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Is he as terrible as he seems?

For 5 points you get an AP3 power weapon that goes at I1, +1 WS, and he becomes a character.

I don't think I'm desperate enough for an AP3 weapon that I'd give up a rending weapon and go at I1 when using it.

Thoughts?

No tactical reason to take him. You take him because of his AWESOME winged helmet, geesh!

Seriously, I'm in the same boat. Or I was. I'd rather take the BK instead. Other than the banner, the Apothecary is the only thing I'd run besides BKs.

I tend to think it's worth it just to keep your apothecary out of challenges, and/or other attached bike characters, particularly for the ravenwing where the apothecary has a corvus hammer, unlike deathwing or PA command squads where the apothecary just has normal melee weapons.

 daedalus wrote:
I don't think I'm desperate enough for an AP3 weapon that I'd give up a rending weapon and go at I1 when using it.

It's a standard power weapon, right? It's worth going with the axe to keep AP2 since you'll have plasma rounds going in and another couple of models still attacking as Rending anyway. Taking a sword, maul or spear would just detract from the unit's role as heavy infantry killers. ...shame, really, a lance would look properly badass...

If you're worried about challenges, it's easy enough to wheel the unit round in the Movement phase such that your front model will make it into base contact, with another model after that will be engaged from being within 2", but with the Champion being unable to take challenges as he's not engaged at the start of the round - but is still close enough to pile-in later and attack. The problem there is, if you're going with the basic 3 bikes or have taken casualties, your Apothecary might have to be in range for challenges instead...

 Super Ready wrote:
It's a standard power weapon, right? It's worth going with the axe to keep AP2 since you'll have plasma rounds going in and another couple of models still attacking as Rending anyway. Taking a sword, maul or spear would just detract from the unit's role as heavy infantry killers. ...shame, really, a lance would look properly badass...

It's a Blade of Caliban, S+1, AP3, unwieldy.

Oh, yeah. ...nuts. Well, that blows THAT out of the water.

he protects your squad from some hq's with challenges, and he can add precision shots with a plasma gun.

I could see the bit about challenges, but then again, when are you ever getting into melee not on your terms with bikes? I don't think I've ever had an assault with them that I wasn't willing to get into at some point.

I suppose that helps make it easier to make that decision, but I'm hard pressed to charge bikes in most situations anyway.

well, your also getting sniper shots with 5 points, so that may be worth it too!

when are you ever getting into melee not on your terms with bikes?

Ok you are both right and wrong with this statement. Ok first of all sure, you should only be in melee with things you can beat. But this doesn't make the role of the champion any less important though. The champion is useful for taking a challenge from an enemy character that could either a) take out a valuable model if the challenge is accepted, or b) divert a more powerful ravenwing character away from making a large contribution to combat.

If I run a RAS accompanied with a Interrogator chaplain armed with a mace of redemption, then I will want those str 7 ap 3 hits to be doing as much damage as possible. If I charge a guard squad without using a Champion, then the sergeant could issue a challenge which I would have to accept (or use the apothecary if applicable, but many people wouldnt want to risk losing their FNP), or lose all those 5 str 7 hits.

So if you expect or wish to use shenanigans with character challenges, then 5 points could be a useful investment.

Ok onto the weapon argument. Yeah, it isn't good. But then again for +1WS, upgrade to character, and a power weapon, what were you expecting for 5 points??
The best way to see the BoC is as a discounted gimped power sword/axe.
Sure its only ap3, sure it is unwieldy, but lets consider the cost:

A black knight huntsman can exchange his corvus hammer for a power weapon at 12 points. Power weapons are normally 15 points, so we can see that the hammer is worth 3 pts.
This makes the BoC worth a total of 8 points (5 for champion + 3 for the switched hammer.)
8 points for an unwieldy str +1 ap 3 weapon is not so bad.
It's a half price power weapon with a downside.

Finally, str 7 ap2 rapid fire precision shots! whats not to like.

In my opinion, many people dislike the Champion because if given better wargear options, he had the potential for much more.
However at 5 points he is not a bad upgrade to take. Whilst certainly not a must pick, 5 points spent on him is a fair investment.