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What Is a Brutalis Dreadnought?
The Brutalis Dreadnought is the melee counterpart to the Redemptor Dreadnought: a big, Primaris-era walker built to close with the enemy and tear it apart. Where the Redemptor is a ranged fire-support platform, the Brutalis is all about the charge — two enormous close-combat weapons backed by short-ranged guns that punish anything nearby.
On the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop, the Brutalis is a line-breaker that can punch through enemy units, threaten vehicles and monsters, and shove opponents off objectives. It is one of the most aggressive Dreadnought options available to Space Marine players and a natural centrepiece for assault-minded lists.
Brutalis Dreadnought Lore
The Brutalis belongs to the newer generation of larger Dreadnought patterns that arrived alongside the Primaris Space Marines, like the Redemptor and Ballistus. Where the Redemptor is a balanced weapons platform, the Brutalis is designed with one purpose: to wade into close combat and smash everything in its path.
Like all Dreadnoughts, the Brutalis houses a mortally wounded Space Marine within its armoured sarcophagus, giving a fallen hero the chance to keep fighting for his Chapter. In battle it barrels through obstacles and barricades, using its huge fists or talons to rip apart tanks, monsters and heavily armoured infantry while its hull guns soften up targets on the way in.
Datasheet Overview
The Brutalis is a big, tough Dreadnought — broadly comparable in toughness to the Redemptor — that trades the Redemptor’s heavy guns for powerful melee weapons and short-ranged firepower. Its datasheet is built around the charge; in 10th Edition it had an ability that damaged the enemy unit it charged into, so check whether the current version still does.
Rather than quote a profile that may be out of date, we’d point you to the current source: 11th Edition and the new Space Marines codex have reworked many datasheets, and points change with each Munitorum Field Manual. Check the current codex or the Warhammer 40,000 app for its exact characteristics, weapon profiles and abilities.
A few 11th Edition core rules shape how it plays:
- Charging: you can declare a charge against units within 12″, roll 2D6 for the distance, then pick targets within that roll. Units that charged get Fights First that turn.
- Engagement range is 2″ (up from 1″ in 10th Edition), which makes the final inches of a charge a little more forgiving.
- Cover: as a Vehicle, the Brutalis doesn’t get cover just for standing in a terrain area, but it can still be protected by intervening terrain that blocks line of sight. Plan its route using ruins and walls between it and the enemy guns.
- One Stratagem per unit per phase: you can’t stack several buffs on it in the same phase, so pick the one that matters most.
Weapon Loadouts
Brutalis Fists and Brutalis Bolt Rifles
The Brutalis fists are the hard-hitting option, built for crushing big targets such as vehicles, monsters and heavy infantry. They come with integrated Brutalis bolt rifles mounted on the fists, which give the Dreadnought a little extra short-ranged firepower — something the talons build doesn’t get.
Brutalis Talons
The Brutalis talons are the alternative melee option. Broadly, they trade some of the fists’ raw hitting power for flexibility against a wider range of targets, making them handy for carving through elite infantry and multi-model units. Compare the two current weapon profiles in your codex before you glue the arms — the balance between them can shift with datasheet updates.
Twin Heavy Bolter vs Twin Multi-Melta
For the hull-mounted ranged weapon, you choose between a twin heavy bolter and a twin multi-melta:
- Twin heavy bolter: more shots at medium strength, useful for clearing screens and softening up infantry before the charge.
- Twin multi-melta: fewer shots but devastating against armour, especially at close range where the melta bonus applies. Ideal if you want the Brutalis to threaten vehicles before it reaches melee.
Recommended Loadout
For an anti-armour specialist, fists (with their bolt rifles) and the twin multi-melta give the Brutalis serious kill power against vehicles both at range and in melee. For a more all-round build aimed at infantry and screens, pair your preferred melee arms with the twin heavy bolter. If you want flexibility, magnetise the arms and hull weapon so you can switch as the rules change.
Tactics for Using the Brutalis Dreadnought
Aggressive Push
The Brutalis is at its best moving forward from turn one. Use intervening terrain to shield it during its advance and aim to reach the enemy’s lines by turn two. Every turn it spends out of combat is wasted potential — this is not a backfield unit.
Deploy it centrally or on a flank where ruins and walls can block line of sight during the advance. It is tough enough to absorb some incidental fire, but concentrated anti-tank shooting will bring it down before it reaches combat if you leave it exposed.
