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MarksmanCypher · 01-22-2007

In 1,500 points I run a unit of bikers with Sonic blasters for my Emperor's Children. Are the effective? It depends on my opponent.

I usually equip them like this:

6 Bikes w/ Sonic Blasters (One is a Champion w/ Power Fist)

Comes to 261 points.

Against armies such as Orks, Imperial Guard, Eldar, Dark Eldar... Just about anything with low armour saves they excel. With a 12" movement they are capable of hanging at the back of the table and running over to where they are needed most. With a power fist it gives them a needed anti-tank boost.

However, against armies such as Deathwing, I would rather drop them for another unit of 12 marines w/ 2 plasma pistols, and a Champion with a Power Sword/Daemonic Strength.

They really are a HUGE VP target for your opponent though. I mean, 6 models, each worth 41 points? Too easy. They are - believe it or not - less survivable when it comes to a single round of shooting than a unit of 6 Wraithguard (because the Wraithguard have toughness 6!).

If they survive round one of shooting? Then unleash hell on your opponent in a cacophony (I've always liked that word) of sonic waves before letting the Daemonettes on Steeds they just summoned finish off the rest of the unit.

Use of the Bikes in that way - coupled with Daemonettes on Steeds - could potentially devastate any army. The Bikers could target the D-Cannons, and, with all those shots, leave a bloodied mess of Eldar, whilst the Daemonettes on Steeds could rip apart a Wraithlord - quite literally with their bare hands.

So, going back, it's time for PROs and CONs

PROs

3 shots each with 24" range
Warp Scream in Close Combat
Can summon Daemonettes on Steeds for potential Daemonbombing
Excellent conversion opportunity
Brilliant against "horde"-style armies

CONs

Expensive in points cost, at 41pts/model
Fragile depending on opponent
Not very good against high-toughness or high-armour armies
c. AU$108 for a unit of 6 (not cheap!)

So, you have to weigh up those things there and decide whether they're good for you. Here's my personal recommendation though...

Against Horde armies, take the bikes. They're powerful.

Against high-toughness or high-armour armies, go with a unit of 6 possessed with Daemonic Talons in a Rhino w/ Mutated Hull, Smoke Launchers, Extra Armour. Give the Champion Spiky Bits and Daemonic Mutation. You're then looking at a very useful unit - I call them "Super Daemonettes" since they have better strength, better toughness, better leadership (plus fearlessness) and an Armour Save of 3+ to couple their Unvulnerable save. I have mine modeled using the Harpies from Fantasy (Click here) except without the wings (although mine are, as of yet, unpainted). When I find the time I'll paint them and post some pictures.

01-22-2007	#6 (permalink)
MarksmanCypher Trooper Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 111 Rep Power: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	In 1,500 points I run a unit of bikers with Sonic blasters for my Emperor's Children. Are the effective? It depends on my opponent. I usually equip them like this: 6 Bikes w/ Sonic Blasters (One is a Champion w/ Power Fist) Comes to 261 points. Against armies such as Orks, Imperial Guard, Eldar, Dark Eldar... Just about anything with low armour saves they excel. With a 12" movement they are capable of hanging at the back of the table and running over to where they are needed most. With a power fist it gives them a needed anti-tank boost. However, against armies such as Deathwing, I would rather drop them for another unit of 12 marines w/ 2 plasma pistols, and a Champion with a Power Sword/Daemonic Strength. They really are a HUGE VP target for your opponent though. I mean, 6 models, each worth 41 points? Too easy. They are - believe it or not - less survivable when it comes to a single round of shooting than a unit of 6 Wraithguard (because the Wraithguard have toughness 6!). If they survive round one of shooting? Then unleash hell on your opponent in a cacophony (I've always liked that word) of sonic waves before letting the Daemonettes on Steeds they just summoned finish off the rest of the unit. Use of the Bikes in that way - coupled with Daemonettes on Steeds - could potentially devastate any army. The Bikers could target the D-Cannons, and, with all those shots, leave a bloodied mess of Eldar, whilst the Daemonettes on Steeds could rip apart a Wraithlord - quite literally with their bare hands. So, going back, it's time for PROs and CONs PROs 3 shots each with 24" range Warp Scream in Close Combat Can summon Daemonettes on Steeds for potential Daemonbombing Excellent conversion opportunity Brilliant against "horde"-style armies CONs Expensive in points cost, at 41pts/model Fragile depending on opponent Not very good against high-toughness or high-armour armies c. AU$108 for a unit of 6 (not cheap!) So, you have to weigh up those things there and decide whether they're good for you. Here's my personal recommendation though... Against Horde armies, take the bikes. They're powerful. Against high-toughness or high-armour armies, go with a unit of 6 possessed with Daemonic Talons in a Rhino w/ Mutated Hull, Smoke Launchers, Extra Armour. Give the Champion Spiky Bits and Daemonic Mutation. You're then looking at a very useful unit - I call them "Super Daemonettes" since they have better strength, better toughness, better leadership (plus fearlessness) and an Armour Save of 3+ to couple their Unvulnerable save. I have mine modeled using the Harpies from Fantasy (Click here) except without the wings (although mine are, as of yet, unpainted). When I find the time I'll paint them and post some pictures. __________________ Lurking in the Shadows of 40k Terra.