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==Overview==

A Dreadnought is a large, walking tank which carries both powerful guns and lethal close combat weaponry, armoured to withstand all but the most powerful of enemy firepower and often relied on by Space Marine forces to tear an opening in enemy defenses. Each Dreadnought contains a living being, permanently interfaced with the machine through a form of [[Mind Impulse Unit]]. Dreadnoughts are surprisingly agile, able to walk and balance with the ease of a living creature. It is said that old proto-Dreadnoughts of the [[Unification]] wars could be piloted by non-Adeptus Astartes warriors, but later only Space Marines could be interred in them.{{Fn|2d}}

[[Image:RedemptorDreadnought.jpg|thumb|200px|a [[Redemptor Dreadnought]] with its Sarcophagus exposed]]

The pilots within Dreadnoughts are Marines who have suffered mortal wounds in battle, maimed and crippled beyond recovery - instead of being mercifully killed, the greatest heroes are instead given what is considered the honour of continuing to serve the [[Emperor]] past their normal life. Once interred within the Dreadnought, the Marine cannot leave the metal womb and is destined for a life of endless battle until destroyed. Some are so ancient their memories may extend back to the founding of their [[chapter]] and its earliest history. For this reason they are revered not just as powerful warriors but also as ageless forebears and living embodiments of battles fought long ago. If a dreadnought is destroyed, the Space Marines will fight to retrieve the armoured shell so that the occupant can be returned to the chapter's mausoleum for his long-deserved final rest.{{Fn|5}}

Dreadnoughts are armoured with [[ceramite]] and [[adamantium]], their muscles are formed of electro-fibre bundles and magna-coils.{{Fn|1}} They are usually armed with weapons to suit a particular role, such as destroying other heavy armoured vehicles.{{Cite This}}

All Dreadnoughts contains speakers and the warrior within can communicate with other Space Marines. The synthesized, crackling voice emanates from within the machine, making a conversation with a Dreadnought in eerie experience. Also traditionally every Dreadnought bear a scroll with the inscribed name of the hero on it. When the new warrior is interred as a pilot, Dreadnought will take a new name.{{Fn|2a}}

[[Image:Space-wolves-dreadnought.jpg|thumb|180px|right|A Dreadnought of the [[Space Wolves]].]]

*[[Castraferrum Dreadnought]]{{Fn|15}}

*[[Lucifer Pattern Dreadnought|Lucifer Pattern]]{{Fn|17}}

The [[Adeptus Custodes]] also employ Dreadnought technology:

*[[Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought]]

==Related Articles==

*[[Space Marine Vehicles (List)]]

*[[Proto-Dreadnought]]

*{{Endn|17}}: [[Liber Hereticus]], pg. 40

*{{Endn|18}}: [[Codex: Blood Angels (8th Edition)]], pg. 53

===Uncited===

{{Uncited}}