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Even though I've been playing 40k for years, I still never really got how bikes actually "worked" when it came to assaults from a realism standpoint. It seems to me with the normal rules that bikes rev up as fast as they can, drive up, then stop right before running over their enemies to whack them over the head with a sword or something. Now while your average Harlie may do a terrible flip or something equally spectacular when it hits something, I highly doubt a 3 ton space marine bike going +40 miles an hour would be bothered if it ran over a genestealer.

Now I already know running over units is pretty much nonexistent anyways when it comes to other units like jump packs, MC, and vehicles but I was wondering if some type of "if bike unit has charged, inflict blah wounds" would be both fluffy and non gamebreaking. Maybe even make it a little bit of a gamble as bikes could flip out, jam the tires, or knock off the rider with a dangerous terrain test or something

Any input? Or do I have the wrong idea about 40k bikes?

I like the idea, maybe have it on a 1 the bike takes damage on a 2-3 no one does (some one jumps outta the way) and on a 4-6 the target takes damage.

Strength 4 seems fair (the same as a normal bullet) and allow armour saves.

Another option would be to have them elect not to fight that turn and instead get some sorta ramming attack?

Give all bikes Furious Charge. We don't need any more special rules.

Joey wrote:We don't need any more special rules.

But that's what makes 40k and Fantasy 'fun'!

Actually Bikes had a ram value back in 2nd edition.

Str: 5
D4 damage
-2 save

So basically up to "4" successful hits on par with a power sword from back then.

AegisGrimm wrote:Actually Bikes had a ram value back in 2nd edition.

Str: 5
D4 damage
-2 save

So basically up to "4" successful hits on par with a power sword from back then.

And it's hearing about crazy shenanigans like this is the reason why i am furiously trying to find a 2nd edition rulebook.

On topic. I'm liking the sound of your idea OP

Give them a 6+D6" charge rangevtoo.

I'd say something like if a bike unit (not jetbike) charges an opponent, not in cover, each biker model receives a single Str4, In10 attack, that allows armour saves...

Unfortunately, only a few armies (Space Marines only?) use bikes, so that's a bit one-sided an idea, as much sense as it makes...

edited to clarify proposed # of attacks

Jetbikes and Warbikes got the exact same ram value as well. And if I remember right the ramming vehicle had a chance to get damaged as well So the potential ramming damage had a balance to it, rather than just being free.

Of course, all "bikes" had damage tables as well, and randomized hits to the rider/bike.

Just Dave wrote:I'd say something like if a bike unit (not jetbike) charges an opponent, not in cover, each model receives a single Str4, In10 hit, that allows armour saves...

Unfortunately, only a few armies (Space Marines only?) use bikes, so that's a bit one-sided an idea, as much sense as it makes...

All the MEQs (except Space Wolves, maybe?) as well as Orks have Bikes. I don't see any reason Jetbikes shouldn't have the same effect, either.

That basically just leaves out Tau, Tyranids, Grey Knights, and Sisters of Battle.

AegisGrimm wrote:Actually Bikes had a ram value back in 2nd edition.

Str: 5
D4 damage
-2 save

So basically up to "4" successful hits on par with a power sword from back then.

That was still only 1 hit. It could only kill one guy.

I decided I liked DE just because the Reavers got it correct. The drive by killing! Clearly everyone else dismounts and uses the bike for cover.

That was still only 1 hit. It could only kill one guy.

But still a hit that (in the case of a power armored opponent) would have forced up to 4 auto-hits requiring armor save rolls of 5+ to ignore.

You could always do something to replicate impact hits as simple as give bikers +2 attacks on the charge, instead of +1.

I like the idea of the thread. JustDave is on the right track IMO but there is one flaw with enforcing auto-hits based on the receiving models in that a 3man bike squad could suicide a 30 man blob squad and seriously cripple the squad via the auto hits. It’s actually the same balance issue that Purifiers suffer from in the current GK book.

My personal take on the proposal would be for the additional hits to be resolved by the attacker rather than the receiver. Each model in the bike unit would make the additional attack in CC, resolved at Str4 and at the rider’s initiative, with all armour saves allowed.

Good God, yes they should!! The strength of the hit should go up by 1 for every 6 inches the bike moved during the turn. If it moves into charge 1-5", no bonus; 6-11"=+1; 12-17"=+2 and 18"=+3. Armor saves taken as normal, only bikes that are touching enemy models gain this bonus charge-bikes in the back do not add additional hits. It's perfect!!

JustDave is on the right track IMO but there is one flaw with enforcing auto-hits based on the receiving models in that a 3man bike squad could suicide a 30 man blob squad and seriously cripple the squad via the auto hits.

Could always tack on the assumed "only enemy models in base to base contact with a charging bike model after it has charged may be affected by this attack".

Or to even make it more clear say that it must be a model in contact with the front of the bike's base, so rules lawyers aren't pulling 90 degree power-slides just before engaging to get their whole side in contact with enemies for the free attack.

It’s a good suggestion to make the rule B2B but it’s still making the rule more complicated than it needs to be. The “front of the bike” clause, although a half decent idea, it somewhat unclean in terms of mechanics and would probably result in rules disputes (e.g. bike approaches unit on an slight angle).

The easiest approach IMO to resolve it as 1 bonus “run-over” attack per each biker in the unit. Bonus attacks are a fairly common mechanic (that doesn’t require too much thinking) so it would fit into the current 40k rules fairly easily.

Whoops, I meant each biker gains an additional Str4, In10 attack, rather than a hit for each enemy; I agree that would be way too powerful.

AegisGrimm wrote:

That was still only 1 hit. It could only kill one guy.

But still a hit that (in the case of a power armored opponent) would have forced up to 4 auto-hits requiring armor save rolls of 5+ to ignore.

No, you're misunderstanding the rules.

It was one hit. It required one wound roll and one save. It could only kill one guy.

You know, now that i think of it, yeah. You're right.

Not really sure what my reason for thinking that was, I guess I thought that you could roll for saving against each wound separately..... Whoops!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I like Just Dave's idea.

Maybe worded like:

When assaulting other units, in addition to normal close combat attacks, each model in a bike (or jetbike) squadron causes an additional 'impact hit' against the defending unit at Strength 4, Initiative10, with normal armor saves allowed. Casualties are chosen by the defender starting with a single model nearest each attacking biker; no more than a single model per biker may be removed. Standard close combat follows as normal.

Is that the basic thought?

Should Furious Charge give +1 str?

Should counter attack cause a penelty to the countercharging unit to represent them charge headlong into the wheels?

I'm thinking bikes may make a charging pass though enemy infantry.

Each bike lands a hit with +1 strength and rending.
Each bike makes a dangerous terrain test.

The bike's may do this in a straight line for every enemy infantry they pass through making turbo boosting very fun.

Dragged down: if a biker squad looses half or more of their units during a charging pass the biker squad is destroyed.

And no enemy retaliations as it just passes through.

Very interesting discussion this has turned into

Deadshot wrote:Should Furious Charge give +1 str?

Unsure, any other bonus attacks out there that benefit/do not benefit from FC?

Deadshot wrote:Should counter attack cause a penalty to the countercharging unit to represent them charge headlong into the wheels?

Hmm I'd say no seeing Counter does not deny any assault bonus