The 40K DREADNOUGHT Datasheet is your essential guide to fielding these walking tanks of the Imperium (and sometimes Chaos!). It contains all the crucial information you need to understand a Dreadnought’s capabilities on the tabletop, from its combat prowess to its special abilities. Mastering the 40K DREADNOUGHT Datasheet is key to effectively utilizing these powerful war machines in your games of Warhammer 40,000.
Decoding the Dreadnought Datasheet: A Beginner’s Guide
A 40K DREADNOUGHT Datasheet is more than just a stat block; it’s a comprehensive profile of a specific Dreadnought variant. It details everything from its movement speed and weapon skill to its toughness, wounds, and save. Understanding these stats is vital for determining how a Dreadnought will perform in different combat scenarios. Effectively, the datasheet determines its survivability and damage output on the battlefield. These stats give players a quick reference during games, enabling them to make informed tactical decisions such as targeting priority and positioning strategies. The core statistics typically found on a datasheet include:
- Movement (M): How far the Dreadnought can move in inches.
- Weapon Skill (WS): The Dreadnought’s accuracy in melee combat.
- Ballistic Skill (BS): The Dreadnought’s accuracy when shooting.
- Strength (S): The Dreadnought’s raw physical power.
- Toughness (T): How resistant the Dreadnought is to damage.
- Wounds (W): How much damage the Dreadnought can sustain before being destroyed.
- Attacks (A): The number of attacks the Dreadnought makes in melee.
- Leadership (Ld): The Dreadnought’s ability to resist morale effects.
- Save (Sv): The Dreadnought’s armor protection.
Beyond the basic stats, the datasheet also outlines the Dreadnought’s wargear options. This includes its weapons, such as autocannons, lascannons, and power fists, as well as any special equipment like smoke launchers or searchlights. Furthermore, datasheets often contain special abilities or rules unique to that specific Dreadnought type. These abilities can range from improved targeting systems to enhanced armor plating or even psychic powers. These factors greatly influence the Dreadnought’s role in your army. For example, a Dreadnought with a heavy weapon like a lascannon is ideal for engaging enemy vehicles at long range. This can be summarized as:
- Wargear Options: Weapons and equipment.
- Special Abilities: Unique rules and traits.
- Faction Keywords: Identifies which armies can include it.
Finally, the datasheet provides information about the Dreadnought’s faction keywords. These keywords determine which armies can include the Dreadnought in their lists and what special rules or stratagems can be used on it. A Space Marine Dreadnought, for instance, will have the “Adeptus Astartes” keyword, allowing it to benefit from certain Space Marine chapter tactics. The datasheet is usually presented clearly, making it easy to understand even during the fast-paced gameplay.
To get the most out of your Dreadnoughts on the battlefield, consult the official Warhammer 40,000 rulebooks or Codexes. These resources contain all the necessary datasheets and rules for each Dreadnought variant.