Ranking the mightiest Dreadnoughts levels in Warhammer 40K to see which players rely on for their firepower and durability!
Updated December 31st, 2024, by Rob Baer with new information and links to relevant content.
When it comes to Warhammer 40k, you can’t ignore the Dreadnoughts—those colossal, armored juggernauts that shuffle across battlefields like they own the place. They smash through buildings and stir up chaos all in the name of the Emperor (or, hey, maybe Chaos or just some good old Orkish fun, if that’s your vibe).
Best of all, we’re about to countdown the top 10 Dreadnoughts that will have you saying, “Why can’t my life be a little more like a giant armored battlesuit?” Take a close look at any of the units we’re going to rank by jumping to any of the sections below, or, just dig in from the beginning!
- Deff Dread (Ork Dreadnought)
- Aeldari Wraithlord (Eldar Dreadnought)
- Brutalis Dreadnought (Space Marines)
- Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought (Imperium)
- Bjorn the Fell-Handed (Space Wolves)
- Chaos Helbrute (Chaos Dreadnought)
- Venerable Dreadnought (Space Marines)
- Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (Adeptus Custodes)
- Redemptor Dreadnought (Primaris Space Marines)
- Leviathan Dreadnought (Space Marines)
Whether you’re a 40k newcomer here from the big Cavill news or Space Marine 2 game admiring their sheer power or a veteran player with tales of these walking war machines in action, Dreadnoughts have an undeniable pull.
Ranking WH40K’s Iconic Walking Tanks
Today, we’re ranking the biggest, baddest, and most fearsome Dreadnoughts Warhammer 40k has to offer in levels by strength.
Whether you’re gearing up for your next battle or just looking to appreciate these armored legends, here’s everything you need to know about the mightiest Dreadnoughts to grace (or desecrate) the tabletop!
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The 10 Strongest Dreadnoughts in WH40k!
10. Deff Dread (Ork Dreadnought)
- Overview: The Deff Dread embodies Ork ingenuity and recklessness, combining raw destructive power with an Ork’s joy for battle. Piloted by a “Big Mek” and built from scrap, it’s a fearsome (if somewhat clunky) war machine.
- Weapons: Often loaded with Big Shootas, Rokkits, and power claws, Deff Dreads are perfect for charging into enemy lines and wreaking havoc. Their weapons are optimized for causing chaos rather than precise strikes.
- Special Abilities: Though it lacks the finesse of Imperial or Aeldari Dreadnoughts, the Deff Dread’s raw force and disregard for its own safety make it a brutal asset, especially effective in overwhelming foes with unrelenting attacks.
- High quality
- Ideal as a gift
- Ideal support for play and imagination
Last update on 2025-01-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Aeldari Wraithlord (Eldar Dreadnought)
- Overview: The Aeldari Wraithlord is an elegant yet deadly construct, often called a “ghost warrior.” Unlike Imperial Dreadnoughts, it is piloted by the soul of a deceased Aeldari warrior housed in a Spirit Stone.
- Weapons: The Wraithlord wields sophisticated and lethal weapons such as the Shuriken Cannon, Bright Lance, and Ghostglaive, allowing it to engage from a distance with precision or slice through foes in close combat.
- Special Abilities: Its semi-spiritual nature renders the Wraithlord immune to fear, and when paired with an Aeldari Spiritseer, it can perform fluid, tactical maneuvers with devastating results.
- Craftworlds Wraith lord
- This superb multi-part plastic kit makes a mighty Aeldari Wraith lord and includes a variety of lethal weapons and upgrades.
- This kit comes supplied unpainted and requires assembly
Last update on 2025-01-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Brutalis Dreadnought 40k (Space Marines)
- Overview: A newer Primaris Dreadnought, the Brutalis is designed specifically for close-combat destruction. This Dreadnought is all about raw, up-close power.
- Weapons: Equipped with twin bolt rifles and either power fists or talons, the Brutalis can tear through enemy infantry and light vehicles. For heavier enemies, it can be armed with twin heavy bolters or twin multi-meltas on its chest.
- Special Abilities: The Brutalis Dreadnought inflicts mortal wounds upon charging, making it a devastating force against tough opponents. It’s perfect for taking the fight straight to the enemy, dominating the frontline with brutal efficiency.
- Redemptor Dreadnoughts are giant war machines that crush bone and splinter skulls as they bludgeon through enemy ranks.
- This multi-part plastic kit contains the components necessary to assemble a Primaris Redemptor Dreadnought.
- The Primaris Redemptor Dreadnought comes as 109 components, and is supplied with a Citadel 90mm Round base and a transfer sheet.
- Miniatures come supplied unpainted and require assembly.
Last update on 2025-01-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought (Imperium)
- Overview: A relic from the Horus Heresy, the Contemptor is a more agile and faster variant compared to other Dreadnoughts. Its legacy and technology make it highly revered within the Space Marine chapters.
- Weapons: Outfitted with options like the Kheres Assault Cannon and multi-meltas, the Contemptor is highly adaptable. It can tackle both armored and infantry units, excelling in mid- to close-range engagements.
