Warhammer 40K: This Week’s Meta Hotness – Redemptor Dreadnoughts
Let’s take a look at a recently redeemed unit that is showing up as one of Warhammer 40K’s top units, Redemptor Dreadnoughts.
In the ever-shifting meta of 40K, armies rise and fall. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about armies that are hot or not, but a lot less time looking at units that are running the show. Today let’s start by taking a look at one of the hottest units currently running around the tabletop.
The Unit
This week’s hot unit is the Redemptor Dreadnought (not to be confused with the Relic Contemptor from last week). This walker is the new upgraded Primaris (though it does not have that Keyword) version of the classic Dreadnought. It’s a heavy fire support unit with a variety of weapons options. Along with a variety of deadly ranged weapons, it also comes with some heavy close combat attacks, making it deadly there as well.
Why They Are Good
Like all Marine Dreadnoughts the Redemptor got a huge boost in the 9th Edition book. These guys are tough, mobile vehicles, that can throw out a good amount of firepower. With T7, 14 Wounds, and -1 damage to attacks they are a tough nut to crack. Though they lack an invulnerable save, the -1 damage and a large number of wounds make them more durable than most Marine vehicles. With a relatively small footprint they are great for pushing forward, and you can fit a lot in Auras. Speaking of Auras as they are Core the Redemptor gets access to a ton of Marine buffs. The inclusion of a Techmarine can not only boost their shooting, but keep them repaired and in the fight longer.
The Redemptors have access to a good spread of guns, but a couple of builds are currently very popular. Almost all builds are taking the Dreadnought with a pair of Stormbolters, an Onslaught Gatling Cannon and an Icarus Rocket Pod. Players seem somewhat divided between the Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon or the Macro Plasma Incinerator for the main weapon. The secondary guns, provide a solid bit of anti-infantry/horde firepower, with 16 shots from the storm bolters and Gatling Cannon. While the Icarus can be used as an anti-air weapon, it is just as well suited for taking down MEQ units thanks to D2. The Heavy Gatling Cannon pivots the Dreadnought, more towards an anti-horde role, while the slightly more popular Plasma option gives you up to to 9 D2 shots, great for taking down MEQ, and can even swerve as an anti-tank weapon.
Overall you’ve got a strong model that can push forward each turn and throw out 20-30 shots (depending on loadout). Thanks to its strong close combat weapon, it doesn’t have to worry about being charged, and can even launch devastating charges of its own. It’s got a high damage output (up to 70 D without buffs), is hard to kill and easy to buff. It is mobile and can push the enemy off objectives, and highly cost-effective.
A Sample List
Saying a unit is hot is all well and good, but let’s take a look at how players are using it. Redemptor Dreadnoughts have started showing up in a number of lists that have really dominated at recent tournaments. No less than 3 lists that hit top-4s in the past few weeks contained two of them. One list that highlights them is the list that Colin Sherman ran to win the Weekend At Horus’ GT. (via 40kstats.com) Very similar lists also won the Copenahmmer GT and the Cool Place Spring GT.
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Ultramarines) [102 PL, 2,000pts, 7CP] ++
**Chapter Selection**: Master Artisans, Ultramarines Successor, Whirlwind of Rage
Servitors [2 PL, 30pts]: 4x Servo-arm
+ HQ +
Chapter Master with Master-crafted Heavy Bolt Rifle [8 PL, 145pts, -1CP]: Adept of the Codex, Chapter Command: Chapter Master, Seal of Oath, Storm of Fire, Stratagem: Exemplar of the Chapter, Warlord
Primaris Librarian [6 PL, 120pts, -1CP]: 2) Might of Heroes, 3) Null Zone (Aura), 6) Psychic Fortress (Aura), Chapter Command: Chief Librarian, Psychic Mastery, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter
Primaris Techmarine [5 PL, 100pts, -1CP]: Chapter Command: Master of the Forge, Rites of War, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter
+ Troops +
Incursor Squad [5 PL, 105pts]
. 4x Incursor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Occulus bolt carbine, 4x Paired combat blades
. Incursor Sergeant
Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]: Auto Bolt Rifle
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant
Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]: Auto Bolt Rifle
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant
+ Elites +
Invictor Tactical Warsuit [8 PL, 160pts]: Twin ironhail autocannon
Invictor Tactical Warsuit [8 PL, 160pts]: Twin ironhail autocannon
Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon
Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon
Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 150pts, -1CP]: 2x Twin volkite culverin
Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 150pts, -1CP]: 2x Twin volkite culverin
+ Fast Attack +
Suppressor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]
. 2x Suppressor: 2x Accelerator autocannon, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. Suppressor Sergeant
Suppressor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]
. 2x Suppressor: 2x Accelerator autocannon, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. Suppressor Sergeant
+ Dedicated Transport +
Land Speeder Storm [3 PL, 55pts]
Land Speeder Storm [3 PL, 55pts]
++ Total: [102 PL, 7CP, 2,000pts] ++
Using the Unit
This list makes use of two Redemptors, each armed with Plasma and the loadout discussed above. These guys are tough and put out a lot of firepower between them. Paired with the Invictors and Relic Contemptors they make for a massive block of hard to kill, high damage output walkers. The list, Redemptors included, really goes all-in on mid-high S, D2 attacks. This makes it a very good at taking down some of the current meta threats like Marines and Dark Eldar (Raiders won’t have a ton of fun here), but could leave it a little more vulnerable to really heavy tanks, though the D3 on overcharged Plasma helps . Storm of Fire on the Captain can help buff AP on the Redemptor’s secondary guns, while Rites of War on the supporting Techmarine makes them Obsec. This allows them to help push lighter enemy units off objectives and hold them. Overall it makes a lot of use of the Redemptor’s strengths to build a scary list in the current meta.
Let us know what units you think are hot right now, down in the comments!
