Technology & Combat Characteristics
Unlike the Musha Gundam, the Knight Gundam differs from the original RX-78-2 Gundam due to its Medieval European Motif and its armor, the only part still resembling the original Gundam being the head. Another thing about the Knight Gundam is its size, which is a bit taller than an average mobile suit but is shorter than any mobile armor produced. The unit is usually a close combat unit armed with a sword and shield but sometimes uses its Lance for greater attack power as well as summoning magic. The Knight Gundam is also capable of going to its full armor mode to increase its overall performance and mobility.
Unlike the Musha Gundam, the Knight Gundam is not capable of using long-ranged weapons (save for its bow and arrow), further indicating about its chivalrous code of close combat rather than long range artillery.
History
Knight Gundam first appeared in SD Gundam Gaiden Sieg Zion Hen. A mysterious knight with the same name as the legendary hero who comes to help Princess Frau to suppress Satan Gundam. He is actually a fragment of Superior Dragon.
The original plot had Musha Gundam Mk-III from the Musha Gundam world running from some pursuers after he had stolen the Platinum Shield when he was struck by lightning and transported to the Saddrac World, where his good half became Knight Gundam (and bad half Satan Gundam). That setting clashed with the explanation of Superior Dragon and was thought to be ignored but it was later fixed by saying that Satan Gundam fused with a dragon on arrival at Lacroa.
Throughout the story Knight Gundam underwent two appearance changes. One is the Full Armor Knight Gundam, which is Knight Gundam equipped with the sacred armor of the Gundam Clan, and the other is the Vassal Knight Gundam, which is Knight Gundam in a completely new set of armor and, after getting this new armor, being officially given the rank of Vassal Knight. He later became the Knight Superior Dragon after fusing with Neo Black Dragon after realizing that they originated from a single being.
Knight Gundam is also one of the three heroes summoned to fight against the force of Space Overlord in the Musha Knight Command SD Gundam Scramble short.
In Gundam Breaker 3, a toybot with an artificial intelligence named Robota is given the form of SD Knight Gundam. It also uses several SD Gundams to play Gunpla Battle.