Though the hearty Knights of Azeroth were destroyed during the First War, the shining Knights of Lordaeron still continue to serve amongst the warriors of the Alliance. These heavily armored warriors use mighty swords in combat which can damage enemy warriors up to several feet away. The Knights' speed and mobility mark them as the most versatile warriors of the Alliance.
Knights are very powerful and fast troops, possessing high health, damage and attack. Be sure to research Animal War Training to increase their hit points. The Paladin's Devotion Aura is also good to use with Knights. Knights should also be accompanied by Priests so Inner Fire can further boost their impressive stats.
Many Human players try to rush up to Knights as soon as they can to replace their Footmen. It is best to research the armor upgrades to give them even more armor. Knight usage is pretty straight forward; simply have them rush and surround the enemy before they can react.
Knight Counters
Knights have heavy armor which means it's best to use magic attacks against them.
Spells and abilities
Sundering Blades (Passive)
Increases Knight’s damage against Medium armor by 15%
Research Cost
Researched At
Requirements
Upgrade Time
100 100
Barracks
Castle, Lumber Mill, and Blacksmith
40 sec.
Upgrades
Animal War Training
Increases the maximum hit points of Knights, Dragonhawk Riders, and Gryphon Riders by 150.
Research Cost
Researched At
Requirements
Upgrade Time
125 175
Barracks
Castle, Lumber Mill, Blacksmith
60 sec.
Iron Forged Swords
Increases the attack damage of Militia, Footmen, Spell Breakers, Dragonhawk Riders, Gryphon Riders, and Knights.
Research Cost
Researched At
Upgrade Time
100 50
Blacksmith
60 sec.
Steel Forged Swords
Further increases the attack damage of Militia, Footmen, Spell Breakers, Dragonhawk Riders, Gryphon Riders, and Knights.
Research Cost
Researched At
Requirements
Upgrade Time
175 175
Blacksmith
Keep
75 sec.
Mithril Forged Swords
Further increases the attack damage of Militia, Footmen, Spell Breakers, Dragonhawk Riders, Gryphon Riders, and Knights.
Research Cost
Researched At
Requirements
Upgrade Time
250 300
Blacksmith
Castle
90 sec.
Iron Plating
Increases the armor of Militia, Footmen, Spell Breakers, Knights, Siege Engines, and Flying Machines.
Research Cost
Researched At
Upgrade Time
125 75
Blacksmith
60 sec.
Steel Plating
Further increases the armor of Militia, Footmen, Spell Breakers, Knights, Siege Engines, and Flying Machines.
Research Cost
Researched At
Requirements
Upgrade Time
150 175
Blacksmith
Keep
75 sec.
Mithril Plating
Further increases the armor of Militia, Footmen, Spell Breakers, Knights, Siege Engines, and Flying Machines.
Research Cost
Researched At
Requirements
Upgrade Time
175 275
Blacksmith
Castle
90 sec.
Backpack
Gives the ability to carry up to two items. Items carried by the unit will be dropped upon death.
Units can not use or gain benefits of items that they carry.
Research Cost
Researched At
Requires
Upgrade Time
50 25
Townhall-type Structure
Player-built Shop
20 sec.
Manual description
Note: The manual and Battle.net descriptions are very similar, the following text is not featured in Battle.net as it has a different sentence.
Wading into combat astride their noble warhorses, the knights are renowned for cutting bloody swathes through enemy ranks.
World Editor description
Powerful mounted warrior. Can learn Animal War Training.
In the Warcraft III alpha, the Knight had a different model that wielded a ball and chain, more closely resembling the Knights of Warcraft I. After the Crusader hero unit was cut, the Knight was given the Crusader's model instead.[1]
With the Sundering Blades upgrade in patch 1.31.0 the Knight units blade has a glowing yellow effect.
Gallery
Original Knights and Crusader.
Patch changes
Patch 1.31.0(05/28/2019)
New Upgrade: Sundering Blades.
Base health increased by 50.
Animal War Training HP bonus reduced from 150 to 100.
Patch 1.12 (07/30/2003)
The Frozen Throne
Animal War Training upgrade cost has been reduced to 125/175 from 150/250.
Patch 1.17 (09/20/2004)
Hit points increased to 835 from 800.
Patch 1.22 (06/30/2008)
Attack cooldown lowered to 1.40 from 1.50.
Base damage increased to 28 from 25 (Average damage is 34).