At the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, the Contemptor was a relatively recent design that incorporated not only traditional Dreadnought technologies, but arcane systems drawn from the ancient and guarded lore of the Legio Cybernetica of the Mechanicum. Principal among these is a compact atomantic arc reactor more powerful by far than anything of its size in Imperial manufacture. The abundance of energy it generates can be used to grant the Dreadnought frame speed and strength as well as power defensive energy field systems to further increase its battlefield durability.
| LD | CL | WP | IN | |||||||||||
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | LD | CL | WP | IN | SAV | INV | |
| Contemptor Dreadnought (⌀60mm) | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | ||||||||||
| Contemptor Dreadnought (⌀60mm) | 8 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 2+ | 5+ |
Some weapons trade precision for indiscriminate destruction, high explosive impacts that can devastate a wide area. From artillery shells to high energy blasts, such weapons are popular tools of destruction on the battlefields of the Horus Heresy.
Attacks made with the Blast (X) Special Rule use a Blast Marker to determine how many Hits are caused.The [Allegiance] Trait is used in the following Legiones Astartes datasheets:
The [Legiones Astartes] Trait is used in the following Legiones Astartes datasheets:
Designed to rip and tear flesh, some weapons are fearsome and intimidating tools of warfare. Whether by the gnashing teeth of a chainblade or the jagged edges of flechette ammunition, these weapons scythe great holes in the lines of even the toughest of infantry and the largest of warriors.
Attacks made with the Shred (X) Special Rule can sometimes inflict an extra point of Damage.Designed to pierce the armour worn by heavy infantry, some weapons have gained a fearsome reputation on the battlefields of the Floras Heresy. While many such weapons are rare or temperamental in use, the sheer power of their attacks more than makes up for this.
With a Weapon that has the Breaching (X) Special Rule there is a chance that a Wound Test may result in the Wound ignoring Armour Saves.Some weapons are almost as dangerous to the wielder as to the foe. Supercharged powerpacks can explode in combat or volatile munitions can jam or even detonate, all of which can prove deadly to those charged with deploying such weapons.
Weapons with this Special Rule may inflict Hits on the Models making Shooting Attacks with them.Template weapons shoot clouds of fire, gas or other lethal substances, rather than shells or bullets.
Weapons and attacks with the Template Special Rule use the Flame Template to determine how many Models they Hit.Exotic beam weapons of arcing energy or sequential explosions triggered by the death of the first victim, some weapons cause not a single casualty, but a slew of them. Such weapons are wielded with grim efficiency against close packed formations of troops on the battlefields of the Horus Heresy. The most well-known examples are the volkite weapons of Mars, but many others are known.
Unsaved Wounds inflicted by attacks with the Deflagrate (X) Special Rule can cause additional Hits.Some weapons are so terrifyingly potent that their use instils abject fear in even the most strong-willed warriors. In the face of such wanton power the target can only flee or prepare for death, for few would live to tell of the true horrors of the Age of Darkness once they were unleashed on the battlefield.
Weapons and other attacks that have the Panic (X) Special Rule have a chance of inflicting the Routed Status on the Target Unit.The beams of energy generated by melta weaponry dissipate over long ranges. When used at close quarters, however, their effect on armoured vehicles is devastating.
This Special Rule increases the amount of Damage against Vehicles when Shooting Attacks are made within a specific range.Blasts of exotic radiation, malignant scrap-code or other targeted attacks can render the systems of complex war engines vulnerable without penetrating their armour. While such weapons are less likely to leave their target as a broken ruin, the deleterious effects of their attacks can render even the most powerful war machines impotent.
Weapons with the Shock (X) Special Rule have a chance of inflicting Statuses on Vehicles even if it does not penetrate their armour.The crack of the sniper’s rifle or the burst of heavy artillery, both signal a sudden and indiscriminate death and send infantry scurrying for cover. Such weapons are meant as much to pin the foe in place as to kill them, breaking up advancing ranks of troops and shattering defensive formations.
Weapons and other attacks that have the Pinning (X) Special Rule have a chance of inflicting the Pinned Status on the Target Unit.Some weapons are so heavy that, while they can be fired on the move, are more powerful when properly braced and made ready before shooting. Warriors on the battlefield must use their judgement to decide when speed is required and when the full firepower of their arsenal must be unleashed.
Weapons with the Heavy (X) Special Rule gain +1 to a Characteristic when Stationary.Transport vehicles are designed to balance armour and capacity, attempting to mount the most protection without compromising how many warriors they can carry. Yet, some warriors are plated in such imposing armour or even spawned in such an aberrant nature that they occupy far more space than any regular fighter. Such warriors are mighty in both power and stature, but prove more difficult to ferry into battle.
Models with the Bulky (X) Special Rule take up more space on Transport Models.The wargear of many Legiones Astartes warriors and war machines incorporates a variety of targeting and stabilisation systems, enabling larger weaponry to be brought to bear even at close ranges.
Models with this Special Rule can make Volley Attacks with other Weapons.Heavy beams and armour-piercing cannon rarely inflict superficial damage, but always blast and break the hull of their target. Such weapons are superior tank killers, their sheer power prized over lesser weapons when the objective is to apply maximum damage without concern for finesse.
A Weapon with the Armourbane Special Rule counts Glancing Hits as Penetrating Hits.Some weapons are designed not only to kill and main, but also to shock and disorient the foe. Such weapons may rely on blinding flares, bursts of enervating energy or even subtle poisons to slow and disable the enemy, but their effects are the same. Debilitated and vulnerable, warriors struck by such weapons become easy prey.
Weapons and other attacks that have the Stun (X) Special Rule have a chance of inflicting the Stunned Status on the Target Unit.The Smokescreen (see Smokescreen Advanced Reaction) Trait is used in the following Legiones Astartes datasheets:
| Ranged Weapon | |||||||
Ranged Weapon | R | FP | RS | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Combi-bolter | |||||||
| Combi-bolter | 24 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | - | Bolt |
This datasheet has War Engine Battlefield Role. Full list of Legiones Astartes units sharing same Battlefield Role follows:
These massive engines of war are unlike the soulless warriors of the Mechanicum, for at their heart rests a mortal warrior whose instincts and experience guides their steel body on the field of battle.
The following Rules apply to all Models with the Walker Type:Volatile fuel, overpowered reactors or dangerous munitions can cause some war engines to explode when destroyed. Such explosions can prove devastating to friend and foe alike.
A Model with this Special Rule can explode and cause Hits to nearby Models and Units.| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Gravis chainfist | |||||||
| Gravis chainfist | -1 | A | +4 | 2 | 3 | Armourbane, Shred (6+) | Chain |
| Ranged Weapon | |||||||
Ranged Weapon | R | FP | RS | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Gravis bolt cannon | |||||||
| Gravis bolt cannon | 36 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | Heavy (FP) | Bolt |
| Ranged Weapon | |||||||
Ranged Weapon | R | FP | RS | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Twin volkite culverin | |||||||
| Twin volkite culverin | 45 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | Heavy (FP), Deflagrate (6) | Volkite |
| Ranged Weapon | |||||||
Ranged Weapon | R | FP | RS | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Twin lascannon | |||||||
| Twin lascannon | 48 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 1 | Heavy (D), Armourbane | Las |
| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Paired Gravis power fists | |||||||
| Paired Gravis power fists | 1 | +1 | +3 | 2 | 3 | - | Power |
| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Paired Gravis chainfists | |||||||
| Paired Gravis chainfists | -1 | A | +4 | 2 | 4 | Armourbane, Shred (6+) | Chain |