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Everyone seems to be obsessed with Wolf Riders but a unit I saw that was really nice was Swift claws.

25 points a model which is the same as space marine bikes ,but they get berserk charge can have a wolfguard on a bike or Priest join them can get Mark of Wolfen , Powerfist, and a Meltagun oh and a attack bike.


4 models w/ Melta, Mark of Wolfen , Attack Bike w/ Multimelta , Wolfguard w/ bike

5 man unit that has a hell of alot of attacks.

My question is attack bike though how many attacks?

Anyway it looks like a nice unit or you could just go dirt cheap.



Oh and they have 4 attacks on the charge.

I think they can still be Insta killed w/ a bike by S8, but not on a wolf

They are different.

Bikers are really there as special weapon delivery and are purely faster when it comes to speed.
Wolves are mainly there to counter charge with the extended charge range, more akin to interception.

They are mainly combat focused.

Swiftclaws can shoot and can do combat, but more for beating on rearguard/non-combat elements of the enemy army, while Thunderwolves hit the enemy head on.

Though, I think most people don't have enough exp. with the new codex to lay the smack down on SW topics IMO.

Hmm well. I think the major problem with Swift Claws is this: WS 3 BS 3.

BS3 isn't a huge problem with TL bolters, it's decent.
But yes, it's not so good with the hvy weapon and most special weapons.
But flamers are good to go on them.

WS3 is not a huge problem for offensive purposes.
Defensively it kinda sucks...
But that's why I said they prob. go after rear-guard/non-combat stuff.

I could live with WS3 and BS3 without Headstrong. It forces you to invest in a WG pack leader (and they pay, iirc, more for their bike than a Swiftclaw costs) or an IC on bike (which, isn't a horrible choice, but is pricey). Having a Swiftclaw attack bike - why? The point of the attack bike is gaining the heavy weapon, but they're only BS 3. Seems like you'd be better off getting a razorback somewhere for the same points.

@dietrich:
Though a little different, in my Vanilla Bike Army, I get my bikers mainly for the 2 wounds...not for the hvy weapons.

But Swiftclaws operate differently, more of a hunter role as opposed to mainline troopers.

Frankly, I'm kinda disappointed with all the Blood Claw models.

BCs on Foot. You can't assault out of a Rhino. So, you add a Landraider. And if you don't have a WG or IC with them, they're arguably worse on the assault than GHs. BCs - 4 attacks on the charge. GHs - shoot bolt pistols and special weapons, then 3 attacks on the charge, and are WS 4.

BCs with jump packs. To get over headstrong, you have to add an IC with a jump pack. Note: by the RaW, you can't add a WG to the unit (although you can give WG a jumppack, so I think this was an oversight. But, based on GW's typical response to errors - ignore it - I don't expect it to be errata'ed). Otherwise, they're the same price as Assault Marines, and are arguable worse due to Headstrong (see the comparison to GHs).

Swiftclaws Bikers. Again, same price as SM bikes, arguably worse. Can be baby-sat by a WG, but it's a lot of points. Half the price of Thunderwolf Cav, but not sure that 2 bikers is as good as 1 Wolf on Wolf.

In 3rd I used BC bikers with a WG a leader. The BCs had more fists in the unit at the time but it still seems like an effective assault unit. I preferred to run them without meltas or plasmas, but I did take a flamer every so often.

The key as always is to hit non CC units with them, and not get too far ahead as to be unsupported. With a Rhino full of plasma GH along side, you have a good group that is better then two Rhinos or two bikes.

That's how to apply them.

But that begs the question...are they worth that role?

Can we do the same thing for cheaper or more efficient?

I think the codex has better options for dealing with non-combat units.

I think GW made the BC's this way just to 'balance' things out as opposed to the Fist Madness that was last edition.

Honestly for assault troops they are not to terrible.

That 4 attacks is really nice coupled with a Iron Priest or Wolfguard they seem decent enough.


I dunno BS 3 WS 3 thats the tough one.

Wolf riders look sick. maybe from a gameplay stance not as good, but from aesthetics, they're insanely cool

Zid wrote:Wolf riders look sick. maybe from a gameplay stance not as good, but from aesthetics, they're insanely cool

Zid: I'm sorry doctor whats the problem.

DR.:Well I put our eyes if back to front and upside down. So everything you thought is cool isnt.

Zid:Wait, wolf riders!

DR.:Are totally lame, Im sorry son.

jk But they are totally lame.

Shaman is totally right!

That space wolf on a giant wolf is the worst looking model from GW I've seen since the 2nd Ed "screamer killer" (A right fugly carnifex).

Still, I can't wait for someone to convert up some bear cavalry marines.

Oh yeah - you know what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Looking at my notes, Bikers come with grenades, BP&CCW, and can all take meltabombs. I'm not sure that makes them top-shelf, but it at least makes them tempting. The BP & CCW is nice since they'll get 4 attacks on the charge, after laying down a volley of twin-linked BS 3 bolters (and for me, a flamer too), 2 attacks during combat. It's not mind-blowingly good, but I'll probably give them a try.

For an assault squad it seems pretty decent don't wolves get some sort of preferred enemy etc..


10 Models w/
Mark of Wulfen
Flamer
Powerfist

295 points

10 bolt gun shots rapid firing 20 STR4
1 Flamer
32 normal attacks
3 powerfist attacks
That wolfen thing

i dunno can you get wulfen and a powerfist?

Hollismason wrote:For an assault squad it seems pretty decent don't wolves get some sort of preferred enemy etc..


10 Models w/
Mark of Wulfen
Flamer
Powerfist

295 points

10 bolt gun shots rapid firing 20 STR4
1 Flamer
32 normal attacks
3 powerfist attacks
That wolfen thing

i dunno can you get wulfen and a powerfist?

You mean mark of the Wolfen and a powerfist? Yeah you could combine them... it'd be funny I guess. Effective no.

10 bolt gun shots rapid firing 20 STR4
1 Flamer

As mentioned above, Blood Claws aren't allowed to fire if they can assault unless there's an IC or wolf guard in the unit. Cost goes up quite a bit in that case.

i dunno can you get wulfen and a powerfist?

Nope. Models with the mark replace their attack profile with d6+1 attacks that rend but cannot utilize any special weaponry or wargear bonuses (only those via other rules like charging, etc).

They are still an interesting unit though imo. Pretty cheap for what they can do and really WS3 is not bad when you're T4(5).

You can still use a flamer, as the template is 8" long, and charge distance is 6".

However, its probably not too effective.

I would see that the only weapon really worth taking on Bloodclaw bikers would be a plasma gun, for either an extra wound before running into combat, or shooting at rear armor of tanks/transports.

However, with my new SW bikers, I'm planning to use 1 or 2 small units to boost around and into the rear of the enemy (Broadsides, devs, etc), or support my assaults