A Hellfire Dreadnought of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter during combat
The Hellfire Dreadnought, also known as the Hellfire Pattern Dreadnought, is a common variant of the standard Dreadnought combat walker used by the Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes and their Chaos Space Marine counterparts. Dreadnoughts are cybernetic walking war-machines 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 crippled. Dreadnoughts are classified is 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 arm ends with a Dreadnought Close-Combat Weapon, such as a enlarged Powerfist. The Hellfire pattern Dreadnought sacrifices its close-range offensive weapon arm for a Missile Launcher, changing its battlefield role from close or medium range heavy support to a fire-support role. The Hellfire Dreadnought's Missile Launcher is able of carrying up to 8 Krak Missiles that are capable of causing severe damage to enemy vehicles, and unlike the Missile Launchers carried by the Space Marine infantry the Dreadnought is fully capable of firing accurately while moving. The Hellfire Dreadnought is capable of using any weapon other than a Dreadnought Close-Combat Weapon or another Missile Launcher as its other weapon arm, as a Dreadnought using those two weapons will be classified as either a standard Dreadnought or a Mortis Dreadnought respectively.
Armament
A Hellfire Dreadnought firing its Missile Launcher during combat
The Hellfire Dreadnought is always equipped with two long-range weapon arms, and one is always a Missile Launcher. The Hellfire Dreadnought's other weapon arm can be changed varying on the needs of the Chapter when the Dreadnought is awoken for battle. These weapons can be an Assault Cannon, twin-linked Lascannons, twin-linked Autocannons, a Plasma Cannon, a Multi-Melta, or twin-linked Heavy Bolters. Due to the fact that the Hellfire Dreadnought gives up both of its arms for weapon arms it is unable to carry any smaller weaponry that would normally be located on the bottom or inside of one or both of its arms. The Hellfire Dreadnought, like most other Dreadnoughts can be outfitted with extra armour plating for added protection along with smoke launchers and a searchlight for additional battlefield uses.
Notable Variants
The Dreadnought chassis is such a versatile weapons platform and overall potent machine of war that even its different variants have their own versions of certian patterns, the following are known variants of the Dreadnought that can make use of the Hellfire Pattern:
A Hellfire Dreadnought and a standard Dreadnought of the Grey Knights Chapter
- Hellfire Aegis Dreadnought - The Aegis Dreadnought is a unique specialised variant of the standard Dreadnought Mk IV and V combat walkers that is used exclusively by the Space Marines of the Grey Knights Chapter who are in service to the Inquisition's Ordo Malleus. The Aegis Pattern Dreadnought is equipped with the same special Warp-resistant devices and blessed Aegis Armour that is utilised by the Grey Knights Space Marines themselves, these arcane technologies help protect from the psychic powers of Daemons, Psykers, and Heretics. The Hellfire Dreadnought, being nothing more than a classification of Dreadnought is also applied to the Aegis Dreadnought when it replaces its Dreadnought Close-Combat Weapon with a Missile Launcher. The Hellfire Aegis Dreadnought is capable of using all of the same long-range arm weapons as the standard Dreadnought but can also be equipped with the powerful Psycannon.
- Deathwatch Hellfire Dreadnought - The Deathwatch, the Chamber Militant of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos, also make use of the Hellfire Pattern of the Dreadnought.
- Chaos Hellfire Dreadnought - The Chaos Space Marines also make use of the Hellfire Pattern of the Dreadnought, yet like all things touched by the Ruinous Powers they are twisted and heavily corrupted. The only difference armament wise is that the Chaos Hellfire Dreadnoughts can be equipped with weapons such as Sonic Blasters, and Havoc Missile Launchers which are used only by the followers of the Chaos Gods.
Known Hellfire Dreadnoughts
The following list contains known Dreadnoughts that are or have at one time been classified as Hellfire Dreadnoughts:
- Agies - Agies is a Hellfire Dreadnought of the Ultramarines Space Marine Chapter, and a former Captain of the Ultramarines 2nd Company, Agies is interned inside of a Mk V Dreadnought chassis.
- Deis - Deis is a Hellfire Dreadnought of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter, Deis was mortally wounded during the 3rd Tranquility Campaign and interred inside of a Mk IV Dreadnought chassis.
- Kallas - Kallas is a Hellfire Dreadnought of the Dark Hands Space Marine Chapter. Kallas was one of two Dark Hands Dreadnoughts that supported the 1st Company during the Chinchare Hrud Infestation. Kallas is interred inside of a Mk IV Dreadnought combat chassis.
- Fidelis - Fidelis is a Hellfire Dreadnought of the Grey Knights Space Marine Chapter, FIdelis was critically wounded in combat with Vexcarnel the Blue, also known as "The Beast of Barac". Fidelis is interred within a Mk V Dreadnought chassis.
