The Imperial Knights tower over the battlefield, representing the pinnacle of the Imperium of Man‘s war machine. These massive war suits are piloted by noble warriors, each bound by a powerful code of honor. A single Knight can turn the tide of battle, unleashing destruction upon enemies while standing as a bulwark of strength.
In this article, we’ll delve into the history, tactics, and painting techniques for the awe-inspiring Imperial Knights.
Who Are the Imperial Knights?
The Imperial Knights are towering war machines piloted by noble scions of Knight Houses. These warriors hail from ancient lineages and have sworn oaths of loyalty to the God Emperor of Mankind. Each Knight pilot, or Knight Scion, controls their immense battle suit in a sacred bond, using it to defend the Imperium from its countless enemies.
Imperial Knights belong to feudal worlds, where they rule as lords and protect their territories from invaders. Over millennia, these Knight Houses have forged alliances with the Adeptus Mechanicus and other Imperial factions, ensuring that their technology remains among the most fearsome in the galaxy.
The two main types of Knight Houses are:
- Questor Imperialis: These Knights serve the Imperium directly, often allying with Space Marines or Astra Militarum in their campaigns.
- Questor Mechanicus: These Knights serve the Adeptus Mechanicus, prioritizing the Machine God’s interests and working alongside the Mechanicum’s forces.
With their immense firepower and nearly impenetrable armor, Imperial Knights are unstoppable forces on the battlefield.
What Are the Imperial Knights Army Strengths?
Imperial Knights are characterized by their overwhelming firepower, towering presence, and durability. They excel in dealing massive amounts of damage from a distance, while also being capable of engaging in close combat with devastating results.
Key strengths include:
- High Firepower: Equipped with massive weaponry like the Avenger Gatling Cannon, Thermal Cannon, and Volcano Lance, Imperial Knights can annihilate anything from infantry to heavily armored vehicles.
- Durability: Knights boast incredible durability, with heavy armor that can withstand punishing attacks. Their towering frames make them difficult to bring down, requiring concentrated fire from opponents.
- Versatile Tactics: Knights are versatile enough to dominate in various scenarios. Whether you need them to hold objectives, spearhead assaults, or provide fire support, their flexibility is a major asset.
However, Imperial Knights have some drawbacks. They are relatively few in number, meaning that every loss can drastically affect your strategy. Additionally, their large size makes them easy targets for heavy weapons, and they can struggle with mobility in terrain-heavy environments.
Where Should Beginners Start?
If you’re new to Imperial Knights, here are a few models that will serve as the foundation of your army:
- Knight Paladin: The Knight Paladin is a versatile option equipped with an Avenger Gatling Cannon and Reaper Chainsword. This balanced loadout allows you to engage both infantry and vehicles, making it ideal for learning the strengths of Knights.
- Knight Questoris: This Imperial Knight is known for its heavy armor and powerful weaponry. It serves as a formidable battlefield titan, embodying the might of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
- Knight Dominus: This Imperial Knight is designed for long-range combat. It features advanced weaponry and armor, serving as a formidable force on the battlefield.
- Knight Errant: Armed with a Thermal Cannon, the Knight Errant is great for dealing with heavily armored targets. It’s a strong choice for players who want to focus on learning anti-tank tactics and close-range combat.
- Armiger Helverins: These smaller Knights provide rapid-fire support and are excellent for flanking enemies. Their speed and flexibility make them useful in a variety of roles, helping you learn how to support your main force with lighter units.
- Knight Castellan: This massive war machine is equipped with heavy weapons like the Plasma Decimator and Volcano Lance, ideal for players who want to dominate the battlefield with long-range firepower.
Starting with these units will give you a strong foundation, helping you master the strategic elements of using Imperial Knights in your army.
How to Paint Imperial Knights
Painting Imperial Knights can be a rewarding challenge due to their large size and intricate details. Here’s a guide to getting started with some popular Knight House color schemes:
Color Schemes
House Taranis (Red and White)
- Base Coat: Start with a base of Mephiston Red for the armor panels and Corax White for accents. Use Abaddon Black for mechanical components.
- Layering: Highlight the red armor with Evil Sunz Scarlet, focusing on edges. Use White Scar for white areas.
- Details: For metallic parts, use Leadbelcher, followed by a wash of Nuln Oil to bring out depth. Add gold accents using Retributor Gold for a noble finish.
House Raven (Black and Yellow)
- Base Coat: Use Abaddon Black for the armor, with Flash Gitz Yellow for accents.
- Highlighting: Highlight the black armor with Eshin Grey to emphasize edges, while layering the yellow with Yriel Yellow to make it pop.
- Details: Metallic areas should be painted with Ironbreaker, and purity seals can be done in Screaming Skull.
House Krast (Blue and Gold)
- Base Coat: Apply Macragge Blue to the armor plates and Retributor Gold for the trim.
- Highlighting: Highlight the blue with Calgar Blue, focusing on raised areas. Use Auric Armour Gold to highlight the trim for a vibrant effect.
- Details: Paint weapons with Leadbelcher, then apply a wash of Agrax Earthshade for a weathered look.
Imperial Knights Painting Techniques
Here are a few essential techniques to help you bring your Knights to life:
- Base Coating: Begin with a solid base coat using spray primers like Chaos Black or Corax White, depending on your chosen scheme. Ensure even coverage, especially on large armor plates.
- Washing: Use washes like Agrax Earthshade to enhance the shadows in armor crevices and mechanical parts. For deeper recesses, Nuln Oil can be applied to add depth.
- Drybrushing: This technique works well for weathering and highlighting textures on mechanical parts. Use a lighter shade like Administratum Grey for a subtle effect on dark areas.
- Edge Highlighting: Carefully use a fine brush and lighter colors like White Scar or Stormhost Silver to edge highlight the sharp lines of armor plates and weapons for a striking, polished look.
- Weathering: For a battle-worn look, use Typhus Corrosion and Ryza Rust to add realistic wear to your Knight’s armor, especially around the feet and lower sections.
Image Attribution
Image 1 – Imperial Knight (https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-warhammer-40k-freeblade-volnyi-klinok-imperial-knight-impers.html) by Xpolf (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
Image 2 – Imperial knight of House Terryn (https://www.flickr.com/photos/48725084@N02/32143465003) by Ben Ballard
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Image 3 – House Hawkshroud – Imperial Knight Lance (https://www.deviantart.com/jawzy83/art/House-Hawkshroud-Imperial-Knight-Lance-765717088) by JaWzY83 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)
