Know Your Dreadnoughts
The armored behemoths of the Adeptus Astartes known as Dreadnoughts are one of the most iconic units in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Present from the earliest days of the game straight through to today with a wide variety of designs and variants available there are few units with more options and a longer history to be found. Lets take a quick look through the history of Dreadnoughts through the lore of the universe.
The Furibundus Pattern Dreadnought
One of the first armored units in the game the Furibundus Pattern Dreadnought was a pewter miniature offered with a variety of weapons. Though the sculpting and manufacturing technologies of Games Workshop have improved vastly since the release of these original Dreadnoughts one can still see all the hallmarks that would come to define these classic Space Marine units.
The Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought
First depicted in the artwork for the Horus Heresy the Contemptor Pattern Dreadnoughts were the most common variant of armored walkers used by the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. Equipped with advanced Atomantic Reactors the Contemptor featured defensive energy shields, massive strength and agility and the capability to mount a wide array of fearsome weapons including conversion beamers, plasma cannons, prototype Kheres pattern assault cannons, power fists and much more.
The Contemptor Mortis Pattern Dreadnought
Dedicated fire-support variants of the Contemptor were available to the Legions in the form of the Contemptor Mortis. Forgoing all melee weapons in favor of a pair of heavy weapons the Contemptor Mortis could even feature a top mounted Cyclone Missile Launcher for even more firepower.
The Contemptor Cortus Pattern Dreadnought
During the brutal Ullanor Campaign the need for functioning Dreadnoughts outstripped the supply, forcing the Legiones Astartes to improvise. The result was the Contemptor Cortus Pattern Dreadnoughts. Based on the Contemptor frame the Cortus removes most of the advanced power control and safety features of the standard Contemptor and overall uses less sophisticated and more easily manufactured components. The result was a powerful if unreliable weapon that had a detrimental impact on the health and stability of the interred pilot. The Mechanicum never authorized mass production of the Cortus, outraged at the lack of proper sanctification and as such the pattern fell out of use following the end of the campaign. The Cortus would return however during the Horus Heresy where need once again forced the Legions to cut corners with their equipment.
The Contemptor Achillus Pattern Dreadnought
Not all Dreadnoughts manufactured by the Imperium were available to the Legiones Astartes. Some patterns of Dreadnought were reserved for the exclusive use of the Legio Custodes, the most iconic of which is the Contemptor Achillus Pattern Dreadnought. Named after the Achillus Dreadspear that is its signature weapon this highly advanced warmachine is the pinnacle of the Contemptor design. A pair of wrist mounts can feature storm bolters, flamers or the priceless and deadly majesty of adrathic weaponry while the Achillus Dreadspear features a potent miniaturized lascannon weapon. Yet what makes the Contemptor Achillus so deadly is the pilot, a hardened veteran of the Legio Custodes hard-wired into the neural circuitry of the Contemptor.
The Contemptor Galatus Dreadnought
Another variant of the Contemptor-class of Dreadnought used exclusively by the Legio Custodes the Contemptor Galatus forgoes the Achillus Dreadspear and wrist weapons for a massive Galatus warblade with inbuilt flame projectors paired with an oversized variant of the praesidium shield.
Telemon Heavy Dreadnought
The most powerful variant of Dreadnought ever created and reserved solely for the use of the Legio Custodes the Telemon is the only heavy dreadnought ever produced. Towering over even the Contemptor and Leviathan Dreadnoughts the Telemon features a top mounted spiculus bolt launcher and can mount a mixture of powerful esoteric heavy weapons or crushing power fists from its arm mounts. Only a small number of Telemon Heavy Dreadnoughts were ever built and most were likely destroyed during the Horus Heresy though a few may still exist in the armories of the modern Adeptus Custodes.
Deredeo Fire Support Dreadnought
Building on the success of the Contemptor Mortis pattern of Dreadnoughts the Deredeo was designed as a dedicated fire support platform. Sporting chassis mounted heavy bolters or flamers as well as a variety of arm and top mounted heavy weapons the Deredeo could fulfill a variety of functions from anti-air to anti-armor and could even mount an energy shield projector to provide formidable protection to nearby units.
Leviathan Pattern Siege Dreadnoughts
The heaviest pattern of Dreadnought available to the Legiones Astartes the Leviathan Pattern Siege Dreadnought pushed the technology of the dreadnought to the limit. So large and powerful was the Leviathan that the strain on the pilot was severe and often meant that the interred legionary commanding the dreadnoughts suffered rapid degeneration. The negative impact on Leviathan pilots meant that the pattern quickly developed a dark reputation and was often called upon only in the most dire of situations or to face the most deadly of foes. Armed with torso mounted volkite or flamer weapons, back mounted missiles and a pair of potent arm weapons the Leviathan could be used as a dedicated bunker buster, walking fire-support platform or anti-infantry monster depending on the situation.
MK IV Castraferrum Pattern Dreadnought
Developed as a cheaper and more easily mass-produced alternative to the advanced Contemptor pattern of Dreadnoughts the MK IV Castraferrum served through much of the Great Crusade, the Horus Heresy and the Scouring though the MK IV now largely exist solely as venerable Dreadnoughts and prized relics within those chapters lucky enough to possess them.
MK V Castraferrum Pattern Dreadnought
The most commonly seen pattern of Dreadnought in modern chapters of the Adeptus Astartes the MK V Castraferrum Dreadnought is an adaptable and reliable platform that has seen steady service for thousands of years. The oldest MK V Dreadnought, Bjorn the Fell-Handed, has survived ten thousand years of service to his chapter and continues to fight and lead to this day.
