The new Imperial Knights Defender blends firepower with protection in Warhammer 40k. Our review breaks down its role, rules, and how it boosts your Knight army.
Originally published in May 2025. Updated on September 15th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest new release information.
Games Workshop revealed their new Warhammer 40k Imperial Knights codex and the so-called “new” Imperial Knight Defender kit, and let’s be honest, it’s not the splash we were hoping for. One extra sprue tacked onto an existing frame doesn’t really scream innovation.
With more rules and barely any fresh plastic to show for it, this feels like a missed opportunity for one of Warhammer 40k’s most iconic model lines. If you were expecting a bold update for these towering war machines, brace yourself; this release plays it way too safe.
Let’s discuss why this rollout feels more like a maintenance patch than a proper content update, given its delay from the first part of 2025.
One Sprue to Underwhelm Them All
Okay, so let’s talk about the updated Questoris kit and 40k Knight Defender.
The new Imperial Knights Defender release date is September 20th, 2025, with a retail price of $194, CAD$230, 150€, and 115£.
According to GW, it’s a walking vault of ancient tech with enough juice to power weapons that sound like boss fights: the plasma executor (angry star mode) and the conversion beam obliterator (the name says it all).
Oh, and that dome on top? Void shield generator. It shrugs off attacks and can also cover nearby allies. Big, flashy, and unapologetically extra.
Looks like the new Knight Defender is basically just one extra sprue slapped onto the good ol’ Knight chassis we’ve all got lying around. And guess what? Designers have already cranked out 3D printable upgrade bits based on preview images.
So, if you have a printer (or a friend who does), you’re set; there’s no need to shell out for a whole new box to get that fancy weapon, armor, or shield generator. Classic printing community move: see a new release, make it printable before the sprue smell’s even worn off.
Hype Train Details Before it Starts
The Imperial Knights are supposed to be the titanic centerpiece of a Warhammer 40k army, big, loud, and stompy. Walking monuments of destruction. So when GW says, “Hey, we’ve got a new kit for you,” the expectation is sky-high. We’re not asking for a complete overhaul, but something bold. Something fresh. Something that doesn’t look like a parts bin shuffle.
What did we get instead? One. New. (Half) Sprue.
That’s it. A single new sprue was slapped onto an existing frame. It’s like ordering a new car and getting a fresh air freshener instead. These kits have been around for a while, and honestly, they’ve aged well. But there comes a time when you need more than just another pair of weapons or a fancy little carapace sensor to feel like there’s something to get excited about.
Imperial Knights Questoris Rules
There are already so many Knight variants out there: Warden, Paladin, Errant, Preceptor, Castellan, Valiant, and yes, now the Defender. At this point, you need a flowchart just to keep the loadouts straight.
Rules-wise, Knights across the board lost a point of Toughness but gained extra Wounds to balance things out. The Knight Defender stands out with its void shield, handing out a 4+ invulnerable save against shooting, better protection than even a Titan’s 5+.
The problem goes beyond plastic. How many rule changes are we expected to track in the 10th Edition (they basically had a major change in most big dataslates)? Since July 2023, it feels like we’ve seen four different codex books’ worth of rules crash into each other with every quarterly shake-up.
Imperial Knights Questoris Kit Review: At a Glance
There are so many knight variants now that Games Workshop is re-splitting the box set into two versions: one with all the existing sprues and the new Defender (Knight Questoris Box), and another with everything plus Canis Rex and no Defender.
Knight Questoris Retail Price: $194 CAD$230 £115 €150
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All-in-One Box: Includes Paladin, Errant, Warden, Crusader, and Defender options. Only Canis Rex stays separate.
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Sprue Breakdown: Classic sprues one and two, Paladin/Errant sprue, Crusader/Fist/Avenger sprue, plus the new Defender sprue.
Magnet Baron’s No-Drill Questoris Knight Magnetization Kit
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Magnet Friendly: Designed for easy weapon swaps. Grab a magnet upgrade kit from Magnet Baron to switch between loadouts like Crusader guns or Warden chainsaws.
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Hobby Build: Easier to assemble with the magnetization kit from Magnet Baron. To paint, leave off armor plates, Undercoat the frame with a metal color, apply a wash, paint the armor plates separately, pick out details, done. Works great for both full-size and Adeptus Titanicus Knights.
YouTube Reviews
If you’re looking for reviews on YouTube, be sure to watch your favorite presenters talk about the new army set at the links below:
Is It Worth It & Final Thoughts: Imperial Knight Defender 40k
This is where GW really misses the mark. A new Knight kit should be exciting, especially for newer players getting into the game. But for those of us who’ve been collecting these walking monsters since 2013, this feels more like déjà vu than a fresh release.
By now, veteran players have magnetized chassis stacked like Imperial Tupperware. Do we really need another version of the same frame with a slightly different gun? Probably not. I imagine most of us will just be hunting down some solid 3D-printed upgrades and calling it a day. At least that way we get something unique and don’t drop another hundred bucks on a half-new kit.
Warhammer should spark imagination. The Imperial Knights line has always nailed that. But this release? Feels like the spark’s been put on a timer.
Where to Get Your Imperial Knights Defender
Snag your new model from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
Quick Order Links To Get 15% Off or More:
- Mid Atlantic US: Fabricators Forge | Bazooka Games | or | The Rogue Traders |
- Central US: Wargame Portal | Collector Store | Dicehead Games | Noble Knight Games | or | Warpfire Minis |
- West Coast US: Frontline Gaming | Gamers Guild AZ | or | Squad Marks |
- UK: Element Games (UK) | Merlin’s Minis | or | Wayland Games |
- Canada: Fenris Workshop | Tista Minis | Abyss Game Store | or | Kingdom Titans |
- Worldwide: Amazon | eBay | or | Games Workshop’s Store |
You can save even more on your purchase by using our exclusive list of redeemable discount codes from some of the best hobby retailers and miniature manufacturers!
See How to Magnetize Your Imperial Knights Here!
What do you think about the lack of new releases for the Imperial Knights in 10th Edition?
After the price hike, $194 for a knight is disgusting. I found a sealed knight of the current model that can build all variants for $100. And still that’s too high for my liking. But it has enough bits to arm additional knights. And $190 is what I paid for a complete copy of the 2nd ed. Renegades box a few months back. I’ll keep to buying 2nd hand or from retailers that offer discounts and free shipping.
I think 40K is at a point it’s so big and somewhat stable, that GW is so scared to do anything drastic that may break the game. So we don’t see any new innovation, just rehashed models with additional sprites. Adding another model to the knights line doesn’t do anything really. We have a bunch of models already that are near unusable in the current rules. Same applies to about every army. GW should work on making all models viable. Then add more models.
Cope harder grey knights got even less than a “big” new sprue, they only got a 2 or 3 new weapons for one of the worst models in all of GW and you say this is bad, hell na this is an awesome addition to an already awesome line. Criticism is well placed but still. And then there is drukare
Really good article, writer clearly has valid criticisms of GW creative and business decisions. Keep writing because you bring up good points!