Overview
Doom II
Introduced in Doom II, the Hell Knight monster is considered a weaker cousin of the Baron of Hell. They possess a slightly different appearance and are not as tough as the Barons, but its attacks are just as potent, making them a legitimate threat nonetheless.
The Doom II manual describes the Hell Knight as “Tough as a dump truck and nearly as big, these Goliaths are the worst things on two legs since Tyrannosaurus rex.” In the manual for the original Doom however, this was the description used for the Baron of Hell. The Official DOOM FAQ instead describes the Hell Knights as “Slightly easier to kill than our friend the Baron, but appear in larger numbers.”
Doom 3
The Hell Knights in Doom 3 are essentially a fusion of Hell Knights and Barons of Hell, as the Barons are otherwise absent from the game. These Hell Knights are tougher than their past incarnation, and look considerably more alien and less like a minotaur or satyr. Taller, more muscular, and significantly more gruesome looking, the Doom 3 Hell Knight is far from a pushover.
Powers & Abilities
Hell Knights attack by clawing at an opponent when close or from a distance by throwing comet-like fireballs, much like the Barons of Hell. In Doom 3, the Hell Knights are almost as tough as the Barons were and also posses a nasty bite attack for close combat.
Other Media
Doom (2005)
The Hell Knight makes its share of appearances in the 2005 Doom movie. It isn’t able to shoot fireballs, but it does wield a high-tech chainsaw at one point.