40K: Sizing Up the Redemptor Dreadnought
It’s certainly the biggest, but is the Primaris Redemptor the King of the Dreadnoughts?
Today we are going to size up both the rules and models for the 6 main categories of Space Marine dreads. We’ll find out exactly how good the brand new Redemptor Dread is, and if it has climbed to the top of the mountain, as king of the dreads.
Dreadnought
Power Level 7
It’s cheap, it gets the job done, and if you lose it, your entire army wont collapse. The classic box on legs give you a solid choice of ranged and melee weapons. It’s take a bit of effort to kill and can stop a assault by non specialized troops dead in it’s tracks.
Venerable Dreadnought
Power Level 8
Moving on up, the Venerable is a more accurate version of the default chassis. That extra power level point buys you a WS/BS 2+ and you have a 6+ to ignore damage inflicted. I think it’s a solid choice and that 2+ makes it really reliable, especially when it has to fire on the move.
Ironclad Dreadnought
Power Level 8
The ironclad is all about close range fire and assault. You more up to T8 compared to the base dread, but are still WS/BS3+ You get options for dual melee weapons, granting it rerolls of 1 in the fight phase and the optional Ironclad Assault Launchers can inflict a mortal wound surprise to your foes on a successful charge. It’s a solid choice for really built up dense tables, but can get shot to pieces if your meta doesn’t have a LOT of LoS blocking terrain. Your mileage may vary…
Contemptor Dreadnought
Power Level 8
Now we move into the first dread that is fundamentally different. The Contemptor has 10 wounds and a damage chart. It’s S:7 by default and WS/BS2+ before it starts taking damage. but you really take the Contemptor for 2 reasons. It’s FAST at 9″ compared to the previous M:6″ of the previous dreads. It also has a 5+ Invulnerable – which makes it quite durable. It’s a mid range brawler with both the Kheres Assault Cannon and the Multi-melta clocking in at 24″ range. All in all I really like it. It’s probably tied with the Venerable for my “go to dread” whem I’m putting together a list.
Redemptor Dreadnought
Power Level 10
Welcome to the new hotness. Like the Contemptor the SUPER-SIZED new primaris dread has a damage chart. It has a sky-high 13 wounds, and shares the Contemptor’s S:7. What you are really paying the points for is the crazy firepower. Like both Primaris vehicles it is loaded down with tons of weapons and can routinely get off well over 20 shots a turn. If you equip it with the Heavy and standard Onslaught Gatling Cannon, you get 18 S:5 AP:-1 shots right there – before you add in the Icarus rocket pod and dual Fragstorm grenade launchers. The thing shoots a ton but strangely has the standard dread’s WS/BS 3+ It’s a mountain of firepower, and it’s durable, but is is 40% more than a standard dread. The choice of 2 Redemptors of 3 standard dreads takes isn’t easy. If you stand it next to a Captain or Chapter Master for to-hit rerolls – it’s good times.
Leviathan Dreadnought
Power Level 16
HAIL TO THE KING! The Leviathan isn’t as big as the Redemptor but it’s dense. It has a damage table, but starts off with W:14, S8 T8 and WS/BS2+ More importantly is features on of the game’s most devastating AND flexible weapons – the Grav-flux bombard (look up there and be in awe) – which is pretty much mandatory. A quick looks at it’s stats reveals it’s as effecitve at pulping 50-man conscript squads as Land Raiders. It’s other arm is personal choice on either a Melee weapon for flexibility, or a second ranged weapon for terrifying standoff power. The final piece of the Leviathan puzzle is it’s 4+ Invulnerable save. It’s pricy – but it worth it. That’s what makes the Leviathan the KING of the dreads.
~ What dreads do you field in your armies?
