Ironclad Dreadnought

The Ironclad Dreadnought is a specialised variant of the standard Imperial Dreadnought combat walker that is 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. Dreadnoughts are classified in several different ways, the most common of which is simply by their armament. Standard Dreadnoughts are equipped with a long-range weapon such as an Assault Cannon in place of one of their arms and their other is tipped with a Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon, such as an enlarged Powerfist. The Ironclad Dreadnought variant was designed for heavy close-combat fighting and siege warfare similar to the Siege Dreadnought, yet the Ironclad Dreadnought is more common. Ironclad Dreadnoughts sacrifice versatility and firepower for an even greater amount of armoured protection and powerful dedicated siege weaponry, and while they may not be as effective as the Siege Dreadnought in close-quarters, street-to-street city fighting, they more than make up for it by way of powerful close-combat weaponry and extreme durability.

Armament
The Ironclad Dreadnought variant is most commonly armed with powerful dedicated close-combat and siege warfare weaponry, usually a Seismic Hammer and a specialised Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon. The Seismic Hammer, unlike the Assault Drill carried by Siege Dreadnoughts, does not drill through a wall, it instead pulverises it into rubble. The Ironclad Dreadnought's Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon is armed with an in-build Storm Bolter for fighting enemy infantry that are too far away for close-combat. There are two known variants of the Seismic Hammer that are known to be used by Ironclad Dreadnoughts, the most common takes the form of a large fist-like armature that uses high-powered hydraulics to extend outwards with extreme force, smashing anything it comes into contact with, this pattern is capable of being outfitted with either an Heavy Flamer or a Meltagun, the weapon is attached beneath the hammer itself. The second pattern, which is much less common than the first takes the form of a long metal housing that holds the hydraulic ram inside, the ram ends in a shape similar to an eagle's head, the ram extends outwards when fired and smashes into its target with extreme force, this pattern is also capable of being equipped with either a Heavy Flamer or a Meltagun, but unlike the first pattern this pattern's weapons are installed onto the bottom corner of the Dreadnought's sarcophagus. The Ironclad Dreadnought can also have the Strom Bolter built into its Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon replaced with a Heavy Flamer. The walker can have its entire Dreadnought Close Combat arm replaced with a Hurricane Bolter, or have its Seismic Hammer can be replaced with a Dreadnought Chainfist. The Ironclad Dreadnought variant is always outfitted with a searchlight, smoke launchers, and extra armoured plating, but can also be equipped with up to two Hunter-Killer Missile Launchers and Ironclad Assault Launchers.

Notable Users of the Ironclad Dreadnought

 * Mantis Warriors - The Mantis Warriors Space Marine Chapter made use of Ironclad Dreadnoughts during the Badab War against Imperial Forces.
 * Salamanders - The Salamanders Space Marine Chapter made use of Ironclad Dreadnoughts during the Badab War against Secessionist Forces.
 * Minotaurs - The Minotaurs Space Marine Chapter made use of Ironclad Dreadnoughts during the Badab War against Secessionist Forces.
 * Red Scorpions - The Red Scorpions Space Marine Chapter made use of Ironclad Dreadnoughts during the Badab War against Secessionist Forces.
 * Ultramaines - The Ultramarines Space Marine Chapter has been known to make use of Ironclad Dreadnoughts.

Also See

 * Imperial Vehicles

Gallery
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