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As the title says it I was looking at Chaos marines and was interested in how you could really run some good bike builds, and was wondering if its at all possible with Space wolves as they are my ally now.

I know its most likely smart to have a character in the squad so they dont have to forgo any shooting within 6inches, but what would be a good choice? Wolf lord, Wolf guard battle leader, wolf priest, rune priest, Iron priest, or wolf guard?

Wolf priest could use saga of the hunter and outflank the bikes?

Also for the bikes what might an optimal load out be for the character, depending on who you go with and for the rest of the squad. I would assume an attack bike with MM for anti armor/big monstrous ugly guys but what about the other special weapon?plasma gun or melta gun? and would a power fist or power weapon even be a question? or would the special weapon be better for the character and not waste the points on a ws3 model.

by no means and expert but i have been playing around with wolf bikes a bit becasue i like the idea and have come to a few points.
1: They have to have a role in your list that makes sense they dont work well as a bolt on and as such i think they have a few key rolls.
Roll 1: Lord delivery system, Wolf lords wreck face once they can get into combat and swiftclaws can be a way to get them there alive. You could use wolves for this which is cheaper but i like the bikes for the extra punch once you get there.
Roll 2: Traget prioty shenanigans, people wont have faced many swiftclaws and are quite likely to think of them akin to thunderwolf cav until they hit home and so will shoot them to death asap, if you have a few cheap units to sacrifice then you can get your grey hunters ect where they need to be unmolested
Roll 3: go crazy and run them with a wolf priest and they are not to shabby at all and for extra crazyness have them backed up by some skyclaws for a combo that does work but needs getting use to and a lot of people laughing at you for useing not one but two of the bloodclaw units.

Okay I get what your say, and thanks for the reply.

As space wolves are just allies for me right now The bikes would indeed be a delivery system for the Lord as well as be a counter attack/offensive unit. They would push to the opposite side and try to keep my opponent there as long as they can and do as much damage as they can so my guard can sit back and shoot.

I feel they have the very same roll as TWC and wasnt ssure if the cav would be a better choice. Only difference is that turn 1 my bike turbo boost across boared and get a 4+cover and if theres night fighting thats very well a 2or3+ cover making them pretty hard to kill.

1. Swiftclaws are alright. They are definitely the best of the Blood Claw flavored options. Tough, mobile, and can bring a Relentless Multi-Melta no matter the unit size.

2. You are missing the point with the Bikers in a CSM list. They are just there to deliver the killy lord. 'Tis why you see people taking Spawn now over Bikers; they are cheaper and do the same thing.

3. I would say a Wolf Guard Pack Leader would be your best bet in all honesty. He's far cheaper (like 73 points fully kitted out) and you want the unit to be a little disposable. I have problems with the others:

a) Rune Priest is usable, but you miss out on using him to buff out more important units such as Long Fangs or Grey Hunters.

b) Wolf Priests are normally the go-to, but you already have Twin-Linked Bolters and you want to be able to run away with these guys sometimes.

c) Iron Priests on a Bike are stylish, but you can't take Cyberwolves (they aren't like wargear Fenrisian Wolves) and you have better Elite options.

For the Wolf Guard Pack Leader I would give him a Bike (duh), Combi-Melta, and Power Sword/Wolf Claw. Maybe Meltabombs if you have the points. The Swiftclaws will need an Attack Bike with Multi-Melta, maybe a Power Axe (do not give them a Power Fist) if you have the points, and maybe a Meltagun. A Flamer definitely wouldn't hurt in this edition.

This is one of the only units I'd remotely consider a Plasma Pistol for, but evne then I'd probably want to lose a single attack so I could benefit from Melta when I do hit.


The issue with WS 3 is largely the fact that MEQ hits you easier. You still hit MEQ just as easily yourself, so its purely from a durability standpoint that WS3 is a real problem normally. BS 3 obviously doesn't work as well as BS 4, but with Twin-Linked weapons and knowing IG do okay with BS 3... People just like to overreact.


Also, Swiftclaws definitely have a different job to do than Thunderwolf Cavalry. Switfclaws are outriders. They're good for screening an armored advance and performing hit and run attacks (drive bys), preferably on enemy armor. They can hit small units and provide support for your Grey Hunters when they get out of a Rhino.

