Warhammer 40K: This Week’s Meta Hotness – Attack Bikes Strike Back
Let’s take a look at a unit that is melting the opposition in 2022. The reliable Marine Attack Bike is somehow still wrecking shop.
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 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.
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 are still a relatively cheap option. This means that the Attack Bike is fast, durable and as a core unit gets buffed with ease. Added bonuses from new supplements 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: run by Tom Ogden at Sunken City GT (found on 40kstats.com)
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Black Templars) [64 PL, 1,217pts, -1CP] ++
+ Configuration +
Chapter Selection: Black Templars
Detachment Command Cost
+ HQ +
Chaplain Grimaldus [7 PL, 140pts]: 1. Litany of Divine Protection, 4. Fires of Devotion, Litany of Hate
High Marshal Helbrecht [8 PL, 160pts]
+ Troops +
Primaris Crusader Squad [20 PL, 247pts]: Bolt Pistol and Astartes Chainsword
. 5x Primaris Initiate w/Chainsword & Heavy Bolt Pistol: 5x Astartes Chainsword, 5x Frag & Krak grenades, 5x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. 8x Primaris Neophytes: 8x Frag & Krak grenades
. Primaris Sword Brother: Heavy Bolt Pistol, Power axe
+ Elites +
Primaris Apothecary [5 PL, 115pts]: Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Selfless Healer, The Aurillian Shroud, Warlord
Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 180pts]: 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon
+ Fast Attack +
Inceptor Squad [15 PL, 375pts, -1CP]: Plasma Exterminator x2, The Crux Obsidian
. 5x Inceptor
. Inceptor Sergeant: Champion of the Feast
++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Black Templars) [45 PL, 782pts, 9CP] ++
+ Configuration +
Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)
Chapter Selection: Black Templars
Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]
+ Stratagems +
Strategem: Relics of the Chapter [-1CP]: Number of Extra Relics
+ HQ +
Primaris Chaplain [5 PL, 85pts]: 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Litany of Hate, The Crusader’s Helm
+ Troops +
Primaris Crusader Squad [20 PL, 247pts]: Bolt Pistol and Astartes Chainsword
. 5x Primaris Initiate w/Chainsword & Heavy Bolt Pistol: 5x Astartes Chainsword, 5x Frag & Krak grenades, 5x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. 8x Primaris Neophytes: 8x Frag & Krak grenades
. Primaris Sword Brother: Heavy Bolt Pistol, Power axe
+ Fast Attack +
Attack Bike Squad [6 PL, 180pts]
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
+ Heavy Support +
Eradicator Squad [14 PL, 270pts]: Melta rifle
. 5x Eradicator: 5x Bolt pistol
. Eradicator Sgt
++ Total: [109 PL, 1,999pts, 8CP] ++
++ Total: [96 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++
Using the Unit
Odgen’s list makes use of a single fast unit of Attack Bikes. More recent lists have moved from spamming a bunch of them to using a unit in a more surgical manner. The single unit is paired with a larger slower unit of Eradicators. This allows for a powerful one-two anti-tank punch. It also lets the large infantry squads focus on chewing through enemy infantry and holding objectives. The Attack Bike fills a role both as an anti-tank unit and a fast unit. It’s not too often you see a unit come in strong right out the gate with a codex and remain relevant about a year and a half later, but Attack Bikes are somehow, still bringing the pain in 2022!.
Let us know what units you think are hot right now, down in the comments!
