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Space Marine Captain 180
(Relic Blade, Bike, Melta bombs)

Dreadnought 125
(2x TLAC)
Dreadnought 125
(2x TLAC)

Space Marine Bikers x5 175
(2x Melta, 1 PW)
Space Marine Bikers x5 175
(2x Melta, 1 PW)
Space Marine Bikers x5 175
(2x Melta, 1 PW)
Space Marine Bikers x5 175
(2x Flamer, 1 PF)
Space Marine Bikers x5 175
(2x Flamer, 1 PF)
Scout Squad 100
(Shotguns? Power Fist)

Land Speeder x2 140
(MM &HF)
Land Speeder x2 140
(MM &HF)
Land Speeder Storm 65
(MM)

1750/1750

Like the idea of Space Marine Bikes, think standard space marines do Bike lists better than Ravenwing.
This probably isn't a perfect bike list, but 5 squads of Bikes, 5 Land Speeds, with 2 Dreads for some long range fire sounds like a nice idea.
Scouts maybe aren't worth it, maybe the extra points for Kossoro Khan would be more valuable, outflanking could be a pretty useful tactic to have up your sleeve...

So, what do you think of the list? Do the Dreads and Scouts in the Storm fit? Or would Khan and maybe some Attack bikes or more Land Speeders be a better option?

The Storm/Scouts don't really have a place, you may want to drop them. The Dreadnaughts don't fit with the theme of this army, they're supposed to be attached to battle companies, this makes the most sense fluff-wise as a detachment constructed entirely from the Eighth Company, in which case you should probably drop them for more bikes/Speeders. Possibly see if you've got enough points to pump squad sizes and take multi-melta attack bikes for the melta squads.

Kor'Sarro isn't a worthwhile investment, your force isn't big enough to scatter piecemeal across the board with poor Outflank rolls.

Also, mixing multi-melta and heavy flamer on a Land Speeder is a bad idea, they're designed to fire at completely different targets. The only Tornado weapon that's much use on a multi-melta Land Speeder is another multi-melta.

I personally don't like bikes with meltas or flamers. You have to get to close to the enemy and then you die. I like plasma guns on my bikes. They can stay at range and still deal with infantry or light tanks/vehicles.

I am wondering if you wouldn't have a better list if you used the DA codex. They do bikes and speeders better.

I agree that some attack bikes with MM wuld be a great adddition to this army. I am also not so sure about those scouts and the storm. I really wish they made the storm a Dtranport for the scouts and not a seperate FA choice. would get more use if you asked me. I think Khan can be useful but it would be a totally different build for sure. He really needs a command squad as well.

Well good luck and cheers!

I think your missing a command squad on bikes. also add a multimelta attack bike to your bike squads. my command squad has 3 meltaguns, a thunder hammer, 3 lightning claws and 4 storm shields. i would take out the dreads and the scouts with storm.

Power weapons on your bike sarges are no good, they don't even have pistols to pair them with. Either power fists, melta bombs, or nothing and pray you don't get into CC.

Definitely trade one of the normal bikes for a MM attack bike in each squad.

I agree with Emperor. I used to put PW on my bike as well and they never really did much for me. I just started saving the points and putting them into other things. A melta bomb isn't a bad i,vestment for the points IMHO.

But like I said before you really don't want to get into CC with the bikes. They will not do much in CC except hold up a squad for a turn or two.

@ Julnlecs: That is a rediculously expensive command squad.

Definately dump the Dreads and give your Bikes an Attack Bike. If you want to run Scouts, you could always use Scout Bikes instead of the Land Speeders. Might not be the best idea but it fits the theme.

Alright! I can get behind this post! I have been playing for almost two years and my first and go to army is bikes...here is what I have learned. Mobile Firepower!!!

