With all the excitement that was enveloped around the Dominus-class models, it seems like a lot of people forgot about the Knight Preceptor. Let’s dig in.
Just before the Imperial Knight Codex released, there were Knight previews dropping left and right.
The Dominus class Knights got the spotlight because their release was just around the corner while Canis Rex and the Preceptor Knights were supposed to hit the shelves later in the year. Once the Dominus Knights came out, it seems like a lot of people threw the Preceptor to the wayside.
This venerable Knight kit is still on the way for sure, according to GW:
Preceptor steed Canis Rex, will be available later in the year as part of a dual kit that also builds the Knight Preceptor (not to mention every other variant of Questoris-class Knight).
Let’s talk about what this kit may look like and what we may find on-sprue.
Will Canis Rex be “just” an Upgrade Sprue?
We know the Knight Preceptor should be coming in a boxed kit later this year. But what will the sprues look like? There be a whole new sprue to make Canis Rex and an unnamed Preceptor, but how many components will it contain?
Editor’s Note: There is also a Multi-Laser bit that is new too (pictured mid right)
By upgrade parts, we mean the small aesthetic pieces like the insignia on the knee, the wolf heraldry on the shield, the banner, and the helmet. Canis’s special rule is that when he dies, the pilot hops out too. So could we just see one big sprue of the Preceptor Knight with Canis Rex upgrade bits including the pilot?
Now, this is assuming that the models will look very similar to each other, and they should. They are both from the same Class of Knight and use the same Weapons. But we really have only seen Canis Rex to date so far.
GW Designer Reveals Secrets About New Knight Model
This came from a Games Workshops model designer’s twitter page the week after the Castellan was unveiled at Adpeticon 2018:
Notice how all of the distinguished markings like the plate over the knee, the mask, the point defense gun and the banner are all missing?
Is this pointing to hints that there will be other helmet/decal options for the unnamed Preceptors in the same box?
Looks like that hatch is open for the pilot. Could it be Sir Hekhtur or will all Preceptors have their own pilot model?
Knight Preceptor
Unlike Canis Rex, The Knight Preceptor has a little worse BS and WS, has the Mentor special rule, and can also take a Reaper Chainsword. Assuming these two Knight variations are coming in one box, there’s a lot to pack on 3-4 sprues. So then comes the question of pricing. We know that the Dominus class Knights go for $170 and only comes with three sprues per box, with only one sprue different between the two classes.
If the Preceptor Knight comes with the option to build Canis Rex (a character), AND all the Questoris classes (currently a $157 kit) could that drive the price up even more?
Are we about to see the first $200 plastic kit from Games Workshop? What other time other than the holidays would be the perfect time to drop something like this?
The Crusader Kitbash Special
As of right now, the Knight box that lets you build a Crusader is the only one that contains a fist and a gun mount. With that being said, if you’ve already thrown your wallet at the Dominus Knights, you can always kitbash a Preceptor for cheap.
You can get one of these bits from Shapeways.com and they’re only $18 a pop. This makes a great conversion for the Las-Impulsor weapon. If you’ve got an extra fist and a knight lying around, you’ve already got a Preceptor and didn’t even know it.
What do you think about the Preceptor Knight kit? How much do you think one of every Knight will cost you now?
Let us know what you think in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
Latest & greatest on everything Warhammer 40k
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
