Leaked images teased a new Warhammer 40k Necron C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer model, and GW confirmed it hours later! Here’s the latest.
Updated on August 16th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest details on the leaks and reveal.
Necron fans got hit with a one-two. First, leaked images set the community on fire, showing what looked like a brand-new Warhammer 40k C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer towering over a slick Necron-themed terrain piece from a Kill Team box.
Then, before the paint on the rumors even dried, Games Workshop stepped in with an official preview, confirming that the Star God is back, meaner than ever, and ready to ruin someone’s day.
From Leak to Legendary in Record Time
Recent kill team rumors were all about a “two-faction” Kill Team box (Sisters vs Chaos Raptors), but the leaked pics brought a curveball: a redesigned Nightbringer.
The new sculpt is sharper, more dynamic, and sports a pose that basically screams your doom has arrived. It wasn’t long before GW’s marketing machine kicked in, dropping lore, close-up shots, and the promise of an updated datasheet.
That quick turnaround from leak to reveal makes this one of the fastest rumor-to-confirmation moments we’ve seen in recent Warhammer 40k history, and it’s got Necron players grinning like Overlords at a Cryptek convention.
Bad news is that the new Necron Nightbringer release date is sometime in 2026, according to GW.
Meet the New Star God on the Block
This new plastic miniature replaces the classic 2002 sculpt with something worthy of the 41st Millennium.
The details are jaw-dropping: a massive scythe, a flowing necrodermis cape, and Scarab swarms swirling at its feet. It’s a centerpiece model in every sense, rivaling the Shard of the Void Dragon for sheer table presence. Lore-wise, it’s a reminder that this thing was once among the most powerful C’tan, before the Necrons broke it into shards during the great betrayal of bio-transference.
Big Model, Bigger Game Impact
This isn’t just an update for the display shelf. GW confirmed a deadly new datasheet for Warhammer 40k, meaning the Nightbringer’s return isn’t just cosmetic. The timing is perfect for Necron armies looking to add a terrifying force multiplier that doubles as a hobby project worth showing off.
And for Kill Team players? The Nightbringer is set to appear as a Non-Playable Operative, essentially the final boss, your brave little operatives will be terrified to run into. That’s a fun twist and could signal more crossover “set piece” enemies in the future.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a Necron player, this model is practically a must-buy (let’s just hope you don’t have to wait months and months after the Kill Team box comes out, because no one likes paywalls). It’s dripping with tabletop presence, has the lore clout to intimidate anyone across the table, and now comes with the rules to match its looks (we hope).
Pair it with the new 40k Tomb World box, and you’ve got both the visuals and the mechanics to rediscover the Nightbringer in your own narrative setting.
See the Latest 40k New Release Roadmap Here!
