Warhammer 40K: This Week’s Meta Hotness – Attack Bikes

Let’s take a look at a unit that is melting the opposition, the mighty Marine Attack Bike.

In the ever-shifting meta of 40K, armies rise and fall. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about armies that are hot or not, but a lot less time looking at units that are running the show. Today let’s start by taking a look at a one of the hottest units currently running (err driving) around the tabletop.

The Unit

This week’s hot unit is the venerable Attack Bike, one of the oldest units in the Space Marine list. These guys have seen a new lease of life recently with some major buffs. Couple with the new Dark Angles book they’ve been tearing up the tabletop.

Why They Are Good

Two key things have changed to bump the Space Marine Attack Bikes up in value this edition. The first is bikes no longer suffer a -1 when moving and shooting with heavy weapons. This lets Attack Bikes take full advantage of their mobility and heavy weapon. At movement 14″ they are one of the faster Marine units. The second buff of course is the buffs both its heavy weapon options gained. In particular the Multi-melta, both doubled its shots and gained increased damage.

With the Multi-melta now a much better gun, the Attack Bike can really shine using one of them. A 14″ move means the Bike can move from outside of the gun’s range, to within the greatly desired half range in a single turn, and can fairly easily get in half range on turn one. In addition, the bike’s low profile makes them easier to hide.

This makes Space Marine Attack Bikes a pretty solid anti-tank/heavy infantry choice. As a core unit they can also be buffed with ease. What’s more, they will only run 55 pts with a Multi-melta, the same amount they cost before the buffs. This means that the Attack Bike is fast, durable and as a core unit gets buffed with ease. Added bonuses from Dark Angels really take it up and make it one of the most cost-effective units around.

A Sample List

Saying a unit is hot is all well and good, but let’s take a look at how players are using it. Attack Bikes have shown up in a number of lists that have done well at recent tournaments. One list that has really gone all-in on them is the following:

List run my Charlie Kang at Equinox 40K (found on 40kstats.com last month, where he took 2nd place

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [96 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

**Chapter Selection**: Dark Angels

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Ravenwing Outrider Detachment [3CP]

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Relics of the Chapter [-1CP]: Number of Extra Relics

+ HQ +

Captain on Bike [6 PL, -1 CP, 100pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Reliquary of the Repentant, Rites of War, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter

Lieutenant(s) [8 PL, 160pts]

. Ravenwing Talonmaster: 2. Fury of the Lion (Aura), Heavenfall Blade, Warlord

+ Elites +

Ravenwing Apothecary [6 PL, -1CP, 115pts]: Chapter Command:  Chief Apothecary, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter

. Black Knight Bike: Plasma Talon

Ravenwing Black Knights [18 PL, 360pts]

. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer

. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer

. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer

. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer

. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer

. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer

. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer

. Ravenwing Huntmaster: Corvus Hammer

+ Fast Attack +

Attack Bike Squad [6 PL, 165pts]

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

Attack Bike Squad [6 PL, 165pts]

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

Attack Bike Squad [6 PL, 165pts]

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

Bike Squad [14 PL, 265pts]

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Biker Sergeant: Bolt pistol

. 6x Space Marine Biker w/Chainsword: 6x Astartes Chainsword, 6x Frag & Krak grenades, 6x Twin boltgun

Bike Squad [14 PL, 265pts]

. Attack Bike: Multi-melta

. Biker Sergeant: Bolt pistol

. 6x Space Marine Biker w/Chainsword: 6x Astartes Chainsword, 6x Frag & Krak grenades, 6x Twin boltgun

Bike Squad [12 PL, 240pts]

. Biker Sergeant: Bolt pistol

. 7x Space Marine Biker w/Chainsword: 7x Astartes Chainsword, 7x Frag & Krak grenades, 7x Twin boltgun

++ Total: [96 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

Using the Unit

As we can see Charlie’s list makes maximum use of Attack Bikes with 9 of them in Attack Bike squads and two more in his Bike Squads for a total of 11 Attack Bikes. This list is fast, and has just a massive about of multi-melta shots. It’s got a few hard-hitting units for close combat and a number of tough units. It’s easy to see why this did well. Lists like this have been showing up in many places and really highlight why the Attack Bike is such a hot unit right now.

Let us know what units you think are hot right now, down in the comments! 

Author: Abe Apfel

Abe is that rare thing, an Austin local born and raised here. Though he keeps on moving around, DC, Japan, ETC., he always seems to find his way back eventually. Abe has decades of experience with a wide range of tabletop and RPG games, from historicals, to Star Wars to D&D and 40K. He has been contributing to BOLS since almost the start, back when he worked at and then owned a local gaming store. He used to be big into the competitive Warhammer tournament scene but age has mellowed him and he now appreciates a good casual match. He currently covers 40K tactics and lore, as well as all things Star Wars, with occasional dabbling in other topics. Abe remains in mourning over the loss of WFB to this day.