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Meta-Knights
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- This article is about the four types of knight that appear in ambushes. For their masked leader, see Meta Knight.
The Meta-Knights are an enigmatic group of knights who are led by Meta Knight himself. They first appeared in Kirby's Adventure, where they were frequently fought as Mid-Bosses in their own distinctive arenas. However, their biggest role was in Kirby Super Star (and by extension, its remake), in the Revenge of Meta Knight Sub-Game, where they served as the primary antagonists. Outside of the occasional cameo, the Meta-Knights have largely been absent from the series since Kirby Super Star Ultra.
When fought, they typically attack as a group, fighting until their last member is defeated. They possess formidable weapons, but, unlike their leader, are not immune to being inhaled and spat out. Despite their arsenal, none of them yield Copy Abilities when swallowed.
Members[edit]
Axe Knight[edit]
- Main article: Axe Knight
Axe Knight's basic appearance is that of a minuscule skull, sporting a viking helmet atop his head and wielding an axe. Axe Knights normally appear in randomized areas. However, one particular Axe Knight assists Meta Knight in the main cabin of his battleship, the Halberd.
Axe Knight typically moves back and forth, and tosses his axe like a boomerang, similar to Sir Kibble. He may also swing his axe in a forward motion as he sweeps across the floor.
Mace Knight[edit]
- Main article: Mace Knight
Mace Knight is the largest in size, sporting heavy blue armor and wielding a large flail. He moves back and forth, swinging the flail above his head, then letting it fly a fair distance. Mace Knight is perhaps the most dangerous of the knights in close range, and has more hit points than the other knights. Like Axe Knight, one particular Mace Knight assists Meta Knight in the main cabin of the Halberd.
Trident Knight[edit]
- Main article: Trident Knight
While somewhat short in stature, Trident Knight is distinguished by his bright purple armor, the crescent on his helmet, and the tridents he tosses toward Kirby. These go for decent range, traveling upward, then downward in a large arc, and will zap Kirby if they hit him. While they can be a nuisance, the tridents' slow speed make them easy to avoid.
Javelin Knight[edit]
- Main article: Javelin Knight
The rarest of the Meta-Knights, this creature resembles a robot more than the others. He bounds across the air, spinning his javelin around in an attempt to hit Kirby with it. He will also toss his javelin on occasion.
Other members[edit]
While not officially considered part of the Meta-Knights, Captain Vul and Sailor Waddle Dee make up the rest of the Halberd's crew, acting behind the scenes while the other members fight Kirby directly. Because of this, they are commonly grouped together with the Meta-Knights. Furthermore, Sword Knight and Blade Knight are also occasionally associated with Meta Knight and the group, most notably in the Kirby: Right Back at Ya! anime.
Game appearances[edit]
| The Meta-Knights' video game appearances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game | Role | Notes |
| Kirby series | ||
| Kirby's Adventure | Mid-Boss | |
| Kirby Super Star | Mid-Boss, enemies, supporting characters | Meta-Knights are also encountered as standalone enemies. An Axe Knight and Mace Knight share dialogue with the other members of the Halberd Crew in Revenge of Meta Knight. |
| Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land | Mid-Boss | As this is a remake of Kirby's Adventure, they have the same role here as they did in that game. |
| Kirby Super Star Ultra | Mid-Boss, enemies, supporting characters | As this is a remake of Kirby Super Star, they have the same role here as they did in that game. |
| Kirby Mass Attack | Bosses, enemies | Appears only in Sub-Games. They appear as bosses in Strato Patrol EOS, and enemies in Kirby Quest. |
| Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition | Mid-Boss, enemy, supporting characters | Kirby's Adventure and Kirby Super Star are ported here, where they have the same role. |
| Kirby: Triple Deluxe | Reference | Axe Knight appears as a Keychain. |
| Kirby: Planet Robobot | Cameo | Appears in a screen-wiping attack in Meta Knightmare Returns. Also appears in the completion screen. |
| Kirby Battle Royale | Opponent | Axe Knight appears as Meta Knight's partner in doubles. |
| Kirby's Dream Buffet | Reference | All four members appear on their own separate Character Treats. |
| Super Smash Bros. series | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Spirit | All four appear as one primary spirit. |
Kirby's Adventure / Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land[edit]
The Meta-Knights made their debut appearance in Kirby's Adventure, later reappearing in its remake, Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land. They occasionally appear as Mid-Boss-like ambushes summoned by their leader, Meta Knight, to fight Kirby. When doing so, the health meter that appears for them in the heads-up display goes down in fixed increments as each is defeated. They appear in waves - with specific enemies appearing after previous ones are defeated - and each one has its own distinct position and attack pattern.
