[40K]Chaos Space Marine Bike Question

[Butch Arthur]

Given that one of the options is "GW wrote another poorly worded rule",
I probably know the answer to this, but...

Chaos Space Marine Bikes are listed under Wargear as (Independent
Character only).

However, under their listing in the Chaos Wargear section, it says:

"Characters that have a retinue or are otherwise part of a unit may only
be given a bike if all of the models in the unit also have bikes."

Does this mean that:

A character with a retinue may all be mounted on bikes, thus
violating the independent character only limitation, but following the
wargear explanation

An independent character can only have a bike if he is alone, or part
of a bike squad, and thus the entire "...that have a retinue..." part of
the second rule is redundant and poorly worded.

Also, any idea why CSM bikers can have meltas or plasma guns mounted,
but Characters can only have meltas or flamers on their bikes?

Thanks in advance for any interesting argumentation.
--

Remove pesky grot to reply. Damn grots get inna everything.

[Blue Raja]

"Butch Arthur" <cart...@grot.nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:carthur1-FF872A...@news2.southeast.rr.com...

> Given that one of the options is "GW wrote another poorly worded rule",
> I probably know the answer to this, but...
>
> Chaos Space Marine Bikes are listed under Wargear as (Independent
> Character only).
>
> However, under their listing in the Chaos Wargear section, it says:
>
> "Characters that have a retinue or are otherwise part of a unit may only
> be given a bike if all of the models in the unit also have bikes."
>
> Does this mean that:
>
> A character with a retinue may all be mounted on bikes, thus
> violating the independent character only limitation, but following the
> wargear explanation

No.
Actually it doesn't follow the wargear description either as the wargear
states (as you quoted) "...if all of the models in the unit also have
bikes".

> An independent character can only have a bike if he is alone, or part

> of a bike squad, and thus the entire "...that have a retinue..." part of
> the second rule is redundant and poorly worded.

Yes.
I wouldn't say it's poorly worded; it's entirely possible they were toying
with the idea of biker command squads (ala Ravenwing perhaps?).
Also, if it had been worded, say, "...can be mounted on a bike for +xxpts
unless joined by a squad" then you'd have the problem of foot-slogging Lords
leading bike squads.

Anyway, bikes suck, so who cares? ;o)

> Also, any idea why CSM bikers can have meltas or plasma guns mounted,
> but Characters can only have meltas or flamers on their bikes?

Umm, nope.
Maybe an oversight, maybe a mistake. Either one is completely believable.

--

The Blue Raja
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