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Hey, I am wanting to start a biker army. What do y'all think of this list?
Here is the list.

HQ
Captain - Bike, Relic Blade, Artificer Armour - 180
Command Squad - Bikes, 2 Plasma Guns, 2 Stormshields, Powersword, Powerfist - 305

Troops
Biker squad 1. 5 bikes + 1 Attack bike - 2 Plasma Guns, Powersword - 225
Biker squad 2. 5 bikes + 1 Attack bike - 2 Plasma Guns, Powersword - 225
Biker squad 3. 5 bikes + 1 Attack bike - 2 Meltaguns, Multi-Melta, Fist - 235
Biker squad 4. 5 bikes + 1 Attack bike - 2 Meltaguns, Multi-Melta, Fist - 235

Fast Attack
Landspeeder - Typhoon Missle Launcher - 90
Landspeeder - Typhoon Missle Launcher - 90
Landspeeder - Typhoon Missle Launcher - 90

Heavy Support
Vindicator - Extra Armour - 130
Vindicator - Extra Armour - 130


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So thats it. That comes to 1935 so 65 points to mess around with. Maybe 2 more bikers? A few hunter-killer missles? Kit out the command squad or captain more??

The plan would be, Landspeeders hug cover/stay at the back and use there range to hit things from the off. Vindis hopefully take the fire off the bikes early on and hopefully pop a tank or two/hit some hoards before they go. Bikes turbo first turn for the cover save. Plasma squads whittle down infantry. Melta squads go for tanks. Captain goes with command squad and goes where needed? Sure, its a list that would require a litle tact but I think it looks ok??

Looks like one that would be fun to try. You may want to think about an apothecary in the command squad for the points you have left.

I also like some flamers in bike squads to deal with horde armies. I like to run bikes with in two packs of two squads...one with fist, meltas and multimelta (attack bike) to pop armor, one with powersword, flamers and heavy bolters (attack bike) to get anything that comes out.

The captain and command squad just go wherever needed.

That's just me though..

Biker lists are fun, but very fragile if you don't have enough bikes or enough firepower to suppress your opponent. Having played a biker list before I can tell you they are very demanding.

My suggestion, have 2 command squads that can be your rocks, if you take just one, it can be tarpitted and nothing to bail it out. Otherwise, no command squads and just a shooty captain and 6 bike troop squads with MM attack bikes and 2 meltas each. And dakka preds for your suppression. Bikers need to use their speed and use shoot-and-run tactics in order to not get stuck in hand-to-hand combat (unless its with dual command squads). Vindicators can become a liability as they are short -ranged blast weapons that can drift into your squads and will be a fire magnet for your opponent. Having to get to 24" to use the weapon means more side shots into their armor.

Here is my take for a 2000p biker list.

2000p
HQ
Captain, bike, combi-plasma, stormshield, bike. 160p

Troops
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-melta, 2 meltaguns, attack bike, multi-melta. 195p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-melta, 2 meltaguns, attack bike, multi-melta. 195p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p

Fast Attack
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p

Heavy Support
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p

NeCrotic wrote:Here is my take for a 2000p biker list.

2000p
HQ
Captain, bike, combi-plasma, stormshield, bike. 160p

Troops
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-melta, 2 meltaguns, attack bike, multi-melta. 195p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-melta, 2 meltaguns, attack bike, multi-melta. 195p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p

Fast Attack
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p

Heavy Support
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p

Im not to familar with bike armies but this build would serve better in my opinion whereas the vindicators need to get within 24 inch sacrificeing a turn or 2 of shooting the preds are a constant threat from turn 1 that the enemy cant afford to ignore

Just remember bikes cant climb levels so your opponent can set up in a building and start a turkey shoot. But with the fire power in the list it would be a ugly shoot out good luck

You could also replace the vindicators/predators with some Devastator Squads. I like to utilize some 5 man dev squads with 4 missile launchers. They hang back and can do some damage while people are worried about the bikes flying up on them.

Your sergeant gives one of your devastator guys a BS 5...which can be helpful.

I also think Ironclad Dreadnoughts in Drop Pods can be a nice distraction as well.

I feel the heavy choices are too slow. They will unsupported sitting targets. How about getting more typhoons? If you take 2 typhoons you only need to find cover for one.

Thanks for the responses everyone.

bubbinski wrote:Looks like one that would be fun to try. You may want to think about an apothecary in the command squad for the points you have left.

I also like some flamers in bike squads to deal with horde armies. I like to run bikes with in two packs of two squads...one with fist, meltas and multimelta (attack bike) to pop armor, one with powersword, flamers and heavy bolters (attack bike) to get anything that comes out.

