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Hi,

The bikes got buffed in the 6th edition and i have seen a lot of biker lists (CSM, DA, White Scars).
What about space wolves bikers? Are they worth fielding?

Nope. BS3 on your specials sucks (well it sucks in general), and in CC they're mediocre even with the extra attack. Rune Priest on a bike works well with other bike armies but that's about it.

And how about WG on bikes? WS4, 2A, lots of cheap upgrade options?

I've been thinking about WG on bikes too, but they're pretty costly. However, they are fast...

 Mr.Omega wrote:
Nope. BS3 on your specials sucks (well it sucks in general), and in CC they're mediocre even with the extra attack. Rune Priest on a bike works well with other bike armies but that's about it.

This, this, this, and more this. Anything bloodclaw related in the current SW 'dex is worthless. Rune Priest's also happen to be great due to grandfathered rules.

Side note: Anyone else remember the days when you could bring 13 bloodclaws w/ 3 power fists for 12 power fist attacks on the charge? Always amused the hell out of me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

SBG wrote:
I've been thinking about WG on bikes too, but they're pretty costly. However, they are fast...

Per the new SM 'dex a command squad of 5 models gets bikes for 35 pts flat.

Per the OLD SW 'dex bikes for WG cost 35 pts EACH. Definitely not worth the points.

The best we can do is abuse 5 pt combi weapons and the fact that GH are still awesome.

I believe it's a matter on how you feel about it. While yes WS 3 isn't really bad. Like WS4 vs WS4 you hit on a 4+. Heck you're hitting everything from WS3 to WS6 on a 4+ just like if you were WS4. The thing about Bloodclaws is the fact they bring numbers. The bikes give you that fast moving punch. Even more so remember the fact that Space Wolves work off of Synergy with one another. The Bikes can be amazing for Tying up units or coming to rescue of another unit. Bloodclaws are one of our CC guys like the TWC. if you put a Wolf Priest on a Bike to lead them, give them Preferred Enemy -insert the thing you see the most of- and watch all the carnage be unleashed by those bikers. Hammer of Wrath on the charge, a whole bunch of attacks on the charge. SW bikes are worth playing. it just depends on how you use them and what role you want them to do.

 Wolf Lord Kevin wrote:
I believe it's a matter on how you feel about it. While yes WS 3 isn't really bad. Like WS4 vs WS4 you hit on a 4+. Heck you're hitting everything from WS3 to WS6 on a 4+ just like if you were WS4. The thing about Bloodclaws is the fact they bring numbers. The bikes give you that fast moving punch. Even more so remember the fact that Space Wolves work off of Synergy with one another. The Bikes can be amazing for Tying up units or coming to rescue of another unit. Bloodclaws are one of our CC guys like the TWC. if you put a Wolf Priest on a Bike to lead them, give them Preferred Enemy -insert the thing you see the most of- and watch all the carnage be unleashed by those bikers. Hammer of Wrath on the charge, a whole bunch of attacks on the charge. SW bikes are worth playing. it just depends on how you use them and what role you want them to do.

I really cant imagine when a Swiftclaw pack would be more useful/cost efficient than TWC.

astro_nomicon wrote:

 Wolf Lord Kevin wrote:
I believe it's a matter on how you feel about it. While yes WS 3 isn't really bad. Like WS4 vs WS4 you hit on a 4+. Heck you're hitting everything from WS3 to WS6 on a 4+ just like if you were WS4. The thing about Bloodclaws is the fact they bring numbers. The bikes give you that fast moving punch. Even more so remember the fact that Space Wolves work off of Synergy with one another. The Bikes can be amazing for Tying up units or coming to rescue of another unit. Bloodclaws are one of our CC guys like the TWC. if you put a Wolf Priest on a Bike to lead them, give them Preferred Enemy -insert the thing you see the most of- and watch all the carnage be unleashed by those bikers. Hammer of Wrath on the charge, a whole bunch of attacks on the charge. SW bikes are worth playing. it just depends on how you use them and what role you want them to do.

I really cant imagine when a Swiftclaw pack would be more useful/cost efficient than TWC.

Depends on the person. I run TWC and I'm proud of them. if I had jump packs and bikes I'd try running Swifclaws and Skyclaws.

Swiftclaws can dish out more attacks then TWC if they get the charge and if the unit is a full. Along side the fact they are 25pts cheaper per model. 5 TWC naked = 10 Swiftclaws naked.

