Meet the Imperial Knights Destrier, a Bellatus-class model with rocket boosters, a thundershock spear, and new rules datasheets for Warhammer 40k. Check out how the new Knight plays in 40k now.
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).
Imperial Knights Destrier Retail Price & Release Date:
- Imperial Knights Destrier Release Date: April 18, 2026
- Retail Price (MSRP/RRP): $170 (USA), $205 (Canada), $285 (Australia), £105 (UK), €135 (EU)
What Is the 40k Imperial Knights Destrier?
Updated March 30, 2026, by Rob Baer with the new rules. Pricing accurate as of this date.
The 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. It also cleared up some long-standing rumors about Imperial Knights joining AdMech in the new Eye if Terror narrative campaign.
But, 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. So that tells you this Knight is built to move as if it has somewhere to be.
Imperial Knights Sizes: 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. So the Destrier is a proper center-piece war engine that just happens to move like it downs energy drinks for breakfast.
New Knight Destrier Datasheet Rules
The Knight Destrier rules are built for one job: hit the midfield fast, and bully anything standing on an objective,. It has the speed boost to get where it needs to be, the guns to clear scoring units, and a melee setup that looks even nastier once you start stacking the right weapon options.
Knight Destrier Rules Hightlights
- Faster than a chassis this size should be: Ram Jets adds D3 inches every time it makes a Normal Move or Advance, which means this thing covers ground in a hurry. This lets you get a giant robot into the part of the table where your opponent thought they still had time.
- Made to bully objectives: Saturation Fire gives its ranged attacks Ignores Cover when targeting units near objective markers. That is basically GW writing “stop standing on points and expecting terrain to save you” right into the datasheet.
- Stock guns are built for clearing scoring units: the chastiser gatling cannon throws twelve Strength six, AP minus one, damage two shots, while the frag bombard piles on Assault, Blast, and a chunky number of extra shots. That is not anti-Titan nonsense, but it is very good at shredding infantry and elite bodies trying to hold the middle.
- The melee options are where this gets spicy: you can swap the gatling cannon and the frag bombard for a Bellatus Reaper chainsword or a Thundershock spear. That lets you go mixed loadout or lean harder into the “run forward and ruin someone’s day” plan.
- Dual melee gets rewarded: Thundercharged gives the Knight +2 attacks to its melee weapons if it is equipped with both a thundershock spear and a bellatus reaper chainsword. So, if you take one of each, this thing goes from dangerous to properly rude.
- Mission pressure is the real story: this is not a back-corner gun platform pretending it can flex. Between extra movement, Ignores Cover near objectives, and the push toward mixed melee, the whole sheet says this Knight wants to get into the center and make the game happen there.
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
Simply put the Destier is 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, forcing 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 on the New Imperial Knights Destrier
This new 40k Imperial Knights Destrier model feels like Games Workshop looked at Imperial Knights and decided they 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 does just that.
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 upcoming Eye of Terror release now.
🔗 Related Reads:
- The Eye of Terror Codex Rules & Release Info
- New Imperial Knights Defender Model Review!
- Latest Imperial Knights 40k Rules Balance Dataslate Updates
- How to play Imperial Knights in 40k
- Imperial Knights Battalion Box Value & Pricing
- See the Latest 40k Roadmap and Release Schedule Here
Looks like Games Workshop is hoping we do not notice 11th edition is on the way and no guarantee that Imperial Knights models will still be relevant or even if some will be retired into Legends.