The command squad already has an apothecary no? I think if I was playing a hoard army I would swap out the plasma guns for flamers, but would plasma guns be more useful against marines.

davidgr33n wrote:My suggestion, have 2 command squads that can be your rocks, if you take just one, it can be tarpitted and nothing to bail it out. Otherwise, no command squads and just a shooty captain and 6 bike troop squads with MM attack bikes and 2 meltas each.

2 command squads is a pretty big investment in a 2000 point game? I would barely have anything on the table?

NeCrotic wrote:Here is my take for a 2000p biker list.

2000p
HQ
Captain, bike, combi-plasma, stormshield, bike. 160p

Troops
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-melta, 2 meltaguns, attack bike, multi-melta. 195p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-melta, 2 meltaguns, attack bike, multi-melta. 195p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p
Bike Squad, additional Biker, combi-plasma, 2 plasma guns, attack bike, multi-melta. 205p

Fast Attack
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p
Land Speeder Typhoon. 90p

Heavy Support
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p
Predator, Lascannon Sponsons. 120p

How does this list fare? Its got more bodies on the table than I thought possible.

Give captain a relic blade what is better for him especially if he is on a bike


Automatically Appended Next Post:
More power Fists or power weapons your a flipping bike your next to them in a few turns
Plasmas and meltas are what you need in a bike list your right but when you are next to them a strength 8 fist would be lovely

Well I regularly play a Ravenwing army. I do have some input for you. I haven't liked meltas on bikes in some time. Here is the reasons why. You have to get to close to shoot with them. If you get to close then you get assaulted. I don't know about you but bikes in assault get over whelmed and die pretty quick. I like to keep my bikes at range. I personally think Plasmas are the only way to go with bikes.

If you plan on the command squad then you could do some damage in Cc, don't try to attack there powerful CC squads. Shoot them with all your plasma. Pick on the weaker squads in CC. You will do a better job that way. I would drop the plasmas from the command squad. Just go CC weapons or PW's. You what to have as many attacks as possible.

I like to use my vindies. I have yet to use them in my Ravenwing army, but i always use 2 in my Doublewing army. There range should not be an issue. You can move them 6" and fire which is more thne enough range to fire first turn. But it really is more of a choice then anything. The Preds can be just as useful.

I like the typhoon speeders. 3 is nice. Just keep them at long range. They do not need to be close to anything at all. If you give them MM still keep them back until the TML is blown off then move them close for the MM. The worse thing is getting to close to get charged by a unit.

Well I hope this helps. You might want to check out the DA rules for the Ravenwing. You might like them better.

Bike lists do need to keep out of CC. I have run a Command Squad on bikes, but the temptation is then to get whole army into CC.

Starting to see benefit of running CS as either 4 plasma shooty list or fully power weaponed CC list rather than a hybrid.

If running multiple bike squads then having one with flamers/ AB with HB can help with hordes etc.

I do love my techmarine on a bike though with flamer/plasma pistol and S8 power weapon attacks in CC! I do run a unit of scouts though as a troop choice, so can use bolster defences for them.

Hey, couple of questions.

1. Would would Lascannon/Heavy Bolter Preds fit the list better than Vindi's?
2. What are peoples thoughts of a Chaplain on a bike? Possibly joining the Captain and Command squad?

balsak_da_mighty wrote:Well I regularly play a Ravenwing army. I do have some input for you. I haven't liked meltas on bikes in some time. Here is the reasons why. You have to get to close to shoot with them. If you get to close then you get assaulted. I don't know about you but bikes in assault get over whelmed and die pretty quick. I like to keep my bikes at range. I personally think Plasmas are the only way to go with bikes.

I would be sorely lacking in AT though if I dropped the Meltas?

balsak_da_mighty wrote:Well I hope this helps. You might want to check out the DA rules for the Ravenwing. You might like them better.

Yes, thanks for the comments, given me lots to think about. I dont know if I want to start on DA if they have a new book on horizen?

Well your Speeders and Tanks would be the AT. You do have krak grenades too. You still have to get to close for that. Plasma guns can kill transports so thats not that big of an issue.

Wow, what happens with bike list lately, 2-3 threads on bike list in the last couple of days.

Melta bikers are still useful. The truth is no matter how fast you run, some time you just have to come in for the kill and make a trade. Melta bikers will knock off that Rhino and tarpit whoever is inside.

I have never seen a list with Chaplain on Bike. Take that however you might.

I've got a chappy on a bike. He can work, but you need the command squad to be properly tooled for CC so power weapons all round, maybe one fist and give a s/shield to that one for the invul. With captain, chappy and s/s you then have 3 invul saves to take AP2 shooting on the way in.

If you do run the chappy then I would change captain for Khan so you get hit and run for the command squad. The unit is all about the charge, with the rerolls and extra attacks.