Ancients of the Legions: Dreadnoughts in 30k

Dreadnoughts in the Legions

Pretty much every 30k (and 40k) gamer loves the story, look and effectiveness of marine dreadnoughts on the the table. These machines boast an exceptional stat line and can pack a vast array of potent weaponry making them a potential game changer when used in the right way. I'm going to give my views and experiences on some of the best ways to utilise and deploy your dreadnoughts in 30k

I always model and play as if the fluff and background of the 30k/40k world is happening right there. Its what the game and hobby was about when i first started playing in 1989 and i have always kept that feel since. To me that means dreadnoughts aren't just effective anti flyer platforms or an extra force org slot to get heavy weapons in, but ancient heroic Astartes who have been gifted the honour and curse and being able to continue the fight in a dreadnought chassis for their legion. These guys have experiences in battle above their normal brethren and can bring that experience to their companies and commanders. Also just because they are interred into and armoured shell and given power beyond any normal marine doesn't make them a powerful yet expendable piece like a rook or bishop in chess. That's just my view.....

There are a vast array of ways to use dreadnoughts in the game but i am going to simplify into two categories. Offensive or Non-offensive, or in other terms, assault or support. 

ASSAULT:

In simple terms this group refers to the dreadnought that likes to close range, typically to engage in melee. This might seem like the natural place for a dreadnought to be and rightly so. Supported properly a dreadnought can easily collapse a flank and turn a game around. 

The obvious choice is the Elite choice of a Contemptor talon or a Heavy choice of the new Leviathan Siege Dreadnought. Both offer the best in armour and close range armament an assault dread would need. The key thing for assault dreads is speed and support. A dread that can get into assault quickly is fine but if unsupported it can be bogged down until something that CAN hurt it comes along. Contemptors are well equipped for this having the fleet rule which helps if deployed on foot. Alternatively the other option is aerial insertion by drop pod.

To keep each dreadnought cheap, twin claws is a good option. Each fist is still armed with an array of close range deadly weapons which can still do some damage on various targets at range. However the benefit of a second claw is only a extra melee attack (not considering the special weapon) so if the points are spare, a heavier ranged weapon might add some extra punch to the assault dread. Flamestorm cannons, multi meltas, plasma cannons, volkite culverin or assault cannons are all good options. One of the main benefits of arming your assault dread in such a way is that it will significantly increase its threat value as it can significantly engage other valuable targets with dangerous results. This will mean the enemy will most probably attempt to destroy your assault dread with more enthusiasm. The overall result being your standard marines get some of the heat taken off them, allowing them to get onto objectives with less hassle. This is the true role of an assault dread. Blowing things up and flipping tanks is great, but to do that AND protect and support your smaller power armoured brethren (and survive) is the key to assault dreads.

• Close range heavy weapons increases the effectiveness of their strategic role.
• They should be delivered or be able to move fast in order to reduce incoming fire.
• armoured and shielded dreads are best suited for this role.
• they should never be isolated and should have ample support to eliminate the things that would kill them.

SUPPORT:

This category of dreads refers to those who provide fire power and presence in a supporting fashion. Deredeo pattern dreadnoughts is a perfect example of this sort of dread though others such as the Mortis pattern and even the Leviathan can fulfil this role.

Weaponry that has range and power is the preferred kit for this sort of dread. Anything from 24" and up is the range these guys want to be engaging in.These guys want to be hitting targets of choice with impunity and the key to that is range and power. Usually these dreads are tailored to kill a particular type of enemy and this can sometimes, though not very often reduce their efficacy once they have taken out their target.

The Support dread often packs as much fire power as a battle tank, but is slightly slower. He makes up for this by being a walker and being able to make better use of terrain. Also a slightly smaller profile allows him to utilise cover slightly better. This means that a support dread, although not as speedy in open ground, is more manoeuvrable in dense terrain, which can make a difference when needed to obtain a new firing position quickly in the backline for when say outflanking or deepstriking enemy threaten a rear objective. The primary purpose of these dreadnoughts is to eliminate a high value target at range as quickly as possible, often the lynchpin to an enemies battle plan. Taking out that spartan full of elite troops first turn and forcing them to cross no mans land in the open or dropping that storm eagle that's busting your tanks and dropping a scoring unit in your back line. When used in that effect a single turn of shooting from a support dread can turn the tide of battle. Sometimes waiting for that shot is key to victory as well.

• long range big guns are the weapons for support dreads.
• target high value targets at range.
• will often operate alone in the backlines.
• need to use cover and terrain to shield from enemy threats.