A Wolf Lord commands one of the twelve Great Companies of the Space Wolves, the Chapter’s equivalent of a Captain. The Wolf Lord of the leading company is the Great Wolf, who serves as Chapter Master.
What a Wolf Lord does
Each Great Company takes its name from its current Wolf Lord, so the company’s identity shifts with each new leader. That’s very different from Codex-compliant Chapters, where companies keep fixed titles and structures.
A Wolf Lord is advised and guarded by a small group called the Wolf Guard. When the Lord dies, the Wolf Guard chooses his successor, often from their own ranks.
On taking command, a new Wolf Lord picks a symbol from Fenris’s ancient heraldry. Old badges get reused because Lords want their companies to live up to the reputation of the sigil’s previous bearers.
The Grand Annulus
The Great Companies’ badges are shown on the Grand Annulus, a circular stone disk set into the floor of the Hall of the Great Wolf inside The Fang. Each triangular slab carries a company badge, and the central slab has a pointer marking which company currently belongs to the Great Wolf.
Current Wolf Lords (early M42)
Logan Grimnar holds the title of Great Wolf and leads the Champions of Fenris. Bulveye Greybeard commands the 13th Great Company, a formation with its own long and unusual history.
| Wolf Lord | Great Company |
|---|---|
| Logan Grimnar | Champions of Fenris (Great Wolf) |
| Bjorn Stormwolf | The Stormwolves |
| Bran Redmaw | The Bloodmaws |
| Engir Krakendoom | The Seawolves |
| Erik Morkai | The Sons of Morkai |
| Gunnar Red Moon | The Red Moons |
| Harald Deathwolf | The Deathwolves |
| Kjarl Grimblood | The Grimbloods |
| Krom Dragongaze | The Drakeslayers |
| Ragnar Blackmane | The Blackmanes |
| Hrothvyr Runescar | The Runemarked |
| Torval Wyrdbane | The Duskwolves |
| Bulveye Greybeard | The 13th Great Company |
Notable past Wolf Lords
Many Wolf Lords have led the Chapter since the Great Crusade. Some names are well known from the Horus Heresy era, while others rose to prominence in later centuries.
- Great Crusade and Heresy era: Amlodhi Skarssen, Baldr Vidunsson, Bjorn the Fell-Handed, Gunnar Gunnhilt, Jorin Bloodhowl, Ogvai Ogvai Helmschrot, and others.
- Post-Heresy: Alaric Nightrunner, Asger Warfist (first Commander of the Deathwatch), Berek Thunderfist, Egil Iron Wolf, Gerrod Redbeard, and more.
Key facts
- Wolf Lords lead the twelve Great Companies of the Space Wolves, equivalent to Captains in other Chapters.
- The Great Wolf is the Wolf Lord of the leading company and acts as Chapter Master.
- Each Great Company is named after its current Wolf Lord and shifts in character with each new leader.
- The Wolf Guard chooses the next Wolf Lord when the current one dies.
- Company badges are displayed on the Grand Annulus in the Hall of the Great Wolf inside The Fang.
- As of early M42, Logan Grimnar is Great Wolf and leads the Champions of Fenris.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a Wolf Lord and a Great Wolf?
A Wolf Lord commands one of the twelve Great Companies. The Great Wolf is the Wolf Lord of the leading company and serves as the Chapter Master of the Space Wolves.
How does a new Wolf Lord get chosen?
When a Wolf Lord dies, his Wolf Guard picks the successor, often from their own ranks. The new Lord then selects a badge from Fenris’s ancient heraldry.
Do the Space Wolves follow the Codex Astartes?
Not strictly. Each Great Company is named after its current Wolf Lord and changes character with each new leader, unlike the fixed companies of Codex-compliant Chapters.