Unit of the Week: Chaplain Venerable Dreadnought

[Jolemai]

Welcome to part two of the Blood Angels Unit of the Week Series!

Following the release of the 9^th edition Supplement, there is no better time to discuss all the units we have access to. Each week a different unit will appear, with the idea being that we discuss how best to use that model on the battlefield. Where part one will focus on the unique BA units and part two will focus on BA units that are new to this edition of the Codex, part three will discuss how to get the best use the generic units from the past that are still with us (and that many of us have in our armies still), and part four will discuss the Legends units that we still own and love. Finally, part five will be dedicated to the reinforcements from Forge World.

Note, this isn't to lament any nerfs, etc, from previous editions; the rules are as they are so try to unlock its potential for those who wish to use them all the same. Similarly, this thread is only for using the option being discussed; it matters not if you feel something is a better choice as such comments aren't constructive to the topic and shall be removed.

Without further ado, here's this week's entry:

Chaplain Venerable Dreadnought

What are you thoughts here folks? How best would you use your Chaplain Dreadnought?

• To compliment a list, or to build a list around? Will the beta rules affect your list(s)?
• Will you be running multiples? Footslog or transport?
• How are you buffing this unit? Will it babysit anything?
• What Wargear Options do you prefer and how much does it depend on the above choices?
• Stratagem synergy or note? What Litanies of Battle will you choose?

Over to you

Please note that Death Company Dreadnought, Dreadnought, Furioso Dreadnought, Ironclad Dreadnought, Librarian Dreadnought, Mortis Dreadnought, Siege Dreadnought, and Venerable Dreadnought will be discussed elsewhere

Edited November 14, 2021 by Jolemai

[Jolemai]

Should you want your model on display here (or on another thread from the series), then submit a photo here please.

[BloodyB]

An amazing upgrade from the standard venerable, even moreso with access to the very aggressive and short ranged Inferno cannon. Combined with a 5+ invulnerable save and a shrug, and you have an exceptional assault platform for almost any threat. Then you remember it has Litanies of Battle.

 

Oh my Emperor! Litanies! Having such a tough platform throw out Litanies is just so much fun. Which litany is tricky, but throwing +1 to wound on a strength 6, damage 2 AP-2 flamer is always fun, and if you happen to have popped Wisdommof the Ancients, then you can immolate MSU MEQ squads in the span of a single shooting phase.

 

These are nowhere near as broken as in 8th, but honestly, they are still so good. I have fielded a dreadnought army with one of these, a Libby dread and a smorgasbord of thoroughly incensed stompybois. I had an awful lot of fun. My opponent less so.

 

Honestly though, the reason this dreadnought exists is to lead other dreadnoughts. Yes, the prayers work on any core units, and yes, it has a near identical profile to the venerable dread, but I'm right.

 

If you couldn't tell, I absolutely love dreadnoughts, and special ones like this even moreso, and I can tell you I am very, very biased. But even still, get one of these, and if you can't, convert one. If that doesn't work paint the words 'Chaplain Dreadnought' on a regular dreadnought base. They are that much fun to use.

[XeonDragon]

I got one of these as an eBay rescue literally a week before they were moved officially to legends. I'd love to see them come back as regular units, albeit with a heft points increase to reflect just how awesome they were/are :)

[Xenith]

Love the chappy dread and will be making one at somepoint. In 8th, I thought the lascannons were the best option to take advantage of untargetable BS2+, but I think multimeltas are now the way to go, CHARACTER for LOS!, and BS2+ melta is a winning combo.