Horus Heresy Tactica: Legion Jetbike Squad

As part of exploring the armies of the 31^st Millennium I would to provide the community with articles of how to best use (at least in my humble opinion) the squads of the Space Marine Legion Army List. Over the next several months I hope to cover all of the units in the Horus Heresy: Betrayal army lists. Check back for regular updates! We continue today with a look at the Legion Jetbike Squad.

Remember when Space Marines rode jetbikes and the Eldar weren’t the only ones who could zoom in out of nowhere and contest objectives? Forgeworld remembers. The Legion Jetbike Sqaudron come with three to ten mounted on jetbikes. Each bike is armed with heavy bolter and the rider come equipped with frag and krak grenades, bolt pistol, and close combat weapons. One in every three bikes can be upgraded with a Multi-melta, Volkite Culverin, or a plasma cannon. You can’t go wrong with any of these but I personally prefer the plasma cannon because of its synergy with the heavy bolters for infantry hunting and its low AP. The squad can also be given melta bombs for five points per model. If you have points to spare they may be worthwhile as they can actually get in position to use them against vulnerable targets.

The squad can also be given a sergeant for additional points (unusual because almost all other units get one by default). He can be equipped with a variety of close combat and ranged weapons but I would pass as none fit well with the role of the unit.

On the battlefield jetbikes should use their speed and maneuverability to get in posstion to take out targets of opportunity. If equipped with bombs and multi-meltas use your speed to get side and rear amour shots. If equipped with volkite culverins or plasma cannons to hunt vulnerable infantry squads. Use cover to you advantage to block line of sight from ytour opoents shooting and your manuverabity to stay out of range of bolter and other small arms. (talk about swooping to siege objectives at the end)

In terms of squad size I like to field multiple small squads. This offers the most flexibility in splitting fire and allowing you to contest more objectives at the end of the game.