Topic of the Week: Dreadnoughts

[Lost Nemesis]

This week, we discuss the Dreadnought, fallen heroes controlling armored behemoths on the battlefield. There are three variants in our current codex - the regular Dreadnought, the Venerable, and the Ironclad, all with distinct pros and cons. The Blood Angels have the Furiouso Dreadnought, meant to assault the enemy.

With a variety of weapon options, the Dreadnought can add much to an army list. You could also take a Master of the Forge to include more than the three maximum normally allowed, giving your list a very Dreadnought oriented feel.

How do you use your Dreadnoughts, and what do they add to your list?

[jy2]

I like them...but my points are usually spent on termies and sternies over them.

[Xpyre35]

The most effective Dreadnought I've been using has been the Regular Dread, stock with the exception of the Hvy Flamer on the DCCW instead of the Storm Bolter. Taking in a single Drop Pod, and having it land first turn to pop the biggest vehicle threat. It hasn't let me down yet.

It has survived after that turn numerous times, allowing the dread to flame and charge a back line unit also.

[gen.nehring]

I think the new codex gives the "hellfire" (no DCCW, 2 x ranged weapon) dreadnought new life. With the new options, there a plethora of arrangements, all for a very cheap price. In this regard I think a Dreadnought can perform better than a predator, since it is more easily conceable but primarily since you can move and still fire both weapons. I particularly like the double TL autocannon setup, brutal firepower for only 125pts.

[Banon]

I always have at least two dreads in my list and they're always venerable, it's worth it not just for survivability but to annoy the hell out of my opponent. I like to maneouver my shooting ven dreads into areas that'll cause a bottle neck and the only way through is to kill it even if it is immobilized and all weapons destroyed it's great for slowing them down. Venerable Black Rage Furioso Dreads are just devastating, the extra attacks are great for pulverising tanks, tends to get bogged down by large squads which is a downside.

[Phalanx]

I usually take two dreds. I take my ven dread with an assault cannon and heavy flamer (BS5 assault cannons rule) and my MM AOBR dread. My MM dread has performed pretty well for me so far, having taken out some bikes and another MM AOBR dread last time I used it, and the Ven Dread is just for fun. Its hard to kill and it uses up an HQ slot for me in higher point games (I play Space Wolves). Now I just need some drop pods and then the fun really starts.

[carrotman50]

I only have on dread but I would definitely get another one over a tank, the pros are numerous:
Can attack in close combat (with quite a punch too)
All CC attacks are against front armour
More options
Can take a drop pod
Can move and fire all weapons
Can have six with MotF

Cons:
Dies easier (unless you have ironclad!)
More expensive than predator
takes up a valuable Elites slot

[4theEmperor!]

I played a 3500 point Apoc game the other day and I used 6 dreads. 1 Ironclad, 2 venerables with LC/ML, and three regulars with Assault Cannons/DCCW. I played against a very genestealer heavy tyranid army. Those dreads were Fabulous! My space marines normally get chewed to bits by g'stealers but the dreads held tight long enough for me to kill the rest of his army and seize the objectives.

I almost always include an Ironclad in a pod now. I ran a MofF and 6 dreads for awhile and it really rocked! I think dreadnoughts are much more of a threat in 5th ed than in 4th. I rarely took them in 4th because I was always disappointed in their performance.

[seismic]

I have to say that i'd rather take something else as Elite than a dread, my heavy support section being what it is i would take a master of the forge add take 2-3 as heavy. Nevertheless i've scratch built my dreadnought for my old list and put enough time and effort into it to justify a spot in my 1500 pts games for an Ironclad with heavy flamer & drop pod. I've been seriously tempted to get a venerable with missile launcher and assault cannon for anything 1500 more, the ballistic and weapon skill 5 makes it a great asset.

[Frank Fugger]

If I'm using Dreads with my Grey Knights they're usually either toting a plasma cannon and CCW or a lascannon and missile launcher. The CCW Dreads make a nice stand-over man for squads that might get separated from the body of your army as well as adding an AP2 blast, and the TLLC/ ML Dreads are a nice shooty platform.

I'm not really planning to use them in my Smurf list, but if I do they'll be in Drop Pods to fall from the sky and melta tanks to death.