a bit if it makes the story work, but this was mentioned in the story:

One of the viewpoint characters was introduced as leading a Skyclaw pack. After his insane assault he crashed out and stumbled upon some militia who were firing a heavy bolter and not doing a particularly good job of it. The Wolf took charge of the bolter and the narrator commented that he was "familiar with it from his time as a Long Fang." Now, my understanding of the Wolves' structure is that Long Fangs are the most senior of Wolves outside of Wolf Guard, commanders, etc. And the Skyclaws are the Bloodclaws who cause even more trouble than normal. Wolf Guard won't even lead Skyclaws. How on earth (or Fenris) did this guy manage to make it all the way up to being a Long Fang and yet end up a Bloodclaw?

That was just very jarring to me and seemed like a fairly glaring error in the story. Then again, perhaps I am thinking too hard about it...who knows. Anyone else have thoughts?

[Aedes]

Looks to me as if the author has them mixed up with normal marines...

[shadowhawk2008]

One thing you have to remember is that the rules and the lore don't exactly mesh that well. The game rules are just guidelines intended for balance. The story, while it should work within the framework of established rules, should still be free of such limitations. If the story requires bending the rules, then bend the rules. Ask any tie-in writer and that's what they'll tell you.

I waited to get this for a while since this was overpriced in US$ for almost two weeks now. Looks like they finally fixed it. I'll be getting this :-) Long-time SW fan so I'm hoping that this is gonna be good. Andy is a pretty cool guy and I've read some of his shorts. He's a good writer.

[Liliedhe]

It is not bad. I liked it, but it was not spectacular. Given the short length, I kinda felt cheated by the Thorolf segments, though. I would have liked to see more of Erik^^.

Especially considering that all the time spent on Thorolf is completely wasted - it's not like we ever see him again, as that is not him in Reparation.

I gave a cheer at the appearance of the Vlka Fenryka name, though.

[Lupe]

Looks to me as if the author has them mixed up with normal marines...

Is is specifically said that the guy is a Skyclaw? Could be a Wolf Guard attached to the pack...

[Deakor]

One thing you have to remember is that the rules and the lore don't exactly mesh that well. The game rules are just guidelines intended for balance. The story, while it should work within the framework of established rules, should still be free of such limitations. If the story requires bending the rules, then bend the rules. Ask any tie-in writer and that's what they'll tell you.

Oh yeah, I know/understand that and typically such deviations don't really bother me (hell, most of the time I don't notice them). This seemed to me less a break from game rules (which I completely understand) and more a clash with what I thought was fairly well established background of the chapter. That said, I know that GW ultimately approves these things, so if it doesn't bother them, I suppose it really ought not to bother me, right?

Overall I enjoyed it though and was happy with my purchase.

[Deakor]

Is is specifically said that the guy is a Skyclaw? Could be a Wolf Guard attached to the pack...

I don't remember the exact wording...perhaps your explanation/rationale is what was actually going on, which would make more sense (and then would only really be a deviation from game rules, not from background - which to me isn't really an issue).

[brother alinski]

I thought he was the pack leader. In the Ragnar novels his original Sargent was a SW who had lost all the other members of his squad. So in some cases older wolves do lead blood claws and sky claws. Having said that I thought this was awesome, much better than some of the other audio dramas.

Russ bring you luck dodging the ground!
Hilarious!!! Why do the SW get all the good lines?

He might appear in the future. I would buy that novel.