I much prefer modelling two Bike models per base, as that give you ten Bike-riding Marines per formation, and a an Attack Bike just puts two Marines together... then the numbers work for a Codex Chapter.

@Dobbsy: To me it reads a sif the entry talks about Space Marine Bike Squads in general.
Besides in the current Codex Space Marines a full Bike Squadron is 8 Bikes and 1 Attack Bike, too.

A Bike Squadron with 10 Bikes isn't possible (only for Space Wolves plus they can tacke an Attack Bike so that the Swiftclaw Bike Pack is 12 Bloodclaws strong).

Note that even a Dark Angels Raven Wing Attack Squadron has 10 Marines at full strength but then this Squadron constists of only 6 Bikes and 1 Attack Bike AND 1 Land Speeder.

Only Codex Space Marines and Blood Angels are allowed to field pure Attack Bike Squadrons. Codex Blood Angels talks about that these Attack Bikes are removed from their parent Bike Squadron and put together in their own Squadron of 1-3 Attack Bikes.

Also the Combat Squads rule (split a full strength Squad in to equal parts who can act separately) used with a Bike Squadron is only possible with a full strength Bike Squadron. An Attack Bike counts as 2 models for this purpose so that you have one Combat Squad of 5 Bikes and one Combat Squad of 3 Bikes and 1 Attack Bike.

_________________
We are returned!
http://www.epic-wargaming.de/

Blish once stated to me that he has so many Attack Bikes that if there was a list that used them extensively, he would play it.

So the question is: Is there a Marine Force that anyone knows of that makes use of a stupid amount of attack Bikes as a standard Core?

The problem is that they are considerred crap (with many of our players anyway). It would be good to have these 'never used' models given a fresh change in another list

I was thinking of creating one, but if there is already one, it would make things much easier

Space Wolves will have 6 Swiftclaws with Multimelta ABs option

Also the Codex Marine list you can take as many Attack bikes as you like.

Yes, but they are all crap. I was hoping for a list that took the attack bike to a whole new level (different battlefield roles).

Thinking about it, I am probably best just throwing them all in the bin

LOL are you hoping for WE classification perhaps?


I'll take them off your hands before you do that

I, like other people bought these cheaply only to realise their actual battlefield role was extremely limited.

It would be good to be able to use them with some effect as the models themselves are quite neat.

In reality, I just cannot imagine Marines going through everything that they do to merely sit on their arses and ride in sidecars at the expense of drop pods, tanks, or single passenger bikes. So I guess the idea is a lost cause.

I have always thought Attack bikes should be about 25 to 50pts cheaper as a squad then normal bikes.

I just really don't see much use in them as they are able to soak / take AT fire whereas bikes don't.

I'm somewhat against bike squads that have an attack bike as a fixed feature rather than an upgrade, it's one of the things I don't like with at least one of the Dark Angel lists. The GW pack size has one but I still think there are plenty of people that still have lots of the old plastic bikes without enough attack bikes for compulsory inclusion. I have plenty of bikes (2 per base) but no attack bikes (They're not that easy to find on well known auction sites either).

How about 4 Bikes + Attack Bike for 175. Upgrade Attack Bike to Bike for +25pts.

Makes the Attack Bikes considered, doesn't change the current 5xBikes for 200pts.

Morgan Vening
- Prolly still wouldn't use Attack Bikes even then.

1x Attack Bike and 4x Bike units is certainly worth 200pts.

5x Attack bikes is worth about 175pts I'd say.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

What with my proposed stat? It's a Bike unit whith 1 pip worse CC in exchange for a Heavy Bolter.

Besides i don't know why Bikes have such a good CC stats in the beginning. They should be good at FF with their TwinBolters (all Bikes), Meltas, Flamers and Plasmaguns (2 per Squadron). They are never equiped with extra close combat gear (only the Sergeant but this isn't different from every other Sergeant from the other Squad types).

Surely Bikes should have CC4+ and FF3+?

_________________
We are returned!
http://www.epic-wargaming.de/

Well I would imagine that riding the weight of a bike into someone's shins constitutes the good CC stat but I'm in the opposite boat regarding FF as I feel the FF value (and theory) of handlebar mounted Bolters to be ludicrously inaccurate - but who am I to debate reality in a fantasy/Sci-fi setting?

FF3+ bikes with a 35cm move is a horrible idea.

The last thing I want to see in this game is a further reliance on FF as the only way to assault.

Well... reality and GW don't really have much of a connection.

The entire concept of a two wheeled vehicle being used in any meaningful way in a combat role is absolutely ridiculous. Besides the obvious terrain issues, and tire issues, ramming is completely out. Unless hit dead on, a minor hit to the sides of the front wheel, or a small jolt to the handlebars at all but the lowest speeds, will result in a crash. The fairly static profile makes them a much easier target, unless going at very high speeds, where even a slight change in balance, will result in a crash.

Even as a 'firefighter', aiming the bolters while maintaining control would be difficult at best. It'd be like firing a gun with your feet. Sure, it can be done, but any sense of accuracy or control is out the window. The close combat approach seems the most effective means of doing more damage than actually walking. And even then, you better hope your weapon cleaves through the enemy at about what you expect, else you'll over/undercompensate, and will result in a crash.

Bikes are fun. Bikes are economical. Bikes are not inherently stable except at high speeds on tarmac. Bikes at high speeds on tarmac don't take even minor external changes well. Bikes at slow speeds are bloody hinderingly awful. Minor incidents at slow speeds are hugely inconvenient. Minor incidents at high speeds are hugely dangerous.

That a Biker in 40K is in any way combat effective, is laughable. But what do I know, they look 'cool'. Dakka dakka Waaagh! Whatever.

Morgan Vening