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I was just curious if anyone runs 2 ranged weapons on their dreads instead of a powerfist and what kind of success it has?

I proxies running a Dreadnought with a Multi-Melta and Twin-Linked Autocannon instead of my usual Furioso in a Drop Pod (BA player) and went straight back to the Furioso in my next game. I much prefer Dreadnoughts for CC as opposed to shooting. Land Speeders can do a similar job in shooting at a much cheaper cost, too.

This is from the bias of a BA player, though. If I wasn't using Dreadnoughts up close, I'd wouldn't be using them correctly.

Are you talking SM or CSM dreads? Depending on which side you're on there are some better options.

If you are set on going with x2 ranged weapons, I would suggest something with good range and wide threat level. LC/ML is a good bet, or even x2 AC's works well.

 clamclaw wrote:
Are you talking SM or CSM dreads? Depending on which side you're on there are some better options.

If you are set on going with x2 ranged weapons, I would suggest something with good range and wide threat level. LC/ML is a good bet, or even x2 AC's works well.

A Dark Angel's Venerable Dreadnought to be specific. I was thinking two ranged weapons to help maximize their first turn of deep strike shooting. Since dreads don't get Vengeful strike rule along with the DW termies I figured it would help to have two shooting weapons.

From time to time I run a riflemen (dual autocannon) dreadnought. It's always done OK at light vehicles and just putting wounds on things.

I’ve not put the second gun arm on since they went to 4 attacks. At base 2 attacks, they only did OK-ish in CC, even with the powerfist. Now that they swing a lot more, I find it’s more attractive to move them aggressively up the table and crump some heads.

Previously I did enjoy a TLLC/ML dread (venerable, points allowing) sitting in the backfield popping shots at things.

I remember when 2 TL autocannons on a dreadnought was extremely OP and represented the pinnacle of firepower.



.........We didnt know, we just......didnt know.

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think what I may end up doing is getting a second non venerable dread, throwing 2 long range weapons on it and attaching it to my greenwing. The point about dreads having more attacks now (thanks Nevelon) made me think, most of the time I'm going to get my DWT stuck in so having a powerfist on the venerable is probably a good idea.

Dreadnaughts need 4 different guns to be a good shooting platform.

on on each arm and one on each shoulder.

Needs to be less than 150pts for 4 lascannons because devs and havocs with 4 lascannons are 155pts.

Needs to be less than 115pts for 4 ac because havocs with 4 ac cost as much.

I don't know that I would compare a dread to a dev squad 1 for 1 based solely on price per lascannon. The Dreadnought can still move and shoot accurately (unlike the devs), is immune to less than Str 6 firepower in most directions, cannot be pinned, or forced to run, and unless you have Str 7 weapon or higher, has a 0% chance of losing its weapons until it is fully dead.

2x TL AC is my fav configuration. I can get melta elsewhere

2 ACs seem a solid choice, am in right in thinking that the AC is the only weapon that you can take 2 the same?

D

 evildrcheese wrote:
2 ACs seem a solid choice, am in right in thinking that the AC is the only weapon that you can take 2 the same?

D

In the basic GW codexes, you are correct. Once you hit FW, I’d not be so sure. But the “off” arm is either a powerfist, TLAC, or a ML. Of the three of those, only the TLAC has a matching primary weapon option.

When I was playing GK, I commonly played dual AC dreads. Worked good as a swiss army knife shooter.

If you crunch the math, Dreads with 2x TL AC are the most generally effective ranged dreadnoughts against the widest variety of targets, on top of being one of the most long-ranged (which makes it much easier to keep your Dread alive). It's main weaknesses are against TEQ and AV13+ vehicles.

I do think that Dreads are a much better nowadays as a melee unit, especially as part of a drop pod army. With 4 S10 AP2 attacks, you'll do way more damage in melee than you ever could at long range. Devastators, Cents and Predators are better at that long-ranged stuff anyhow.

One thing to look into is the Contemptor Dreadnought. They can run 2x Kheres Assault Cannons and a shoulder-mounted Cyclone Missile Launcher, which is waaaay more firepower than even two regular Dreadnoughts can muster .

 DanielBeaver wrote:
If you crunch the math, Dreads with 2x TL AC are the most generally effective ranged dreadnoughts against the widest variety of targets, on top of being one of the most long-ranged (which makes it much easier to keep your Dread alive). It's main weaknesses are against TEQ and AV13+ vehicles.

