Interested in what people think about this beyond the Devs so feel free to comment/add/suggest.

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Bikes (lets just call them all Bikes) are a tricky thing and we've never really gone over much of the details on just how BHVR plan to portray them. They are reasonably close to being confirmed, if not 100% in atm, so I'm more curious as we get closer to seeing these personal and 2-man vehicles implemented.

Given that the standard TT Biker is essentially a "basic" Tactical(ASM?)/CSM/Guardian/Boy there's already a fair amount of lore bending afoot (which is fine) but I'm interested just where the devs see them:

• Are they permanent deployables, like MBT/NPCs currently, loadout menu options, closer to an Assault Class pack or *shudder* RPG mounts that can be summoned/dismissed ? (that last one hurts to ask).
• If they're deployed are they "owned" or can anyone use them once someone has deployed them ?
• If they're deployed will they ever despawn once abandoned or only once destroyed ?
• Can all classes ride them in the first place ? It will look odd if 2 Devastators mag lock their Lascannons to an Attack Bike, but wierder still to see an ASM in the passenger seat of one, with their full Jump Pack.
• Can they use Wargear found in other class kits while riding ? Much as I'd love to fire an Autocannon, Psyker power or Reaper Launcher from the seat, not sure that would be entirely balanced.
• Should Heroes/Elites that meet the rider requirements (say Power Armour for Astartes) be able to ride them ? Seeings that the Founder's Elites are modeled on existing class templates that can be replicated, it would be odd if the Outcast Ranger couldn't ride a Jetbike but the Dire Avenger that has all his traits/gear could. I won't lie I DO like the idea of LotD (see below) or Possessed getting their own Bike skins
• Any thoughts about having special classes (maybe Elites) that are permanently tied to Bikes ? Shining Spears or Scout Bikers for instance, I guess Ravenwing too but that's a whole other issue. The thought of DA Green bikes make me sad

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We don't have enough details as yet to confirm or deny items.

But I can give you my personal hopes, idea's, and views.

• I do hope Bikes are permanent deployables, like the other vehicles in EC. I don't want them to be like RPG mounts.
• I would hope there is some form of ownership, even if it's to the Sub-Faction or Guild.
• I don't know. Depends on what works in playtesting.
• Only Tacticals, Assaults with no Jump Packs, and some Heroes and Elites should have the option to ride. They may even have to strip down on Wargear to do it.
• Yes, Some Heroes and Elites should be able to ride one.
• I can see bikes with Specialist weapons being Elite Units, like the Shining Spears, Ravenwing Bikers with their Plasma Guns, maybe even HH era Outrider Squads.

I do believe there should be some gameplay differences between Bikes and Jetbikes.
That way you could even have Sammael on his Jetbike as a Dark Angel Hero.

Yep, just looking for the discussion until the Devs decide to wade in . It's a complex system.

Nice point on the Astartes Jetbike. Would make a good, high-end Hero class

I think it will be neat to be able to kill an enemy with gun and steal his bike

Maybe force the player to put certain items in a box on the bike kind of like a "reserve" so that if they get off of the bike they have to spend a second getting their gear out to start using it again? that way you could have everyone use a bike if they just want to get from A to B while also allowing players to specialize in bike squads for fast attack maneuvers without forcing them to destroy their wargear loadouts.

That would also let the developers force them to only be allowed to use whatever gear is allowed on the bike and balance accordingly, while also allowing the soldier to continue to be useful if he decided to lose the bike and grab his wargear out of the back.

This is also assuming that the bikes will work like planetside where they have their own upgrade and wargear loadouts as well.

Haha, that's kind of the only thing that would ever make me lean towards an ownership system. Maybe just have their spawn pads at even the most basic tier of outposts so that they're common, supposing there even is one for bikes

While they haven't mentioned much about the bikes, they appear to be vehicles (meaning pay req to spawn, the ownership rules, and destruction would be on par for the rhino we've seen demonstrated)

Great questions @Laanshor. I was wondering a few days ago if entire SFs in EC are going to be mounting up on Bikes and zerging along ala WARhammer Online. The thought made me cringe...

Seeing as how Bikes are very specific to only certain companies in the 40k universe, and the fact that we will have access to dedicated squad transports(Rhinos), it would be EXTREMELY cheesy IMO if players always have instant access to a Bike. Not to mention the fact it would run counter to the incentives to group up and work as a team using Squad vehicles when everyone can be mobile all the time via their own Bike.

Actually all SM Companies have access to Bikes as part of their Fast Attack elements.
It's just that you have some Companies and/or Chapters that specialise in Motorcycle warfare.

If they do Bikes, it would be nice to see Bike Squadrons of 3 to 5 bikers.