Knights on the Eternal Crusade - The Anthonian Order

[Sword Brother Adelard]

In the spirit of increasing traffic on Knights, in order to hopefully convince the powers that be that a Knight Forum is viable I have decided to throw my own nascent house into the ring and create a WIP thread.

My Knight journey began about a year ago now, when I had my first taste of them. A 1500 point tournament where my Black Templars were tabled by an army of simply three knights and three Eversor assassins. It. Was. Brutal.

Therefore, when Renegade came out, I figured, if you can't beat them, join them! One box soon found its way from my FLGS to my home.

In hindsight, what followed was an error on my part. In an effort to 'justify' the cost to the Cannoness who lives with me, I sold the forgeshrine and the second Knight, meaning the Knight I did have stood me in very little money.

I then set about learning about Knights, they weren't even a thing I was aware of when I stopped hobbying 10-15 years ago, and when I first saw them in WD after my return I was intrigued, if a little perplexed. How could people end up owning so many of these things I thought? It's insanity! But I bought the old codex for a few quid to learn about the fluff, and later bought the current one for the rules and more fluff. All of the while trying to think of a way I could accommodate them into the fluff of my Templars. Not as many people do, by just running them as Black Templar Knights, because I just don't personally understand that phenomenon, now I am up with the fluff. The fawning on the BT page for the Legio Models Templar Knight went right over my head.

So, how to do it? It didn't really seem right to have a Knight house permanently attached to a fleet based chapter. Knights of course move around, but they all have bases, home worlds they go back to from time to time to replenish and recruit.

So I decided on a free blade for my solitary Questor, as it seemed logical that a freeblade could decide to tag along with a Crusade fleet for an extended period of time, as they would have no home to go to.

In terms of colour scheme, I wanted something that wasn't black. I was inspired by Honda's Templar allied knights to look at real world Crusader knights, and decided I wanted a sort of off-white colour scheme, maybe cream, or bone. I wasn't quite sure on what exactly, so I had a lot of fun ruining a grav falcon I bought for a few pounds and painting different panels different colours, and seeing how different types of brass and gold interacted with the panels.

I also printed off some of the blank line drawing Knight images, so I could design the heraldry of my freeblade. However, I decided to change tack a little, and design a colour/heraldry scheme which could be shared between several knights in case I decided to add a second Knight later.

A bit more research and my home brew Knight House is almost fully fledged. I call it the Anthonian Order. They're not strictly a Knight House, but an order of Knights which any freeblade can join.
In the fluff, I envisaged that during the Scouring, when the Black Templars were doing their thing under Sigismund, there would be a reasonable quantity of homeless knights, either because their world's had been destroyed in the war, or because they alone had resisted the fall to chaos, and were now the last loyal scions of their fallen brethren. These Knights would have no homes, little resources and a thirst for vengeance. They would likely take the freeblade oath and be more than keen to tag along with Sigismund's boys on a crusade of revenge. Therefore the Black Templars would have the support of a rag-tag bunch of Knights from various dead houses which no longer exist.

At some stage however, something happened (and I haven't quite decided what exactly) and the rag tag bunch decided to formalise their relationship, not as a house with a king and barons, but as a religious order of Knights sworn to a shared cause. By the 41st Millennium they have become reasonably autonomous with their own fleet assets and forgeships, recruiting new pilots from the serf crew of the Chapter's fleet. (In my head I imagine sections of a Templar Forgeship being given over to the Order for their own use. A place for their pilots and sacristans to live and pray. The heraldry was inspired by an idea I had had for incorporating Vanguard into the Chapter, but it just didn't work out in the end once I saw the fuller Vanguard range. The house is loosely based upon the Hospitalier order of St Anthony, which was formed of pilgrims and penitents, it also had as it's badge a type of cross which is similar in some respects to the Maltese, but different enough to not look too similar.

I then moved onto construction, I really enjoyed this part and decided to play around with reposing the legs, just to see how difficult it proved to be. (Reasonably, but worth the effort I think) I magnetised everything, so that I could use all of the weapons, but I modelled the pose around a Gallant loadout. (I am a Templar after all!)

It was around half way through the painting, when I had just had a lot of fun dirtying up the skeleton with various washes that I realised "OH! I get it now!" I now understood those mad owners of huge armies of Knights in WD. I have the bug. I like building them, I love painting them. I want more of them! I now really regretted selling my second one, and resolved to replace it.

Anywho, without further ado, here is my finished Knight: 'Fidelis' (known as Old Faithful):

I am very confident that he will be the first of, if not many, then a good number.

(Thanks if you managed to read this far!) Edited July 10, 2019 by Brother Adelard

[Stray]

They're super fun to build and paint aren't they?

 

I think a lot of us start out getting one Knight to support an army we have, then suddenly, before you know it, that army is used as screening fodder for our Knight household!

