[[Image:ContemptorImperialFists.jpg|thumb|330px|[[Imperial Fists]] Contemptor Dreadnought {{Fn|12}}]]The '''Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought''' is a [[Space Marine Dreadnought]] developed prior to the [[Horus Heresy]]. {{Fn|1a}} The Contemptor is larger and more powerful than standard Dreadnought patterns, featuring systems similar to those used by the automatons of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus|Mechanicum]]'s [[Legio Cybernetica]] branch, including [[Atomantic Shielding]] field generator technology that would be implemented into the [[Storm Shield]]s of [[Terminator|Space Marine [[Terminators]].{{Fn|1a}}

At the time of the [[Horus Heresy]] it was a recent design, compared to the older [[Lucifer Dreadnought|Lucifer]] and [[Castraferrum]] pattern Dreadnoughts. It was equipped with an Atomantic arc-reactor, that allowed for enhanced speed and strength as well as defensive energy field systems. These advantages came with a price, however, for it requires a higher degree of maintenance and a catastrophic meltdown may occur if its arc reactor is breached.{{Fn|4a}} Once the standard pattern of Dreadnought in the [[Great Crusade]]-era, the ability to create new Contemptors is now beyond the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] or perhaps a closely guarded secret by certain [[Tech-Priest]] factions.{{Fn|4a}} Sacred [[Chapter]] memento-mori and ancient monuments on worlds like [[Necromunda (Planet)|Necromunda]] and [[Lorin Alpha]] give notion to the important place the Contemptor had in the earliest Imperial forces raised from [[Terra]], serving with other Dreadnought patterns in spearhead units in the [[Great Crusade]], the Horus Heresy and [[Scouring|its aftermath]], suffering incredibly high loses.{{Fn|1a}}

Given the rarity of the Contemptor-pattern chassis, those few that still remain in service are revered as Relics relics amongst the [[Space Marine Chapter]]s blessed enough to count these ancient war machines amongst their arsenal. It is not uncommon for those Chapters to embellish their armoured sarcophagus with scripture, honour scrolls and additional details to commemorate the heroism and indomitable valour of the Ancient enshrined within.{{Fn|5}}

The Contemptor comes equipped with a [[twin-linked]] [[Heavy Bolter]], a [[Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon]] with inbuilt [[Storm Bolter]], and [[Smoke smoke launcher]]s. It can also be fitted with a carapace-mounted [[Havoc Launcher]].{{Fn|Smoke launchers2}} The Contemptor is protected by [[Atomantic Shielding]].{{Fn|21a}}

Instead of standard twin-linked heavy bolters, this class is armed with two weapons of the same type - [[Multi-Melta]]s, twin-linked [[Autocannon]]s, [[Kheres pattern Assault Cannon]]s, or twin-linked [[Lascannon]]s.{{Fn|1b}} The Mortis is often fitted with a helical targeting array slaved to enhanced target-cursing logis engines that allow it to track its foe with unprecedented accuracy and which make it particularly deadly against enemy flyers.{{Fn|3b}} The Mortis also features [[Atomantic Shielding]] and an auger cluster surrounding it's 'head unit'. It may be equipped with [[Extra Armour]], a [[Searchlight]] and a carapace-mounted [[Cyclone Missile Launcher]].{{Fn|1b}} Although used by all Space Marine Legions, the Contemptor-Mortis was most often deployed by the [[Dark Angels]] and [[Iron Warrior]] Legions during the later years of the Great Crusade. After thousands of years, a number of revered Contemptor-Mortis are still operational.{{Fn|43}}

===Legion-Specific Variants used by specific Legions===

[[ImageFile:OsironPattern.jpg|thumb|220px|Osiron Class Dreadnought{{Fn|39}}]]The '''Osiron Class Dreadnought''' was a type of Contemptor used by the [[Thousand Sons]]. These dreadnoughts were created by [[Magnus]] himself, and consisted of a mortally wounded [[psyker]] Space Marine laced with a psychometric barrier protecting his brain. This allowed the Dreadnought to perform employ psychic abilities that was were far safer to the user and its allies.{{Fn|7c}} As such, these Dreadnoughts were equipped with [[Force Weapon|Gravis Force Blade]]s and [[Æther-Fire Weapon]]s.{{Fn|11b}}

Records indicate that not long before the [[Council of Nikaea]], Magnus gave the schematics to create such Dreadnoughts freely to the other Legions, though it is likely most spurned this gift entirely.{{Fn|7c}}

[[ImageFile:AbramHasrubal.jpg|thumb|220px|Contemptor-Achillus [[Abram Hasrubal]]{{Fn|7b}}]]

