I know its not going to be comptetive, but is it viable to make a biker list?
and what would be a better mark?
is there any reason to take a Khorne or slaanesh mark?
is tzeentch for the 5++ or nurgle for the t4(6)better?
or should i just forget it as biker lists only really work for loyalist?
On the cusp of a new rule-set and a new Chaos Codex following hot on it's heels by all accounts, it's hard to say definitively.
Currently, the problem is they can't capture objectives like the loyalists can be made to do, so they can only ever be a part of your plan.
This could change.
Many people seem to think them expensive for what they do but I always like Astartes on Bikes, the extra pip of Toughness is handy for keeping them alive and being Invulnerable on a Turbo-Boost certainly has it's advantages.
The Icons/Marks are highly situational and can ramp up the costs of a Bike Squadron significantly.
MoCG is handy for keeping them in the fight as unless you're running squads of 10 chances are a failed Morale Check means you're running off the board with no chance of regrouping.
MoS is only useful if you're facing a predominantly I4 army (like Marines), Against armies like Guard, Tau and Necrons, the extra pip of Initiative isn't going to help. Similarly, against any army that can regularly pull Initiative six out of their hats (like Grey Knights with Halberds and Dark Eldar) it's wasted.
MoK is undeniably useful, often the big failing of Bike Squadrons is their relative lack of punch in combat even on the charge, giving every one of them an extra attack certainly helps on that front. Simple as that. 3 Attacks on the charge makes them serviceable as an assault unit, 2 attacks every turn after that means they don't instantly suck after the charge. Worth nearly a whole extra biker but, on larger squads, you get more attacks than you loose.
MoN. Having T6 models hurtling about at great speed is certainly a nuisance. T6 with a 3++ is incredibly hard to shift without dedicating some pretty hefty firepower to the job, which is great if you've got other units who'd rather not hear from said firepower. In combat it can make them a tasty little tar-pit unit as most mundane armies will struggle to bash down that toughness even if they can ignore your armour save. The fact it's T4(6) is largely irrelevant because they are single wound models. The only downfall of T6 models is the increasing frequency of poisoned attacks, don't expect Nurgle Bikes to do so well against Dark Eldar. It's very costly though.
MoT. Getting an Invulnerable save on the unit might make them last longer, especially once you get into combat an the Powerswords and stuff starts getting flung about. Not sure where the current opinion lies with T-Boosting + MoT either. Costs a bit but, if you're facing anyone who's heavily into plasma weaponry, it could be a winner.
At worst you'll have to wait a month to find out how Bikes are treated, how army composition and things like scoring units are treated and how wining a battle itself is accomplished, any one of these things could have a big impact on how you feel about bikes.
Providing that those things all turn favourably, you might find that Bikes are somehow different in the next CSM book, rumours are floating around that suggest that certain options will move stuff around in the list and this could certainly be including bikes.
If you like the idea of a large contingent of Bikers run with it and damn the man. If the next Chaos Codex doesn't help run with C:SM until the Dark Angels get a new Book that allows for Ravenwing, if this doesn't help you still have C:SM. If the rumours of a Renegade Chapter style Codex following the Legions one is true there might be yet another option for you to try with.
Do it!
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I've been toying with a Tzeentchian army for a looong time.. and ofc the bike squads will be big.. as i'll try running sacred numbers.. its just a shame 1ksons are stupidly expensive atm... hopefully it will change with 6th
Keep in mind that Chaos Marines can't make a full biker list, at least, not like Codex: Space Marines or Dark Angels can (not without clearing it with your opponent/group/TO first). So be aware that you will need to plan accordingly.
Chaos Bikers are basically Raptors with TL Bolters and trade jumping for turboboosting. They cost a lot more at base than other Marine bikers, and just get more expensive from there.
Bikers usually are one of the few places a non-themed army will find a Mark of Nurgle useful, making their extra buffed Toughness even more buffed. Khorne and Chaos Glory are always welcome. Leaving Tzeentch and Slaanesh as being the more situational of the Icons.
Are you a Wolf, a Sheep, or a Hound?
Originally Posted by Megavolt
Also note you can't climb into the 2nd story or higher in ruins with bikes. If you bring a mostly bike list to a fight vs a shooty army that can deploy on the top of ruins, you loose.
MoK gives them FOUR attacks on the charge! Chaos bikers have 2 base, 1 for the charge, 1 for MoK
It's pretty cool to have 8 bikers with 4 attacks each slam into an enemy unit! Go for it!
Uh, berzerkers get the same thing, plus are fearless, plus get furious charge, plus are immune to losing their bonus if you kill bob carrying the stick.MoK gives them FOUR attacks on the charge! Chaos bikers have 2 base, 1 for the charge, 1 for MoK
It's pretty cool to have 8 bikers with 4 attacks each slam into an enemy unit! Go for it!
Chaos bikers are crappy because they are overpriced and have very limited weapon options, small unit size, and no special rules. Hopefully next edition will change things cause I have 10 and would like to be able to field them with a clear conscience.
An undivided bikers of the apocalypse army with a squad of bikers of each kind would be cool to look at.
I did bikes of slaanesh with the last codex, that was a fun army. Daemonettes that rend were sick when summoned in very close proximity of the enemy.
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