Space Marine Outrider
|
This article is about the Heresy-era Outriders; for the Present-day Outriders, see Primaris Outrider. |
Outriders were a type of specialist Space Marine squad used during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.
Overview
Outriders were specialized and mechanized reconnaissance squads commonly transported in Bikes and scramblers designed for use on rugged terrain. Used primarily for rapid encirclement and hit-and-run attacks, the chief advantage of Outriders is speed and the ability to go where heavier vehicles could not.[1]
Spatha Pattern Bike
Some of these bikes are based on venerable patterns predating the Dark Age of Technology, such as the Iron Shadow, while others, such as the Wyvern, were developed on the far flung worlds of humanity in response to local conditions. The most common pattern in use by the Legiones Astartes is the Spatha, a more heavily armoured version of the Wyvern, intended for light combat and harassment of the foe.[3]
Lizard Riders
Lizard Riders are a variant of Outriders used by the Emperor's Children in the later parts of the Horus Heresy. While fulfilling the same tactical role, lizard riders notably depart from the traditional outrider due to their large, reptilian mounts rather than motorbikes. Lizard riders were sometimes used by the Emperor's Children to hunt down loyalist Space Marines.[5]
Images
Sources
- 1: The Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal, pg. 211
- 2: Forge world webstore: Legion MKIV Outrider Squadron (saved archive, last accessed 05/03/2023)
- 3: Liber Astartes (2nd Edition), pg. 144
- 4: Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Outflank the Foe with Fast Attack for Legions Imperialis (posted 05/10/2023) (saved archive page, dated 06 January 2024, last accessed 29 January 2026)
- 5: White Dwarf November 2019, pg. 137
