How to Play Grey Knights in Warhammer 40K
Today let’s take a look at some basics of how to play and get started with Warhammer 40k Grey Knights in 10th Edition.
The Grey Knights are the elite, daemon-hunting Space Marine chapter seconded to the Inquisition. When the Grey Knights go to war, the psychic might of each Grey Knight is brought to bear, powering their bespoke weapons and armor. On the tabletop, they are an elite and powerful faction with a lot to get through.
So below, we offer some tips on how to play the army and get started with the faction.
Who Are The Grey Knights?
The Grey Knights are the legendary Chapter 666. Although nominally a Chapter of the Astartes, they are in the Chamber Militant of the Inquisition. Once inducted, their harsh training regime is without equal. In battle, they move as an army of silver ghosts. Surrounded by awe, and equipped to the teeth to deal with the worst foes Chaos raises against them.
The chapter battles enemies such as Daemons, creatures not of this realm but formed of sorcery and madness. Grey Knights must embrace the power of the Warp to battle a Daemon with its own weapons. Each Grey Knight is an accomplished, powerful psyker. Thus, they are trained to channel their psychic energies into a halo of protective wards known as The Aegis. It makes them immune to corruption, able to wield forbidden black magic, harness tainted artifacts, and scour blasphemous tomes. All without risk of being overwhelmed by the cursed corrosive power of Chaos.
Their armor is left unpainted, leaving the silver-grey of the ceramite exposed. This tradition is thought to have originated from their desire to lead lives of absolute purity. Acid-etched into their left gauntlet, as well as tattooed upon the flesh beneath, is the sigil of Malcador the Sigilite. Upon achieving the rank of Justicar one may display their personal heraldry on a shield on their shoulder. In contrast to this, their armor is highly decorated, encrusted with protective symbols and engraved litanies
Why Play Grey Knights
Grey Knights are one of the most elite factions the Imperium has to offer. They take the flexibility of Space Marines and turn it all the way up. In addition to great guns and swords, almost every model is also a Psyker. This means that the Grey Knights have the flexibility to dominate any and all phases of the game. They add in some extra anti-daemon rules for fluff and make a solid choice.
Strengths of the Army
- Psychic buff superiority.
- Tactical flexibility.
- Dependable battlefield positioning due to wide access to teleportation.
Weakness of the Army
- Super elite. Unless you are fighting Knights or Adeptus Custodes, you’ll likely be heavily outnumbered.
Grey Knight Army Rules
- Teleport Assault: This powerful rule allows you to pick models off the board at the end of your opponent’s turn, and Deep Strike them again in your subsequent turn. Thus the opponent can never count on your position remaining the same.
Grey Knight Detachment Rules- Teleport Strike Force
- Rules: The Teleport Shunt rule means Grey Knight Advance a flat value and Fly when they do so.
- Enhancements: First to the Fray doubles down on your Deep Strike abilities, not counting the bearer against Strategic Reserve limitations.
- Stratagems: Almost all the Grey Knight stratagems are locked to be used on Psykers- fortunately that is just about every Grey Knight model.
Key Grey Knights Units To Know
The army has a decent unit roster and knowing what units to take can be tricky. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right track.
Leaders
Grandmaster Voldus
This Epic Hero lends some strong help to the unit he leads (Terminators or Paladins) in the form of two Psychic Powers. In addition, Voldus can really beat some face with the Malleus Argyrum.
Kaldor Draigo
One With the Warp means this potent Terminator Character gets big bonuses when he charges out of Deep Strike. Pair him with Paladins (below) to cut through almost anything.
Castellan Crowe
Nothing says you are pure like wielding a daemon weapon.This unique HQ is a pure combat beatstick.
Battleline
Grey Knight Strike Squad
The most “common” of the Grey Knight forces, Strike Squads are still more elite than almost any foes they will face. A large number of Strike Squads can lead to an army generously described as numerous.
Brotherhood Terminator Squad
The other Troops choice available to Grey Knight armies are the bruising Terminator Squads. These heavily-armoured Brothers are perfect for devastating alpha strikes.
Other Units
Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight
A powerful Grey Knight Grandmaster strapped into a giant mechanical war-suit, the Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight is every bit as effective as it sounds. The unit is excellent both melee and psychically.
Interceptors
Interceptors are an extra mobile version of Strike Squads available as a Fast Attack choice.
Nemesis Dreadknight
Standard Nemesis Dreadknights may look like the Grandmaster above, but you should still take them. But that certainly does not mean that we should not shine a light on the regular Dreadknight! It is almost as effective as its Grand Master hauling superior.
Purifiers
Some of the extra elite of the elite, Purifiers cleanse the daemon with purifying flames.
Paladins
The super, ultra, mega-elite Terminators of the most elite daemon-hunting force in the entire Elite Imperium of Man. The definition of Elite.
Purgation Squad
These heavily armed Brothers can really get the surprise drop on your opponent thanks to Astral Aim, which allows them to ignore line of sight.
Sample Starter Warhammer 40k Grey Knight Army
Leader
Grand Master. One Model.
Battleline
Brotherhood Terminator Squad. FiveModels. Two models are equipped with: psycannon, Nemesis daemon hammer. Every other model is equipped with: storm bolter; Nemesis force sword
Brotherhood Terminator Squad. Five Models. Two models are equipped with: psycannon, Nemesis daemon hammer. Every other model is equipped with: storm bolter; Nemesis force sword
Other Units
Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight. 1 Model. They are equipped with: dreadfist; Nemesis greatsword; heavy incinerator; heavy psycannon
Purgation Squad. Five Models.
Playing Grey Knights
Grey Knights are a challenging army to play. They are almost always highly outnumbered, and while they take the Space Marine mantra of ‘good at everything’ and make it ‘great at everything’, the average Grey Knight is no harder to kill than their Space Marine equivalent. This means to win you must make precision strikes which limit returning fire, while carefully controlling both pace and board control. A tall order, but you have the tools.
For the Emperor!
