Have you seen this unit? Part 5

The popularity of mechanized armies has me wondering why this unit is not included more often, the marine attack bike.

It has all the bonuses of a marine bike, +1 toughness (except vs. insta death), fast, turbo boost, relentless, two wounds and even two attacks. I can easily move behind and with mechanized forces. It is not a huge point investment and has some versatility.

It is armed with the standard bike twin-linked bolter. It also has a side car with a heavy bolter. Now this can be swapped for a multi-melta at a tiny price. This is where the versatility comes in; it can be an anti-troop or anti-armor unit.

Being a bike it can move up to 12” and fire both guns, one per rider. Just two of these as a squad with multi-meltas can make a rough time for a vehicle you really want destroyed. The 24” multi-melta range is effectively increased to 36” when you figure in the 12” move the bike has. It also makes that juicy 12” melta range easier to attain.

Now the heavy bolter load out is not bad either. I know many do not like the heavy bolter, but it can add a nice weight of fire and wounds. The twin-linked bolters and heavy bolters at a squad of anything, on foot, have damage potential.  The heavy bolters can even suppress or wreck some light armor. Sure it might not destroy that rhino; but if it stops it, even for a round, then it has done something useful. It has changed or hindered your opponents plan (even if only for a turn).

The two attacks are a boon, albeit a small one, as well. It gives the bike another use, an assault unit. Sure it is not a huge threat with just two attacks, but they can be helpful. Slag a transport run the attack bikes at the survivors. Now if you take these attacks into close combat monsters, double strength vs. toughness or the like, then the bikes fail. They are attacks best used to hold up a unit for a counter or at something that has a rough time hurting toughness 5 (4).

Well it would seem these would have more tabletop use. They do appear in bike heavy armies, but in regular armies they are absent. I have very few reasons why they are sitting on the shelves. They do compete with Land Speeders, which seem to see more use than the attack bike. Now they cost the same to start and can move just as far and fast. They can be bought in units of 1-3 However; the Land Speeder can take a secondary weapon system and become even more deadly.  Being a skimmer has its advantages as well; they can get shots that clear cover, and negate those troublesome saves.

This unit does not have a real problem with other competitors in the fast attack slot. So I am still wondering why attack bikes are not utilized more. Is the model unappealing? Do players want those points elsewhere? Are heavy bolters the pariah weapon of the Space Marines? This is all I can really see as to why attacks bike squad is passed on by the masses.

This is the first unit I have reviewed (granted I’ve only done four so far) that I have trouble wondering why it does not get more use.