In Defense of the 7th ed Questing Knights

Yes... it is a parody title of "In Defense of the 7 Sacraments"- King Henry VIII

Obvious point lead off? Questing Knights... still worth it in comparison to Grail Knights?

6 Grail Knights, Unit Strength 12, Strength above average like Questing Knights, High Weapon skill, 2 attacks each.

On the charge: 10 Attacks strength 6 most likely hitting on 3's, probably 4's against chaos :blink: and wounding on 2's... pretty simple right?

Use for Grail Knights? Pretty much everything...

against Flagellants, Slayers, Eternal Guard, All Undead, White Lions or Swordmasters of Hoeth, Jezzails, Plague Monks, all Artillery, Greatswords of the Empire, Witch Elves of Khaine, Black Guard, Giants, Hammerers, Saurus Warriors, Stegadons, Salamander Hunting Packs, Terradons, Chameleon Skinks, Skinks, Kroxigors, Jungle Swarms, All Nurgle Units, and the majority of the Hordes of Chaos and Beasts of Chaos army books...

Are all problematic against grail knights as they are able to resist their charge. The Questing knights usually prevail in this section above Grail Knights as their charge into battle doesn't stop their strength in combat after one single round, their weapon skill is still very good in comparison to the Grail Knights (1 less) and even though they don't have a 2+ armor save or 2 attacks each, their charge in lance formation can expand afterwards to maximize attacks and their great weapons keep their strength able to wound on 2's against normal enemies and 3's against higher toughness enemies!

They may not be immune to psychology but they have re-rollable psychology tests which is almost as good as immunity as their High Leadership usually gives them the benefit of the doubt. They have Intiative 4 which is one less then Grails but is still higher then the majority of most units in the warhammer world who have 3 or even less (Lady forbid :P) mind you Grail Knights are used for hunting elite units that may strike down the best units in the game which is what they are for.

Meanwhile it seems people interpret by fluff and such that questing knights are meant for defeating the most terrible foes in combat. Well in a quick mentioning: "That's not true, they were never truly meant for this purpose", questing Paladins and Questing Lords were meant for such a purpose of striking down the mighty monsters but the units are good for disposing of any unit that gets in their way and those stubborn hard-to-break enemies the Grail Knights can't handle in second rounds of combat.

For almost the same amount of points, 9 Questing Knights (charge with 8 Attacks strength 5) are almost equal to the Grail Knights, they aren't as big targets as those Grail Models that are a bank for the enemy to withdraw from, and not to mention with 9 knights we have 2 combat resolution from our ranks instead of just one from Grail Knights (0 if even one is cut down) and they become fully dependable on their strength and ability to kill...

In an overall view, Questing Knights are a dependable unit to the opposite of Grail Knights. Yes you can depend on grail knights to appear in small units, be immune to psychology and stay in combat if you need them to hold the enemy back, and usually break the average unit on the charge [b]but[/b] taking the fact that you depend on Grail Knights for their wounding and bringing down the enemy makes them less dependable for Combat Resolution then the Questing Knights.

1 for ranks, 1 for standard + wounds while the enemy has outnumber (usually), standard, and 1-3 ranks + wounds basically that gives you 2 and them 3-5 combat res. start.

Questing Knights have 2 for ranks, outnumber, 1 for standard + wounds while the enemy has standard and 1-3 ranks. that giving you a 3 and them a 2-4

Questing Knights are very much just as capable of killing things as Grail Knights (although just a little less so) and therefore give them the upperhand on combat resoltuion with 2 simple wounds cause as Grail Knights requires 4 to take the lead. Of course causing wounds back, grail knights aren't tough to strike down, neither are questing knights. But with a 3+ armor save it saves almost as much as the 2+ on grail knights and both have the same ward save therefore saving them pretty much the same amount with an exception of one or two.

Second rounds of combat with expanding formation, the Grail Knights no ,onger have their rank bonus and have a standard plus their 10 attacks at strength 4 probably hitting first... the enemy will probably still have a 1 or 2 rank bonus and, not to mention, outnumber and standard plus wounds back... the enemy now has a 3 up on the grail knights as they have to cause 4 wounds to take up the combat res. I'm not saying that's hard, but now they will be wounding on a probable 3 instead of a 2 or even a 4 and therefore their wounds will be subsequently less.

Questing Knights expanding formation now have a rank bonus still, outnumber still, standard, and wounds. The enemy has their 2 ranks and a standard. The Combat starts as a tie and is much better then having the enemy 3 up on you... simply causing more wounds then the enemy after taking their attacks will win the day! Of course if you want a one up on the enemy you can not expand formation and if no models were lost you may have a 2 combat res for ranks and actually be beating the enemy by a single point in combat res.

Horses are all equal attack wise and the Questing knights are also cost effective. Taking 9 of these boys would save you 90 points (a whole trebuchet) instead of if you had taken 9 Grail Knights.

Fluff wise: Yes there are the reasons why Grail Knights take the field. In defense for the Lady and to cut down the foe before them that dares harm the sacred land of Bretonnia... it's usually always the same deal... although on crusades it's a bit different for they desire to push back the horrid armies that hurt and pillage the innocent... it is their job to show the wrath of the Lady.

Questing Knights have more extendable fluff although it's not always easy to see. Not only is it a character full unit as the questing knights are pulled from the depths of their quests along with many others and see their Bretonnian comrades storming the field towards the enemy. The armies upon the other side of the field have brought terrible beasts and many followers of evil Gods that are not worthy of the Lady and it is THEIR job to prove themselves in her eye, that they too can smite the enemy like a Grail Knight can, they can bring down the horrible dark enemies that threaten their brethren!

On Crusades they are also very cool to see fluff-wise as they include their fellow knights and peasants that accompany them on their quest outside the realms of Bretonnia to destroy the evil that lurks in the Old World, to prove themselves to the Lady outside of the Realms of Bretonnia!

There is no reason to say "Questing Knights aren't good anymore". They are the greatest great-weapon wielders, aside from chosen khornate warriors, in the old world and cost way less (like all of our cavalry) then other cavalry in the old world! They fight with strength much greater then MANY men and elves, even dwarfs! They break the enemy just as easily as Knights of the Realm and Knights Errant on the charge and have addition bonuses that make them better for the job such as great weapons and psychology help for only 4 points more then Knights of the Realm.

Not to mention, you can only take one unit of Grail Knights while you can take more then one unit of Questing knights. In addition, they only counts as Special units instead of taking up those precious rare slots that you could use for those great trebuchets we hold or even Grail Knights to inspire the Questing Knights on what they too shall be like if they sup from the Holy Grail.

And so my points have gathered to show that for their great uses against stubborn and unbreakable units, can break the average unit on the charge, and produce great combat resolution which make them much more reliable then some of our troops.

In conclusion, Questing Knights are still worth their point costs and are still of great use that some people have overlooked. They are better for resolution and have great strength among their ranks that exceeds that of normal men! I hope this inspires those who have shunned the Questing Knights from their armies to bring them back in for they can still be used for their powerful charge, great fluff, and steady skill in combat!