The Crushing Reality: Why Are Imperial Knights Bad?
Imperial Knights, those towering behemoths of the battlefield, often evoke images of invulnerable machines crushing all before them. While visually stunning and boasting impressive stats, the truth is that Imperial Knights, as an army, often struggle to achieve consistent competitive success. They are “bad,” not in the sense of being unplayable, but in that they possess inherent weaknesses that make them difficult to pilot effectively against a diverse range of opponents in the current Warhammer 40,000 meta. Their core problem stems from a confluence of factors: feast-or-famine gameplay, vulnerability to targeted anti-tank firepower, limited mobility, and a reliance on a small number of extremely expensive models. This creates a high-risk, high-reward playstyle that often crumbles under pressure from more versatile and nuanced armies.
The Core Weaknesses of the Imperial Knights
Feast or Famine Gameplay
Imperial Knights excel at obliterating specific targets, particularly vehicles and monsters. Their heavy firepower can wipe out entire units in a single volley. However, this strength is also a significant weakness. When facing armies without many high-value targets, or armies that can effectively screen and protect their key units, the Knights’ firepower becomes largely irrelevant. This leads to a “feast or famine” scenario where the Knights either dominate the game or are rendered ineffective, with little middle ground. Their effectiveness is heavily dependent on the enemy list composition.
Vulnerability to Focused Fire
Each Knight is a massive points investment. Losing even one can significantly cripple your army’s combat effectiveness. Modern Warhammer 40,000 boasts a plethora of weapons designed to specifically target vehicles with high damage output. Lascannons, meltaguns, and other specialized weaponry can quickly strip away a Knight’s wounds, especially with the prevalence of re-rolls and powerful stratagems that enhance accuracy and damage. Their limited model count means that concentrated fire is extremely effective against them. An army geared towards destroying vehicles can very quickly dismantle an entire Imperial Knights force.
Limited Mobility and Board Control
While Knights are fast for their size, they are far from agile. Navigating dense terrain can be a major challenge, hindering their ability to effectively engage the enemy or secure objectives. This lack of mobility is further exacerbated by their large base size, making it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or screen vulnerable units. In an objective-based game, this lack of board control can be devastating. Modern armies often rely on fast-moving infantry and skirmishers to capture and hold objectives, a tactic that can easily outmaneuver the slower, less adaptable Knights.
Over-Reliance on a Few Expensive Models
An Imperial Knights army is typically comprised of only a handful of models, each representing a significant portion of your total points. This inherently limits your tactical flexibility and resilience. Losing even one Knight can dramatically reduce your army’s firepower and ability to control the battlefield. This reliance on a small number of models also makes them vulnerable to morale and leadership-based attacks.
Factors Contributing to the Problem
Meta Shifts and Power Creep
The shifting meta of Warhammer 40,000 often sees new armies and strategies emerge that directly counter the strengths of Imperial Knights. Power creep, where newer units and factions are significantly stronger than older ones, further exacerbates this issue. New codexes often include rules and abilities that make it easier to deal with large, heavily armored targets, further diminishing the Knights’ effectiveness.
Difficulty in Scoring Primary Objectives
Warhammer 40,000 is primarily an objective-based game. Simply killing the enemy is not enough to guarantee victory. Imperial Knights often struggle to consistently score primary objectives due to their limited mobility and model count. They may be able to wipe out entire units, but they often lack the ability to capture and hold objectives, especially against armies with superior board control.
Specific Army Matchups
Certain armies, such as those heavily reliant on psykers or possessing extensive mortal wound output, can pose a significant threat to Imperial Knights. Mortal wounds bypass armor saves and invulnerable saves, making Knights highly vulnerable to these types of attacks. Armies that can deny psychic powers can also shut down crucial buffs and abilities, further reducing the Knights’ effectiveness.
Are Imperial Knights Good for Beginners?
While the extract suggests Imperial Knights are good for beginners because of the small model count, this is a double-edged sword. The strategic depth needed to pilot them successfully is actually higher, not lower, than more complex armies. New players are better off learning the fundamentals of army composition, unit synergy, and objective control with a more forgiving army. They should also consult resources such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to refine their tactical acumen.
