Chaplain Dreadnought

A Chaplain Dreadnought is a variant of the standard Imperial Dreadnought combat walker used by the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. Dreadnoughts are cybernetic combat walkers that house the mortal remains of a fallen Space Marine hero so that he may continue fighting for the Emperor and his Chapter even after his body has been fatally crippled. Chaplain Dreadnoughts are also considered a variant of the Venerable Dreadnought, as all Chaplain Dreadnoughts are just as highly venerated by their Chapter. Chaplain Dreadnoughts differ from standard Imperial Dreadnoughts in that their occupants are Astartes Chaplains. A Chaplain is a specialist officer of the Adeptus Astartes that serves as the appointed spiritual leader of a Space Marine Chapter. Chaplains are the warrior-priests that administer to the spiritual well-being of their fellow Battle-Brothers, instilling in them the values and beliefs of the Chapter and promote the veneration or in rarer cases the actual worship of the Emperor of Mankind. When a Chaplain falls in battle and is damaged beyond repair they may be placed in a Dreadnought, as Chaplains offer their Battle-Brothers unparalleled spiritual leadership, a Chaplain afforded the honor of transforming into a Dreadnought becomes a highly respected living shrine to the glory of the Chapter. Chaplain Dreadnoughts are unwavering in their faith and conviction and show righteous hate for the enemies of Mankind, they will take to the field of battle with their vox and speaker systems shouting a booming oratory that stokes the fires of worth in the hearts of his Battle-Brothers. Much like Venerable Dreadnoughts, Chaplain Dreadnoughts are veterans of countless wars and have gained vast amounts of knowledge and insight into the ways of war in the course of their long lifetimes. These warriors have such faith in the Emperor that they become almost impervious to damage, and can only truly be stopped by the complete and total destruction of their armoured sarcophagus. These Dreadnoughts will use their wisdom and spiritual teachings to shape generation after generation of new Space Marines for their Chapter.

Armament
Chaplain Dreadnoughts can be armed the same way as all other Dreadnoughts. Chaplain Dreadnoughts are usually armed with a Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon and a long-range weapon arm. The most common close-combat weapons found on these Dreadnoughts are a bladed version of the common Dreadnought Powerfist sometimes referred to as a Dreadnought Power Claw, these weapons are most common on Dreadnoughts of any type that utilise the Mark IV Dreadnought chassis. There are rarer patterns of Dreadnought Powerfists that take the shape of a four-fingered human hand, and ever rarer ones still that feature a full five fingers. These rare patterns allow Dreadnoughts the use of an opposable thumb, allowing a greater degree of accuracy when picking up objects or enemies. Chaplain Dreadnoughts can take any of the long-range weapon arms used by other Dreadnoughts, such as twin-linked Lascannons, Heavy Bolters, Heavy Flamers, or Autocannons, along with weapons such as Plasma Cannons, Flamestorm Cannons, Assault Cannons, and Multi-Meltas. The walker can fore go the use of long-range weapons and be armed with two Dreadnought Close Combat Weapons. Much like all Dreadnoughts, Chaplain Dreadnought close-combat weapons are usually outfitted with either in-built weaponry or weapons that are attached to the underside of the walker's chassis, such as a Storm Bolter or a Heavy Flamer. Chaplain Dreadnoughts can also be outfitted with extra armour plating, usually in the form of ostentatious icons of gold that depict the entombed warrior's status as a Chaplain and spiritual leader. Chaplain Dreadnoughts are similar in appearance to a Chaplain's Power Armour, such as being all black in color and having a skull shaped helmet and bone iconography. These Dreadnoughts can also be equipped with both searchlights and smoke launchers and any other upgrades that may be unique their respective Chapter.

Known Chaplain Dreadnoughts
The following are all known Imperial Chaplain Dreadnoughts:
 * Nalr - Nalr is a Chaplain Dreadnought of the Red Scorpions Space Marine Chapter. Nalr fought with his Chapter during the Siege of Vraks against the Vraksian Traitor Militia and the Forces of Chaos.
 * Titus - Titus was a Chaplain Dreadnought of the Howling Griffons Space Marine Chapter, Chaplain Dreadnought Titus fought alongside his Chapter during the Badab War where was destroyed by the forces of the Executioners Chapter. The Howling Griffons found that the Executioners had honoured the Chaplain Dreadnought's sacrifice by laying out the wreck of his sarcophagus within a ring of broken weapons, and placing one of their own shattered standards in the warmachine's lifeless grasp.

Also See

 * Imperial Vehicles

Gallery
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