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I've read most of the tactica's online about both Space Wolves and 13th Company and I've yet to find a definitive answer on the topic of bikes.  As I'm currently trying to plan what final bitz need to be painted for my Space Wolf/13 Company force, I'd really like to get a feel for what people think about the necessity of Blood/Storm Claw bikers and Space Wolf characters on bikes.

Currently, I've decided that when playing 13th Company a bike for at least my lord is probably essential.  He can hide behind a unit within 6" to avoid getting shot at and then jump out to beat something up on turn 2.  But, is that enough?  Is a 5 man Storm Claw bike squad as a bodyguard also essential to a good 13th Company army?  In turn, would that 5 man squad be able to pull double duty and be useful in a regular wolf army?

If it helps my usual 13th Company list is something like:

Lord with Storm Claw Bodyguard on foot

Wolf Priest

Wulfen

2x Gray Slayers

3x10 Wolves

In bigger games I'll add the Rune Preist and sometimes a squad of Long Fangs

 

Thanks for the help!

I have a Wolf Lord and two Wolf Guard Battle Leaders on Bikes and they usually perform greatly for me. (I also play both 13th Co. and "ordinary" Space Wolves - with the same models.)

In 1700-1850p games I find them to be a *must*. There´s no where else where I can put so many independent characters but on Bikes. Even though I still use a Mechanized list with Rhinos *shock* *horror*, Escalations usually screws them up when their Grey Hunter or Blood Claw Pack is in Reserve.

Blood Claws/Storm Claws aren´t a must, to support them with, but can be handy. But! Whatever you do, don´t buy a Storm Claw Bodyguard for your Wolf Lord, unless you´re out of Fast Attack slots. The Wolf Lord don´t have Scouts so won´t set up in Escalations. If the Storm Claw Bikers are bought separately, atleast they can start to be useful in turn 1 - 2...

I use my Bike-Characters to sneak up behind and/or through terrain and go for small, vulnerable Squads. Las-plas Squads are nice targets, just try to kill them off in the enemy turn. You can also tie-up enemy Squads to block off LOS to your Rhino- or Drop Pod-borne troops. On the turn they disembark obviously. That can mean you´ll get the charge after all or atleast get som protection.

As for equipment, I give my Blood Claw Bikers 2 power fists and a flamer. Sometimes also a Wolf Guard Leader with a power weapon and a bolt pistol.
Storm Claw Bikers get 2 power fists and a power weapon on the Wolf Guard Pack Leader, often also a Mark of the Wulfen...

The Characters themselves get a frost blade, frags, bolt pistol, melta bombs (very often useful) and usually a runic charm. Plus the bike obviously! It´s not that overall expensive.
The 13th Co. Wolf Lord usually gets a Mark of the Wulfen, but he is sometimes too killy with that..!

I haven´t tried a Rune Priest or Wolf Priest on Bike yet, but they seems useful. Healing Potions and Balms will make them more durable and a Storm Caller makes them nastier in combat and adds even more protection I guess.

Wolf Lord Duregar,

If I understand you correctly, your suggesting that just having some character/s on bikes can be enough. It would seem that this is especially true in 13th company if you have all your fast attack slots filled.

I'll be honest, for 13th Company I've already determined that a lord on a bike is a must. I've just been trying to convince myslef that a full unit of bikers isn't needed in order to be competitive.

Correct. It´s not needed. Try it yourself!