Angels of Death Review Part 1 - Contemptor Dreadnoughts

Here is a comparison of the Contemptor Dreadnought from the Angels of Death (AoD) Supplement to the ones from the Imperial Armor: Apocalypse and/or Volume 2 (IA) from Forge World.

First, Unit Stats, base wargear, special rules, and unit cost:

Angels of Death

Unit Cost:  170  (Heavy Support)

Stats:

WS  BS  S  FA  SA  RA  I  A  HP

  5     5    7   13   12   10  4  4   3

Wargear:

     Multi-Melta

     Power fist with built-in Combi-bolter

     Atomantic Shielding

Special Rules:

     Chapter Tactics

     Fleet

Forge World Imperial Armor

Unit Cost:  175  (Elite)

Stats:

WS  BS  S  FA  SA  RA  I  A  HP

  5     4    7   13   12   10  4  2   3

Wargear:

     Twin-linked Heavy Bolter

     Dreadnought close combat weapon with built-in Storm Bolter

     Atomantic Shielding

     Searchlight

Special Rules:

     Fleet

As you can see the Angels of Death version has a higher BS, more attacks, and a slightly lower cost.  

The next discussion point is the options.  

For AoD, you have two options: 

     1) You can add up to two more Contemptors to the unit for 170 points each

     2) You can swap the multi-melta for a Kheres pattern Assault Cannon for 15 points.

For IA, there are several options:

      1) You can swap the Heavy bolter for a multi-melta (free), twin-linked autocannon (+5 points), plasma cannon (+10 points), Kheres pattern assault cannon (+15 points), Twin-linked lascannon (+25 points), heavy conversion beamer (+35 points), or a dreadnought close combat weapon with built-in stormbolter (free).

      2) You can swap the dreadnought close combat weapon for a chainfist with built-in stormbolter (+10 points), multi-melta (free), Twin-linked autocannon (+10 points), Plasma Cannon (+10 points), Kheres pattern assault cannon (+15 points), Twin-linked lascannon (+25 points)

     3) You can swap the storm bolters for the following:  Heavy Flamer (+10 points), Plasma blaster (+20 points), graviton gun (+15 points), or a meltagun (+15 points)

     4) You can add the following:  Extra Armor (+10 points), Targeting Augury (+15 points), or a carapace-mounted cyclone missile launcher (+15)

As you can see the IA version has more options, but cost more overall.  For example, the IA version with a multi-melta and BS 5 costs 190 points (175 base, +15 points for Targeting Augury), and it would still have 2 less attacks.