- Laskho - Laskho is a Hellfire Dreadnought of the Executioners Space Marine Chapter, Laskho fought during the Badab War. Laskho is contained within a Mk V Dreadnought combat chassis.
- The Bow of Ma'dan - The Bow of Ma'dan was a Venerable Dreadnought of the Mantis Warriors Space Marine Chapter, both he and his Mk V Dreadnought chassis were destroyed during the Badab War during the Siege of Endymion Prime.
- Furor - Furor is a Hellfire Dreadnought of the Ultramarines Space Marine Chapter.
Notable Users of the Hellfire Dreadnought
The following list contains known users of the Hellfire Dreadnought pattern:
- Ultramarines - The Ultramarines have made use of several Hellfire Dreadnoughts during different operations and campaigns.
- Dark Angels - The Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during their campaigns.
- Dark Hands - The Dark Hands Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during the 3rd Tranquility Campaign and the Chinchare Hrud Infestation.
- Blood Ravens - The Blood Ravens Space Marines Chapter has been known to make use of Hellfire Pattern Dreadnoughts during their campaigns, including the Dark Crusade and the Kaurava Campaign.
- Executioners - The Executioners Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during the Badab War.
- Mantis Warriors - The Mantis Warriors Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during the Badab War.
- Black Templars - The Black Templars Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during their campaigns.
- Blood Angels - The Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during their campaigns.
- Grey Knights - The Grey Knights Space Marine Chapter has made use of the Hellfire Pattern Dreadnought during many of the campaigns against the enemies of Mankind.
- Crimson Fists - The Crimson Fists Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during their campaigns.
- Salamanders - The Salamanders Space Marine Chapter made use of Hellfire Dreadnoughts during the Badab War.
- Red Scorpions - The Red Scorpions Space Marine Chapter has made use of the Hellfire Dreadnought pattern during their many campaigns.
- Chaos Space Marines - Chaos Space Marine Legions and Warbands such as the Thousand Sons, Iron Warriors, and the Alpha Legion make use of the Hellfire Pattern Dreadnought.
Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications
| Vehicle Name: | Hellfire Dreadnought Mk V | Main Armament: | Weapon Arm-mounted twin-linked Lascannons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Mars | Secondary Armament: | Weapon Arm-mounted Missile Launcher |
| Known Patterns: | I - XXVI | Traverse: | 360 degrees |
| Crew: | 1 Pilot | Elevation: | -90 to 90 degrees |
| Powerplant: | Thermic Reactor | Main Ammunition: | 100 Shots from power pack |
| Weight: | 12 Tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 8 Missiles |
| Length: | 2.2 metres | Armour: | |
| Width: | 3.4 metres | ||
| Height: | 3.7 metres | Superstructure: | 75 millimetres |
| Ground Clearance: | N/A | Hull: | 75 millimetres |
| Max Speed On-Road: | 10 kilometres per hour | Gun Mantlet: | N/A |
| Max Speed Off-Road: | 5 kilometres per hour | Vehicle Designation: | 8681-756-0115-DR 035 |
| Transport Capacity: | N/A | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | N/A |
| Vehicle Name: | Hellfire Dreadnought Mk IV | Main Armament: | Weapon Arm-mounted twin-linked Heavy Bolters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Mars, Incaladion | Secondary Armament: | Weapon Arm-mounted Missile Launcher |
| Known Patterns: | I - V | Traverse: | 360 degrees |
| Crew: | 1 Pilot | Elevation: | -90 to 90 degrees |
| Powerplant: | Thermic Reactor | Main Ammunition: | 2,000 Rounds |
| Weight: | 11 Tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 8 Missiles |
| Length: | 2.2 metres | Armour: | |
| Width: | 3.4 metres | ||
| Height: | 3.7 metres | Superstructure: | 75 millimetres |
| Ground Clearance: | N/A | Hull: | 75 millimetres |
| Max Speed On-Road: | 8 kilometres per hour | Gun Mantlet: | N/A |
| Max Speed Off-Road: | 5 kilometres per hour | Vehicle Designation: | 8681-756-0115-DR 041 |
| Transport Capacity: | N/A | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | N/A |
Also See
Sources
- Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition, pp. 133-134, 136-138, 216-217
- Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One, pp. 56-57, 147
- Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks - Part Two, pg. 168
- Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two, pp. 26, 71, 86
- Imperial Armour Apocalypse, pg. 33
- Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pg. 82
- Codex: Black Templars (4th Edition), pp. 35, 49
- Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pp. 119, 137
- Codex: Blood Angels (5th Edition), pg. 94
- Codex: Grey Knights (5th Edition), pg. 94
- Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition), pg. 87
- Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)
- Dawn of War (PC Game)
- Dawn of War - Dark Crusade (PC Game)
- Dawn of War - Soulstorm (PC Game)
- Dawn of War II (PC Game)
- Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising (PC Game)
- Dawn of War II - Retribution (PC Game)
Gallery
