Space Marine Bikes @ 1850

Part 2 of the Dark Eldar article is on the way, I promise. I haven't had much time to type it all up yet. I did, however, respond to someone in the 3++ Chatterbox today to give an idea of where I'd start for a bike-based list under 6th Edition. Here's what I had to say:

• 160 Captain
  • Bike
  • Powerfist
• 200 Bike Squad
  • 2 Plasma Guns
  • Attack Bike
  • Power Sword
• 200 Bike Squad
  • 2 Plasma Guns
  • Attack Bike
  • Power Axe
• 200 Bike Squad
  • 2 Plasma Guns
  • Attack Bike
  • Power Axe
• 200 Bike Squad
  • 2 meltaguns
  • Attack Bike w/ Multi-Melta
  • Power Maul
• 200 Bike Squad
  • 2 meltaguns
  • Attack Bike w/ Multi-Melta
  • Power Maul
• 100 Thunderfire Cannon
• 100 Thunderfire Cannon
• 100 Thunderfire Cannon
• 150 Attack Bike Squadron
  • 3 Multi-Meltas
• 120 Attack Bike Squadron
  • 3 Heavy Bolters
• 120 Attack Bike Squadron
  • 3 Heavy Bolters

This list has an insane amount of shooting, though still has problems with some fliers. FMCs will go down quickly, and AV10/11 fliers will feel the hurt from all the storm bolters. AV12 fliers, however, will laugh at this list, and the Heldrake in particular will make it cry. Any list with a predominately ground-based approach, however, will weep at the firepower of 24 Twin-Linked Bolters, 9 heavy bolters, 5 multi-meltas, 6 plasma guns, 4 meltaguns, and 3 thunderfire cannons.

This is an army that can get a solid boost against its biggest weakness through allies. You'd basically drop 2 Troops, 1 FA, and 1 HS slot to do so, but you can keep up with that firepower with the right choices and make yourself very much more capable vs fliers. Your ground presence and speed make you able to flood the board and really restrict flier movement as well.