Bikes or Raptors

[ziggy4774]

MY question is would it be better to take squad A or squad B

A: Bikes

X4 Bikers 132pts
X2 Melta 20Pts
Biker Champion with power weapon and melta bombs 35pts
Total: 187 Pts

Slot: Fast Attack

Pro's: Fast Anti Tank unit, and strong melee in case there is a tough melee unit.

Con's: Low model count(4), high points per model. only one Chauff model

Option: Mark of tzeentch to help absorb the lots of enemy fire. bad part is it would add 40pts to the squad boosting it to 227 pts.

Squad B: Raptors

X6 Raptors 120pts
Champion W/ power weapon and melta bombs 35pts
X2 melta guns- 20pts
Total: 175pts

Slot: Fast Attack

Pro's: More Models for a little less points, same amount of anti tank, 5 Chauff models

Con's: Sqishyer than bikers, slower as well.

Option: Mark of tzeentch to make them more resailent so my guys can get up and personal to the tank if need be.

[Talus]

Bikes IMO. Turboboost for bonus Cover save.

[Gannon]

The problem you have here Zigg is that you're looking at two units that fill two completely different roles. Bikes should be chasing tanks (like the annoying dog down the street) Raptors should be going after soft targets (Heavy Weapons Teams, IG HQ's, etc.) You're going to run into the problem that both of them are over their cost for what you get, and upgrades are insane.

Try dropping the Champs off the squads. Run two MG's in the Bikes, that should be enough and increase the number to at least 6. For the Raptors, 8 is the magic number, with 2 flamers or PG's. They can hunt light armor with PG's and take out light infantry no problem with the flamers.

Most of these issues should be taken care of with the release of 6th edition, and (hopefully) and new CSM codex.

[Chagear]

There are some more uses:

Raptors -
1) load out 2 meltaguns and deep strike (jump packs give deep strike in the rule book) them into side/rear armor. Remember that S8 AP1 still tears down most things regardless of 2d6 or not. also works great with the plasma guns.
2) A power fist is more likely to earn its points back than the PW and MB. The loss of Int is nothing compared to actually getting a hit with a S8 weapon. Take the PW/MB in a 2 flamer setup to threaten armor in a pinch (or as a last ditch effort). This also applies to the bikes.

Bikes -
Spot on about their role and not much more to say. On a note, the banner of Nurgle makes them T(6)! Talk about a better defense for the harrassment group (and the modeling potions for tougher CSM are endless, not just bloated marines).