 

He's gorgeous by the way buddy. Massive congrats on the original paint scheme and pose - it's tremendously well executed.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

Thank you, I'm really pleased with how he turned out.

 

I really was surprised by just how much I enjoyed it, I'm now having to almost force myself to finish off other things in my paint queue before I treat myself with the next one!

 

I'm not quite sure how to play him rules wise, I think with just one, freeblade is better than a house?

[Lightbox]

Very cool looking! I especially love the gauntlet in the 'have at me knave!' pose. Colour scheme is super crisp and nice too!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Fidelis is well done. Is his Thunderstrike gauntlet doing the "Come at me!" gesture?

[Sword Brother Adelard]

Yes, it seemed appropriate for his more stationary pose.

[Lord Lorne Walkier]

They're super fun to build and paint aren't they?

 

I think a lot of us start out getting one Knight to support an army we have, then suddenly, before you know it, that army is used as screening fodder for our Knight household!

 

/guilty as charged!

/giggle

 

Yeh my poor RG descendant chapter is on long term refit. My Knight drip, drip, drip is almost done. They don't even make the..... escort. My small SoB force got the call for that duty. My =][= Lord also won't be cut. I've been white knuckleing it trying to not call my self a Knight player. I'M A =][= PLAYER DAMMIT! Yeh, my next game my Paladin will be my WL. My =][= Lord just a forward observer.

 

I have been thinking of starting a similar thread. Something along the line of a role call. Back story, favorite tactics, load outs, lance make up, typical strategies ECT.

 

As for the OP's story, I dig it. I like that you are not painting them in Chapter colors. Sounds like your Knights are having a " come to the Emperor moment." Perhaps there is a slightly heretical tech priest "blessing" the Throne mechaicals of Knights, resulting in converts to cause.

Edited July 12, 2019 by Lord Lorne Walkier

[Sword Brother Adelard]

Is there much fluff on the religious views of Questoris Imperialis pilots? Questoris Mechanicus houses almost certainly worship the Omnissiah, but do the Imperialis pilots a)worship the God Emperor, b ) worship the Omnissiah or c) still hold to a version of the Imperial Truth? (A possibility as Knight worlds have more independence than others so may escape some of the power of the ecclesiarchy)? Edited July 13, 2019 by Brother Adelard

[Stray]

Well, there's a story concerning one especially religious Knight.

 

It doesn't end well:

 

https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Living_Litany

[Mushkilla]

Is there much fluff on the religious views of Questoris Imperialis pilots? Questoris Mechanicus houses almost certainly worship the Omnissiah, but do the Imperialis pilots a)worship the God Emperor, b ) worship the Omnissiah or c) still hold to a version of the Imperial Truth? (A possibility as Knight worlds have more independence than others so may escape some of the power of the ecclesiarchy)?

 

From the Knight/Kings Blade books its seems to be a mixture. They need to respect the Omnissiah because of the sacristans but believe in the Emperor (probably closer to the imperial truth than the Eccleisiarchy's version).  To spice things up though, they do remember the time before the coming of the Emperor, so their loyalty to him might be less ingrained or strong as other factions of the imperium. The knight worlds after all were isolated and independent for a long time.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

I think the advantage of them largely coming through Old Night whole is that they already had a pretty Imperial ready society when the Imperium found them, one which was largely untouched by joining. This means that their systems of governance and history would have continuity from then to M41. Unlike worlds which had to be rebuilt or wiped and restarted to become compliant.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

More updates!

I haven't really been a big fan of the newer plastic Knight Chassis. Neither the Dominus or Armiger class really interest me as much as the Questoris. However, I do love the ForgeWorld Armiger Moirax, and pre-ordered these two bad boys when they were finally released:

I'm really pleased with how they both turned out. As you can see, I was able to adjust the poses despite the fact the Moirax leg armour is mono pose by pairing up like with like legs. In this way I was able to have more variety with the poses.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job. I appreciate your efforts at posing the Knights.

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Wow - your white is gorgeous - I'm amazed at how even and consistent you were able to get the grooves in its armour, all without compromising the even consistency of the white.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

Why thank you! I simply just thinned the heck out of the Wych Flesh and layered it more times than I can remember. I then ensured that I went back after filling in the grooves and did my best to remove the damage.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

I realised the other day that three Moirax knights, one of each loadout FW sell, (of which I have two) is exactly 500 points, and my FLGS has a decent Crusade scene of 500-100 point games. (I can then throw in my Questoris as either a Warden or a Crusader for the 1000 point list.)

 

My question is: has anyone used the Crusade rules on knights? Do they help mitigate some of the issues Knights have otherwise? It would be nice to take mine out, to my shame, I haven't actually played with mine yet.

