The Ballistus Dreadnought is the Space Marines’ dedicated long-range fire support walker, a Primaris-era war machine built to sit back and crack tanks while your battleline pushes forward. It’s the shooty counterpart to the melee-minded Brutalis and the classic multi-role Redemptor.
What the Ballistus Dreadnought is
It’s a Primaris Dreadnought built for ranged anti-armour work. Instead of the Redemptor’s mixed weapon suite, the Ballistus carries twin lascannons and a Ballistus missile launcher, giving it the tools to threaten heavy targets from across the table.
The pilot inside is a gravely wounded Space Marine interred in a sarcophagus, kept alive and wired into the machine so he can keep fighting. That’s the grim core of every Dreadnought, and the Ballistus is no exception.
Why it matters on the tabletop
The Ballistus fills a gap the Space Marines often feel: reliable, long-range anti-tank fire that doesn’t eat a huge chunk of your list. It’s tougher than infantry and cheap enough to bring as a support piece rather than a centrepiece.
In 10th edition it’s a straightforward shooting unit. Point it at enemy armour or monsters, keep it near cover, and let it chip away. It won’t dominate a game alone, but it makes your opponent think twice about parking tanks in the open.
How it connects to the wider lore
The Ballistus is part of the Primaris wave of Dreadnoughts, alongside the Redemptor and the close-combat Brutalis. Where the Redemptor is a generalist and the Brutalis wants to punch things, the Ballistus exists purely to lay down fire.
It’s tied to the broader Primaris expansion that reshaped the Space Marines after the Great Rift. New vehicles, new armour, new Dreadnought patterns, all part of the same push to modernise the Chapters for a nastier galaxy.
Ballistus vs other Dreadnoughts
If you’re picking between the Primaris Dreadnoughts, think about what your list is missing. The Ballistus is your ranged option, and it’s the one you’ll usually park near objectives or in cover.
| Dreadnought | Role | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Ballistus | Long-range fire support | Anti-tank, backline shooting |
| Redemptor | Generalist | Mixed shooting and melee, frontline |
| Brutalis | Close combat | Charging into melee, cracking infantry |
Key facts
- The Ballistus Dreadnought is a Primaris Space Marine walker built for long-range fire support.
- Its main weapons are twin lascannons and a Ballistus missile launcher.
- It’s the shooting-focused counterpart to the melee Brutalis and the generalist Redemptor.
- Like all Dreadnoughts, it’s piloted by a mortally wounded Space Marine interred in a sarcophagus.
- It’s part of the Primaris range introduced after the Great Rift.
FAQ
What weapons does the Ballistus Dreadnought have?
It carries twin lascannons and a Ballistus missile launcher, making it a dedicated anti-armour shooting platform.
Is the Ballistus Dreadnought good in 10th edition?
It’s a solid, affordable fire support choice. It won’t win games by itself, but it gives Space Marines reliable long-range anti-tank without a huge points cost.
What’s the difference between the Ballistus and Redemptor Dreadnought?
The Ballistus is built for ranged anti-armour, while the Redemptor is a generalist that can shoot and fight in melee.