In those isolated cases where the body has been all but irrevocably destroyed but the Custodian’s mind remains intact and their will to survive undimmed, internment interment within the cold and unyielding body of a Dreadnought dreadnought is the next step. To this purpose, the few Dreadnoughts of the Legio Custodes are as singularly advanced as their other wargear, outfitted with weapons and systems artificer-made by the servants of the Imperial Court. At the time of the outbreak of the [[Horus Heresy]], the most widely employed was the Contemptor-Achillus, a general battle unit which combined phenomenal strength and speed with the echoes of the interned Custodes’ own unmatched martial skill.{{Fn|7d}}

[[ImageFile:VettranioShapura.jpg|thumb|220px|Contemptor-Galatus [[Vettranio Shapura]]{{Fn|7f}}]] Similar in aspect to the Contemptor Dreadnoughts of the [[Legiones Astartes]], the '''Contemptor-Galatus''' is a markedly superior war machine. The unrivalled skills of the warrior entombed within its sarcophagus notwithstanding, the Contemptor-Galatus is stronger, faster , and better armoured.{{Fn|7e}}

{{Mainmain|List of Horus Heresy CharactersNamed Dreadnoughts}}{{main|Chaos Dreadnoughts (List)}}

*[[Tegusai]] of the [[White Scars]]{{cite thisFn|48}}

<gallery mode="packednolines" heights="250"widths=250>

WSContemptor.jpg|[[White Scars]] Contemptor Dreadnought&GWContemptor.jpg|Plastic [[Sons of Horus]] Contemptor Dreadnought for ''[[The Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness]]''{{Fn|42}}</gallery><gallery mode="nolines" heights=250 widths=250>Galatus.jpg|[[Custodes]] Contemptor-Galatus{{Fn|44}}CustodesAchillus.jpg|Custodes Contemptor-Achillus{{Fn|45}}AchillusPlastic.jpg|Plastic Custodes Contemptor-Achillus for the ''[[Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness]]''{{Fn|47}}GalatusPlastic.jpg|Plastic Custodes Contemptor-Galatus for the ''[[Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness]]''{{Fn|47}}LI Contemptor.jpg|[[Epic]]-scale Contemptor Dreadnought for ''[[Legions Imperialis]]''{{Fn|46}}

*'''1''': [[Imperial Armour - Apocalypse Second Edition]]:

*'''3''': [[The Horus Heresy Book Two - Massacre]]:

*'''7''': [[The Horus Heresy Book Seven - Inferno]]:**{{Endn|7a}}: ppg. 81

*'''11''': [[Liber Hereticus]]:

*{{Endn|15}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen - War Machines of the Lost and the Damned]], pgpgs. 105-109

*{{Endn|30}}: [https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-NL/Thousand-Sons-Contemptor-Dreadnought Forgeworld Thousand Sons Contemptor Dreadnought] ''(last accessed 202/11/2021)''*{{Endn|31}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/08/18/18th-aug-warhammer-fest-europe-live-bloggw-homepage-post-1fw-homepage-post-1/ Warhammer Community: Warhammer Fest Europe: Live Blog (posted 18/8/2018)] ''(last accessed 202/11/2021)''*{{Endn|32}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/08/15/15th-aug-codex-space-wolves-preview-hunters-unleashed-and-datasheets-galoregw-homepage-post-3/ Warhammer Community: Codex: Space Wolves Preview – Hunters Unleashed and Datasheets Galore (posted 15/808/2018)] ''(last accessed 2/11/2021)''*{{Endn|33}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2019/02/02/the-horus-heresy-weekender-2019-live-bloggw-homepage-post-1fw-homepage-post-1/ Warhammer Community: The Horus Heresy Weekender 2019 Live Blog (posted 202/202/2019)] ''(last accessed 202/11/2021)''

 *{{Endn|37}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/06/27/this-free-horus-heresy-mission-sees-ghastly-word-bearers-procurators-descend-on-the-blood-angels/ Warhammer Community: This Free Horus Heresy Mission Sees Ghastly Word Bearers Procurators Descend on the Blood Angels] - [https://www.warhammer-community.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/TLbrp4me5GEfL37Q.pdf The Scouring of Gilden's Star PDF, pg. 7 (Posted on posted 27/06/2022)] ''(Last last accessed on 27 June 2022)''

*{{Endn|39}}: [https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-IE/Thousand-Sons-Legion-Osiron-Pattern-Contemptor-Dreadnought-with-Autocannon-2017Forge World webstore: Thousand Sons Legion Osiron Pattern Contemptor Dreadnought]

[[Category:WalkersDreadnoughts]]