# *NEW CODEX* W40K - Imperial Knights vs Chaos Knights | AJ's Battle Reports

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgEJU9V5vM
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/6IgEJU9V5vM
Generated: 2025-09-07T18:05:22.387+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The Imperial Knights, using the new Codex and the Valor Strike Lance detachment, secured a victory against a Chaos Knights army in a Knights-on-Knights battle. The Valor Strike Lance detachment proved exceptionally powerful, allowing for aggressive early-game positioning and devastating firepower, though the players noted potential balance concerns with its speed and stratagems.

**Key Points:**
- The Imperial Knights player, using the Valor Strike Lance detachment with five models including Canis Rex, a Castellan, two Errants, and a proxy Defender, won the game against a Chaos Knights force.
- The Valor Strike Lance detachment is described as 'cracked' and 'ridiculous' due to its ability to grant significant movement bonuses, with the 'Full Tilt' stratagem potentially allowing an alpha strike on turn one by adding 4 inches to movement and advance rolls.
- In turn one, the Imperial Knights destroyed the Chaos Knights' Abominant, while the Chaos Knights destroyed one Imperial Knight Errant. The Imperial Knights' Castellan survived a barrage of shots from the Despoiler due to rotating ion shields.
- During turn two, the Imperial Knights eliminated the Despoiler and the Rampager, with Canis Rex dealing significant close combat damage. The Chaos Knights' Lancer deep-struck and dealt 44 damage to the Castellan, destroying it.
- Turn three saw the Imperial Knights charge with Canis Rex and the Defender, dealing significant damage to the remaining Chaos Knight threats, ultimately securing the victory.
- Both players acknowledged the immense power of the new Imperial Knights Codex, particularly the Valor Strike Lance detachment, with discussions on its potential to be overpowered and likely to be nerfed by Games Workshop.
- The match featured a close Knights-on-Knights engagement, with proxy models used for some units as both players were still building and painting their new armies.

**Context:** This video showcases a Warhammer 40,000 battle between two armies of Knights, featuring the brand new Imperial Knights Codex. The players, AJ and Jay, are testing out new builds and strategies on their days off. The game pits an Imperial Knights army, utilizing the Valor Strike Lance detachment, against a Chaos Knights army running the Lords of Dread Detachment. Both armies consist of five large models, a deliberate choice to make the game more balanced and potentially quicker than typical matchups against smaller units.

## Detailed Analysis

The video documents a Warhammer 40,000 battle between Imperial Knights and Chaos Knights, highlighting the impact of the new Imperial Knights Codex. The Imperial Knights player ran a 2,000-point Valor Strike Lance detachment featuring Canis Rex, a Castellan, two Errants, and a proxy Defender. The Chaos Knights army, totaling 1,970 points, included a Tyrant (proxy Warlord), a Lancer, an Abominant, a Despoiler, and a Rampager. The Imperial Knights player secured first turn and immediately leveraged the Valor Strike Lance's speed, noting its potential for an alpha strike. By the end of turn one, the Imperial Knights had destroyed the Chaos Knights' Abominant, while the Chaos Knights had eliminated one Imperial Knight Errant. The Imperial Knights' Castellan impressively survived a significant assault from the Chaos Despoiler. In turn two, the Imperial Knights destroyed the Despoiler and the Rampager, with Canis Rex proving effective in close combat. However, the Chaos Knights' Lancer made a deep strike and inflicted massive damage, destroying the Castellan. Turn three saw the Imperial Knights press their advantage, charging with Canis Rex and the Defender to eliminate the remaining Chaos Knights and win the game. Both players expressed awe at the power of the new Codex, particularly the Valor Strike Lance's speed and stratagems, with the Imperial Knights player suggesting it might be overpowered and due for a nerf. The battle involved proxy models as both players were actively building their new armies, and the Imperial Knights ultimately took the victory.

### Battle Outcome

- Imperial Knights victory
- Knights-on-Knights matchup
- Valor Strike Lance detachment used by winner

### Imperial Knights Army

- Valor Strike Lance detachment
- 2,000 points
- Canis Rex, Castellan, 2x Errants, proxy Defender

### Chaos Knights Army

- Lords of Dread detachment
- 1,970 points
- Tyrant (proxy Warlord), Lancer, Abominant, Despoiler, Rampager

### Key Mechanics Discussed

- Valor Strike Lance speed and 'Full Tilt' stratagem
- Potential for turn one alpha strike
- Proxy models used for new units

### Turn 1 Summary

- Imperial Knights destroy Abominant
- Chaos Knights destroy 1x Errant
- Castellan survives Despoiler's assault

### Turn 2 Summary

- Imperial Knights destroy Despoiler and Rampager
- Chaos Knights Lancer deals 44 damage to Castellan

### Turn 3 Summary

- Imperial Knights charge with Canis Rex and Defender
- Secure victory against remaining Chaos Knights

### Codex Power Level

- Detachment described as 'cracked' and 'ridiculous'
- Potential for balance changes/nerfs noted
- Powerful for Imperial Knight players