Full Dread army suggestions

[General Strike]

While I'm waiting for the full Primaris range to be released, I'm considering my other army options while I wait. One that I have been considering is a full or near full dread army. Using Techmarines as HQs, and using the Vanguard Detachment to run a bunch of Dreadnoughts of various equipment. What is your suggestion for loadouts, which dreads to take, and what short comings the army will have?

 

The biggest issue I see right now is lack of bodies, this edition really favors from massed bodies, and most elite armies will suffer against horde armies. This isn't really a new thing, but it's very pronounced this edition.

[LucidNinja]

So you could go full dreadnought, take a blood angels librarian and/or forgeworld Chaplain. I like the look of assault cannon, auto cannon dreads as the most versatile, I think venerables are great upgrades. All the forgeworld dreads take up heavy slots I believe and so could fit more into a detachment, contemptor mortiss come to mind

[General Strike]

Here's the list that I've made so far.

 

Vanguard Detachment #1

 

HQ

Tech-Marine on Bike: Servo-Harness, Combi-Melta, Power Axe

 

Elites

 

Contemptor Dreadnought: Kheres Pattern Assault Cannon, Dreadnought CCW w/ storm bolter

 

4x Venerable Dreadnoughts: Assault Cannon, Twin Autocannon

 

Heavy

 

Contemptor Mortis Dreadnought: 2x Twin Lascannons

 

Vanguard Detachment #2

 

HQ

 

Techmarine on Bike: Combi-Plasma, Servo-Harness, Power Sword

 

Elites

 

2x Venerable Dreadnoughts: Assault Cannon, Missile Launcher

 

2x Venerable Dreadnoughts: Twin Lascannon, Twin Autocannon

 

Heavy

 

Contemptor Mortis Dreadnought: 2x Kheres Assault Cannons

 

That's 1988 out of 2000 points.

[Andrés Pacheco]

Maybe try to squeeze in a Deredeo for the ++ bubble? And I understand the use of tech marines as HQ, but with that many BS2+ shots, maybe a captain might be valuable for the rerolls. Just suggestions though, appreciate they're more mechanical than thematic.

 

Bjorn might make a good HQ too, pricey for sure, but you get some buffs and a very resilient dread to boot.

[Kua]

Also, with a 3rd HQ you could grab another CP.

 

But aren’t there a little few close combat dreads?

[General Strike]

@ Andrés: I do love the deredeo model, I could try to squeeze it in.

 

@ Kua: You're right, I can do a third Vanguard detachment.

 

I moved them around and adjusted them.

 

Vanguard Detachment #1

 

HQ

 

Tech-Marine on bike: Servo-Arm, Combi-Plasma, Power Sword

 

Elites

 

3x Venerable Dreadnoughts: Assault Cannon, Twin Autocannons

 

Heavy

 

Contemptor Mortis Dreadnought: 2x Twin Lascannons

 

Vanguard Detachment #2

 

HQ

 

Captain on Bike: Combi-Plasma, Lightning Claws

 

Elites

 

Venerable Dreadnought: Assault Cannon, Missile Launcher

 

2x Venerable Dreadnoughts: Twin Lascannons, Twin Autocannons

 

Vanguard Detachment #3

 

HQ

 

Tech-Marine on Bike: Servo-Arm, Combi-Grav, Power Sword

 

Elites

 

Ironclad Dreadnought: Chainfist, Meltagun, Hurricane Bolter, Assault Launchers, Hunter Killer Missile

 

2x Venerable Dreadnoughts: Twin Heavy Flamers, CCW w/ Storm Bolter.

[Jacques Corbin]

Maybe take a a Stormraven or 2 to drop in Ironclads. I would kit the basic dreads with Autocannons or Lascannons and Missile Launcher. Have the Venerables walk/run for midfield objectives with their Assault Cannons and Flamers. I agree, a Techmarine on a bike is mandatory. Consider taking a Thunderfire Cannon in a Heavy slot or 2. It's yet another Techmarine to camp near your fire support Dreadnoughts, and it would mitigate your problems with hordes. This edition, the gun is a vehicle that shoots using its own profile, the Techmarine just has to stay close, so he can fix it or a nearby Dreadnought, if he himself has no targets in range.

[Zeratil]

The FW Chaplain dread is an HQ if you want to go full dread. There are also a couple of named dreadnoughts in the FW book, specifically a Minotaur and a Salamander.

[CCE1981]

Don't forget about Bjorn.

[General Strike]

@ Jacques: Here is a list taking into account your advice.

 

Vanguard Detachment #1

 

HQ

 

Captain on Bike: Combi-Plasma, Power Sword

 

Elites

 

2x Dreadnoughts: Missile Launchers, Twin Autocannon

 

2x Dreadnoughts: Missile Launchers, Twin Lascannons

 

Ironclad Dreadnought: Assault Launchers, Chainfist, DCCW with Storm Bolter, Heavy Flamer

 

Heavy

 

2x Thunderfire Cannons

 

Flyer

 

Stormraven Gunship: 2x Hurricane Bolters, Twin Assault Cannon, Twin Heavy Bolter

 

 

Vanguard Detachment #2

 

HQ

 

Tech-Marine on Bike: Combi-Flamer, Servo-Arm, Power Sword

 

Elites

 

3x Venerable Dreadnoughts: Assault Cannons, DCCW with Heavy Flamers.

 

 

 

While this list seems more diverse, with the stormraven and it's deopping the ironclad, as well as the shoot anywhere thunderfires, it does lower my dread count to 8. Do you think the increased advantage from the raven and cannons makes up for less Dreads?