Meet the Imperial Knight Destrier, a Bellatus-class speed freak with rocket boosters, thundershock spear, and the first true Knight kit for 40k since the Armiger.
If you’ve ever looked at an Imperial Knight and thought, “This thing is missing one key ingredient: more speed and more stabbing,” the Knight Destrier is here to enable your bad decisions in the best way.
Forge World Agripinaa is catching heat from the Iron Warriors under Warsmith Kravek Morne and his pet nightmare engines, and Archmagos Thulia Ghuld is doing what every sensible tech-priest does when problems get loud: calling in favors from nearby Knight Worlds.
The twist is that they aren’t only sending the usual towering war machines. They’re sending something leaner, faster, and way more interested in closing the distance.
Enter the Knight Destrier, a Bellatus-class Imperial Knight pattern and the first new Knight since the Armiger (not just a new upgrade kit like the Defender).
What Is the 40k Knight Destrier?
The Knight Destrier is a Bellatus-class Knight prized for speed and grace, and it gets there by slimming down the chassis and bolting two large rocket boosters to the back of its carapace. This also clears up some long-standing rumors about Imperial Knights joining AdMech in the new narrative campaign (which also means the rest of those rumors may be true.)
Back to the Knight, those boosters are not just for show, either. The thrust is so aggressive that the design needs counterweights on the legs to keep the whole thing from turning into a very expensive backflip. That detail alone tells you the vibe: this Knight is built to move like it has somewhere to be.
Bellatus Class vs Questoris vs Armigers
The Destrier’s Bellatus chassis is described as slightly shorter than a Questoris-class knight, but still significantly larger than an armiger. Translation: you’re not trading down into a “cute little Knight.” You’re getting a proper center-piece war engine that just happens to move like it downs energy drinks for breakfast.
Knight Destrier: Weapons Loadout
The Destrier’s wargear loadout is clearly designed for players who miss the old-school “run at it and hit it” brutality, but with enough ranged bite to keep things honest.
Thundershock Spear
The thundershock spear is an enormous rocket-assisted power lance meant to punch through heavy armor. The keyword here is “rocket-assisted,” because nothing says Imperial Knights like turning a melee weapon into a guided missile.
Chastiser Gatling Cannon and Frag Bombard
Even the “survivors” are not getting away, because the Destrier can line them up with a Chastiser Gatling Cannon or a Frag Bombard, which screams multiple shots and a blast weapon to us.
It also appears to have the Armiger’s Reaper Chain-cleaver as an option, along with a heavy stubber.
Why the Knight Destrier Matters for Imperial Knights Players
This is simple: it’s the first true, new dedicated kit for the army since the Armiger. While we’ve seen the Defender and Canis Rex upgrade kits and resin models go to plastic, there haven’t been any new models for the faction since the mid-2010s.
So, if you’ve been looking for something that really is different to slot into your army, this does the trick. Plus, it can also change how you actually play.
It Threatens the Board Earlier
A faster Knight forces your opponent to respect charge ranges sooner. That shifts deployment, screening, and target priority. Even if you never charge turn one or two, the threat changes how they play.
It Rewards Aggressive Nobles and Melee-First Lists
The Destrier is described as favored by aggressive nobles who want the “cut-and-thrust” brutality of melee combat. That is hobby-speak for: this thing is built for players who don’t want to stand politely behind ruins.
Where the Knight Destrier Fits in Your Imperial Knights Collection
If your Knights collection already leans melee, the Destrier looks like a natural next step. If you run more shooty builds, it can be your dedicated problem-solver that forces engagement on your terms.
Who Should Be Excited
- Players who love Imperial Knights’ melee combat
- Hobbyists who want a centerpiece model with a distinctive silhouette
- Narrative players who want a “main character” Knight for campaigns
Who Might Pass
- Players who prefer static gunline Knights only
- Anyone who hates managing charge lanes, screens, and counterpunch threats
Final Thoughts: The Destrier Is Speed, Style, and a Whole Lot of Violence
This new 40k Knight Destrier model feels like Games Workshop looked at Imperial Knights and decided we needed a unit that embodies “close the gap and end the conversation.” A Bellatus-class Imperial Knight with rocket boosters, a thundershock spear, and a reaper chainsword is not subtle. It’s not supposed to be.
So if you’ve been waiting for a new Imperial Knights kit that plays like a high-speed duel instead of a slow-motion artillery platform, this is your sign to pay even more attention to the Eye of Terror release!
See the Latest 40k Roadmap and Release Schedule Here
