Idea for survivable rough riders

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**BoilerUp**

I have 20 rough rider models and have been trying to think of a way to use them so that they do not all die before they can make the charge and also, that they can charge a unit with a flamer and not lose 1-3 horses on overwatch. My idea is to run a DA librarian on a bike with Power Field Generator inside the unit. The unit will also have mogul kamir to give them rage and fearless. The problem with the PFG is that it gives all models (friendly and enemy) within 3" a invul save. I do not want to give the enemy that save on the charge. The other option is to run the librarian at the front of the pack and for him to use his 3+ save. If that is the better option, then I could run a techmarine on a bike with a 2+ save, but he only has 1 wound. What are your thoughts? Am I just trying too hard to make rough riders survivable? Thanks,

**Kain**

That's an awful lot of points into something that in the end, just doesn't do enough damage. I mean even the Death Korps considerably better Death Riders are still less than competetive because even if they miraculously survive to make their charge, they just don't do enough hurt. Maybe GW's trying to secretly tell you that even in the context of 40k, horse cavalry is silly?

**Super Ready**

Not only does it not really do much damage - it's also still pretty easy to kill. The power field won't do bugger all against massed bolter or las fire (or shurikens, or shootas, or whatever other basic gun you're up against). There are still too many things that can kill them off in short order for the points you're talking about dropping on them.

**Gomericus**

ok why are folks saying they do not do much damage

with him having 20,thats two units of 10

thats 31 S5 I5 powerweapon attacks
plus 10 free I10 horsekicks to the face
per unit thats what 100 some odd points per unit

my advice(I use 3 units of them) is to use terrain, your other troops ,tanks ect to screen them,,,use their speed to maneuver them until you want to unleash them to run a unit down,,,the thing with them is that they are a one trick pony,once theyve done their job they are expendable,,,

As for making them survivable,well again they are expendable,perhaps just get used to the idea of using them to run down a unit them letting them die?

**Peregrine**

You know what makes a unit of rough riders more durable? Buying twice as many of them instead of overpaying for a 4++ that also applies to the things you're trying to kill.

**sing your life**

You need some distractions to stop the enemy shooting them.

**Peregrine**

Gomericus wrote:
ok why are folks saying they do not do much damage

Because they're unlikely to get to a target with a full squad. The math on a full squad charging is great, but realistically by the time you charge you're down to a handful of models. And that handful of models just doesn't do all that much compared to the Vulture/Vendetta, or even Hellhound, that you could take instead.

**schadenfreude**

A bike hq would ruin their fleet.

1 squad can easily find cover behind walls and/or los blocking IG vehicles.

**Talore**

DKoK rough riders are a huge improvement in survivability compared to the normal IG rough riders, but it would involve changing your list or using DKoK allies instead.

**karandras15**

Run a white scars army and double force org w/ guard...

Charge with entire army sans Guard HQ and a troop

**portugus**

Yeah let the Libby hide behind a Lehman Russ with the 4++ and prescience.

**HawaiiMatt**

karandras15 wrote:
Run a white scars army and double force org w/ guard...

Charge with entire army sans Guard HQ and a troop

If you do single force org with guard (3x10 rough riders), and ally in White Scars (bike command and 2 bike units as troops, 1 unit as fast attack), you might be able to bring enough threats in fast enough that you over-whelm their ability to deal with the threats. Marbo, and a drop pod combat dread could help with the threat saturation.

-Matt