- Special Abilities: The Contemptor’s advanced design includes shielding technology that allows it to evade damage more effectively than other Dreadnoughts, giving it a unique balance of agility and firepower.
- Tabletop game
- Easy to use
- Premium quality
Last update on 2025-01-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Bjorn the Fell-Handed (Space Wolves)
- Overview: The oldest Dreadnought in existence, Bjorn fought alongside the legendary Primarch Leman Russ during the Horus Heresy. He is a revered icon of the Space Wolves, wielding both might and ancient wisdom.
- Weapons: Armed with his unique Lightning Claw, Bjorn is exceptional in close-quarters combat. He is also outfitted with heavy weapons for ranged attacks, making him versatile on the battlefield.
- Special Abilities: Bjorn’s greatest strength is his experience and wisdom, which provides a tactical advantage to any unit he leads. His sanity and presence on the battlefield boost the morale of surrounding troops, making him a strategic asset beyond his combat prowess.
- Space Wolves Venerable Dreadnought / Bjorn the Fell-Hand / Murderfang
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5. Chaos Helbrute (Chaos Dreadnought)
- Overview: The Helbrute is a warped version of a Dreadnought, twisted and enhanced by the dark powers of Chaos. Unlike its loyalist counterparts, it often operates under a berserk rage, lashing out at friend and foe alike.
- Weapons: Armed with corrupted lascannons, autocannons, and Power Scourges, the Helbrute channels its fury into a brutal assault, with the added unpredictability of warp mutations.
- Special Abilities: A Helbrute’s connection to the warp often grants it insane levels of resilience, as well as a wild, unhinged strength that can overwhelm even heavily armored foes. It’s both feared and pitied, its existence a punishment for the fallen Chaos Marine within.
Last update on 2025-01-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Venerable Dreadnought 40k (Space Marines)
- Overview: The Venerable Dreadnought is a more ceremonial model, piloted by some of the most honored Space Marines who have a legacy of valor. Their sarcophagi contain heroes who continue to serve long after suffering mortal wounds.
- Weapons: Typically armed with an Assault Cannon and Heavy Flamer, this Dreadnought can hold its own in any firefight. Its armaments are reliable and deadly across various combat scenarios.
- Special Abilities: Thanks to its pilot’s age and wisdom, the Venerable Dreadnought often serves as a strategic advisor. It also possesses enhanced armor plating, giving it an edge in durability, which, coupled with the respect it commands, makes it highly valuable.
3. Telemon Heavy Dreadnought 40k (Adeptus Custodes)
- Overview: The Telemon Heavy Dreadnought is one of the most advanced and rare Dreadnoughts, fielded exclusively by the Adeptus Custodes. Built with cutting-edge technology, it rivals or surpasses many other Dreadnoughts in power and durability.
- Weapons: Outfitted with the Arachnus Storm Cannon and Iliastus Accelerator Culverin, the Telemon brings immense firepower to bear, with unmatched precision and armor-piercing capabilities.
- Special Abilities: The Telemon is incredibly durable and possesses technological advancements beyond the standard Dreadnought, making it exceptionally resistant to damage. Its status as a Custodes warrior also enhances its combat efficiency, often turning the tide of critical battles.
2. Redemptor Dreadnought 40k (Primaris Space Marines)
- Overview: The Redemptor Dreadnought is a powerhouse in the Space Marine arsenal, bringing both close-range brutality and long-range firepower to the table. It represents the pinnacle of Dreadnought advancement for the Primaris Space Marines.
- Weapons: Its loadout includes the Macro Plasma Incinerator, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, and Fragstorm Grenade Launchers, allowing it to obliterate enemies from afar or in close combat.
- Special Abilities: The Redemptor is especially tough, capable of ignoring a portion of the damage it takes. This makes it one of the most resilient Dreadnoughts, able to withstand heavy bombardment and still fight on effectively.
- Redemptor Dreadnoughts are giant war machines that crush bone and splinter skulls as they bludgeon through enemy ranks.
- This multi-part plastic kit contains the components necessary to assemble a Primaris Redemptor Dreadnought.
- The Primaris Redemptor Dreadnought comes as 109 components, and is supplied with a Citadel 90mm Round base and a transfer sheet.
- Miniatures come supplied unpainted and require assembly.
Last update on 2025-01-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Leviathan Dreadnought (Space Marines)
- Overview: The Leviathan is considered the strongest Dreadnought due to its exceptional armor, firepower, and battlefield presence. Built to take on heavily fortified positions and endure relentless fire, it’s the ultimate siege weapon.
- Weapons: Armed with siege claws, heavy flamers, and ranged weaponry like storm cannons, the Leviathan excels at cracking through the toughest defenses and overpowering both infantry and armored units.
- Special Abilities: With near-impenetrable armor and an arsenal capable of both melee and ranged destruction, the Leviathan Dreadnought is unrivaled in its power and survivability. Its presence on the battlefield often forces enemies to redirect all available firepower, as failing to neutralize it can spell doom for opposing forces.
