Space Wolf Bikers

[littlbitz]

I have been thinking, a dangerous thing I know.

 

One of the common thoughts of the new Codex is that Attack bikes are bad, and I was in this group as well.

 

Then I started making lists...

 

BloodClaw bikers are Cheaper by 5 points these days, plus they gain in having both Boltpistol and CCW and they have Frag and Krak, Plus they can all take Meltabombs.

 

For this they give up one powerfist or powerweapon and pay a bit more for them to boot.

 

Now, I "typically" field my bikers in units of 4+1 for 5 in total. This is because by fielding three or four, taking one casualty means a morale test.

 

This is where the attackbike comes into play. We have been thinking of the Attackbike in terms of "30 points for a BS3 Heavybolter?! no way!!" What we really have to do is think of it in terms of a unit upgrade.

 

Take this sample unit: 4 BloodClaw bikers with a Powerweapon, and meltabombs, led by a Wolfguard with a Powerfist. Including the WG this pack will cost about 208 points.

 

For just FIVE points we gain a Heavy Bolter, a Wound, and an Attack! this is a steal! Not to mention the benefit of having another differently equipped model for wound allocation and a model with 2 wounds!

 

So now the unit would look like this: 3 BloodClaw bikers one with a Powerweapon, 1 Attackbike with Heavy Bolter, meltabombs, and a Wolfguard with a Powerfist for 213 points.

 

Looks better now doesn't it?

 

Or am I missing something?...

[Decoy]

I can't say you're wrong, Bitz, but I think what it boils down to is bodycount. You can achieve a feat like you've done with close to the same points value with just a squad of Blood Claws or Skyclaws, and have double the models.

 

Don't get me wrong, mate. Your mathhammer is better than mine, so this squad may very well have a better overall worth in terms of points earned/kill. It's definitely a utilitarian option that shouldn't be easily ignored, especially when you consider that these guys can Turbo-Boost. Very nice.

 

Good on you to expose it, however, in a relatively balanced light.

[the great beaver]

I think he's talking about comparing a regular biker squad with a biker squad with an attack bike...not the overall worth of attack bikes vs other options.

 

and in that case I can't see anything wrong with your math and if I ever take a bike squad I'll do it and take the multi melta if I can afford it :unsure:

[littlbitz]

Thats exactly it Beav,

 

I'm not trying to compare Bloodclaws to bikers. 2 totally different units.

 

What I'm trying to do is compare a Biker pack with an Attackbike and without. It seems foolish NOT to add one if you are fielding a BloodClaws biker pack.

[Lord Ragnarok]

bitz, thanks for that analysis. I was scared of the BS3 for the melta as well, But I think you are on t something. meltabombs may make up the difference of the crappier BS as well. Although, my BC's have always shot well for me.

[Rokafort Stonewolf]

I agree with you completely. The attack bike is good. The multi-melta is not. We lost attack bikes as tank hunters, and I stand by that fact in my post.

[Ragnars Claw]

The attacks bike will help with wound allocation as well :)

[Freman Bloodglaive]

I never used attack bikes for tank hunting, mine have heavy bolters, and so I can fit them in with the Swiftclaws with no problems.

[Max_Dammit]

Makes for a good list like that, but why the fist for the WG, Id go frost axe, make use of his I and give the fist to the biker, 3 hits will always hit once and if your taking melty, why the fist. I have a WP on a bike, think of him running with a full pack of bikers, rerole to hit, thats some swift pain right there.

[littlbitz]

I had a few Test runs with Frostblades on the Pack Leader Max, and they did fine. I thought I would try the fist out, just in case I run into a nasty Dreadnought or Defiler.

 

So, the Fist is just an insurance policy

[Greyshift]

Good analysis littlbitz, it seems my recently purchased attack bike wasn't a waste after all!

[OnlyInDeath]

Glad some people are finally thinking with the old noggins. I actually have a whole lotta bikers at the moment (10+) and the thought of having 2 full packs of them with AB and WGL makes me smile. sure, it's like 500 points, but my experience with these bad boys in game is that they can tear up unit after unit and the T5 comes in mighty handy (just avoid anti-tank fire).

 

Throw in a character on a bike, and you have yourself a flank-clearing unit. The inclusion of AB's into the unit doesnt bother me. It gives me a 50/50 chance of popping a transport and being able to charge the squad inside. Nothin wrong w/ that.

[Ragnars Claw]

I'd go power weapon on the claw and fist on the wolf guard. The wolf priest and claw do some clearance before the fist finishes off whats left. If anything is left!