Granted if you set a points cost and deem that to customize one unit of TWC to vs Swiftclaws then depending on that the TWC mite get swarmed by numbers if Swiftclaws get the charge. Granted it can work otherwise if the TWC got the charge and are kitted out to have a lot of attacks/a lot of AP3 and Ap2 attacks then the Swiftclaws mite be finding themselves smashed up but again they all most likely will be going at the same time. TWC hit on 3+ ad the Swiftclaws on a 4+. But the little pups got numbers on their side. Also they can just as easily just shoot the TWC while the TWC at the max need 12" to shoot while Bikes can just zoom around with bolter fire and etc.

But this is all depending on Upgrades, who got the charge, along with what is in the unit.

SW bikes are not useless, attach a WOLF priest for preffered enemy, and attach a Wolf lord on TWM.... Solid unit.

BS3 is fine, your weapons are twin linked, WS 3 is fine, you're rerolling 1's.. TWL is their to mop up. Very Solid unit.

Ok, but can I attach a Wolf Lord on a TWM to my Swift Claws?

Pretty sure there is no restriction for IC cavalry and bikes to mix units.. So yes...

Swiftclaws are an assault unit through and through. They REALLY need the Wolf Priest (or Rune Priest) on bike to be worth taking.

They do get:
-30 point Heavy Bolter attack bike - cheapest in the game.
-Cover saves, the largest deficiency going for Thunderwolves. While Thunderwolves can hug cover and be finesse, they don't have the operating freedom that Swiftclaws have in the face of AP3 or better.

Also, the twin-linked bolters on the bikes, while not as good as the rest of the Marines, will deliver a lot more shooting damage on the charge than most. If you're going to take a special weapon for bikes, go with the flamer.

 derpyhooves72 wrote:
Swiftclaws are an assault unit through and through. They REALLY need the Wolf Priest (or Rune Priest) on bike to be worth taking.

They do get:
-30 point Heavy Bolter attack bike - cheapest in the game.
-Cover saves, the largest deficiency going for Thunderwolves. While Thunderwolves can hug cover and be finesse, they don't have the operating freedom that Swiftclaws have in the face of AP3 or better.

Also, the twin-linked bolters on the bikes, while not as good as the rest of the Marines, will deliver a lot more shooting damage on the charge than most. If you're going to take a special weapon for bikes, go with the flamer.

These are all great examples, and echo what i was suggesting a bit. 9 Swift claws, attack bike, wolf priest or rune priest on a Bike (wolf priest gives the preffered enemy thing, if he gets sniped they still have it, because ithink you declare at beginning or game and him and his unit get it... it might say "while the wolf priest is alive" not sure, so the bolters are already twin linked, but now you get rerolls of wounds that are 1's also, rune priest you take prescience if you think you need it)
Then attach a Lord of a Thunderwolf mount, and Wallah!

gausus wrote:
And how about WG on bikes? WS4, 2A, lots of cheap upgrade options?

but they end up being 48 points a model or something crazy

the bike upgrade is just too high.


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Tsilber wrote:
SW bikes are not useless, attach a WOLF priest for preffered enemy, and attach a Wolf lord on TWM.... Solid unit.

BS3 is fine, your weapons are twin linked, WS 3 is fine, you're rerolling 1's.. TWL is their to mop up. Very Solid unit.

WS3 has nothign to do with your ability to hit. If you are fighting things with WS3 you are going to win anyway. The problem is if you charge in again against WS4 and they wipe the floor with you hitting you on 3s

Page 62 of the SW Codex says, that models taking Thunderwolf Mount can only join TWC. I dont know how it works the other way - can a Rune Priest Biker can join a TWC unit.

gausus wrote:
Page 62 of the SW Codex says, that models taking Thunderwolf Mount can only join TWC. I dont know how it works the other way - can a Rune Priest Biker can join a TWC unit.

I'm not seeing anything in the codex that says you can't do that. I mean if it's in a FAQ then I guess check through the latest one to see. Otherwise I believe you can do that

WG on bikes have the unique ability to be the most expensive single wound model in the game. (give them TH/SS and whatever else you can) I don't think bikes really have a place in an SW army outside of a blood claw fluff army.

A rune prist with divination in a TWC unit could be mighty nasty.

gausus wrote:
Page 62 of the SW Codex says, that models taking Thunderwolf Mount can only join TWC. I dont know how it works the other way - can a Rune Priest Biker can join a TWC unit.

Stand corrected, maybe im thinking the other way. Like a Rune priest on a Bike joining a TWC unit.. I dont know..

As for the WS 3 thing, being hit on 3's is not the end of the world, you're still T5, and most of time same initiative .

Make sure you get the charge off with your bikes, to get the +2 attacks, and have a rune priest with Div or a Wolf priest with preffered enemy.