Attack Bikes vs Bike Squad

[bulley]

I just created an alternative list, so that I could fit some bikes in, really desperate to get them going.

 

Only thing is I've not used them since late 2nd Ed (possibily early 3rd Ed - but they definatly werent in my SW 3rd Ed army).

 

I dont want to go into the long of it and bore anyone, so basically, I have two options right now, and can see benefits of both, and cant decide on which one;

 

Option 1:

 

This is what I have put in to my list as of this moment;

 

x4 Bikes w/ x2 MG

x1 Attack Bike w/ MM

 

185

 

Option 2:

 

x3 Attack Bikes w/ MM's

 

150

 

I cant quite decide between the two. The bikes provides a stong option - 7 wounds to go around, 3 melta shots, which gives me an option to stay at arms length 12" or get in close for 3 double pen at 6". Throw in the x3 twin linked bolters - it can lay down some decent supressing fire. Option 2 creates a 6 wounded monster that can stay at the 12"'s the whole time, still has the x3 twin linked.

 

I have quite a conundrum. The bikes w/ their 5 bases allow me some creative options, more screens and able to block up tanks a bit easier if I want to try for "wrecked no escape" assaults for example. The 3 attack bikes offer probably stronger shooting, at a cheaper price (which could allow me to either get in another powerfist to my RAS's or even a 2nd sang priest).

 

Whats peoples opinions, bikes vs attack bikes? I'll probably play test both over the coming weeks, but I really like the both of them.

 

(My list that it will run w/ if anyone wants to put it in context http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...p;#entry2550319 )

 

I think either way it will be good to hear peoples feed backs, espcially any tricks, since its been ages since I've used bikes.

[jbarket]

I have this same dilemma. The biggest reason I favor Attack Bikes at the moment is the double-the-size melta range. I've got 10 MGs on the board able to blow the hell out of armor from 6", but with Attack Bikes, I've got the ability to blow a few things up without getting as close.

 

Bikes are quick, so that doesn't seem like an issue, but if I have to choose between waiting until next turn to shoot, shooting outside of melta range or having that extra distance, I'm all for the distance over additional bodies.

[bulley]

Thats whats really making me think x3 AB's may be the way to go. Also you take a couple of wounds, you still have the entire squad!

 

Being able to pop transports open at 12" and then let my Baal eat them up seems so tempting, and they can fire both bolters and melta guns if there are no tanks near by (or rear armor, and lets face it, a couple of 12" moves can get rear armor quite easily on 2nd turn - and relentless for that rapid fire!).

 

I think I may opt for the attack bike option first, it free's up an extra 35 points for my army as well which is nice.

[jbarket]

Yeah, that's the other reason I like it... they're 50pt/ea. When I start getting to that point in my list where I have to choose between slimming down equipment on existing squads or not adding any more squads, it's easy to think about.... oh, I can take 3 attack bikes and that leaves me with a few points to burn.

[Wildfire]

Between those two options, I'd definately take the attack bikes. Now, if you added a fist and a priest on a bike, then you'd have an expensive but nasty combo.

 

Remember that against transports attack bikes work just fine at 24". No need to take them to charge range of the enemy when firing at AV10 or 11.

[Nazgash]

What I am using is 2-3 AB with MM as pure antitank and 5 bikes, 2 plasmaguns, fist + priest on the bike as the hunters for lighter tanks/heavy infatry. The "Relentless" special rule is definetly worth it when it comes to plasma, and it is not too wise to abandon it switching to meltaguns.

[ImperialReaper]

If you want some dedicated Anti-Armour unit - use attack bikes with multimeltas.

Excellent speed and the turboboost with an resulting 3+ cover save . Means 1 round boost 24" - next round move 12 and have 24" range for your melta. Comes out at 60" maximum threat range and 48" of double power melta range which should easily allow you to melt down some tanks in turn 2. If you place it right and get lucky you could even manage to get into the back of the opponents vehicle. The 2d6 and AP1 are priceless for popping tanks IMO.

 

If you want some allround fast attack unit with the CHANCE to pop a tank if necessary - use Bike Squads.

Mainly they are fast and have a lot of dakka due to the bolt pistols and the 2 twin linked bolters on their bikes. Since they are also pretty flexible in weapon choices you can make them well rounded using flamers or plasmarifles so they can take on hordes or even enemy HQs and other high toughness units. But as said - they are more well rounded than a unit dedicated to go agains a special other unit.

 

But I congratulate anyone who realizes, that bikes in a BA army are a great choice!

[Mudpuppet]

Although i think bike squads are great i would take the attack bikes for dedicated anti-tank. Also, i was thinking that if you knew your opponents list before hand and it was really vehicle light, you could swap the MM for heavy flamers saving 30 points and giving yourself a brutal anti-horde unit. Move, flame with 3 templates, charge. Never seen this tried but could be really ugly.

 

Mudpuppet

[Midnightmare]

I love my attack bikes, last game one died to difficult terrain first turn (pfah!) but his mate survived a torrent of fire and popped the Wolf Guard's Land Raider. Lesson is take more than one and I'm going to add another like you say as it is a 150pt headache for anybody with tanks :)

[bulley]

Yeah, a lot of great points.

 

The cost, and fact that the attack bike squadron is basically a mobile dev squad.

[Wildfire]

Mainly they are fast and have a lot of dakka due to the bolt pistols and the 2 twin linked bolters on their bikes.

 

Bolt pistols add nothing to a bike squad's dakka. At all times, it is better to use twin-linked bolters.

[Chairman_woo]

Mainly they are fast and have a lot of dakka due to the bolt pistols and the 2 twin linked bolters on their bikes.

 

Bolt pistols add nothing to a bike squad's dakka. At all times, it is better to use twin-linked bolters.

 

This definately.

It seems like the BP is there just to be swapped out, even the sgt. can only have 1 weapon (oh what I'd give for a Combi and a fist on my bike Sgt.)

[Razmus]

Full on double attack bikes all the waaayyy... it's almost a tripple attack bike... whoa, what does it mean?

[I am Legion]

Full on double attack bikes all the waaayyy... it's almost a tripple attack bike... whoa, what does it mean?

 

Is that a double rainbow song referance?

[bulley]

Yeah the twin linked bolters are pretty brutal. My hurracaine bolters on the LRC put out a lot of damage - and at least this way I still get to keep this in some form (as my army fields zero tacticals). Also back armor on AV10, get into 12" the chances of dropping the tank or at least stuning it are pretty decent, 6 shots w/ the bolters then the 3 multi melta's - where as the bikes its either/or - you have the 2 melta's (and need to get real close for them) but no bolter loving in that case - ofcourse the 1 or 2 guys I'd have fielded w/out meltas can, and the attack bike, but I think all around the attack bike squad is looking like a better option.

 

Also loving that 3 failed saves still leaves me with 3 bikes, where as vs the normal bikes, I'd lose at least 2 bases.