Warhammer 40,000: Marine 2The campaign is packed with jaw-dropping action sequences, but The Redemptor Dreadnought’s attack in the story’s final chapter quickly became a fan favorite. Screaming its rage against the enemies of the Imperium, the imposing Dreadnought leads players into battle against the forces of Chaos, destroying them with ease. While Dreadnoughts may seem like a standard walking battle mech from any sci-fi setting, Dreadnoughts in Space Marine 2 have a history hidden beneath their armored exterior.
[Warning: This article contains slight spoilers for events in the final chapter of Space Marine 2’s campaign]The appearance of a Dreadnought can quickly change the tide of battle, with Marine 2 Redemptor Dreadnought Valtus takes down multiple high-tier threats with ease. Shortly after bursting in front of players for the first time, the Redemptor Dreadnought horribly defeats a Hellbrute before immediately asking Titus where the rest of the traitors are. Despite having little screen time, it’s hard not to get attached to the relentless coldness of this walking death machine.
What are Dreadnoughts in Space Marine 2
The walking corpse of the 41st millennium’s destruction
Dreadnoughts are cybernetic mechs from the 40k universe, sporting incredibly durable armor alongside some of the strongest weapons on the battlefield. Unlike a standard mecha, pilots of these deadly machines cannot simply go off as they please, as each Dreadnought is piloted by the living corpse of a mortally wounded Space Marine. Being saved from the brink of death, Space Marine veterans who have proven themselves through centuries of battle or great deeds are given the honor of fighting once again in the form of these walking sarcophagi.
Unlike the standard Dreadnought, The Redeemers are specifically designed to serve alongside the Primaris Space Marine legions.having been equipped with size and firepower worthy of a strengthened Astartes. Each Dreadnought is equipped with advanced technology that allows them to become one with their armor, feeling, seeing and hearing through their new robotic form as if it were their original body. Given the extended life support systems built into each Dreadnought, most of them are thousands of years old, respected both as powerful fighters and experienced elders outside of combat.
Eagle-eyed players have also spotted members of the Adeptus Mechanicus in Warhammer 40k: Marine 2 riding a new Redemptor Dreadnought in the background during certain segments of the Campaign. While it’s unclear whether this is just an additional background detail, it could hint at a second appearance of a battle-hungry Redemptor Dreadnought in a future Operations mode. or even a possible continuation of the story.
Who is Valtus, the Redemptor Dreadnought
A mysterious space marine with a deadly past
The identity of Marine 2 Redemptor Dreadnought is taken directly from War Hammer 40,000 table game model of the same name, a beautiful tribute to longtime fans. Although not much is currently known about Marine 2 imposing dreadnought Valtus, players can even get a glimpse of its past from the game’s voice lines. In Operations mode, Vanguard Decimus mentions having served with Valtus in the pastboth fighting side by side in the Overseas Plague Wars.
Taking place in the realm of Ultramar, the Plague Wars saw the homeworlds of Titus and his fellow Ultramarines attacked by the legions of the Chaos God Nurgle. A source of great pride for the Ultramarine legion, Valtus and his comrades fought tooth and nail to repel the forces of Chaos through a costly campaign.aided by the return of their leader, Gulliman the Primarch.
Having fought numerous intense battles against Chaos in the recent past, Valtus likely received valuable experience that gave him the edge in overcoming the traitorous forces of the Thousand Sons in Space Marine 2. Valtus’ experiences during the grueling Plague Wars likely made him more resourceful in combat, thanks to the limited resources at his disposal.shown in full by the way he creatively dispatches the deadly Helldrake.
The source of the Dreadnought’s rage
A long life fueled by the forces of chaos
Having defended his home world against the forces of Chaos, Valtus has an even stronger vendetta against his enemies in Space Marine 2 than usual. Along with his story facing Nurgle’s Death Guard legions, Valtus personally calls the leader of the Thousand Sons by the name Magnus, suggesting a deeper rivalry between the two.. The identity of the leaders of each Chaos legion is not exactly a secret, but unfiltered hatred toward the Primarch and the agents of Chaos fuels Valtus on the battlefield.
Despite their similarities, Hellbrutes throughout Space Marine 2The story isn’t former Dreadnoughts turning to Chaos, but traitorous Space Marines placed in each machine as a torturous form of never-ending punishment. Seeing these mockeries of Chaos is more than enough to strike anger into the heart of someone like Valtus, being an insult to the honor of becoming a Dreadnought. Using this rage as strength, Valtus carves a path across the battlefield for players to follow, annihilating everything in his path.
A potential update for players in Space Marine 2’s PVP mode
Players can get a new exciting experience in eternal war
Fans of the original Space Marine will recall the classic Dreadnought Assault DLC as an incredibly fun addition to PvP mode. This paid expansion offered players a new type of game to try out, pitting teams against each other to secure a central objective in the middle of the map. After claiming the objective, one player will be chosen to appear as a powerful Dreadnoughtarmed with incredibly powerful assault cannons and a short-range Meltagun.
Similar in style to Star Wars Battlefront, these player-controlled Dreadnoughts become a mini-boss for the enemy team to face, slowly reducing their health while defending their attackers’ growing list of objectives.
Dreadnoughts controlled by the player become a miniboss for the enemy team to deal with.
Focus Entertainment has already teased a new PvP game mode coming in 2025 in Marine 2 roadmap, with many fans hoping for the return of this classic game mode. While it’s not certain what type of content will be added in these future updates, the update will also include several additional PvP maps for players to battle on. With a new difficulty and weapon game mode already added in the game’s first post-launch DLC Warhammer: Marine 2 players will have plenty of challenges to keep them busy while they wait for the next content updates.
Sources: Game/YouTube Clips, Warhammer 40,000 Wiki, Lexicanum 40,000 Wiki