amazing how ppl miss the point. but everyone plays differently - and against opponents who play differently and field a wide variety of armies.
the OP was trying to get 'best effect' from small squads of SHINYSPEARS, my point was that as a stand alone unit it isnt the best option [and that the much vaunted alternative of 6 hawks has its own issues], but by taking a relatively cheap biketarch with a fusion gun the squad gets the extra boost it needs to RELIABLY take down a 4HP vehicle.
Not to mention that the Autarch brings other utility to the squad - as well as being able to leave or join it at pretty much any stage - not supposed to give stats - but the LD boost is useful - extra wounds that could be tanked against certain low S units/shots - not to mention the always useful +1 reserves that brings the spears on if you decide to outflank them.
so much depends on the variables of your games - terrain layout - game points values - meta - opponents play style -
but imo it is ALWAYS worth running one autarch - and unless hiding in a vehicle is his thing then he might as well be on a bike with a fusion gun