Charge Support
Use the Brutalis in multi-pronged assaults alongside other melee units. Its damage output can crack open a tough target while supporting infantry clean up the remains. Alternatively, send fast assault units (like Assault Intercessors or jump pack troops) in first to tie up a unit, then follow up with the Brutalis for the killing blow.
Screen Removal
Screening units exist to keep your melee threats away from key targets. A Brutalis can chew through a screen in a single Fight phase, then consolidate towards the juicier target behind it.
Objective Pressure
In 11th Edition objectives are terrain areas, and you control them with the Objective Control of models in range. A Brutalis crashing into a unit sitting in objective terrain can remove it or force it to fall back, opening the objective for your infantry to take.
Flanking
Where the deployment map allows it, consider deploying the Brutalis on a flank where it threatens a wide arc of the enemy army. Your opponent must either commit significant firepower to stop it — taking pressure off the rest of your army — or let it reach their lines.
Comparison with the Redemptor Dreadnought
The Brutalis and Redemptor Dreadnought are closely related big Dreadnoughts but fill fundamentally different roles:
| Category | Brutalis | Redemptor |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Melee assault | Ranged fire support |
| Best Range | Close range and melee | Mid to long range |
| Melee Output | Exceptional | Good |
| Ranged Output | Moderate (short range) | Excellent |
| Durability | Broadly similar | Broadly similar |
| Playstyle | Aggressive, forward | Midfield anchor, support |
| Best Against | Vehicles, monsters, elite infantry | Infantry, support units |
Many Space Marine lists include both, using the Redemptor for fire support while the Brutalis pushes forward as an assault spearhead. That gives good coverage across all ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brutalis Dreadnought better than the Redemptor?
Neither is strictly better — they serve different roles. The Brutalis is superior in melee combat, while the Redemptor is superior at range. Choose the Brutalis if your army needs a melee threat, the Redemptor if you need fire support, or take both for maximum flexibility.
Can the Brutalis Dreadnought be used in every Space Marine Chapter?
Yes. The Brutalis Dreadnought is part of the core Space Marine range, so it is available to Codex Chapters and to Chapters with their own supplements such as Blood Angels, Dark Angels and Space Wolves. Check your Chapter’s current rules in case of any restrictions.
What is the best weapon loadout for the Brutalis?
Fists (with their integrated Brutalis bolt rifles) and the twin multi-melta make the anti-armour specialist build. For an all-comers build against infantry and screens, take the twin heavy bolter with your preferred melee arms. Compare the current profiles in your codex, as the balance between fists and talons can change with datasheet updates.
How should I deploy the Brutalis Dreadnought?
Deploy it behind terrain on the front line, as close to the enemy as possible. Aim to reach combat by turn two. Avoid the backfield — its short-range weapons and melee focus mean it contributes little from the back of the board.
How many Brutalis Dreadnoughts should I run?
One is a common choice, giving you a strong melee threat without over-investing in close combat. Two can work in aggressive assault lists, but make sure you have enough ranged firepower elsewhere to handle threats the Brutalis can’t reach.
Does the Brutalis Dreadnought have an invulnerable save?
The Brutalis has not had a native invulnerable save on its datasheet. Its survivability comes from high Toughness, a strong armour save and a large wound pool, and some detachment rules, Stratagems or abilities can add protection. Check the current datasheet for its defensive abilities in 11th Edition.
What base size is the Brutalis Dreadnought?
The Brutalis Dreadnought comes on a large round base, the same size as the Redemptor Dreadnought (90mm). That large footprint matters on the table: it makes the Brutalis harder to hide behind terrain and squeeze through gaps, so plan its route before you deploy. Always check the current Games Workshop base size guide for tournament play.
What are the Brutalis Dreadnought’s weaknesses?
The Brutalis has no native invulnerable save, little long-range firepower and a big footprint that’s hard to hide. Concentrated anti-tank shooting can kill it before it reaches combat, and because it’s a Vehicle it can’t claim cover just by standing in terrain. Screening units can also slow it down or tie it up while the rest of the enemy army scores. A Brutalis left in the open or stuck in the backfield is largely wasted.
Is the Brutalis a Primaris Dreadnought?
Yes. The Brutalis is a Primaris-era Dreadnought closely related to the Redemptor, and it’s larger and more heavily armed than the old Firstborn Dreadnought patterns. Like the Redemptor, it is available to all Space Marine Chapters, including Imperial Fists, Blood Angels, Dark Angels and Space Wolves. It’s the melee counterpart to the Redemptor’s ranged fire support.