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Ok so we are all aware of the ~250pt SM CM fully decked out.

But can't a decent BA capt be made for a budget cost?
- +1 initiative due to formation
- Furious charge
- Priest in same squad to grant him +1ws and fnp

Give him a bike, artificer armour and valors edge he comes in at 150pts.
On the charge he has a st5 ap2 weapon striking at ws6 and at I6. He has as many attacks as a chapter master due to bp & valors edge (5 on charge).
He has a 4++ rather than a 3++ and loses the st8 of the thunderhammer, also lacking EW (although tbf - arguably not as big a deal at T5) and orbital bombardment). His 1 less wound made up for by fnp.
60% of the points a decked out CM costs.
If running 2 cad and taking a libby, having quickening cast on him (and maybe rage), further increases his attacks and initiative (potentially 9 attacks at I9, but averaging 8/8).
At that point you are looking at axe of blind fury levels of attacks and strength, at the same ap, but striking at initiative.

Not bad for a budget smash*****.

Personally I think the biggest loss is not the EW or OB but the st8 of the TH. This is mitigated somewhat by the extra attacks at initiative, but can be lessened further by the addition of digital weapons and melta bombs.

It's not a signature unit in a BA army.
I prefer two Librarians with jp and level two any day.

I know. I don't own a BA bike captain either. But I do own a juggerlord with AoBF, and he is excellent for his points in combat, so a BA captain putting out the same potential damage is a tempting idea.

I'm not sold on a bike captain. I'd rather buy him with valors edge and angels wings.

The additional reason the bike CM/Captain is popular in SM is the ability to unlock bike troops. That drastically increase the effectiveness of the army. I doubt it would be so popular otherwise. The BA version gives no such bonus and doesn't even fit in the more popular formations (one of the biggest assets BA have).

He could take a junp pack. I just think the 5pts extra for the +1T and tl bolter that doesn't take a hand in assault is a good trade for the ability to sometimes ignore terrain during a move.
Taking a grav biker squad in FA isn't too bad for him to run with, and he can always run with jp units if needed.
What I'm trying to say is he is definitely an includable (is that a word? My phone doesn't seem to think so) HQ choice now, compared to the dross he was in the previous dex.

Poly Ranger wrote:
He could take a junp pack. I just think the 5pts extra for the +1T and tl bolter that doesn't take a hand in assault is a good trade for the ability to sometimes ignore terrain during a move.
Taking a grav biker squad in FA isn't too bad for him to run with, and he can always run with jp units if needed.
What I'm trying to say is he is definitely an includable (is that a word? My phone doesn't seem to think so) HQ choice now, compared to the dross he was in the previous dex.

Without a doubt a useable HQ. But on the HQ ranks, probably below Priests and Librarians. Our units hit so hard in melee, we don't especially need a somewhat hard hitting HQ, just HQs that make are units survive longer and hit harder.

Good point.