5/5 stars. Iconic and totemic for the Horus Heresy game.
Background.
A relatively recent design by the beginning of the Heresy, the contemptor features a massively efficient power plant that enabled increased power flow and hence the ability to be very agile and carry massive weapons. They do, however, have a tendency to go boom when they die due to all that power build up. They remain, however, a complete talisman and icon of the game.
Strengths.
S=7, T=7, 8 wounds and only really lacking in the Intelligence department curiously (I guess that is what happens due to being inside one for a long time?).
There is a strong array of set ups available here. The only real question is what battlefield role the player wants out of the dreadnought?
Close combat (and probably via a drop pod) = take double fists or chain fists.
Ranged only = take the same weapon twice if you wish, but at least take 2 weapons with similar ranges.
Mixed = one fist and one ranged weapon and sally forth happily.
Weaknesses.
The explosions can hurt if you are too close, but they remain 5/5 stars from me and the points cost is good for what you are getting. [Aside: I remain surprised that 3rd edition kept the stat line rather than revert to first edition armour values, but I guess we cannot have everything].
Builds.
Contemptor with dual power fists, 2 heavy flamers (170 points).
Close combat variant baseline. Take a havoc launcher if you absolutely have to retain some minor ranged threat.
Contemptor with 1 power fist, 1 chain fist with melta gun (175 points).
Close combat with anti-tank built in. Graviton guns work here as well.
Contemptor with 2 Kheres Assault Cannons (180 points).
Lots of dakka. The auto cannons aren't too bad an option either. The volkites are more anti-infantry in pairs though (and yes: I like them in pairs because the rule for volkite is always to go big).
Contemptor with 2 Melta Cannons (180 points).
The anti-tank solution.
Contemptor with power fist, Twin Las Cannon (170 points).
Long range threat combined with close combat potential. The plasma cannon option is also appealing here. Take a bolt cannon if you are sporting and short on points.
Contemptor with power fist, Conversion Beam Cannon, Havoc Launcher (180 points).
Overlapping threats from all sorts of weapons.
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