FAQs: Levels & Stats Of Dreadnoughts
If you’re wondering how a Dreadnought stacks up levels and size-wise in Warhammer 40k, let’s just say they’re not exactly sneaking through doorways anytime soon. These armored giants range from around 3 to 5 meters tall (that’s roughly two Space Marines stacked shoulder-to-shoulder), depending on the model.
How Large is a 40k Dreadnought?
For those keeping tabs on the levels of 40k Dreadnoughts, some, like the towering Leviathan, can tip the scales over 6 meters, making them the MVPs of battlefield intimidation.
Imagine one of these Warhammer 40k Dreadnoughts stomping its way across the tabletop—hulking, weapon-laden, and impossible to miss. From the compact brutality of the Brutalis to the colossal and imposing Telemon Heavy Dreadnought, their size isn’t just for show; it’s a statement.
Every meter of their height is packed with enough firepower and resilience to turn even the boldest foes into a cautionary tale.
Is Being a Dreadnought Fun in Warhammer 40k?
Image Credit and Tutorial: The Ward Save
Let’s be real—fun probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you’re entombed in a walking metal coffin for eternity. Being a Warhammer 40k Dreadnought isn’t exactly a vacation. It’s more like a never-ending shift as the universe’s most overqualified frontline worker.
On the plus side, you’re practically indestructible, get to wield weapons bigger than most tanks, and your levels of dreadnoughts 40k cred is through the roof. On the downside? Well, you’re a bit… stuck.
Imagine being one of the Imperium’s most legendary warriors, given a second chance to stomp on enemies like they’re ants. Sounds cool, right? But then you realize it comes with zero PTO and no option to retire. Most Dreadnought 40k pilots are warriors who were so good at their job they couldn’t stop even after they were mortally wounded.
The Imperium’s solution? Slap them into a massive armored war machine and tell them to get back to work. Is it fun? Depends on how you define fun. You’ll smash foes, inspire your allies, and laugh in the face of lascannon fire.
Art by Pen User on DV
But you’ll also have plenty of time to reflect on your life choices while waiting between battles. And if you’re Chaos or Ork-flavored? Your “fun” probably involves a lot of berserk rampaging or laughing maniacally while everything burns.
In short, being a Dreadnought is a mixed bag. It’s the ultimate comeback gig for the galaxy’s toughest, but the work-life balance? Let’s just say it’s nonexistent. You can see what the inside of a Dreadnought looks like in this article here.
What Weapons can a 40k Dreadnought Survive?
When it comes to dreadnought in 40k, these armored beasts are like the ultimate tanks with attitude, shrugging off most things short of a catastrophic explosion. Built from materials tougher than your local Space Marine captain’s ego (we’re talking ceramite and adamantium), a Warhammer 40k Dreadnought isn’t just hard to scratch—it’s downright infuriating to destroy.
So, what can they handle? Plenty. Levels of Dreadnoughts in 40k differ, but most can survive hits from lascannons, plasma blasts, and even melta weapons, which are usually the go-to for melting stuff. Even those Chaos-warped Helbrutes can hold their own against some gnarly damage.
A Dreadnought’s thick armor plating, combined with the occasional invulnerable save, ensures that taking one down isn’t just hard—it’s a downright chore.
However, concentrated anti-armor firepower, psychic smashes, or just a ridiculously determined Ork with a power klaw can eventually wear them down. But don’t hold your breath—it’ll take a lot more than your average pew-pew to bring these bad boys to their knees (assuming they even have knees, depending on the model).
In short, Dreadnoughts are a nightmare to deal with, no matter what faction you’re facing, making them a cornerstone of resilience in any Warhammer 40k army.
Final Thoughts on The Strongest Dreadnoughts
And there you have it—the heavy-hitters, the metal behemoths, the absolute units of Warhammer 40k. Dreadnoughts are so much more than armored war machines; they’re the echoes of legendary warriors, the reluctant soldiers who didn’t know when to quit (or couldn’t, even if they wanted to).
They’re not only among the most formidable units in Warhammer 40k but also some of the most visually imposing. Dreadnoughts bring a bit of everything: lore, firepower, and a good dose of tragedy.
So, next time you see one stomping across the battlefield, remember that every thundering footstep tells a story—of heroism, madness, or plain old Orkish ingenuity. After all, the real magic of Warhammer 40k isn’t just in the firepower but in the tales these war machines carry with them.
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What do YOU think is the strongest Dreadnought in WH40k, and which faction do you think has the highest levels of Dreadnoughts in Warhammer 40k?
About the Author: John Von Canon
John Von Canon
Job Title: Miniatures & Trading Card Games Writer
Socials: @AtogOrTwo
About John Von Cannon: Tabletop gaming since 2016; John joined the Spikey Bits team in 2023 and covers new miniature products, trading card games, and RPGs.
He spends his evenings working at his local game store for the full hobby experience. So if you’re looking for niche and convoluted ways to sneak out a win in your next Commander game or a cool new hobby product for miniatures, he’s your guy.
