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I've got two units of Renegade Chaos Bikers x9, w 2 meltaguns and combi-melta, and chainswords. At first I thought the potential alpha strike with their speed and Icon of Wrath reroll to charges could be super good, but they really don't hit very hard in combat, and of course can't dakka after advancing, just have their melta guns for that.

What are some good tactical uses for bikers? Just maybe quickly tying up shooty enemies was one though I had, but often they're even too far away or up in ruins. Also perhaps zipping over to objectives early on, but I have Nurglings for that. Bikers also die pretty easily....should I convert them to Space Wolves Wolf Guard bikers with storm shields? I do play the Wolves too.

Doesn't seem like plain bikers are good at killing much. Is a more min/max approach with max on special weapons the right method for them?

I find best use is 3x or 5x naekid Renegade bikes work best. Blitz up the field for a first turn assault on juicy shooting targets, and then follow them up with other, more capable combat units.

By themselves, bikes don't have much going for them other than pure speed. Flamers and meltas are a neat gimmick, but you'll usually only get 1 shot off.

Smaller footprints are better for bikers, unless you're just using them to screen a Character. 3-4 with special weapon and combi special. I use Melta in my Chaos lists and Plasma and grav in my Loyalist lists. One guy is always the bullet catcher. Bikers aren't really good for melee, so I usually outfit them for shooting.

I don't have luck with Melta (like ever) but Bikes are my go-to melta source besides Raptors who do the same thing, but Deepstrike.

You probably don't want to run a big squad of 9 like others have said. I run a squad with triple melta, and usually around 4-5 bodies. You probably want to mark them slaanesh so they can shoot twice if they need to kill an important target, and Veterans of the Long War helps them knock out toughness 8 targets despite Melta only having s8 itself.

Other than that, you basically use them as a missile to target enemy heavy vehicles, using warp time to make sure they can get in range. If they have to shoot at infantry, their combi bolters do a pretty good job of it, making them a very flexible squad. Hit em with a durability buff the turn you commit them- like Delightful Agonies, and they can take a lot more punishment from things like Plasma and Auto Cannons. Generally they are not as good as Obliterators. But they can be a decent shooting squad and are decent at tying stuff up in melee. I've generally gotten good mileage out of mine, and they've definitely pulled their weight, but I don't think I'd bring them to a tournament or highly competitive event.

Thanks for inputs! I will
give them a try in smaller units and change up my use of them. That'll save some points for another Sorcerer too.

I've used a min squad with a combibolter champion. Up to 16 bolter shots from 3 guyz. That's pretty good.

I'm planning on using 3 man Renegade units with 2x flamers 1x combi flamer.

Clearing out of the way objectives, clearing screens, tying up shooting units. Small footprint to take advantage of los. Seems really decent for the price.

I usually run A few MSUs of 3 Bikers with Plasma (combi plasma on the captain), simply because it's an all comer option. They can deal with just about anything, and can even be a threat towards tanks.

if you run night lords i think MSU bikers would be very useful to get the morale bomb set up

Yeah that's how I run them; morale pressure and small footprint dakka delivery.

Malathrim talked about Black Legion bikers over in the CSM tactics; kit then out with plasma and then use the legion trait to advance up the board but still fire everything including combi-bolters. Include a biker Lord for reroll ones and overcharge protection, pop the Slannesh double-shoot strategem and maybe VotLW for extra wounding power if needed.

Hopefully you have a bigger distraction somewhere else cos they gonna die next turn otherwise, but it sounds like a fun play to make.

the.cobb wrote:
Yeah that's how I run them; morale pressure and small footprint dakka delivery.

Malathrim talked about Black Legion bikers over in the CSM tactics; kit then out with plasma and then use the legion trait to advance up the board but still fire everything including combi-bolters. Include a biker Lord for reroll ones and overcharge protection, pop the Slannesh double-shoot strategem and maybe VotLW for extra wounding power if needed.

Hopefully you have a bigger distraction somewhere else cos they gonna die next turn otherwise, but it sounds like a fun play to make.

Ayy renegade ones were also mentioned for that high pressure melee charge, granted against certain blueberries that's a terrible idea.