Editing Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (section)

=== How to destroy the Dreadnought ===

As tested by two players, one yours truly, there is a limited number of options when it comes to dealing with an enemy Dreadnought. 

#[[what|Lascannons do minimal damage]], [[fail|yes the primary anti tank weapon of the Imperium of man does nothing.]] Headshots can do some decent damage - but it's finicky due to lag and a weird head hitbox (especially since the extra-damage weak point on the Dreadnought is the engine at the back, not the head, oops).
#Stalker Bolter is more reliable, but nowhere near as good against the Dread. Works well on its escorts, though.
#Heavy Bolter can damage it but it takes a lot of shots, and the Dread *will* return fire at the first opportunity and fuck your ass. Fire and move.
#[[What|Meltaguns do nothing.]] Avoid. (They take off exactly 10% of the Dreadnought's health from pointblank range, make of this what you will).
#Grenades only annoy it, but Flash Grenades can blind it for a second.
#Devastator stomp does nothing (and if you were trying to do this in the first place, [[Tau|gb2Tau]]).
#Plasma Guns and Pistols do absolutely nothing unless charged, and are questionably useful if charged. The "Sticky" charged shot though is great for drawing a Dread's attention, and can do a bit of damage to help out or soften it up prior to an attack.
#A Dread's close combat arm will put your head through your ass and send you flying in one hit.
#The Dreadnought has its own Iron Halo shield, but only for one charge that lasts for about 30 seconds. When activated, the Dreadnought strikes a distinctive pose while its arm glows. Firing at it now is a waste of ammo and your life.

Your destructive answer in this case is PLASMA, followed by VENGEANCE LAUNCHER. Plasma cannons are the only heavy weapon that will reliably do anything of relevance to the Dreadnought, and it takes around 10 shots. The only option other than Plasma Cannons are the [[Vengeance Grenade Launcher|Vengeance Launcher]] and the Thunderhammer/Power Maul. The former will do in a Dread in about 12 shots; the latter, if you have the Killing Blow perk, will make quick work of the Dreadnought.