When playing Warhammer 40k last night, I became privy to some information that was quite simply earth shattering, mind blowing, slightly absurd, and crazy. Learning of this strange 6th edition rule kinda ruined my evening, as I couldn't stop thinking why Games Workshop included this in their rules set. Overall, chances are I'll probably never use it, but it is something to be aware of.
Prepare to have your mind blown!
Well it turns out I am just wrong. This is what I get for listening to people without looking thoroughly...
Pg. 78 Under Transport Capacity
"A transport can carry a single infantry unit and/or any number of Independent Characters (as long as they are also Infantry), up to a total number of models equal to the vehicle's transport's capacity."
"Only infantry models can embark on a transport (this does not include jump or jet pack infantry), unless specifically specified stated otherwise."
Therefore, until a transport says that bikes can ride in it, it is not possible. The only one that currently breaks the rules is the Necron Night Scythe.
Disregard the rest of the post, as it is simply pointless. Yes, I am an idiot. lol
Bikes (thanks to the 6th edition Rule Book FAQ, located here) can now ride in transports.
Here is the specific entry on the first page of the FAQ:
"Page 45 – Bikes & Jetbikes, Special Rules.
Add ‘Very Bulky’ to the list of special rules for Bikes and Jetbikes."
Now, I have been playing Warhammer 40k since 3rd edition. Bikes and Jetbikes could never ride in transports... ever. So thinking that this was just silliness, included in the rulebook for future transports, I figured more research needed to be done.
Then I came across this image:
Apparently, Night Scythes just like to break the rules. Damn Necrons ;p
Yeah I know this is Necrons. But in the entry, it clearly states that Jump Infantry and Bikes can ride around in the Flyer. So perhaps since there would be something stating that certain units could not ride around in transports? Well one would hope so... BUT
According to codex Space Marines, Grey Knights, Space Wolves, and Dark Angels, there is no stipulation on what models can ride in their transports, as long as it is under the total model count. Making bikes "very bulky" now gives us clarification on how many seats they take up (which is three in case you are curious). Therefore, bikes can ride inside transports.
MIND BLOWN!!!!
Just consider the physics of this. Bikes can't even fit through the damn door of a rhino, land raider, razor back, but yet, they can ride in it now.
You can seriously have have 2 multi-melta armed attack bikes rocking it out in a rhino while firing out the top hatch. I am not quite sure why you would want this, but you can now do it. Expanding this further, you can now take a bastion and place three heavy bolter attack bikes in it so that it just dishes out a silly amount of heavy bolter fire power. The weirdest part about this rule is that even though the attack bike is twice the size of a regular bike, it is still only very bulky.
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| Yes, there are THREE ATTACK BIKES in there |
It is important to note that bike can't start in a transport unless it is bought for them as a dedicated transport. Well well well, guess who can do that? The Space Marine Command Squad!?!? For the "cheap" price of 250+ points, you can give your Space Marine Command Squad, which are on bikes, a cozy land raider crusader to pimp it out in.
Like I said, I may never take advantage of this rule. However, we need to be aware of this rule in our games and list construction. It also makes a bastion a much more attractive option for me.
So what do you guys think about this? Am I completely wrong about this? Probably, but I can't find anything on it. At any rate, I am probably really late on this revelation but it has truly rocked my world.