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I'm sure there's a thread all ready but here we go. Has any one developed an opinion on deff dreads in 8th edition? I didn't like them previously since it felt like you had to guard them half the game just to get them in place. As well as taking on heavy support for each one. Now you can make a mob of 3 and seem more survivable. So just wondering what your thoughts of them in 8th are and how you're using them?

If I play Orks I'll take one. If only because I've converted it myself, starting way back when all I had to compete with it was my cardboard Dreadnought from the2nd edition Starter. Finished it up lately and need to paint it, but it's going in the list no matter how bad it might be, rules-wise.

BigChalupa wrote:
I'm sure there's a thread all ready but here we go. Has any one developed an opinion on deff dreads in 8th edition? I didn't like them previously since it felt like you had to guard them half the game just to get them in place. As well as taking on heavy support for each one. Now you can make a mob of 3 and seem more survivable. So just wondering what your thoughts of them in 8th are and how you're using them?

Eh. Shooting is mediocre and number of attacks aren't that impressive, even if you get rid of all the shooting. It seems mostly to exist so the enemy has something to shoot melta and lascannons at.

I was okay with them in my last game - brought two of them, one cheap with big shootas, another with an extra Klaw and a Rokkit.

I'll tell you, I missed not having a Skorcha on there. The Rokkit just never connects, so not worth it on Deff Dreads. Big shootas were okay, they need the volume of fire, so a cheap Deff Dread isn't a bad choice.

The T7 helps them shrug off quite a bit, and they have a good save, so they lasted a lot longer than previously.

They do benefit from a Waaagh Banner nearby, so something to consider.

I feel my mobz of Killa Kanz did better, but i think having one klanking along with a mob of boyz is worthwhile.

Yeah I always thought dredds were just target practice and shame they sound like they kind of still are. I don't mean to get off topic but I do have a question about the waaagh banner. It looks like the nob with waaagh banner is an independent elite. So even though he's not a character I don't have to attach him to a squad right? So I can stick them around a mob of choppas?

They're quite expensive but have really improved their performance over 6 and 7 edition. They'd be great if were 20-30% cheaper but as is seem quite overpriced for their durability. But keep in mind that orks really lack punch vs tough multi-wound targets and dreads can fill this niche. But fighting ranged opponents is still tricky with them as speed is still very low and durability vs anti-tank weapons is not that great for points. A rhino is tougher than a dread and is around 30-40% cheaper depending on the dread loadout.

They are expensive points wise but if i use them, i take at least 3 to 4 and they always do right by me. I arm them with 2 klaws and big shootas.

So my current dred list is thus; (roughly)

Brigade;
Meka-dred (for the KFF)
Gorkanaut
Kanz
Grots
Grot tanks (as they are FA) / or deffkoptas
Weirdboyz
Banner nob
Runtherd

That gives you the brigade requirements, gives you a KFF save on a better platform than the morka, as the morka's shooting is a little unpredictable. You have a large kanz unit for shielding your banner nob and weirdboyz. The grots are for teleportin' and for giving you the mortal wound smite spam. Runtherds for filling out those elite slots without wasting too many points. Gorka for krumpin' vehicles with the meka.

I LOVE dreds, but as many have pointed out - they aren't great weapons platforms (with the -1BS on advance), so rokkits are wasted, only useful thing would be skorcha. But id rather take kanz. Dred's also wont benefit as much from the banner nob, as he's only +1 attack. so by having more kanz you benefit more.