1. Landspeeders are very soft. You can put a MM attack bike in each of those squads for less points, you get to fire the TL Bolters as well, and an ablative wound! Every squad should have one.
2. Power Fist and Combi-flamer on every Sgt! This is Critical! Flamers are redundant with that many TL bolters. Now split the sqds between melta and plasma...I use mostly melta because vehicles are still going to be a problem and I roll 1's 50% of the time.
3. Dreadnaughts need to have drop pods if you are going to use them at all. Otherwise they never get to the fight effectively. Get them as Ironclad with Hvy Flamer and Meltagun!
4. Long Range fire is required. Get some Devastators with Missile launchers.
5. Khan at 1750 is a pretty decent deal. Outflank has marginal effectiveness unless you play a turtle army who can out shoot you and they got first turn. Furious charge and Hit and Run can win games.

Now for play style you have to be smart and use those bikers well. Their toughness can keep them alive but you must use their speed to make sure you can focus fire and the enemy cannot. I consistantly win against competative armies, but I have less than a dozen models on the table. Always keep the objective in mind understand that MC and poison will wipe you! Flank the enemy and focus fire. Use your speed to have your enemy react to you. Most people do not know how to play against bikes, always identify enemy templet threats and mitigate them. They are your high risk threats. Relentless allows you to shoot 12" Rapid Fire or 24" Single shot! This is AWESOME!!! Enjoy the bikes, they rock!

Khan 205 205
Space Marine Bikers x5, Sgt, AB: 245 450
(2x Melta, PF, Combi-flamer, MM)
Space Marine Bikers x5, Sgt, AB: 245 695
(2x Melta, PF, Combi-flamer, MM)
Space Marine Bikers x5, Sgt, AB: 245 940
(2x Melta, PF, Combi-flamer, MM)
Space Marine Bikers x5, Sgt, AB: 255 1195
(2x Plasma, PF, Combi-flamer, MM)

Devastators x4 & Sgt: 185 1380
(4xML, CCW & BP, Drop Pod)
Ironclad Dreadnought: 180 1560
(2xDCCW, Hvy Flamer, Meltagun & Drop pod)
Ironclad Dreadnought: 180 1740
(2xDCCW, Hvy Flamer, Meltagun & Drop pod)

Now you can get both the Dreadnoughts in the fight first turn and have your bikers in their face while droping some hate! Don't believe me try it! I guarantee you will kick some serious butt!

Thanks for all your replies and advice.
I like that list seems pretty nice, a bit different but I can see it working well...

Some interesting advice on this thread :-P
@AnomanderRake, lists don't always have to be fluffly, having a couple of riflemen at the back of the board means you can open up transports at range and let the bikes pick off the occupants. I fully agree about the MM attack bikes though, my favourite unit. Khan is pretty good, furious charge, hit and run, instant death on a 6 etc, it's not all about outflanking. MM/HF speeders are very popular because they are versatile and chep, got a land raider rolling towards you-use the MM, a squad of orks-heavy flamer time so the mix of weapons is good means you can choose targets rather than being stuck in one role.

@jaguar, riflemen (aka dreadnoughts with 2 twin-linked autocannons) definitely don't want to get into the fight, they want to walk around the back of the board ripping up light transports. Devastors are a bad choice for a bike list, typhoon speeders would fit in nicely (mobile firepower again)

Khan (on Moondrake) 205pts
Space Marine Bikers (5) + Attack bike 235pts
(2x Melta, PF, MM)
Space Marine Bikers (5) + Attack bike 235pts
(2x Melta, PF, MM)
Space Marine Bikers (5) + Attack bike 235pts
(2x Melta, PF, MM)
Space Marine Bikers (5) + Attack bike 190pts
(2x flamer, HB)

Rifleman 125pts
Rifleman 125pts
Rifleman 125pts

Typhoon (ML + HB) 90pts
Typhoon (ML + HB) 90pts
Typhoon (ML + HB) 90pts

Total 1745pts

With this list the slowest thing is the dreads but they should be skirting the back edge getting off shots at suitable targets. My other suggestions are a biker librarian would be useful due to force hood (stopping those pesky psychic powers) and a tooled up biker command squad (either CC, plasma, etc) would also fit in but would involve some shuffling/cutting. Hope this helps.

