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Aside from the Rifleman Dread (which I believe to be the best all around load-out for a normal dreadnought) what is the best use/armaments for a Dread in a competitive type list?

To narrow it down a bit, I would ask that you consider this dread to not be coming in a Drop Pod (unless you really think that is the flat out best use for them, in that case, feel free to make your argument).

Side Question a.k.a The Reason I Ask
I am going to run two dreads in a 1500pt all comers list in an upcoming tourney. It's a FLGS tourney so it isn't ultra-competitive, but I still want to hold it down for C:SM's everywhere and the Big E.

List basics: Mobile Element - 2 Mounted Tac squads, 2 Vindicators, GoI TLib+Stern. Firebase Element: 2 Dreads, 2 Typhoons, Scouts, LC Tac combat squad.

One dread will be a Rifleman; with the other I am thinking TL-LC and either ML or DCCW/HF. I want the LC for the long range Anti-Armor but I'd be willing to listen to other ideas. As for the other weapon I see it like this: ML adds to ranged Anti Armor (the main role) but is a bit lackluster being Heavy 1. DCCW/HF lets the Dread be a good babysitter for the firebase/home objective should the enemy DS/Pod/Outflank, and if there are no good LC targets, the dread can lumber forwards to support the mobile elements.

What do you think?

I have always liked the lascannon on the dread. Its twinlinked, and can move and shoot. Very nice.

The rifleman dread is really awesome and probably the best loadout.

Drop podding is also pretty effective. Give him the basic multi-melta, and a heavy flamer on the left hand. If its tank heavy drop him near the biggest one. If infantry heavy, blast some people with the flamer. Plus its something that your opponent can't really ignore on their doorstep.

What's your opinion on something like a plasma cannon?

If you can access and afford FW, or play someone willing to allow you to test by proxy, try out a Mortis Contemptor Dreadnought.

Though expensive, they have BS 5, FA 13, a 5+ invul to shooting, and get AA when stationary.

I use one with 2x Kheres Assault Cannons, and a CML to good effect. Either stand it midfield behind partial cover or use it to cover you're backfield.

Anything that deep strikes / infiltrates near your firebase will get 12 S6 Rending shots to the face, not much survives that, and even AR 12 fliers must beware as every 6 you roll is an auto pen

I would argue for a drop-pod Contemptor with two CCW, but you'd need a Lucius pod to be fully effective.

Hope that helps

For me, the only dread loadouts I like using C:SM are Riflemen and Ironclads. While powerful, the TL Lascannon is expensive, and the ML is definitely not worth the 25 point cost. Additionally, if you want to pod a dreadnought, the Ironclad is usually the best choice. The fact that the meltagun has half the range of the multi-melta is balanced by the fact that you get a 6" deployment from the drop pod, AV13 makes the Ironclad much more survivable, and it has an additional attack in close combat (plus you get your choice of + 1 to the damage table or re-rolling to pen).

I don't consider myself a very competitive person, but I generally field my dreads in a couple ways.

Assault Cannon/ DCCW(SB) This guy is classic (and a chunk of metal, so fixed) He works well for advancing across the table, or backfield security. He's flexible, and gets the job done. He's my go-to dread for when I am in the mood to field one, but don't have a specific role I need filled.

TLLC/ML Fire support dread. Sits back, preferably in cover, and blows things up. I generally take him when I feel my list is lacking in long range firepower.

Ironclad. Drop and crush.

(I like the concept of a MM/DCCW(HF) drop dread, but don't own one.)

If I want a plasma cannon, I'd take sternguard, Devs, or a tac squad. Plenty of other places to get it into a list.

I used this for several years, and it was both fun and competitive. Take a techmarine with a conversion beamer. Dreadnoughts are now heavy and elite. Take three ironclads with forge world Lucius Pattern dreadnought drop pods. They are assault vehicles, so the ironclads can drop pod in and assault on the same turn. The other three are in regular drop pods. I used ironclad all around with heavy flamers, but a meltagun is fine. These come in turn 2 as reinforcements. For troops, take 6 squads of scout snipers with camo cloaks. The techmarine can bolster defenses, with luck they will have 2+ cover saves. The rest of the points go to whatever you want, but I usually took speeders and a 2nd techmarine. Unussually good synergy.

 The Sarducci wrote:
Take a Master of the Forge with a conversion beamer.

FTFY

Yesterday I played in a doubles tournament with my SOB ally. He is a big fan of the fortress of redemption. I took a TLLC/ML dread and stuck him on top of the tower. Quite the sniper's perch up there. Out of reach of melta and assault, the ability to shoot over pretty much all terrain.

We came in second, in a very close day. The dread pulled his weight, and there were a number of times I was glad for the power of S8 and 9 hits, rather then just handfuls of 7s. With night falling on the last turn, he glanced a hull point off of a chaos LR, and spotlighted it for the rest of the army to finish the job, tabling them.

This is my FLGS, not some hyper competitive national level tournament. But there were a dozen guys there who wanted to win, and a bit of store credit as prizes for those who made it to the winner's circle.

Speaking of which, half of the team that did win was a 5 ironclad drop army (partnered with enough orks to literally carpet their deployment zone) 1,200 points per person, so that was basically his whole army.

It depends on your army loadout:

1. Riflemen Dread - good in any list. Provides good anti-air and anti- non heavy armor. 48" range gives it good stand off.

2. Ironclad - great for drop podding and terminator support. AV13 gives it good survivability.

3. Dread - MM/HF An Ironclad with better range but poorer AV. Given enough support to keep stuff off of it it is superior.

4. Plasma Cannon Dread - Only viable for chaos since they don't have many options for Plasma Cannons.

All other options are weak as there are other options to put them on the table.

On the topic of dreads, does anyone have thoughts on the two arms nobody talk about: the TLHB and the TLHF? I know there are no bits for them, so you'd have to kit bash, but is there any reason to take them?

The HB is pure trash. For 5 points more you get the TLAC, which offers a lot more. There are many, better, ways to get more HBs into your army.

But the flamer has me thinking. TLHF/DCCW(HF) is the obvious build. In a drop pod, by preference. Cost is going to be the same as the typical MM drop dread. You loose the potential to crack open a tank on the drop for OMG The burning and the pain! Salamanders, and other pyros, are the kind of people who should like this idea. The problem is that Vulcan lists get their TLd magic, making the MM reliable, and TLing the off hand flamer. So I think the only niche we have here is non- vulcan salamander lists.
One thing to consider is that cover saves seem to be on the rise. And nothing says "I'm sorry, were you hiding behind that?" like a few gallons of flaming promethium.

The TLHB is a carryover from 2nd ed when the HB fired what was essentially 2D3 shots, and TL=twice the number of shots, so 4D3 shots that themselves caused multiple wounds (back before instant death existed).

Sucks now, not that the HB is a bad weapon, but like you said 5 points nets you a TLAC, which is just more useful.

TLHF/DCCW+HF in a pod is just like gah!

To the OP, I think the dreads work in your army, just go DCCW+HF on the TLLC one, you'd be amazed how many armies throw stuff right into your lines and how good the DCCW is at splattering them.

I'd recommend for your list going with two dreads with twin linked lascannons. This will give you an extra two assault elements in your home base area, something you lack atm.

TL-LC+DCCW w/ HF