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Finishing up some old projects and was wondering what was the best load out for a space marine command squad on bikes? Originally back in 8th I was going to give them all Grav guns and storm shields. Haven’t gotten the new codex yet, so not sure on the point costs but since I doubt I will run this unit all that much, melee options are not off the table. I like the idea of them all having a different melee weapon to add variety but also don’t want to miss use them. Also planned to put a captain with them, and thought thunder hammer and storm shield for him. Any advice is appreciated.

These units, with the exception of the mentioned Captain, are Legends only at this point. They arent going to appear in the new codex.

Wow, yikes well that sucks haha. Well then I guess I can make it anyway I want then thank you for letting me know.

I mean I feel you do end up using them it’s not like a melee weapon is remotely a waste on a 14 inch move squad with tanky defensive stats,

I once convert made mine Command Squad on bike in 7the edition. Using bits of Tac Squad gravguns, Sternguad shoulder pads, Vanguard Stormshields, and of course Bike squad bodies. They done wonderful work for me at that time. Sadly they are no more legal now.

But Primaris outriders won’t be too far off the same damage output and a little tankier perhaps

No wolves on Fenris wrote:
But Primaris outriders won’t be too far off the same damage output and a little tankier perhaps

Unless they give normal bikes the absurd charge bonus too, I guess.

Other than the captain (and khan if your white scars) at this exact moment the only options is legends. However we know that primaris chaplain on bike is going to be a new thing, you could always just use his stat sheet for your chappy if you dont want to use legends.

Personally i took the outrider bikes and made 1 a chaplain, 1 a captain, and 1 a lib for my scars. If libs stay legends so be it, but it looks cool and fits with the idea of scars.

1. Don't mix the melee weapon profiles because it won't exactly be excelling vs ANY target. If you wanna mix, just tell your opponent that they're all just Power Swords or Axes. With the new S5, Swords might be the way to go.
2. The range weapon depends on the Chapter. If you're doing White Scars take advantage of a weapon that can shoot after advancing. Melta Guns are getting slightly fixed, as are Flamers.
3. Otherwise, Storm Bolters all the time. That's 8 shots per Bike which is a good concentration of shooting.

Slayer-Fan123 is definitely right on the ranged option. Just take storm bolters, 3 bike chrs putting out 24 bolter shots at 24"? Yeah, thats some effective firepower, even if they are bolters.