As someone who’s logged more games of Horus Heresy than I can remember, let me tell you – the Knights of the Questoris Familia are back in a big way.
These aren’t your dad’s lumbering war machines either. With streamlined list-building, tactical flexibility, and a few spicy new rules, this is a force that rewards aggressive, objective-focused play, while still packing the same destructive punch we’ve come to expect.
Playstyle and Battlefield Role
The Questoris and Cerastus chassis now boast the Vanguard (X) special rule. What does that mean in practice? It means Knights don’t just want to hold objectives, they want to blast the enemy off them for points. That alone changes their battlefield dynamic – they’re not just juggernauts for shock-and-awe anymore, they’re mission-focused bruisers that can swing games by racking up kills where it counts.
Of course, charging straight into the teeth of the enemy has its dangers, but with strong frontal armour and careful positioning, most Knights can shrug off small-arms fire. Just don’t expect to be invulnerable – one wrong move and that 600-point center-piece can be scrap metal by turn three.
Army Building: Freedom and Flavor
Gone are the days where you needed to run Armigers to unlock the big boys. Now, your army starts with a Household type: Imperialis, Mechanicum, or the newly introduced Mendicant. Each gives your force a thematic boost through a Tactica, a Vow, and an Advanced Reaction. Whether you’re leaning into noble traditions or Mechanicum-driven weirdness, there’s a lot more room to make your Knights yours.
You also build around a special Primary Detachment just for Knights. That means no allies, but every slot you take is a Prime slot. Each Knight picks a Prime Advantage—a flavorful upgrade based on its household rank. For example, Lord Scion nets you extra repair rolls, perfect for keeping those big walkers ticking after absorbing a pounding.
Even better? Certain ranks unlock detachment access to mortal support. Lord Scion opens up the Yeomanry Mesnie, letting you add Solar Auxilia or Militia units to back up your stomp brigade. And Preceptor brings the Automata Talon, so you can roll with Castellax or even Vorax from the Mechanicum book. A few well-placed support units can seriously shore up your weaknesses.
Vows and Victory Points
Every Knight in a Knight-only force can take a Vow. Think of them like in-game side quests that offer bonus points—if done right. You pick one of four basic ones (mirroring core secondary objectives), or a household-specific vow that adds some narrative flair. For instance, the Vow of Belligerence rewards you for being the first into the fray and winning a combat. But be careful—if another Knight steals your kill, the points vanish.
It’s a smart little mechanic that encourages thematic play without making things too rigid. Charge first, strike hard, and earn that glory like a true noble.
Unit Standouts
There are several standout units in the book, but let me highlight a few personal favorites. First up is the Cerastus Knight Atrapos—600 points of warp-slaying, Dreadnought-punching death. It’s pricey, but if it gets to work, it’s devastating. That Atrapos phasecutter hits like a freight train, and if you keep it stationary, the damage gets dialed up to twelve. Literally.
Next is your bread-and-butter Knight Questoris. It’s the cheapest of the big walkers, but don’t let that fool you. Load it out with a thermal cannon, reaper chainsword, and twin Icarus autocannon and you’ve got a jack-of-all-trades ready to answer any threat.
Finally, the Acastus Knight Asterius is a walking “nope” zone. Its conversion beam desolator array will delete anything caught in its arc, and it shapes how your opponent moves across the board. It’s the perfect tool for controlling space while your other Knights mop up survivors.
Final Thoughts
This new take on the Questoris Familia is more than just a few balance tweaks and fresh fluff. It’s a real evolution of how Knight armies work in Horus Heresy. They’re still brutal, towering war machines, but now they’ve got a little more finesse—and more flexibility to suit different playstyles.
Whether you’re a grizzled House Mechanicum vet or a fresh-faced noble looking to ride your first Cerastus into glory, this is a great time to join the lance. Just remember—bring spare repair crews. You’re going to need them.
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