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How Many Imperial Knights Are In An Army? A Deep Dive for Aspiring High Kings

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So, you’re drawn to the thunderous stomps and devastating firepower of Imperial Knights. Excellent choice! But before you unleash these behemoths upon the tabletop, a crucial question arises: How many Imperial Knights are in an army? The direct answer is: it depends! A standard Imperial Knights detachment, often called a Household, typically contains between 3 and 6 Imperial Knights. However, the exact number can fluctuate based on the army composition, detachment rules, and the overall points limit of your game.

Let’s explore this further, unraveling the complexities and nuances that determine the size and composition of your Knightly host.

Understanding Detachments and Army Composition

The key to understanding how many Knights you can field lies in understanding detachments. In Warhammer 40,000, you build your army using detachments, each with specific requirements. For Imperial Knights, the most common detachment is the Super-heavy Detachment.

Super-heavy Detachment: This detachment requires a minimum of 3 Lords of War units, which in this case, are your Imperial Knights. It can also include up to 3 additional Lords of War, allowing for a maximum of 6 Knights.

However, there’s a crucial caveat: you can also include a Super-heavy Auxiliary Detachment.

Super-heavy Auxiliary Detachment: This detachment only contains one Lord of War unit. This allows you to field a single Knight alongside another army.

Therefore, the total number of Imperial Knights you can field varies depending on the size of your army. You can field an entire army of Knights (a “Knight Lance”), or you can include a single Knight as an allied unit in a larger force.

Factors Affecting Knightly Numbers

Several factors will influence the precise number of Knights you include:

Points Limit: The most obvious factor. A 2,000-point game will naturally accommodate more Knights than a 1,000-point game. Each Knight is expensive, so you’ll have to balance their power with the need for supporting units (if you’re not going full Knights).
Household Tradition: Different Knight Houses have different traditions and benefits, influencing the Knights you might choose and their associated costs. Some Houses might favor particular types of Knights, affecting the overall army composition.
Opponent’s Army: Consider your opponent’s army composition and strategize accordingly. A horde army might require more resilient Knights, while an elite army might necessitate faster, more agile Knights.
Secondary Objectives: Think about how your army will score secondary objectives. Knights are powerful, but they can struggle with objectives requiring board control or actions performed by smaller units.
Rule of Three: This rule limits the number of identical datasheets you can include in your army. This doesn’t usually impact Knights as there is a good variety in the available chassis.

Building a Balanced Knight Army

While fielding a full army of Knights is undeniably cool, consider the challenges. A pure Knight army can be vulnerable to certain tactics. Therefore, many players choose to include supporting units, often from the Adeptus Mechanicus, the ancestral allies of many Knight Houses.

Adeptus Mechanicus units can provide:

Screening: Protect your Knights from early assaults.
Objective Control: Hold objectives more efficiently than Knights can.
Anti-Infantry Firepower: Deal with hordes of enemies that Knights might struggle against.
Buffs and Repairs: Enhance the effectiveness and survivability of your Knights.

Sample Army List Ideas

Here are a couple of sample army list ideas to illustrate how the number of Knights can vary:

Pure Knight Lance (2,000 points): 6 Imperial Knights (variety of chassis: Crusader, Warden, Errant, Gallant, Preceptor)
Knight/Mechanicus Alliance (2,000 points): 3 Imperial Knights (Crusader, Errant, Gallant), several units of Skitarii Rangers and Vanguard, a Tech-Priest Dominus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the rules and strategies surrounding Imperial Knights:

Can I include an Imperial Knight in a non-Imperial army? Technically, no. Imperial Knights have the “Agent of the Imperium” keyword which is typically included alongside another Imperial faction but not Xenos. This can be included alongside factions such as Space Marines. This would be taken as a Super-heavy Auxiliary Detachment.
What is the best type of Knight to include in my army? This depends on your army composition and strategy. The Crusader is a versatile gun platform, the Errant excels at tank-hunting, and the Gallant is a melee powerhouse.
Are Canis Rex and the named characters worth including? Absolutely! Canis Rex offers exceptional melee prowess and tactical flexibility, and other named characters often bring unique abilities and synergies.
What are the best Warlord Traits and Relics for Imperial Knights? This depends on your Knight’s role and your overall strategy. Some popular choices include “Ion Bulwark” (improved invulnerable save) and the “Armor of Sainted Ion” (increased survivability).
How do I deal with hordes of infantry when playing Imperial Knights? Consider including Knights equipped with rapid-firing weapons like the Avenger Gatling Cannon or Thermal Cannon. Supporting units from the Adeptus Mechanicus can also provide anti-infantry firepower.
How do I protect my Knights from enemy psychic powers? This is a weakness of Knight armies. Consider allying with a faction that has access to psychic defense, such as the Grey Knights or Sisters of Silence.
What is the role of Freeblades? Freeblades are Knights without a house, allowing you to modify your army in key ways. This enables you to bring in units that would not be available otherwise.
Can I ally with Chaos Knights? No, Imperial Knights cannot ally with Chaos Knights. They are diametrically opposed factions.
What is the best way to transport Imperial Knights? Imperial Knights cannot be transported. They are too large.
How do I deal with enemy armies that focus on mortal wounds? Mortal wounds bypass armor saves, making them a significant threat to Knights. Consider using stratagems to reduce mortal wound damage or target units that inflict them.
What are some common mistakes new Imperial Knights players make? Overextending Knights without support, neglecting objective control, and failing to adapt to the opponent’s army are common mistakes.
How does terrain affect Imperial Knights? Terrain can significantly hinder the movement of Knights. Plan your movements carefully and use terrain to your advantage whenever possible.
What are the best secondary objectives for Imperial Knight armies? This depends on the game and your army composition. Consider objectives that focus on killing enemy units or controlling specific areas of the board.
Where can I learn more about playing Warhammer 40,000? Check out your local gaming store, online forums, and the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for resources and communities dedicated to tabletop gaming and learning. The GamesLearningSociety.org has invaluable information on collaborative gaming and the like.
How frequently are the rules for Imperial Knights updated? Games Workshop regularly updates the rules for Warhammer 40,000 through FAQs, errata, and new codices. Stay up-to-date by checking the official Warhammer Community website.

Conclusion

The number of Imperial Knights in your army is a strategic decision with far-reaching consequences. By understanding detachments, considering the factors that influence army composition, and carefully planning your list, you can build a formidable Knightly host that will dominate the battlefield. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you. Now, go forth and unleash the fury of the Imperial Knights!