Kirby Super Star / Kirby Super Star Ultra[edit]
The Meta-Knights reappear in Kirby Super Star and its remake, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Here, instead of having distinct attack patterns for each ambush, Meta-Knights merely appear and then attack Kirby like normal enemies would. Outside of the typical ambush scenario, Meta-Knights can also be seen as regular enemies in Revenge of Meta Knight and Milky Way Wishes. In Revenge of Meta Knight, Axe Knight and Mace Knight have dialogue along with the rest of the Halberd's crew.
Exclusive to Kirby Super Star Ultra, clones of the Meta-Knights can also be summoned by Galacta Knight during his battle in Meta Knightmare Ultra.
Kirby Mass Attack[edit]
The Meta-Knights appear as bosses in the Kirby Mass Attack Sub-Game Strato Patrol EOS in the Level 4, protecting the Halberd from the Kirbys.
They also appear in Kirby Quest, where they are fought in Stage 28.
Kirby: Triple Deluxe[edit]
In Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Axe Knight appears as a randomly-obtained keychain, depicting his sprite from Kirby Super Star. None of the other Meta-Knights appear in this manner.
Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]
In Kirby: Planet Robobot, the four knights appear in the Sub-Game Meta Knightmare Returns, where they participate in the screen-clearing special attack Meta Knightmares alongside Meta Knight himself. They can also be seen when completing said Sub-Game, celebrating Meta Knight's victory with him. They also appear as stickers for the Robobot Armor with notably different colors from the ones they are usually portrayed with.
Kirby Battle Royale[edit]
In the Dedede's Cake Royale mode of Kirby Battle Royale, Meta Knight's doubles partner is Axe Knight, who plays identically to Cutter Kirby. The other three Meta-Knights do not appear.
Kirby's Dream Buffet[edit]
In Kirby's Dream Buffet, the Meta-Knights each appear on their own separate Character Treats, with each one depicting their artwork from Kirby Super Star.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Meta-Knights appear as a primary Ace-class neutral spirit.
In the Kirby novel series[edit]
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In the Kirby novel series, the Meta-Knights are Meta Knight's trustworthy servants who work as the main combatants of the Battleship Halberd. The four are not as strong as Sword Knight and Blade Knight, but they are just as loyal to their master as those two are.
Volume appearances[edit]
The following is a complete list of every appearance the Meta-Knights have made in the Kirby novel series, along with the role they play and its details in the plot of each volume:
| The Meta-Knights' appearances in the Kirby novel series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | Image | Role | Role details | Notes |
| Kirby: Big Race in Pupupu Land! | 
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Tertiary supporting characters | In this volume, the Meta-Knights compete in the big race that is held in Dream Land. They are first seen when Walky calls Meta Knight to ask him to commentate with him in the race. Meta Knight has no interest in the race, but just before he can hang up, the Meta-Knights chime in. The Meta-Knights want him to commentate because they all want to compete in the race. Meta Knight reluctantly accepts the offer, which makes everyone immensely happy. Throughout the race, the Meta-Knights are part of the many contestants, and they are usually grouped with the other racers without standing out. | |
Trivia[edit]
- The Meta-Knights are the first Mid-Bosses to not provide Copy Abilities when swallowed.
Gallery[edit]
The Meta-Knights appear during Meta Knight's 'Meta Knightmares' attack in Meta Knightmare Returns.
Illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter featuring the Meta-Knights
Illustration from the Kirby JP Twitter featuring the Meta-Knights, Captain Vul, and Sailor Waddle Dee
Artwork for Kirby's 25th Anniversary
Dedede Directory about the Meta-Knights, Captain Vul, and Sailor Waddle Dee
"Meta Knight" miniature set from the "Kirby Popstar Night Cinema" merchandise line, featuring the Meta-Knights on the movie ticket
Set 12 of the Kirby hanafuda cards, featuring Meta Knight and the Meta-Knights.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | メタ・ナイツ Meta Naitsu メタナイト軍団 Meta Naito Gundan |
Meta-Knights Meta Knight Army (alternate; Super Smash Bros. series) |
| Traditional Chinese | 魅塔騎士團[1] Mèitǎ Qíshìtuán |
Meta-Knights |
| Simplified Chinese | 魅塔骑士团[1] Mèitǎ Qíshìtuán | |
| Dutch | Meta-Knights | - |
| French | Meta Knights | - |
| German | Meta-Knights | - |
| Italian | Tirapiedi di Meta Knight | Minions of Meta Knight |
| Korean | 메타 나이츠[1] meta naicheu |
Meta-Knights |
| Russian | Метанайты Metanayty |
Metaknights |
| Spanish | Meta secuaces | Meta minions |
References
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