If I'm running a bike list then I would take attack bikes in the FA slot rather than landspeeders. With a distinct lack of transports on the table those speeders are going to take all the S6/S7 shooting going on. 2 MM attack bikes are 100, while 2 HB attacks bikes are only 80.

Also not sold on power fists in the bike squads.

Why do people advocate Khan?! Combat Tactics is huge for a bike army. Never ever take Khan in a bike army unless you take the CC command squad of doom and then its not a straight forward choice.

A Bike list must have long range support. Rifleman Dreads and Typhoons fill this niche very well.

A Fist is not worth it really. Krak grenades does a pretty good job if you manage to wiff with three melta shots...

While the TL Bolters are somewhat nice when dealing with hordes they are far from enough. Flamers are needed imo.

Flamers on bikes? No I don't think so. IMHO that is the worst weapon to have on a bike. You have to be so close to shoot it and all though it is very good to hordes. I don't want to get close to a 30 man squad of boys and maybe kill 6-7of them with a flamer just to be swarmed and killed next turn.

Same reson I don't take PF either. The only thing I would take on Sgt is a melta bombs and that is to deal with tanks if need be. Even then I stress this, only do it if you are far away from infantry.

I think its funny that before the GK's book came out no one used rifleman dreads, but now everybody and there grandmother is using them. I guess they are kinda nice for some rnagd fire support, but doesn't really seem to fit a bikes army IMHO. Speeders should be the way to go. They are fragile. Typhoons should not be anywhere near a threat on the table with a bunch of bikes zooming around.

I don't mind Khan. I think he has some issues, but its really a matter of wanting to outflank or not. I think some outflanking Attack bikes could be mean. Do you want to wait for them though?

I still think the DA codex would be better for a bike army.

tedurur wrote:Why do people advocate Khan?! Combat Tactics is huge for a bike army. Never ever take Khan in a bike army unless you take the CC command squad of doom and then its not a straight forward choice.

Khan is fun, that is why I sometimes play him. Yes, waving goodbye to bike squads once they get charged is not fun but then charging with his command squad makes up for it, even protecting units from the cc dangers.

Also ravenwing with just bikes and no long range support works fine, I usually take typhoons if I am running using the vanilla codex.

Typhoons are the way to go with ravenwing too. They are cheaper to boot. Not to mention having an armor 14 Speeder. So much fun! I am alittle biased though.

Personally, I'd prefer to run bike squads like this:

Space Marine Bikers x4 (Melta, Plasma); VetSgt x1 (Combi-flamer); AB x1 (MM)

Unless you're running up against a heavy mechanized list, five squads like this should be enough to handle most armor and still give you plenty of anti-MEQ power.

balsak_da_mighty wrote:
I think its funny that before the GK's book came out no one used rifleman dreads, but now everybody and there grandmother is using them.

Think your wrong there, they have been around longer than that. Obviously they are better in GK lists, if anything their in less Space MArine lists now because GKs do them better....

Some very interesting points, thank you all.

Breotan, does mixed Plasma/Melta work? I've never really seen anyone advocate having Melta and Plasma in the same squad, but maybe for Bikes it could work?

As for DA codex, in the experience of a Ravenwing player I know, after playing as Ravenwing for a few months, he changed to Space Marine codex because he could fit in more bikes etc. From his 1750 Ravenwing list, he pretty much took out 1/2 attack bikes and 1/2 speeders, Samuel. Added Khan and a squad of TH/SS termies in a land raider for outflanking fun. His list had nearly same fire power, and a great combat unit.

With Khan, I think just the fact you can outflank is worth the extra points. If your playing against someone who is going to keep a few things in reserve, being able to do that yourself is pretty useful. And although its obviously not reliable because stuff might not come on until turn 4/5 and can come on the wrong side, when it works its going to be very damaging.

CaptainJay, I love your list, may i steal it?

