CSM Bike Squads

[Warchief]

I can't remeber the last time I saw a CSM list posted that uses CSM Bikers.

 

I've just been reading the KillHammer series of articles and I'm considering buying a squad. Have I lost my marbles?

 

I know I'm new to 40k but am I missing something? Are they really that bad?

 

 

What are the arguments for and against?

[eyescrossed]

Nurgle Bikers are very survivable - give a squad of them 2 Meltaguns and use for tank hunting.

[Warchief]

Nice idea!!

 

i like the tactic suggested in Warp Angels KillHammer article about keeping the bikes in reserve and speeding them in late to clear objectives or shaw up defenses where needed...

[eyescrossed]

Nice idea!!

Thanks :)

 

 

i like the tactic suggested in Warp Angels KillHammer article about keeping the bikes in reserve and speeding them in late to clear objectives or shaw up defenses where needed...

They are good for that.

[Iron_Chaos_Brute]

Chaos Bikers are overcosted and often underpreform. Cult troops in Rhinos can do just about everything better.

[Resv]

I run at lest one squad of Nurgle Bike in my Death Guard army as escort for my HQ. I have often been know to add in a second squad sometimes but only when the points are high enough to make it worth while. The major problem that players seem to have with CSM bikes and especially Nurgle Bikes is the cost. You are pushing almost 200 points for three of them fully kitted out with an Icon. However, depending on the point level you normally play at there are some cool things that a set of Bikes can do that no other unit in the Chaos Codex can do!

 

First and foremost, they are the fastest units in the Chaos Codex. Being able to zoom across the board or leap frog up cover can put you in an excellent position to strike at your opponent's rear. I have taken out Landraiders by rushing forward and smacking on my Melta Bombs. Don't forget that you can also ride through difficult terrain which means that building between you and challenging that last objective might not be an issue on that last turn. They are also relentless so equipping your unit with Plasmas so you can rapid fire before assaulting, if you are feeling lucky that is, though Meltas are still a good option. Regardless of what specal weapons you take what this means is that you can soften up a target immensely before you assault.

 

Putting a Chaos Lord on a bike is a great way to give huge mobility to a very powerful unit. Chaos lords feature a huge amount of kit that can be customized depending on the battle at hand. A daemon blade is a fantastic weapon to field, or a power fist it you are tight on points. Simply put, there is a great possibility that any assaults you enter into you should win quickly with the lords I5 and rolling an additional D6 attacks (with daemon weapon of course).

 

Durability is another reason to not over look the power of a Bike Squad. At T6, if you take an IoN, your bikes have effectively mitigated all of your opponents small arms. That means that volley of bolters or shootas is only gonna wound on a 6+, other weapons on a 5+. To put it in simple terms, a squad of Terminators is at more risk from attacks wounding from the bread and butter weapons of any army, while being slower (though the 2+ armor save must be sighted). Don't forget that when ever you turbo boost you get a 3+ cover save which can really come in hand as well.

 

Icons are the last thing I wanted to mention. I know it sucks that bikes can never be counted as troops in the Chaos Codex (here is hopping that changes down the line) but having your IoN or even a personal icon on a Biker Lord can yield all sorts of cool stuff. Lets say you need that heavy support before you assault that unit of Berzerkers, you can deep strike in fire support in the form of Obliterators. Just cleared a unit from an objective? Drop in a group of lesser daemons and take the objective. I have used my Bikes almost like a Dedicated Transport to deliver units across the board and force my opponent into a corner.

 

A unit of Chaos Bikes is incredibly flexible and has a ton of utility. They are no replacement for good old Plague Marines but are an awesome complement to cult troops. I chose to think of them as an elite unit rather than a fast attack, expensive and hard hitting. If played to their strengths they are incredibly hard to swat aside for any army. I would never for a moment say that my bikes have ever under preformed, which I believe is a common misconception about Chaos Bikes. I suggest you try them out in a game or two and see how they play for you. You may be surprised.

[minigun762]

Chaos Bikers are overcosted and often underpreform. Cult troops in Rhinos can do just about everything better.

 

This is kinda true, consider that CSM bikes are 8 point (I think) more than SM Bikes, they can't be scoring and you don't have access to Attack Bikes and you'll see why they're a rarity.

 

The easiest way to use them is 3 Bikes with 2 Special weapons. 2 Flamers backed up by the TL Bolters will help knock out small-medium shooting squads and you can always assault the remainder to stop them from firing. This works well for things like Lootas.

2 Meltaguns and Krak Grenades work well to take out most armor and you can either assault it afterwards (if you didn't kill it with the Melta shots) or assault the infantry that dumps out (if its a transport).

 

I haven't tried the 2 Plasmagun squad but since bikes are relentless, you could stand off at 24" and snipe things with 3 shots (2 Plasma 1TL Bolter)

[Iron_Chaos_Brute]

The thing is that Raptors are cheaper and better in that role.

I used to love plasma, but it got nerfed really bad.

[minigun762]

The thing is that Raptors are cheaper and better in that role.

I used to love plasma, but it got nerfed really bad.

 

Yeah pretty much, you can either have a 5 man Raptor squad or a 3 man Biker squad for about the same price.

I think it depends on if you are going to use Turboboosting alot, if you do, Bikers might be better. If not, Raptors are the safer choice.

[Resv]

Raptors are very limited in the Chaos Codex and also don't feature near as much durability. Nor are they relentless, they can't rapid fire or fire from 24 inches. Bikes have much more utility than raptors which are good for assaults and that is about it. Raptors can never be "shooty." In all reality you could take Berzerkers for a better assault troop which I believe have Fleet of Foot (don't have a codex in front of me) and can also score. Raptors and Bike may both be in the same force slot but they are far different animals.

 

I really have to point this out again, you get a ton of utility from a bike unit with extra durability wrapped up in the fastest unit in the Chaos Codex. Raptors are assault troops, and there are better assault troops.

 

Edit: Read my post above for more information.

[Warp Angel]

Bikes of all sorts are about the versatility. And I'd actually argue AGAINST fielding bikes of any kind without a bike character. It makes the unit that much more flexible. You get all the benefits of bikes, plus the benefits of a +1T character, and the ability to split into two units later in the game.

 

1) Fast and mobile "teleport homers" for demons and termicide squads.

2) More durable than standard CSM of the same loadout

3) Able to contest any objective within 24"

4) Able to shoot any target within 36"

 

The more bikes you have, the more effective they are, because they don't degrade as fast and are better at achieving local battlefield superiority (and increasing your Kill Gap).

 

They are expensive, but they're able to fullfil every role (when supported by a character) that ANY other unit in your army can do, even if it is at slightly reduced effectiveness. Except score.

 

And that's probably the rub for most chaos players. You've got very effective specialist troops that can also score. Why would you include a generalist unit that can't?

 

And I think the only non-killhammer answer is "because it's more versatile". In Killhammer terms, they're just awesome units. But like everything Killhammer, the pre-game S(ituational modifier) - whether or not they fit in your army list and playstyle - is going to determine whether or not you include them in your force.