Imperial Knight

An Imperial Knight is not a titan. It is a large single pilot warmachine, similar to the Tau Riptide. Usually humanoid, the cockpit for the pilot is mounted in the head or just behind it in the main body.

The knights are allied with, or in some cases part of the Adeptus Mechanicum rather than being part of the Imperium. Knight worlds are worlds which supply forgeworlds with foodstuff and raw materials and are defended by Knight Households. The Knight World gathers foodstuff and ores for a set period of time (usually a year) before the Adeptus mechanicus arrive in a forge ship bringing new knight suits in exchange for the raw materials. As with most Imperial or mechanicus forces, the Knight households wear bright heraldry.

The Knights come in several varieties, all of which have an energy shield to protect them from incoming fire and have a mix of shooty any choppy. Two varieties have just recently appeared in the 40K model range, the Knight Paladin with its rapid fire battlecannon and the Knight Errant with its thermal cannon. Other varieties, yet to be seen in 40k, are the Knight Lancer - similar to the Paladin, but faster and with more choppy, the Knight Crusader with Lascannons and a titan grade Quake Cannon, the Knight Castellan with Autocannons and a Quake Cannon and the command Baron class Knight with an even faster firing battlecannon, improved armour and the speed and choppiness of the Lancer.

Knights usually deploy alongside Titan legions as auxillary forces. Although some paterns of Knight are capable of going toe to toe with smaller titans, or even larger titans outfitted exclusively for ranged combat, the Knights usual role is anti infantry or anti light vehicle freeing up the Titans to attack superheavies.

In game terms, the Knight Paladin and Knight Errant are superheavy walkers with strength D close combat weapons, a big gun and a special Ion Shield that gives them a 4+ invulnerable on a facing chosen at the start of each of your opponents shooting phases. The Paladin also mounts two heavy stubbers, and the Errant one heavy stubber.