I think the Dreads are very usefull, since the Bikes need focus fire, flanking etc. Having the Dreads as back up seems like a pretty nice option, and with the Typhoons you then have plenty of ranged anti tank for taking out light transports. would also be useful against Nid MCs, which I seem to face a lot..

I might be but I don't seem to remember many list on here with them in it.

I will grant you that if you want to add the terminators element to your bike amry then sure Khan would be nice to outflank. But you have so many ups with a RW army as well. Cheaper typhoons for one. RW bikers are fearless. More places to fit speeders in turn giving you more options. The options to still take terminators with just as good synergy. Scout rule built into the bikes allready which give you options on deploying and playing the army. Which in turn alloy you to outflank or get free move. So I still think RW is a better option for a bike army.

Why devastators vs Rifle Dread? Flexability! 4xML is 4x S8 AP3 for those BA FNP, Medium/Lgt Transports, and Nobs! AND it has S4 AP6 Blast for those Horde armies! Try that with a Dreadnought!
I actually play with two Dev's, one Dreadnought with drop pod gets you 80 more pts. It gets you more Long Range Fire power and a in your face threat with all those bikes turn 1.
Play a bike list without PF is like a monkey humping a football. IC kills, MC kills, Tank Kills; Include Khan in the sqd and it is Str 9.
Meltabomb vs a dreadnought that is not immobile; 1 to hit per model and you need a six; vs PF: a 4+ with 2 base hits or 3 on the charge
Vs. vehicle 1 attack vs 3 when it is not immobile.

Number 1 rule is to have fun. Pick what you want and then mess around with it as you go!

rodgers37 wrote:

balsak_da_mighty wrote:
I think its funny that before the GK's book came out no one used rifleman dreads, but now everybody and there grandmother is using them.

Think your wrong there, they have been around longer than that. Obviously they are better in GK lists, if anything their in less Space MArine lists now because GKs do them better....

Some very interesting points, thank you all.

Breotan, does mixed Plasma/Melta work? I've never really seen anyone advocate having Melta and Plasma in the same squad, but maybe for Bikes it could work?

As for DA codex, in the experience of a Ravenwing player I know, after playing as Ravenwing for a few months, he changed to Space Marine codex because he could fit in more bikes etc. From his 1750 Ravenwing list, he pretty much took out 1/2 attack bikes and 1/2 speeders, Samuel. Added Khan and a squad of TH/SS termies in a land raider for outflanking fun. His list had nearly same fire power, and a great combat unit.

With Khan, I think just the fact you can outflank is worth the extra points. If your playing against someone who is going to keep a few things in reserve, being able to do that yourself is pretty useful. And although its obviously not reliable because stuff might not come on until turn 4/5 and can come on the wrong side, when it works its going to be very damaging.

CaptainJay, I love your list, may i steal it?

I think the Dreads are very usefull, since the Bikes need focus fire, flanking etc. Having the Dreads as back up seems like a pretty nice option, and with the Typhoons you then have plenty of ranged anti tank for taking out light transports. would also be useful against Nid MCs, which I seem to face a lot..

No ravenwing is awesome.

balsak_da_mighty wrote:

@ Julnlecs: That is a rediculously expensive command squad.

Yeah and I run 2 in my all bike army. Its alot of fun and very deadly.

could try some thing like this, just let every think out flank-

kor`sarro khan-moondrake-205p

command squad-Bikes,3xmelta guns,4xlightning claws.4xstorm shields-355p

Bike squad-5xbikes,2xmelta guns, melta bombs, melta attack bike-205p
Bike squad-5xbikes,2xmelta guns, melta bombs, melta attack bike-205p
Bike squad-5xbikes,2xmelta guns, melta bombs, melta attack bike-205p
Bike squad-5xbikes,2xmelta guns, melta bombs, melta attack bike-205p

3x melta attack bikes-120p

That comes to 7multi-meltas
11 melta guns
26twin linked bolters
and 4 troops

Thats just my in put.