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I've been looking at the idea of running a unit of three attack bikes with multi-meltas, has anyone run something similar? How do you think it would do?

It’s not a bad place for a little fast melta. I prefer speeders, but the bikes are probably better.

speeders have scout though, a unit of three of them (although I can't remember off hand if they can go in squadrons) could be better for a turn 1 tank killing

Speeders and attack bikes have been in a race for which is better for a number of editions now. They both do the same thing (in this case) putting a MM up against the side of a tank and trying to vaporize it.

Speeders are skimmers, so have some movement advantages, and can deepstrike, which can be very nice. Bikes are not slow themselves though, so this is not a major advantage. Basic speeders don’t scout, but LSS’s do. They can’t squadron though, and are more fragile then regular speeders (in addition to fewer weapon options)

Bikes get chapter tactics these days. Which is huge.

T5 W2 vs AV10 has advantages either way, depending on what’s shooting at you. Bikes probably end up being a little tougher. Their low profile makes it easier to get cover.

In an age where Imperial Knights are stomping around, having fast melta to get a flank shot is important. There are a lot of different ways to get it there. Honestly I think attack bikes might be the way to go these days, although regular bike squads are also nice. Aesthetically, I like speeders though. They might not be the best choice for the job, but they can still get it done.

Think I'll go with the three attack bikes, try them out for a few games and then if change is needed dust off the old land speeders

Make sure you take vulkan so they're all master-crafted

Also, if you're White Scars you get the 3+ jink and scout with Khan, no?

Astral Claws can Scout their Speeders. I run Land Speeders with dual Multimelta in my lists. MUCH better than Attack Bikes. And if my opponent is savvy on the plan, I can either Outflank or Deep Strike. It really is a tool, with Astral Claws tactics, that you can use in any way without having to tailor before the game. And Astral Claw Bikes still get that 3+ Jink and Skilled Rider, so I can take Attack Bikes in the Bike Squads for added oomph.

Not sure if I'm being helpful or bragging... But, I know I only use my Speeder in my Astral Claws list. Not in Blood Angels or Ultramarines. So I guess if you're not using that specific Chapter Tactics, I would also be going with Attack Bikes.

Unofrtunately I use an Ultramarines Successor

Ceann Fine wrote:
Unofrtunately I use an Ultramarines Successor

Nothing unfortunate about that!

 Nevelon wrote:

Ceann Fine wrote:
Unofrtunately I use an Ultramarines Successor

Nothing unfortunate about that!

Ssshh let our inferiors have their moment

I use both in my Vulkan lists, I waffle on which one I think is more effective. To compare: 2 MM speeders is about the same price as 3 attack bikes.

Attack Bike advantages:
- Durability. They get armor+jink saves, have more overall wounds, and don't suffer from vehicle table results.
- Better shooting against infantry. The three twin-linked bolters + three multimeltas will cause more wounds against infantry on average (even against MEQ)
- Smaller visual profile. Attack Bikes are way easier to hide behind LOS blocking terrain, and so are easier to keep alive until you need them.
- If you're using White Scars CT, you can scout.

Land Speeder advantages:
- More overall melta for the price. For a relatively small investment, you can just have one speeder with 2xMM hiding out somewhere ready to jump out and ruin a vehicle.
- Deep strike capable. This can be especially potent if you're running Salamanders with Drop Pods, as the locator beacons eliminate the risk.
- Better mobility than bikes. Both are fast, but Bikes have to contend with intervening terrain and model. Speeders can go wherever the hell they want. Speeders are a far more flexible objective-taking unit.
- Immunity to S3 attacks. This is really nice if you're fighting against Guard, since you can't be hurt by big blobs of infantry.

Since the OP is using Ultramarines, I would suggest using Attack Bikes. They benefit from the re-rolls that doctrines provide - Land Speeders do not.

 DanielBeaver wrote:
I use both in my Vulkan lists, I waffle on which one I think is more effective. To compare: 2 MM speeders is about the same price as 3 attack bikes.

Attack Bike advantages:
- Durability. They get armor+jink saves, have more overall wounds, and don't suffer from vehicle table results.
- Better shooting against infantry. The three twin-linked bolters + three multimeltas will cause more wounds against infantry on average (even against MEQ)
- Smaller visual profile. Attack Bikes are way easier to hide behind LOS blocking terrain, and so are easier to keep alive until you need them.
- If you're using White Scars CT, you can scout.

Land Speeder advantages:
- More overall melta for the price. For a relatively small investment, you can just have one speeder with 2xMM hiding out somewhere ready to jump out and ruin a vehicle.
- Deep strike capable. This can be especially potent if you're running Salamanders with Drop Pods, as the locator beacons eliminate the risk.
- Better mobility than bikes. Both are fast, but Bikes have to contend with intervening terrain and model. Speeders can go wherever the hell they want. Speeders are a far more flexible objective-taking unit.
- Immunity to S3 attacks. This is really nice if you're fighting against Guard, since you can't be hurt by big blobs of infantry.

Since the OP is using Ultramarines, I would suggest using Attack Bikes. They benefit from the re-rolls that doctrines provide - Land Speeders do not.

Cheers mate, thanks for the breakdown

Also worth noting is that Attack Bikes benefit from the White Scars' Skilled Rider jink boost, while the speeders don't.

Scout only applies if you take Khan, it's not a White Scars chapter tactic per se.

Speeders can reposition better as they go faster when turbo-boosting.

I really like the idea of the 2x MM speeder deep striking next to a homing beacon Drop Pod.

I just got a landspeeder and was trying to figure out how to run it, I was thinking Typhoon ML, but this idea seems cool too.

Do Attack Bikes have the mounted assault special rule?

I have to say the attack bike is extremely attractive now. The lower cost of the unit is great and you can also take them to fulfill demi company requirements on the cheap.

Some of the things to keep in mind about attack bikes vs speeders;
*Bikes are not slowed by difficult terrain. They treat it as dangerous terrain. Thus only impassable terrain makes any difference in the speed of bikes vs speeders. White Scars even have skilled rider which means they autopass dangerous terrain checks.
*White Scars attack bikes have hit and run. This means a white scars biker can shoot it's mutli melta into a target, charge it gaining 2-12" of extra distance, hide in close combat for the opponent's shooting phase, and then hit and run out gaining even more movement. Attack bikes can be ridiculously survivable and speedy against the shooty opponents and move 16-36" in a single turn while still getting to shoot. This is amazing when you crack a IG transport and charge the vets inside and then bounce past them to the tanks/artillery behind.
*The increased durability has been somewhat understated and the increased damage of land speeders is similarly overstated. Land speeders do more damage with a single round of shooting (they better as you can get 3 MM attack bikes for the cost of 2 double MM land speeders) however open topped 2 HP vehicles on skimmer bases will have to constantly jink to have even a chance to survive. They will also get crew stunned and worse results on a regular basis from any of the plethora of S6 weapons. Even a single chimera averages has an excellent chance to kill a land speeder without jink and will crew shaken or worse a land speeder ~30% of the time. The bike will not even take a wound the majority of the time. This means that the land speeder gives decent shock damage from DS but is a poor choice to start of the board as even token attempts can minimize the 2xMM land speeder's contribution. Admittedly the 2xHB variants are totally different beasts due to the range and target profiles.

I never leave home without my two attack bikes for my Blood Angels, admittedly they may not be the best faction for the units, but they are always useful and durable. A must take in my opinion.

D