Hellfire Pattern Dreadnought
A common variant of the standard MK IV and MK V Castraferrum pattern Dreadnoughts the Hellfire replaces the dreadnought power fist on the left arm of the chassis with a compact missile launcher. This alteration turns a standard Dreadnought into a potent walking anti-armor platform.
Mortis Pattern Dreadnought
Siege Dreadnought
Similar to the Ironclad Dreadnought the Siege Dreadnought is a specialized variant of the MK IV Castraferrum Dreadnought designed exclusively for close-assault siege warfare. Capable of being armed with an inferno cannon or hurricane bolter and fortification crushing close-combat weapons the Siege Dreadnought is a rare but powerful weapon in the arsenals of those chapters fortunate enough to contain them.
Ironclad Dreadnought
A rare sub-type of the MKV Castraferrum pattern Dreadnought the Ironclad Dreadnought features heavier frontal armor and a weapons loadout designed specifically for breaking fortifications and clearing trenches. The right arm can mount a devastating anti-infantry hurricane bolter array or the dreadnought may sport a mixture of devastating close combat weapons specialized in cracking bastions.
Venerable Dreadnought
Taking a variety of different loadouts and forms the Venerable Dreadnoughts of the Adeptus Astartes are warmachines that have served for a number of centuries and accumulated priceless and irreplaceable battlefield experience during their long lives. Often Venerable Dreadnoughts may serve as field commanders or strategic advisors. Some Venerable Dreadnoughts have even acted in the role of company captains or even chapter masters. Long service within the armored sarcophagus of a Dreadnought can have a detrimental effect on the mind and memory of the interred pilot and so it is not uncommon for the honored ancients of a chapter to be put into stasis sleep between deployments, preserving their minds and skills for battles that truly need their strength though not all Venerable Dreadnoughts choose the long silence of stasis sleep.
Chaplain Dreadnoughts
In rare circumstances when a veteran spiritual leader of a chapter is mortally wounded and a Dreadnought chassis is available the dying warrior may have the chance to live on and continue to serve in the role of a Chaplain Dreadnought. Despite their undying existence in a body of ceramite and adamantium Chaplain Dreadnoughts continue to act as spiritual guides and field commanders for their chapters, their hardened minds and strong wills allowing them to remain cogent and insightful despite their mortal injury and internment.
Librarian Dreadnoughts
Unique to the Blood Angels and their successor chapters the Librarian Dreadnoughts are a variant of the Furioso-pattern Dreadnought that allow mortally wounded Librarians to continue to serve their chapter and project their psychic might on the battlefields of the forty first millennium. Armed with massively oversized force spears and power claws the Librarian Dreadnoughts are deadly and powerful battlefield psykers and war leaders for the Sons of Sanguinius.
Furioso Dreadnought
Designed by the Sons of Sanguinius to make the most use out of the savage aggression of their sarcophagus-bound brethren the Furioso Dreadnought is a close-assault specialist design featuring paired fists or talons and the option to mount a deadly Frag Cannon in place of its right close-combat weapon.
Death Company Dreadnought
When a Furioso Dreadnought pilot succumbs to the Black Rage, the genetic curse of the Sons of Sanguinius, they become a Death Company Dreadnought. Driven into insane rage by the psychic death cry of the Primarch Sanguinius the Death Company Dreadnought knows no pain, no fear and no hesitation, throwing itself into close quarters combat no matter the odds, fighting on against overwhelming numbers or terrible injury until it finally succumbs to death or runs out of things to kill.
Wulfen Dreadnought
Unique to the Space Wolves a Wulfen Dreadnought is created when a sarcophagus-interred pilot gives in to the Curse of the Wulfen and is transformed into a bestial berserker. Rather than waste the savage fury of the curse fallen pilot the Space Wolves modify the Dreadnought chassis to better suit the animal rage of their brother. Wulfen Dreadnoughts are faster and more aggressive than normal, rushing headlong into battle to get to grips with the foe as fast as possible and tear them apart with their powerful claws.
Doomglaive Pattern Dreadnought
Perhaps the rarest sub-pattern of MKIV Castraferrum Dreadnought the Doomglaive is a design specific to the psychic daemon hunters of the Grey Knights chapter. Armed with a powerful Doomglaive Nemesis Force Weapon and a Heavy Psy-cannon the Doomglaive's pilot combines the powerful psychic abilities of a Grey Knights battle brother with esoteric anti-daemon weaponry.
Redemptor Pattern Dreadnought
A brand new sight on the battlefields of the forty-first millennium the Redemptor Pattern Dreadnought is unique to the newly revealed Primaris Space Marines. Much like the Primaris Marines themselves the Redemptor towers over the Castraferrum and Contemptor pattern Dreadnoughts of the original-pattern of Space Marines. Sporting a huge array of weaponry including two torso mounted storm bolters or grenade launchers, a back mounted ordnance launcher, right arm heavy onslaught cannon or plasma cannon and left mounted power fist with undermounted flamer or onslaught cannon the Redemptor pattern of Dreadnought can unleash a devastating array of firepower or rush in close to rip and smash its way through nearly any threat in close quarters combat. Much like the Leviathan Siege Dreadnought however the size and power of the Redemptor seems to put added stress on the pilot and it is unclear yet how long an interred Redemptor pilot can survive with the strain of commanding such a large and potent engine. Despite its negatives the Redemptor is generally considered more than powerful enough to justify the risks to the pilot and is being deployed in ever greater numbers as the new Primaris marines and their wargear spreads across the chapters of the Adeptus Astartes.
For more information on Dreadnoughts and their history as well as those patterns specific to those nasty Heretic Astartes visit the Warhammer wiki.
Comments
Post a Comment