Conclusion: A Challenging, But Not Impossible, Faction
Imperial Knights are not inherently “bad” in the sense of being completely unplayable. However, they are a challenging faction to master and require a high degree of skill and strategic planning to achieve consistent success. Their reliance on a small number of expensive models, vulnerability to targeted anti-tank firepower, and limited mobility make them difficult to pilot effectively against a diverse range of opponents. Players who choose to play Imperial Knights must be prepared to carefully consider their list composition, develop effective strategies for dealing with a variety of threats, and play cautiously to minimize their weaknesses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Imperial Knights competitive in tournaments?
Imperial Knights can be competitive in tournaments, but they require a skilled player and a carefully crafted list. They are generally considered a “mid-tier” faction, meaning they can win games against most opponents but struggle against certain armies. Success often hinges on good matchups and skillful execution.
2. What is the best Imperial Knights detachment?
The best Imperial Knights detachment depends on your preferred playstyle and the specific threats you expect to face. The Super-Heavy Detachment is the most common choice, allowing you to field a force consisting entirely of Knights. Different bonds offer differing warlord traits, stratagems, and relics, and the choice depends on the goal of your strategy.
3. What are the best weapons for Imperial Knights?
The best weapons for Imperial Knights depend on the specific Knight chassis and your overall strategy. Commonly effective choices include the rapid-fire battle cannon, thermal cannon, gatling cannon, and missile launchers. Consider your local meta when making weapons choices.
4. How do I protect my Imperial Knights from enemy firepower?
Protecting your Imperial Knights requires a combination of tactics and strategic positioning. Use terrain to provide cover, screen them with cheaper units like Armigers, and prioritize eliminating threats that can deal significant damage. Consider using stratagems to enhance their durability, such as those that grant invulnerable saves or reduce incoming damage.
5. What are the best units to support Imperial Knights?
Armigers are a great choice to support Imperial Knights. They are faster and have a lower point cost to help screen and capture objectives.
6. How do I deal with armies that heavily rely on mortal wounds?
Dealing with mortal wound-heavy armies requires careful planning and specific countermeasures. Consider including units that can deny psychic powers or provide immunity to mortal wounds. Focus on eliminating key threats quickly and prioritize positioning to minimize the impact of area-of-effect abilities.
7. What are the best stratagems for Imperial Knights?
The best stratagems for Imperial Knights vary depending on the specific situation. Commonly useful stratagems include those that enhance accuracy, increase damage output, or improve durability. Knowing your stratagems is key to succeeding with Imperial Knights.
8. How do I use Imperial Knights to score primary objectives?
Scoring primary objectives with Imperial Knights can be challenging due to their limited mobility and model count. Focus on capturing and holding key objectives early in the game, using your firepower to clear out enemy resistance. Consider deploying Armigers to assist with objective control and screen your larger Knights.
9. Are Imperial Knights good against hordes?
Imperial Knights can struggle against hordes due to their limited number of attacks and difficulty in clearing large numbers of infantry quickly. Weapons like the gatling cannon and rapid-fire battle cannon are effective against hordes, but it is important to prioritize targets and focus on eliminating key threats.
10. How do I play against armies that can easily deny psychic powers?
Playing against armies that can easily deny psychic powers requires adapting your strategy and minimizing your reliance on psychic buffs. Focus on using your raw firepower and tactical positioning to gain an advantage. Consider including units that can disrupt enemy psychic powers or provide alternative buffs.
11. What are the best warlord traits for Imperial Knights?
The best warlord traits for Imperial Knights depend on your preferred playstyle and the specific needs of your army. Traits that enhance durability, increase damage output, or improve mobility are generally effective choices.
12. Can Imperial Knights effectively target characters?
Imperial Knights can struggle to effectively target characters due to their low precision and the prevalence of character-screening tactics. Consider including units with precision weapons or abilities that can bypass screening units. Strategic targeting and careful positioning are key to eliminating enemy characters.
13. Are Imperial Knights a good choice for beginners?
As mentioned previously, while they seem good for beginners due to low model count, the reality is that Knights require a strong grasp of the game to succeed. You must be aware of your list’s weaknesses and understand how to address them on the battlefield.
14. Are there any specific Imperial Knight units that are considered “bad” or underpowered?
The value of specific Imperial Knight units fluctuates with meta changes. However, generally underpowered units often lack a clear role or are outclassed by other options in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Stay up-to-date with meta analyses and player feedback to make informed decisions about your list composition.
15. How often do Imperial Knights get new rules or updates?
Imperial Knights receive new rules and updates periodically, typically with the release of new codexes, supplements, or FAQs. These updates can significantly impact their effectiveness and viability in the competitive scene. Stay informed about the latest rules changes and adapt your strategy accordingly.