Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What is the advantage (if any) of speeders over attack bikes? Sure they're vehicles (lightly armoured ones), sure they cannot be held up in close combat, but when it comes to a simple 3 heavy bolters or 3 Multi-Melta's, whats the better bet?

I ask mainly because you seem to ALWAYS see speeders in marine armies and RARELY see Attack Bikes despite the fact that their firepower rivals Devestator squads and you've got huge mobility at the same time....for a trifle of points considering.

the mobility... that's it really, the ability to move over, as opposed to around cover makes them faster. But do you often see speeders with the same layout as attack bikes?

I think speeders have more options for wepons (or at least it seems that way in my DA codex). So there is that, as well as the terrain. However I am currious if you are seeing them played in the same army as bikes or are they just feilding speeders?

I would say Multi-melta attack bikes are superior to multi-melta speeders. You can turbo-boost near a Land raider and have little fear of dieing except from assault. The MM speeder has more trouble surviving the move to get into position to kill a land raider.

The attack bikes have more versatility than the speeders. Bikes can stay back and shoot HtH targets at range AND close in to assault shooty elements like Guard and Tau.

Where the speeders begin to get consideration is with their versatile weapon layouts. 120pts get you 3 attack bikes with 3 heavy bolters and 3 twin-linked bolters. Double heavy bolter speeders will get you 4 heavy bolters at 120pts, however they have an intrigueing option in taking 3 dual HB speeders for 180pts. Now you have 6 heavy bolters for only 60pts more than 3 AB's. Three dual HB speeders is definitely a consideration over regular attack bikes.

The cyclone speeder is also unique over the attack bike for it's stronger weapons and longer range. Two Tempests will be 180pts and give you 4 missile shots and 2 heavy bolters. I can see this being much more valueable against TMC's than 3 MM attack bikes for 150pts.

With the reduction of heavy weapons in marine troop lists, the attack bike still gives marine armies the flexibility to at least approach the firepower of 4th edition marine lists.

Bikes have the option to charge into T3/S3 mobs and bog them down forever.

Beyond that, it's whether you prefer AV10 shooting platforms or T5 shooting platforms.

Bike sqauds can still get that single attack bike & you can combat squad 8 bikes w/ a fist and a attack bike & get the best of both worlds.

You can take said bike squads as troop choices w/ that moonfang wielding IC - am I right?

yup

Bikes can't deepstrike, so it's more difficult for them to catch a surprise flank on the enemy. Not to mention you'r own troops can often times block their movement.

Speeders can take more guns including the assault cannon which is a very effective gun. Which is better depends on your army your style. Bikes can hide behind your tanks which is nice. Speeders can now take two meltas which is solid in a Vulkan army.

G

Assuming your going mech, mm attack bikes (and dakka preds) are the best buy in the codex. A cheap, mobile, survivable AT system that doesn't take up an elite spot.

Ive had alot of success lately with the following at 1500.
This wouldn't scale well at 1750-1850, but works great for me at the intended point level.

Gate lib
2 tacs fist melta PC and rhino
10 stern fist 10 combi-meltas and Pod
10 assault marines with fist
2 dakka preds
3 mm attack bikes

Castle up a pred and tac squad on two objectives within mutual support range. Stern kill whatever their tasked to kill. AM's counter charge or deliberate assault as required.
The attack bikes really mesh well with the rest of the army. Either as a direct attack unit on turn 2 (boost on turn 1) Or as a mobile AT fire brigade if he holds his heavies in reserve. They can also work as a mobile sacrificial tie up unit should the need arise.

If i was going full drop (mech is more flexible i feel) would replace the Preds with 3 hb/hb speeders or 2 tornado's. AM's and attack bikes would get swapped out for a podded MM and TL-HF dred.

- Mech go attack bikes as they are much more survivable
- Drop go speeders . Ya just need to ensure the enemy's attention is elsewhere when they arrive.

Im not sure what the big deal is about asscans on av10... how can getting within 24" be a smart thing to do? Sure mm speeders have to approach within 12", however the difference being something big and expensive (thus potentially decisive) is pretty much ALWAYS going to die. Whats 4 strength 6 shots going to achieve thats worth loosing 90 points over? Standing off at 36/48" with 2 frag blasts or krak @S8 and 3 HB shots seems like a far better idea(with full move if shooting frag). Or better yet, attack bikes with T5 and 3++

Sorry for the long post. Thought it was worth mentioning how said bikes can be employed rather than just ticking the 'good' box or the 'cr4p' box

Attack Bikes can attack in close combat. Otherwise Speeders are better, especially in a mechanized list.

The typhoon with melta and the tornado are both better but you are paying for it,

G

Yea, Kor'sarro Khan has Moonfang and gives your whole army outflanking. Making a bike squads of 5+ a troop unit is nice too. I've turboboosted an objective before.

These days, I prefer Attack Bikes while in the 4th ed I preferred Tornados.
Attack Bike squadrons are very effective that are also able to tie up a shooty unit for a while until help arrives.

Attack bikes can't get shaken by bolters from an average volley of 10 shots (a combat squad rapid firing). And attack bikes can hide behind tanks.

Speeders can take more weapons. Especially my favorite combo of heavy flamer multi melta for 20 points more I do somethimg against orks.

I like attack bikes overall since I run a mech marine army but, if I ran sit back and shoot 'em mmarines I would want speeder support just in case of horde orks or gaunt swarm nidzilla.