Edited October 24, 2020 by Brother Adelard

[Emicus]

I realised the other day that three Moirax knights, one of each loadout FW sell, (of which I have two) is exactly 500 points, and my FLGS has a decent Crusade scene of 500-100 point games. (I can then throw in my Questoris as either a Warden or a Crusader for the 1000 point list.)

 

My question is: has anyone used the Crusade rules on knights? Do they help mitigate some of the issues Knights have otherwise? It would be nice to take mine out, to my shame, I haven't actually played with mine yet.

In all likelihood your crusade group will have an aneurysm. Unless they're the kind who goes 'ooh power level means I can take all the upgrades!'.

 

AFAIK you need to run a detachment and I'm not sure superheavy auxiliary can be taken solo? If so you will play without starting CP, but not a huge problem.

[Gederas]

I realised the other day that three Moirax knights, one of each loadout FW sell, (of which I have two) is exactly 500 points, and my FLGS has a decent Crusade scene of 500-100 point games. (I can then throw in my Questoris as either a Warden or a Crusader for the 1000 point list.)

 

My question is: has anyone used the Crusade rules on knights? Do they help mitigate some of the issues Knights have otherwise? It would be nice to take mine out, to my shame, I haven't actually played with mine yet.

In all likelihood your crusade group will have an aneurysm. Unless they're the kind who goes 'ooh power level means I can take all the upgrades!'.

 

AFAIK you need to run a detachment and I'm not sure superheavy auxiliary can be taken solo? If so you will play without starting CP, but not a huge problem.

Yes, you can use Knights in Crusade, but you HAVE to use the Lord of War Detachment in the 25PL games. Which means 3 Armiger-Class Knights.

 

Knights will still have issues with objectives, and can be VERY swingy in 25PL, but.... It can work. And probably works better in Crusade than otherwise.

 

Imo, a decent 50 PL starter is a Knight Preceptor and three Armigers of your choice. The reason why I say a Knight Preceptor over other Questoris Knights is this: Rerolls for the Armigers without spending command points.

[Sword Brother Adelard]

 

I realised the other day that three Moirax knights, one of each loadout FW sell, (of which I have two) is exactly 500 points, and my FLGS has a decent Crusade scene of 500-100 point games. (I can then throw in my Questoris as either a Warden or a Crusader for the 1000 point list.)

 

My question is: has anyone used the Crusade rules on knights? Do they help mitigate some of the issues Knights have otherwise? It would be nice to take mine out, to my shame, I haven't actually played with mine yet.

In all likelihood your crusade group will have an aneurysm. Unless they're the kind who goes 'ooh power level means I can take all the upgrades!'.

 

AFAIK you need to run a detachment and I'm not sure superheavy auxiliary can be taken solo? If so you will play without starting CP, but not a huge problem.

 

 

This isnt such a big issue, the local Crusade group decided to use points not PL. I was a bit unconvinced at first, but you get used to it. And it is more balanced.

 

 

I realised the other day that three Moirax knights, one of each loadout FW sell, (of which I have two) is exactly 500 points, and my FLGS has a decent Crusade scene of 500-100 point games. (I can then throw in my Questoris as either a Warden or a Crusader for the 1000 point list.)

 

My question is: has anyone used the Crusade rules on knights? Do they help mitigate some of the issues Knights have otherwise? It would be nice to take mine out, to my shame, I haven't actually played with mine yet.

In all likelihood your crusade group will have an aneurysm. Unless they're the kind who goes 'ooh power level means I can take all the upgrades!'.

 

AFAIK you need to run a detachment and I'm not sure superheavy auxiliary can be taken solo? If so you will play without starting CP, but not a huge problem.

Yes, you can use Knights in Crusade, but you HAVE to use the Lord of War Detachment in the 25PL games. Which means 3 Armiger-Class Knights.

 

Knights will still have issues with objectives, and can be VERY swingy in 25PL, but.... It can work. And probably works better in Crusade than otherwise.

 

Imo, a decent 50 PL starter is a Knight Preceptor and three Armigers of your choice. The reason why I say a Knight Preceptor over other Questoris Knights is this: Rerolls for the Armigers without spending command points.

 

 

That is a very good point on the Preceptor, I hadn't thought of that, and the Preceptor is a bit better these days than he was. Thanks.

 

Thanks both for the pointers on the detachment question. I hadn't thought of that issue.

 

I'm hoping the Moirax rules stay decent in the new FW book. I didn't buy them to be gamey, I just prefer the look of them over regular Armigers, but that doesn't mean i want them nerfed into the ground!

[Focslain]

Knights can work in crusade, just that at the Patrol level your starting with 0 CP unless your opponent has a higher Crusade value then yours.

 

Also the lance rule is not in effect so you can make one of your armigars a 'warlord' and even then you have to spend an RP to make your questoris one and give it traits and relics at twice the crusade point level. So just be careful.

 

Also your questoris will only have access to half the battle honours. Your armigars are going to be your work horses for this.