INTRODUCTION
After writing the tactica for peasants and characters, I suppose it was only logical to write one about knights, who are, after all, the spine of the Bretonnian army. A lot of armies of the Warhammer world have heavy cavalry, but Bretonnians are no doubt those who have the widest range of knights. From the basic Knights of the Realm or Knights Errant to the hard-hitting but rare Grail Knights and Questing Knights or to the Pegasus Knights able to reach any foe on the battlefield in no time, Bretonnian heavy cavalry brings on the tabletop numerous units that are rightly feared by those who are unfortunate enough to face their thunderous charges. When deployed in their unique lance formation, they are easily able to bring down almost any enemy in one thrust of their iron-tipped lances or one blow from their excellent warhorses' hooves.
BRETONNIAN SPECIAL RULES
THE LANCE FORMATION
The main strength of Bretonnian knights is no doubt the ability to charge using the fearsome lance formation, which allows almost all warriors of the unit to attack when they run straight into their foes and send them flying everywhere. Since this formation requires ranks of three, knights are good in units of six, nine or twelve. The bigger the unit, the most useful the formation is. Since knights are sold in boxes of eight, I usually take a paladin to complete a rank bonus (even though it is likely that you lose that bonus because of shooting or magic before you reach close combat). If the paladin has a lance, such an unit will deal seven S5 attacks at WS4, three S6 attacks at WS5 and six S3 attacks at WS3 when charging. Add two ranks bonuses and a banner, and your combat resolution will be quite impressive. If this won't break the enemy on the first turn, nothing will.
Put your paladin and your champion at the front (obviously), and also your musician. This way, your precious standard bearer will be protected from enemy attacks, since he will be in the second rank.
The lance formation is not always the best, though. Because of its large flanks, the unit is likely to get flanked. That's why you'll have to find a way to protect your sides. Men-at-Arms can be good for this, but your knights will be slowed down. Another problem with this formation is that your unit will be difficult to manoeuver, especially if it is big. However, the rewards in destruction are more than worth it.
THE LADY'S BLESSING
As if 2+ armor saves weren't enough, knights of Bretonnia can in addition get a ward save. This can be excellent against cannonballs and fanatics <_< that ignore armor saves. But the Lady's Blessing is not only a protection: it is also necessary for a few magical items and banners to work, and that's why it is strongly advised to always take it. Choosing to have the Blessing requires letting your opponent attack first since your knights get down their horses to pray for their goddess. However, you can easily save 3-4 knights for every 1000 points (which means 6 to 8 knights in 2000 points) with it, so I consider it's worth it. The Blessing improves against powerful attacks, but you can also lose it if you flee or refuse a challenge. But with Ld8, knights of Bretonnia are still brave warriors.
BRETONNIAN WARHORSES
In battle, knights of Bretonnia ride mighty warhorses that have become one of the symbols of their kingdom. Horses are always useful since they bring speed, armor save, additional attacks, more unit strength and the ability to use a lance. Even though they look like Imperial horses (they have the same stats), they differ from their lesser cousins with the fact that their movement is not slowed down by the barding. In addition, using the lance formation also enables the horses to fight, and sometimes they prove almost as effective as their riders.
THE KNIGHTS OF BRETONNIA
In the Land of Heroes, a lot of different kinds of knights can be found smashing Greenskins or slaying dragons. Although some of them look pretty much the same, others have a very specific use on the battlefield. Since, as I said earlier, they are the spine of the Bretonnian army, they are present in all categories of units: core, special, rare and characters. Let's take a closer look at the defenders of the realm.
Knights of the Realm
They are without a doubt the unit that will win the day for you. Well, there are others that can be useful, but those guys are the hardcore of your army. Well equipped, hard-hitting, disciplined, they are as good at dealing damage as taking it. When charging in lance formation, they can easily dispatch the enemy's special or rare units. However, like all heavy cavalry, they don't come cheap, and a single cannonball can rip through your knights like a Chaos chariot through Skinks.
Pros: Powerful when charging, well armored, disciplined.
Cons: Expensive, difficult to manoeuver.
Knights Errant
Less expensive than Knights of the Realm, Knights Errant are not so different from their more experienced brothers, but have lower WS and Ld. The main difference, though, is that they are Impetuous. This means that they are immune to psycho when charging (which is useful against fear-causing foes), but they have to take a leadership test NOT to charge the enemy, which can be really bad if they choose Archaon or Night Goblins with fanatics as a target. In my humble opinion, Knights of the Realm are still a better deal.
Pros: Powerful when charging, well armored, Impetuous.
Cons: Still expensive, difficult to manoeuver, Impetuous.
Questing Knights
Those are probably my favorite knights, and it's a pity that they are in a metal boxed set. Although their stats are close to those of a Knight of the Realm (except the S4 and I4), their style of fighting is quite different since they are equipped with heavy weapons, which enable them to strike at S6 in all turns of combat. For this reason, they are good against stubborn or unbreakable foes, especially the tougher ones. In addition, they re-roll failed psycho tests. They are no doubt worth the 4 points of difference with the knights of the realm.
Pros: Powerful not only when charging, heavy weapons, disciplined.
Cons: Strike last, special unit.
Pegasus Knights
Of all kinds of knights of Bretonnia, those guys are the most different from the others: they fly. With this ability, they are great at war-machine-hunting, wizard-killing or march-move-stopping. Even a little unit is able to deal impressive punishment and sometimes even destroying your opponent's strategy. Since they ride Pegasi, they have less armor save than other knights (as Pegasi are not barded), but their higher toughness and their two wounds give them more chances to survive. However, the one unit of Pegasus Knights that is allowed in your army will come at an exorbitant cost, even if you take the minimum unit size.
Pros: Flying, powerful mount, disciplined, two wounds each.
Cons: EXTREMELY expensive, one unit per army.
Grail Knights
From their insane combat stats to their excellent armor save, from the lance formation to their immunity to psycho, Grail Knights are probably very serious candidates for the title of ultimate heavy cavalry of the Warhammer world, along with the Chosen Chaos Knights. They have two attacks each, high strength, good WS and Initiative, above-average Ld and a lot of other things that explain their very high cost in points and the awe they cause to their opponents and allies alike. Although few in numbers, each of them can slay an impressive number of foes in a legendary charge that is known to crush entire armies.
Pros: Devastating when charging, awesome stats, well armored.
Cons: Very expensive, one (rare) unit per army.
CONCLUSION
As the main defenders of the Land of Heroes, knights of Bretonnia can rightly be counted among the hardest-hitting heavy cavalries of the Warhammer world. Stronger than High Elven Silver Helms, faster than Imperial knights, much more numerous than Chaos Knights, only the fool would not fear the might of their lances, the speed of their horses and the courage of their hearts. Woe upon the foes of Bretonnia, for the knights of the Land of Heroes are always watchful, always ready for war, always brave. And if the land of the Lady is threatened, the call to battle will bring together the hosts of the kingdom, as honorable and united as in the time of Gilles, and their enemies shall be slain without mercy.
For the Lady, for the King, and for Honor!
P.S.: Could a moderator pin this topic please? It's part of my tactica.
