Sonic blasters and bikes.

[Ikarus]

After messing around with my IAL and just looking at the codex, I've noticed BIKES can cary sound blasters. Are we talking 3 shots 24'' on the move anyone? This seems to be a great shooting unit able to output shots within the range of 36'' (24'' shot range and 12'' movement) and gain higher toughness. Ofcourse though, they cost more points than a standard marine for what you can get, in return for high toughness and more shooting capabilities? What do you think?

[MSguardsmen]

i dont know that much about chaos bikes but i have faced an army of 50 ork bikes and well ouch they closed with my IG army in less than 3 turns and it was just a massacre until they hit the Grey Knight Termies and Tanks.

And by reading what you have posted i believe that this could be one serious piece of trouble for your opponents. I suggest using one or 3 in your next game and testing it out.

[experiment 626]

well, yes they are dead shooty, have better toughness and much more manouverability than regular noise marines and/or transported noise marines...

but then, you have to ask yourself; 'is it a good idea to pay 41pts/model?! and can i earn it back?!!'

overall, it's a very tasty thought! i would also recomend that you add on the skilled riders vet skill so you can safely scoot through some cover your opponent might have thought would protect him!
the great thing about noise marine bikers, they're just as good at shooting as they are at assaulting stuff!

cheers!

[Dan296]

bikes are good, if you can keep them alive. theyre fast and, as youve said, can put out alot of shots and be really good in CC.
but, as stitch said, if they get lucky and kill it first-2nd turn, thats a big VP ole to dig yourself out of.

[experiment 626]

chaos bikes i find have a horrible tendancy to be top priority targets as most people fear the daemon bombing that bikers are well loathed for!
knowing this though, by turbo boosting them they will draw insane amounts of enemy fire away from perhaps a more important unit?!!

also if you like converting, i'm sure bikes w/sonic blasters would simply look awsome enough to warrent their inclusion!

cheers!

[MarksmanCypher]

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.