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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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The [[Space Wolves]] '''Blood Claw''' packs often fulfill the role of [[Assault Squad]]s that other [[chapter]]s use, residing the the vanguard of an attack. A young Blood Claw is so eager for glory and renown that he will take unnecessary risks on the battlefield, charging the largest or most powerful foe he can find without thinking of the consequences, and even if he has no actual ability to incapacitate that enemy. If they manage to slay such a foe, then surely the Chapter elders will take note of them. This accounts for their high casualty rate.
The Blood Claw packs are often larger than standard [[Space Marine]] squads, consisting of between five and fifteen Blood Claws. Casualties take their toll, and a Blood Claw pack rapidly dwindles in size until only a few remain. This method of selection causes weeds out the weak, slow, unwise or just plain unlucky, not to become [[Grey Hunter]]s. This is the intentional on the Chapter's part: ordinarily, a Marine would undergo training in the Fortress Monastery, facing training servitors and sparring partners in a training cage. The Space Wolves frown on this practice, preferring to train their new recruits on the enemy, who do not fight at all like mindless, automated servitors. By the time the Blood Claw pack has sustained substantial casualties, only the most cunning and skilled remain, and these individuals are judged worthy to rise to the higher ranks of the Space Wolves.
A Blood Claw pack is usually led into battle by a member of the Wolf Guard, who watches over and curbs the worst of the pack's excesses and instills discipline where necessary, either through harsh, barked words or punches to the face. However, many a time, the Wolf Guard will hold his censure until after the battle is fought: he knows well that, for how unruly the Blood Claw may be, its ferocity and savagery can turn the tide of battle in the Chapter's favor.
