The Hidden Story Behind Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2's Fan Favorite Dreadnought

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2‘s campaign is filled with jaw-dropping action sequences, but the Redemptor Dreadnought’s assault from the story’s final chapter quickly became a favorite among fans. Shouting his rage towards the enemies of the Imperium, the towering Dreadnought leads players into battle against the forces of Chaos, blasting them apart with ease. While Dreadnoughts may seem like a standard walking battle mech from any sci-fi setting, the Dreadnoughts in Space Marine 2 have a hidden story beneath their armored exterior.

[Warning: This article contains slight spoilers for events in the final chapter of Space Marine 2’s campaign]A Dreadnought’s appearance can quickly turn the tide of battle, with Space Marine 2’s Redemptor Dreadnought Valtus taking down several high-level threats with ease. Right after bursting in front of players for the first time, the Redemptor Dreadnought gruesomely defeats a Hellbrute before immediately asking Titus where the rest of the traitors are. Despite only having a short amount of screen time, it’s hard not to get attached to this walking death machine’s unrelenting coolness.

What Are Dreadnoughts In Space Marine 2

The Walking Corpse Of Destruction From The 41st Millennium

Dreadnoughts are cybernetic mechs of the 40k universe, boasting incredibly durable armor alongside some of the strongest weapons on the battlefield. Unlike a standard mech, the pilots of these deadly machines can’t simply get out as they please, as each Dreadnought is piloted by the living corpse of a mortally wounded Space Marine. Being saved on the brink of death, veteran Space Marines who have proven their worth through centuries of battle or great feats are granted the honor to fight on once more in the form of these walking sarcophagi.

Dreadnoughts are kept in permanent stasis in between battles, only being woken up for combat or to give sage wisdom to their fellow Space Marines.

Unlike the standard Dreadnought, Redemptors are specifically designed to serve alongside Primaris Space Marine legions, having been outfitted with the size and firepower worthy of an empowered Astartes. Each Dreadnought is outfitted with advanced technology that allows them to become one with their armor, feeling, seeing, and hearing through their newfound robotic form as if it were their original body. Given the prolonged life-support systems built into each Dreadnought, most of them are thousands of years old, being respected as both a powerful fighter and a knowledgeable elder outside of combat.

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Keen-eyed players have also spotted members of the Adeptus Mechanicus in Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 piecing together a new Redemptor Dreadnought in the background during certain segments of the Campaign. While it’s uncertain if this is just an additional background detail, it may hint towards a second appearance of a battle-hungry Redemptor Dreadnought in a future Operations mode or even a potential story continuation.

Who Is Valtus The Redemptor Dreadnought

A Mysterious Space Marine With A Deadly Past

The identity of Space Marine 2’s Redemptor Dreadnought is taken directly from the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game‘s model of the same name, a nice nod to long-time fans. While not much is currently known about Space Marine 2’s imposing dreadnought Valtus, players can still get a glimpse into his past from in-game voice lines. In Operations mode, the Vanguard Decimus mentions serving with Valtus in the past, both fighting alongside each other in the Ultramarine Plague Wars.

Unlike traditional Dreadnoughts, the advanced combat technology of Redemptors can quickly burn out pilots’ synapses during use, killing them before they can die naturally in battle.

Taking place in the realm of Ultramar, the Plague Wars saw the homeworlds of Titus and his fellow Ultramarines come under attack by the legions of the Chaos God Nurgle. Being a source of great pride for the Ultramarine legion, Valtus and his comrades fought tooth and nail to push back the forces of Chaos through a costly campaign, aided by the return of their leader, Gulliman the Primarch.

Space Marine 2 Chaos Gods Featured Image.

Who Are The Chaos Gods In Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2?

Out of all the threats faced by the player, none are as deadly or mysterious as the Chaos Gods, leaving players with more questions than answers.

Having fought countless intense battles against Chaos in the recent past, Valtus likely received valuable experience that gave him the edge to overcome the traitor forces of the Thousand Sons in Space Marine 2. Valtus’ experiences throughout the grueling Plague Wars likely made him more resourceful in combat thanks to the limited resources at his disposal, shown in full by how he creatively dispatches the deadly Helldrake.

The Source Of The Dreadnought’s Anger

A Long-Lived Fued With The Forces Of Chaos

Having defended his homeworlds against the forces of Chaos, Valtus has an even stronger vendetta against his enemies in Space Marine 2 than usual. Along with his history facing Nurgles legions of Deathguard, Valtus personally calls out the leader of the Thousand Sons by the name of Magnus, hinting at a deeper rivalry between the two. The identity of the leaders of each Chaos legion isn’t exactly a secret, but the unfiltered hatred towards the Primarch and agents of chaos fuels Valtus on the field of battle.

While the traitor Primarch Magnus the Red sadly doesn’t make an appearance in
Space Marine 2
, it’s likely the Redemptor Dreadnought has come across him in the distant past, hinting at his increased age.

Despite their similarities, the Hellbrutes throughout Space Marine 2‘s story are not former Dreadnoughts who have turned to Chaos, but traitor Space Marines placed in each machine as a torturous form of endless punishment. Seeing these Chaos mockeries is more than enough to strike rage into the heart of someone like Valtus, being an insult to the honor of becoming a Dreadnought. Using this anger to his strength, Valtus forges a path across the battlefield for players to follow, annihilating anything that gets in their way.

A Potential Upgrade For Players In Space Marine 2’s PVP Mode

Players May Get An Exciting New Experience In Eternal War

Fans of the original Space Marine will remember the classic Dreadnought Assault DLC as an incredibly fun addition to the PvP mode. This paid expansion offered players a new game type to experience, 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 spawn as a powerful Dreadnought, armed with incredibly powerful Assault Cannons and a close-ranged Meltagun.

Space Marine Titus Fighting Chaos Marine.

Why Are The Chaos Marines in Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 Made Of Dust?

Some of the deadliest enemies in Space Marine 2 spew rainbow glitter instead of blood, leaving NPC’s disappointed they can’t tear apart their enemies.

Similar in style to Star Wars Battlefront, these player-controlled Dreadnoughts become a miniboss for the enemy team to deal with, slowly whittling down their health while defending the growing list of objectives from their attackers.

Player-controlled Dreadnoughts become a miniboss for the enemy team to deal with.

Focus Entertainment has already teased a new PvP game mode coming in 2025 in Space Marine 2’s roadmap, with many fans hoping for a return of this classic game mode. While it’s uncertain what kind of content will be added in these future updates, the update will also include several additional PvP maps for players to fight through. With a new game mode, difficulty, and weapon already added in the game’s first post-launch DLC, Warhammer: Space Marine 2 players will have plenty of challenges to keep them busy while they wait for these upcoming content updates.

Sources: GameClips/YouTube, Warhammer 40,000 Wiki, Lexicanum 40,000 Wiki