TWC however, are way different. You don't screen with TWC, you screen for TWC because they are vulnerable to enemy shooting (no Jink/Turbo Boost save). They can't shoot anything, but can devastate enemy Infantry in an assault. They are most effectively (IMO) used as a rapid response/counter-charge unit.

Honestly, they are used like actual cavalry was back in the day. You maneuver your infantry and get the enemy stuck in and then hit them hard with the cavalry. Bikers however are more for performing raids. In a way, the Bikers are more aggresive and the TWC are more restrained, at least until they get into melee.

cowmonaut wrote:
c) Iron Priests on a Bike are stylish, but you can't take Cyberwolves (they aren't like wargear Fenrisian Wolves) and you have better Elite options.

Is there a reason why not?

Okay thats pretty cool, and helpful!

I stilll think the iron priest can take Cyber wolves.

I also think I might try to get a lord to ride with em so he can be escorted and I will maybe give him a ss/th or power fist that of which he can absorb low ap shots and once he gets close enough will maybe break of and tear somethings apart while the bikes continue hit and run attacks.

Anpu42: Read what he was saying again. he was planning on taking an Iron Priest to lead his Swiftclaws. The Iron Priest is an IC, but his Servitors and Cyberwolves form a unit with him. They aren't wargear like Fenrisian Wolves on a Wolf Lord, so you can't join him to another unit if you take then.

So yea, you *can* take Cyberwolves with any Iron Priest, but then its a 5 model unit and the Iron Priest isn't able to join units as an IC until the Cyberwolves all die.

cowmonaut wrote:
Anpu42: Read what he was saying again. he was planning on taking an Iron Priest to lead his Swiftclaws. The Iron Priest is an IC, but his Servitors and Cyberwolves form a unit with him. They aren't wargear like Fenrisian Wolves on a Wolf Lord, so you can't join him to another unit if you take then.

So yea, you *can* take Cyberwolves with any Iron Priest, but then its a 5 model unit and the Iron Priest isn't able to join units as an IC until the Cyberwolves all die.

Unless there is an somthing I am missing somthing in a recent FAQ the Iron Prist is not a IC, but just a Character.

Actually I was just reading the codex and the iron priest isnt an independent character, I dont think he can lead the bikes, Otherwise I was thinking rune priest could scoot around with the bikes and his rune weapon would deny psychic powers on 4+ all over the board, and he could even grant rerolls to hit for the melta weapons and the close combat attacks.

Wolf priest will grant preferred enemy and they could outflank on the side of my enemies board and get behind there lines easily!

Wolf guard pack leader would be a cheaper character for the squad, only problem is I dont really want him to get challenged out and killed easily.

If I ran a lord he would have a TH/ss or a powerfist instead of the TH so he could be escorted and go to town on my opponent.

What might be suggested as best?

I can only heal with what I have and have used.

Wolf Lord/Wolf Guard Battle Leader: I have mine with Paired Wolf Claws [I have been making all of my Paired Wolf Claws into a Wolf Claw/Power Fist or Thunder Hammer, but the model is just to cool to change] I have found him to be great in Challenges or for killing off large numbers of models.
Wolf Priest: This is good choice for Skyclaws as it will give them Oath of War. He also does well in challenges.
Wolf Guard Pack Leader: This is a tough one, if you have the points and are taking Wolf Guard anyways go for it, if not don’t try to get one just for your swift claws.

Wolf Guard Bikers: If you take Logan it’s worth it for the Scoring yet Expensive Bikers. I would either focus on Power Weapons or Combi-Bolters not both as that gets really pricy.

hmmm a lot to think about and try, I will just have to play test a little bit I assume and just see what would be a great all around bike squad. Each character has their own way they benefit the squad. Escorting a Wolf lord seems like it would be very nice as he would just wreck house once he gets up to the enemy and he could break off to smash separate targets.

The rune priest could use divination for prescience to twinlink my to hit rolls making my shooting and close combat much better, or I could use codex powers and I could just zip around shooting jaws all over the place.

Then theres the wolf priest who would allow me to outflank and easily and quickly get behind my opponents lines. I then also get preferred enemy from oath of war on some targets.

I know for a fact I will be adding the attack bike to the squad because a MM that moves super fast and is super cheap is hard to pass up. Then Im kinda stuck on whether I want to add a melta gun or a flamer. melta gun would compliment the MM for anti vehicle and big targets but the flamer would also allow me to thin hordes or week troops in cover....decisions decisions.