I do think that Dreads are a much better nowadays as a melee unit, especially as part of a drop pod army. With 4 S10 AP2 attacks, you'll do way more damage in melee than you ever could at long range. Devastators, Cents and Predators are better at that long-ranged stuff anyhow.

One thing to look into is the Contemptor Dreadnought. They can run 2x Kheres Assault Cannons and a shoulder-mounted Cyclone Missile Launcher, which is waaaay more firepower than even two regular Dreadnoughts can muster .

Twice the firepower at twice the price though? It’s been a while since I’ve seen the rules for those guys, but kited out like that aren’t we talking land raider prices? And if you want a super shooty dread and are including FW, the Deadro is also an option.

Remember, that only the standard astartes book gave dreadnoughts 4 attacks. BA, DA and SW still only have 2.

I just take an Assault Cannon on mine if I have the points, or leave it bare bones (MM + PF).

It doesn't do much. I just like the model a lot.

I generally do 2 with MM and power fist with heavy flamer in a drop pod. Nice and TAC, if it survives to turn 2 it can assault with 5 S10ap2 attacks on the charge.

If not, well then they didn't shoot my grav devastators!

 gwarsh41 wrote:
Remember, that only the standard astartes book gave dreadnoughts 4 attacks. BA, DA and SW still only have 2.

Along with Contemptors too. They seriously need that update.

Did Dark Angels Dreads not get the upgrade to 4 attacks?

They did.

 Lord Commissar wrote:
I remember when 2 TL autocannons on a dreadnought was extremely OP and represented the pinnacle of firepower.



.........We didnt know, we just......didnt know.

QFT.

I would still not hesitate to take a Rifleman (2xTLAC) in any Space Marine list.
TLLC/ML would be my second choice for a backfield Dread.

For podding or escorting units downrange, I'd probably stick to DCCW/Ranged weapon of choice. Four str10 ap2 attacks is just too much fun to pass on.

Now that you mention it, MM, HF, PF in a pod seems a solid choice for new marines...shame it's not for BA :(

D

 UltraTacSgt wrote:
I would still not hesitate to take a Rifleman (2xTLAC) in any Space Marine list. .

I wonder if the Stalker tank isn't a better buy these days.

Just as durable but cheaper.
It's hard to weigh the value of skyfire as it can shift dramatically depending on who you are fighting.

 minigun762 wrote:

 UltraTacSgt wrote:
I would still not hesitate to take a Rifleman (2xTLAC) in any Space Marine list. .

I wonder if the Stalker tank isn't a better buy these days.

Just as durable but cheaper.
It's hard to weigh the value of skyfire as it can shift dramatically depending on who you are fighting.

That’s very meta dependent. If you plan of facing a lot of skimmers.flyers/FMCs, then yes. But if you are shooting at ground targets, you will probably land about one hit a round. The rifleman will average slightly better then that shooting skyward at flyers, but not by much. The stalker is a bit cheeper though, so it has that going for it.

Durability is questionable. Sure, they are both AV12 primarily, but if someone tries to plant a krack grenade on a dread, they are going to get kicked in the face. Stalker is just going to eat it on the rear armor.

Ease of incorperating into lists is another point. It’s not hard to slot dreads in, as the demi-co has a free spot for them. AA tanks either need to eat a HS slot in a CAD or take their own formation.

Dreads also have chapter tactics, which can matter in some cases.

If I was going to run a rifleman dread in my DA list, I would probably just go ahead and make it a Mortis Dreadnought. Makes a decent AA platform then. Does anyone know where I can get the actual rules for a Mortis?

I've heard good things about the dual Autocannon and Lascannon/Missile Launcher Dreads. And if you want super shooty fun with your Dreads you might want to try and find the FW rules for the Mark V Mortis, Mortis Contemptor and Deredeo Dreads, all of which gain Skyfire and Interceptor when they stand still. The former is the closest to a normal Dread in design and points price.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 ZergSmasher wrote:
If I was going to run a rifleman dread in my DA list, I would probably just go ahead and make it a Mortis Dreadnought. Makes a decent AA platform then. Does anyone know where I can get the actual rules for a Mortis?

All the fancy Loyalist Dreads are in IA2.

The Mortis Mk 5 is a good choice if you want 2x Lascannons as well. It also uses the regular Dreadnought model, so you don't even have to proxy anything.