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I love dreads. Whether they are Space Marine Dreadnoughts, Helbrutes, Ork Deff Dreads, Eldar Wraithlords (which use to be called Eldar Dreadnoughts), Carnifexes (often called the Tyranid equivallent of a dread) or Talos (because that thing is fething awesome), I've always loved them. But it saddens me to see their thunder being stolen by bigger, flashier things.

So here's the challenge: A thunderdome for Dreads. I call upon Dakka to bring forth your best tacticians for your respective Army's dreads and throw out all of the mathhammer and whatnots you have. And some Vassal (or better yet tabletop) battles too to prove your point.

The challenge is so:

You may select 1 Dreadnought-type MODEL (not unit, model) to use for this challenge. No other support units allowed. This is THE THUNDERDOME BABY. Acceptable dreadnought-type models include: Space Marine Dreadnought (vanilla-only, no Mortis, Furioso, Venerable, Contemptor, Ironclads or any other kinds of variant dreads. Yes this includes obscure ones like the Chaplain Dread), Deff Dread, Eldar Wraith Lord, Helbrute, Carnifex, Talos, or Chaos Decimator.

(Note: If you got another one that would fit, give a reason why and I may include it in the list. Generally though, the model should be IMMUNE to S4 fire, have a Power Fist or access to a S10 weapon, be legal as a unit of 1, and have either the MC or Walker rule)
(Note 2: As most of these units predate the 4-attack Space Marine Dreadnought, consider the Space Marine Dreadnought to have a base attack of 2 instead of it's current Attack of 4. You can argue this to hell and high water but as it stands it's a murky position and since no other unit was changed like that, it's just easier to bump the SM dread back to it's original attack. On the plus side, you can select any chapter tactics for it, even iron hands, or from any of the other SM codexes, like Grey Knights).

After you've selected your machine/beast/whatnot, on top of the base cost of your beast, you get 40 points extra to spend on it as per it's unit options. You may NOT:
- Buy a Transport
- Buy additional models to the unit (don't know how this would be possible but still, throwing it in just in case some smartass comes up with a way I didn't foresee)
- Buy your opponent's love and make him/her forfeit.

With all of that, what would your ideal dread build be? Yes you can tailor it specifically to deal with units in this list. If you can, get a table where you can fit all of these models you have 24 inches apart, and RIP AND TEAR until a victor arises!

EDIT: Added Decimators to the list. They're dread-ish without being a huge crab.

Talos are actually strong and can win you games. Especially in corpsthief claw formation. Carnifexes are somewhat fine with shrowded.
I've had some succsess with a murderpack helbrute formation buffed by sorc.
Marine ironclads are not awful in pods.
Deff dreads are just too weak. The only way to make them remotedly playable is in a dreadmob formation but than you're forced to take kanz and naughts that are just awful in non-super-casual games.

Btw, why no transports or squadrons? Odd restriction.

Old One Eye.

He is a beast one on one against vehicles/walkers (if he makes it to CC).

I've also loved the concept of dreads. Ancient warriors kept sentient to continue their fight for The Emperor.

C:SM has some decent dreads now. While not great, giving 4 attacks to a dread is not completely horrible.

The problem is that I can't find a formation that really brings the strength to them. Has someone found a formation that really brings out the bad ass in dreads?

Can I has a Soul Grinder?

However, the clear victor in this deathmatch is of course the mighty Sentinel. Fear the outflanking auto-cannons!

 koooaei wrote:
Btw, why no transports or squadrons? Odd restriction.

Because not all of these have access to transports or squadrons. Plus it's sort of a highlander thing.

As for Sentinels and whatnot, I was thinking of a "WeenieDOME" thing where Sentinels, Penitent Engines, Killa Kans and such are tossed into the meatgrinder too, but those "lesser walkers" get to have units of 3.

And no, no Soul Grinder. He technically fits the bill but the demon crab robot should go play with the big boys.

 MechaEmperor7000 wrote:

 koooaei wrote:
Btw, why no transports or squadrons? Odd restriction.

Because not all of these have access to transports or squadrons. Plus it's sort of a highlander thing.

As for Sentinels and whatnot, I was thinking of a "WeenieDOME" thing where Sentinels, Penitent Engines, Killa Kans and such are tossed into the meatgrinder too, but those "lesser walkers" get to have units of 3.

And no, no Soul Grinder. He technically fits the bill but the demon crab robot should go play with the big boys.

Big Boys? You mean Superheavies (which often attack first, have higher Weapon Skill and Strength D melee)? Or Monstrous Creatures? In which case an Ironclad Dreadnaught is probably better due to higher WS, higher Initiative, more attacks and the ability to get Assault Grenades as well as Chapter Tactics. That's a bit unfair to the poor Soul Grinder :(

Riptides, Trygons, Gorkanauts, etc.

They're *big*.

Can I have a chaos decimator? It seems to fit your criteria.

No Mortis, Contemptor, Ironclad, or Furioso? Good thing you didn't say Leviathan. GG, mate.

probably would go to a shooty dread, such as dual TLAC or ML+TLLC dread as they just keep you at 48" for as long as possible slowly stripping hp from range.

Added the Decimator.

Just looking at attacks, and attack strengths (and ignoring points cost); a Wraithlord with two Brighlances and a Wraithsword would win.
Close second would be a well equipped SM dreadnought.
Then a Talos (If you can get it into Close Combat).

Grey Knight Nemesis DreadKnight, because it fits all of the OP's critiria (ie, it's an MC that is immune to S4 fire and is S10 due to Powerfist and orher DCCW options).

SJ

Onager Dunecrawler with Cognis Manipulator?

Dang my favorite is the gorkanaut... Then the morkanaut... I guess I would have to default to a mega dread then.

BA Librarian Dreadnought w melta gun and mastery 2! He could at least give itself the Quickening and if lucky the Shield of Sanguinius or Wings! And front AV 13 is good.

 jeffersonian000 wrote:
Grey Knight Nemesis DreadKnight, because it fits all of the OP's critiria (ie, it's an MC that is immune to S4 fire and is S10 due to Powerfist and orher DCCW options).

SJ

I agree. Tooled up dreadknight has the potential to take down any of those others. Blast from the psycannon followed by Nemesis Greatsword/Thunderhammer in melee means that it should have a good chance of killing anything on the OP's list. Having an invun save really helps it out here. The walkers might struggle against it with their HP's and vehicle damage table shenanigans.


However, I think the OP needs to be more specific here. The post is about dreadnoughts and I don't think MC's like the carnifex are really that similar. I personally would only include walkers in this challenge and discard MC's.

I love dreads, and I like the challenge, but the one I wanna do was the big marine vs. ork dreadnought battle. It was something like 17 Venerable dreads vs. a small (but still larger then them) Kan/dread mob. Best part is: I nearly have all the dreads I need! MUAHAHAhahaha........ nwo to find an ork palyer with a lot of kans/dreads.

Well it depends on where you are. I'm in Pittsburgh and I have 16 Kans, 5 dreads, and 5 of the orkanauts. So not the most but plenty lol. Also if you can you should look in the waaagh ghazghkull supplement. They have a mission that has both sides use lots of walkers and I think there is one in the red waaagh too.