Dreadnought and Juggernaut

Factory creatures
Level 1
Halfling
Halfling Grenadier
Level 2
Mechanic
Engineer
Level 3
Armadillo
Bellwether Armadillo
Level 4
Automaton
Sentinel Automaton
Level 5
Sandworm
Olgoi-Khorkhoi
Level 6
Gunslinger
Bounty Hunter
Level 7a
Couatl
Crimson Couatl
Level 7b
Dreadnought
Juggernaut
Towns

Juggernaut

Attack Skill

23

Defense Skill

23

Damage

40–50

Health

300

Speed

7

Move

Ground

Size

2

Growth

1

AI Value

6433

Fight Value

5361

Cost Per Troop

3500

2

Mechanical. Heat Stroke attack.

Dreadnought

Attack Skill

18

Defense Skill

20

Damage

40–50

Health

200

Speed

6

Move

Ground

Size

2

Growth

1

AI Value

3879

Fight Value

3879

Cost Per Troop

2200

1

Mechanical. Heat Stroke attack.

Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts are one half of the level 7 creatures of Factory. They are recruited from the Gantry.

"The Dreadnought can be considered the magnum opus of the Factory's engineers and artificers. It is a key unit of its armed forces, the cornerstone of its arsenal, and also an indispensable assistant in construction and heavy lifting. While resource-hungry, it repays its cost in full with high performance and reliability. In the event of damage and even a complete engine shutdown, the Dreadnought, like any other mechanism, can be repaired by the Mechanics; once repaired, it has every chance of going back into service. The Dreadnought's standard attack is a simple and effective punch of its powerful metal fist. The Factory's crown jewel is also equipped with a heat beam, a special activated attack launched from the position where the Dreadnought stands. When the beam goes live, the Dreadnought can choose from five possible directions, and the attack is similar in area to that of the Cerberus. It affects units including those behind the target, similarly to a dragon's breath attack." ^{HotA Heroes Community post.}

Special Ability: Heat Stroke

Heat Stroke can be activated instead of moving or attacking for the turn. It fires a laser that deals damage to all units within the targeted semi-circular area, hitting 7-8 hexes; 3 hexes adjacent and 4-5 hexes behind that. The damage is based on the number of Dreadnoughts/Juggernauts in the stack and is affected by Dreadnoughts/Juggernauts' Attack, targets' Defense and other usual melee modifiers (like Offense). Damage dealt is practically same per target stack as would be from usual Dreadnought/Juggernaut attack to corresponding stack. Heat Stroke can damage friendly creatures in the area. Enemies do not retaliate against a Heat Stroke. Luck and bad luck affect the heatstroke ability of Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts.

Appearance

A Dreadnought appears in the epilogue of the Deus Ex Machina scenario from the Forged in Fire campaign in Horn of the Abyss. Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts also appear in the epilogue of the Homecoming scenario in the same campaign.

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Official Renders

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In comparison to their peers, Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts have average attack skill, above average defence skill and high health. Their damage range is good, allowing them to deal both high and solid damage against their opponents. Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts are also immune to mind spells. Heat Stroke gives both a chance to attack without retaliation, but can also damage your troops, too. Their good defence, high health and Heat Stroke makes them a very good option to fill breached walls, tank damage and blast units stuck or standing right behind moat.

On the flip side, they are among the slowest of level 7 units: Juggernauts are the slowest upgraded level 7 unit along with Chaos Hydras. Being mechanical units, they are unaffected by morale and resurrecting them is completely dependant on your Mechanics and Engineers. Their unit cost is somewhat high, especially when considering same amount of gold and rare resources is required to recruit Red Dragons and Black Dragons, which are more resistant and naturally more suited for offensive operations.

Tactics, Offense and Armorer are good secondary skills to support Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts. If you take them in sieges, Ballistics would be a recommended skill as well. Useful spells include Haste and Prayer to improve their speed, Expert Teleport to optimize the use of Heat Stroke or to place them behind walls, and Bloodlust to improve damage for both normal attack and Heat Stroke. If you fight against Dreadnoughts or Juggernauts, spells like Slow, Quicksand and Force Field will cripple them further, making them relatively easy prey for ranged units. Expert Fire Magic is required for Slayer to take effect against them. Avoid taking melee contact with two or more stacks and try to lure other enemy creatures in their range to minimalize the benefits of Heat Stroke. Also, avoid leaving a one hex gap between you and Dreadnoughts, as you may get surprised by Heat Stroke.

When compared with Couatls and Crimson Couatls, Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts pose more threat and durability in direct combat, but as Couatls are cheaper (both dwelling and unit-wise), faster and can fly, they should be prioritized first, as they are cheaper and more usable in taking over towns. In turn, Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts excel better in town defence, where they can fill gaps, soak up damage and deal damage to several targets without retaliation. Later on, as you accumulate more gold and crystal, Juggernauts can become a viable option to replace slower Halflings or Armadillos in your army.

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See Also:

• List of creatures

• Comparison of Level 7 Creatures