Bike Formations

[Mrmeeperthe2nd]

Alright, i ran a test game with my chaos bikes and had trouble bringing their bolters and meltas to bear. I would like to know how people set up and move their bike squadrons, say if they are moving around cover, or just out in the open. What is a typical formation for bikers? This includes placements of the champion and special weapons.

[idinos]

If I use bikes I normally put them in an echeloned formation, aligned according to which flank I place them on, for example on the left flank it looks something like this:

x
->x
---->x

This way I can shoot with almost all of their guns. I play worldeaters so no meltas for me, but since you'll place the bikes last in every deployment, be sure to put it in the bike that is going to be the closest to the tank. In this formation usually the second or third, with the second facing the tank's side armour. Champion placing is irrelevant, I put mine in the middle but I straighten my bikes in a line before assaulting, so see where he'll have the most models in contact with him.

EDIT: (Disregard the little pointy lines, the xs would be one under the other if not for them, bleh)

[arew]

Bikes are too expensive to keep in the open. You have to use cover us much as possible. Don't forget that rhinos and other tanks works great as cover!

[Mrmeeperthe2nd]

of course, but how would i keep them in formation in cover so i can still bring as much firepower to bear as i can?

[FallenAngel]

i would say wait in cover, then when the time is right move, shoot, charge, then whats left do the same thing. my formation is probably terrible,
X
>X
->O
>X
X

the O stands for an HQ on a bike, the Xs next to him have doom sirens, and the last Xs have sonic blasters.

[eatmydarkapostle]

heh... i run my bikes right up the gut... using their speed they can penetrate the enemy lines after you tank shocked the crap out of them.

using my rhinos i speed the bikes up close to the lines and shoot out the flanks.

about using the bolters... twin linked bolters that always count as stationary are strong, but the real strength of the bikers lies in their charge. i like to ride them in a triangle formation, like the Riders of Rohan in ROTK. put your aspiring champion at the tip and run them behind a rhino, you've got unstoppableness right there

[Eblis]

I just charge in infront of some of my more important things.