Knight Armiger

A Knight Armiger, also known as an Armiger Warglaive, is a small Imperial Knight combat walker usually piloted by Nobles who are of lesser lineage than other Knights. Armigers are long-legged walkers designed to strike hard and fast at critical targets. Nimbler than the primary Imperial Knight patterns, these engines of war carry heavy weaponry powerful enough to break a battle line. The Armiger Warglaive in particular is known for the sheer punch it can bring to bear at close quarters.

Sprinting into the fray at a shocking pace, it levels a lance-like beam of superheated directed energy from its Thermal Spear that can reduce a rockcrete bunker wall to a pool of bubbling lava. Those met by the ensuring charge are struck with an expert sweep of te Armiger's Reaper Chain-cleaver, a saw-toothed weapon that mangles metal and gnaws flesh to ruin with each shuddering impact.

The lesser orders of Imperial Knight, the fast-striding Armigers among them, are often piloted by the distant relatives or faithful retainers and men-at-arms of the Nobles seated within the larger Knights that lead them to war. There is a deep-running loyalty between each host of titanic walkers, a bond of love and duty that even disaster cannot diminish.

Role
It is common for Armigers to attack in groups. This practice has its roots in the longstanding feudal tradition of men-at-arms accompanying each Knight when on the hunt; one Armiger squire staying close to protect their liege-lord, whilst companions drive the quarry from its lair -- typically with one at medium range, and one as close as possible. This triple strike tactic is echoed even when the Armigers go to war as outriders, one of the walkers remaining near its commander whilst its allies close with their targets. The Armigers will then make a staggered advance, the forward parties keeping the foe engaged as the rearguard mounts a new assault.

Armigers are piloted by the lesser Nobles of each Knight household; those whose lineage is not directly linked to the lords of the court. In taking on the role of Armiger pilot, they fulfil a solmen vow, donning the fabled Helm Mechanicus with which the spirit of man and their great war machine is linked into a single entity.

The Helm is linked by invisible chains of data to the Throne Mechanicum of their Noble liege's Knight armour -- chains so strong they can be plucked as the strings of a puppet by the Noble within the Throne Mechanicum in times of great need.

This bond is so profound that should their lord ever take up the life of a Freeblade, his Armigers will often join him on his quest. Some such Armigers disappear from Imperial records, whether in glory or disgrace, their loyalty always remains true.

Unit Composition

 * 1-4 Armiger Warglaives

Armament

 * Heavy Stubber
 * Meltagun (As replacement for Heavy Stubber)
 * Thermal Spear
 * Reaper Chain-cleaver
 * Ion Shield

Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications
The technical specifications of the Armiger Warglaive have not yet been released by the Adeptus Mechanicus.