So recently 3++ featured a small article on the merits of Guardian Jetbikes as scoring units (post here).
One of the important points made by Kirby is that Jetbikes 'really need to supplement an Eldar's scoring rather than be a focal point'.
Well said Kirby, this has my vote for sure. That said, can they really be viable in units of three? Am I missing something here fellow Eldar players? For 66 points, you'll have a fast moving unit with the same basic stats as a marine. Think about that for a moment. Take one casualty, and you test at an unimpressive ld 8, falling back at 3d6. Fail that test at two casualties, and you can never regroup...
For me, good list building has always been based around capitalising your strengths and compensating for your weaknesses. For example, i've made sure everything in my entire army is mobile and survivable - even my Vypers yes! - despite being quite a minimal force. Given that there's a small number of units on the board, i've compensated by making them damn hard to kill. It's by no means a purely rock list either, and packs an impressive amount of firepower.Which brings me back to this idea of taking '3x Guardian Jetbikes'...
In objective games, the most you can hope for is to keep them in reserve for as long as possible, hiding them from view when they enter play, then racing for an objective on turn 5. Easier said than done. A smart general will see the opportunity to easily neutralise a scoring unit. KP missions, even worse. Again, all you can do is hide, but this time the unit acts completely as a negative. All it can do is deny KPs, which frankly for me is a bit useless.
'3x' should be banned!
Thoughts? Comments?
5 comments:
I completely and utterly agree. The concept of the 3 man GJB unit is popularised by those with little understanding of the way the army plays and just see the *bum rush objective grab* tactics popularised by some websites.
Larger units with shuriken cannons are a real great option to support the rest of your army and whilst no more useful than mounted Avenger units, give you DIFFERENT tactical options, which is great.
I agree, small Jetbike squads are just to easy to kill. I plan on running units of 4 + Warlock when I get round to finishing my Eldar. Although they take up more space, they won't die as easily. I've played opponents who used squads of 4 quite effectively as well.
Ko'vash
Confirmed. I've never experienced the value of 3 jetbikes. Now if you were to pump them up to 6, with 2 cannons and a destructor warlock, you've got something your opponent will have to worry about.
I don't play Eldar, just the Dark Kin, where I feel I have great success with 3 Reaver Jetbikes...
...but they're completely different animals, able to threaten vehicles, or just to flat-out every turn doing damage to troops and enjoying 3+ cover, or enjoying their Skilled Rider to stay in terrain.
For those reasons alone I feel my 78 point investment in three Reavers is worthwile, as they threaten all target types, must be deal with, are very resilient to fire, and are so few points I don't really care if they die...if they do then something else in my army didn't get shot at, and is able to do it's job.
Since EJB have none of those advantages, I can't see taking them in a unit of 3.
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