Changes

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. At the time of the [[Horus Heresy]] it was a recent design, equipped with advanced energy generators 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 maintaneance and a catastrophic meltdown may occur if its arc reactor is breached.{{Fn|36}} Some believe that the design may share systems with the dreaded, near-mythical battle-automata of the [[Legio Cybernetica]]. If this is the case, it may explain why so few Contemptors remain in service as of [[M41]]. Those few that still remain in service are relics of the [[Great Crusade]], [[Horus Heresy]], and [[The Scouring]].{{Fn|4a}} In the 41st Millennium, the [[Castaferrum Pattern Dreadnought]] has become the most common.{{Fn|3}}

==Variants==

{{Clear}}

====Contemptor-Mortis Class Dreadnought====

{{Clear}}

===Variants used by specific Legions===

{{Clear}}

====Osiron Class Dreadnought====

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 for his brain. This allowed the Dreadnought to perform psychic abilities that was far safer to the user and its allies. As such, these Dreadnoughts were equipped with [[Force Weapon]]s.{{Fn|8b}}

{{Clear}}

===[[Legio Custodes|Custodes]] Variants===

====Contemptor-Achillus Class Dreadnought====

The '''Contemptor Achilus Dreadnought''' is a model used by the [[Custodian Guard]].{{Fn|7}}

{{Clear}}

====Contemptor-Galatus Class Dreadnought====

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.{{citethis}}

Designed to provide an anchor for a [[Legio Custodes]] battleline, the Contemptor-Galatus is armed in similar fashion to the Custodes themselves – wielding a huge [[Galatus Warblade]] with its inbuilt twin-linked infernus [[incinerator]], and equipped with a vastly enlarged version of the Custodes [[Praesidium shield]]. Already able to withstand heavy assaults with its armour and [[refractor field]], the Praesidium shield allows the Contemptor-Galatus stand nigh on impregnable, enduring the enemy onslaught and reaping a murderous toll with its immense power blade.{{Fn|6}}

{{Clear}}

==Notable Contemptor Pattern Dreadnoughts==

*[[Aesir]] of the [[Space Wolves]]{{Fn|11}}

*[[Deredeo Dreadnought]]

*[[Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought]]

==Sources==

*{{Endn|1}}: [http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Space-Marine-Dreadnoughts/CONTEMPTOR_PATTERN_DREADNOUGHT_BODY.html Forge World — Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought] ''(accessed 2011.07.01)''

*{{Endn|2}}: [http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/c/Contemptor.pdf Forge World — Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought (PDF)] ''(accessed 2011.07.01)''

*4: [[Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition: War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes]]:

**{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 176

**{{Endn|4b}}: pg. 179

*{{Endn|5}}: [http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-ES/Contemptor-Cortus-Class-Dreadnought-Talon Forge World]

*8: [[The Horus Heresy Book Seven - Inferno]]:

**{{Endn|8a}}: p. 81

**{{Endn|8b}}: pg. 211

*{{Endn|9}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Eight - Malevolence]], pg. 209

*{{Endn|11}}: [[Horus Heresy (game system)]]: '''Core Set''' — [http://wh40k.lexicanum.de/mediawiki/images/8/84/Aesir_%28Karte%29.jpg Aesir], card description

*{{Endn|12}}: [[The First Wall (Novel)]], Chapter 15