A whole wave of plastic Death Korps of Krieg is on the way in 2025; from Death Riders to a new codex, here are release dates and rumors.
Updated November 27th, 2024, by Rob Baer with updated information and links to relevant content.
Death Korps of Krieg has long been a Guard staple and favorite, so it only makes sense to see them get the port over to plastic from Forge World Resin. They released the Kill Team box in 2021, and just as many people thought, that was the start of a new line for them…
Rumors No More!
The Death Korps of Krieg, known for their relentless trench warfare and stoic commitment, are getting a full plastic model release in 2025.
This long-awaited shift from Forge World resin to plastic will mark a significant expansion for the Astra Militarum, offering fans a comprehensive, updated range of miniatures to enhance their armies. Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect in the rework, along with the remaining rumors…
Confirmed New Models for Death Korps of Krieg 2025 Release:
- Army Launch Box Set is complete with an alternative art codex cover and new models.
- Death Korps Infantry Squad (may just be a variant of the Kill Team release, as this army pic seems to indicate)
- Plastic Death Riders (cavalry units)
- Command HQ Squad featuring a new banner bearer)
- Engineers/Sappers (minefield deployment specialists)
- Heavy Weapons Teams (It would make sense to get heavy weapon teams)
- Artillery Units (new plastic variants)
- Character Model (Lord Marshal Varnan Dreir)
Rumored New Models
- Tank Variants (potential new and redesigned tank models that were DKoK specific, such as Malcador, Gorgon, Earth Shaker, and Mars Pattern Russ)
- Character Models (updated versions of key Krieg officers and leaders)
- Minefield Kit (potentially as a deployable terrain piece)
- Banner Bearer with Battle-Damaged Flag (the advent engine teaser, is part of command squad)
- Specialized Units (speculated new additions, such as elite or unique Krieg squads as they did with the Kill Team additional sprue)
New Death Korps of Krieg Army Set, Death Riders, Codex Revealed
Are you thinking of starting a 40k Death Korps of Krieg army? The upcoming launch box is like a grim gift from the Emperor himself—packed with all the essentials to kickstart your force; it’s both practical and downright beautiful. Here’s what’s inside:
- 10- Death Riders of Krieg
- Lord Marshal Varnan Dreir
- 5- Combat Engineers
- 1- Artillery Team
- Alternative Art Cover Astra Miltarium Codex & Datacards
Separate releases will include:
- All of the kits above include a Kriegsman on the cover of the 10th edition Astra Militarum Codex.
- Command squad
- Heavy Weapons Squad
The Army set box comes with a codex featuring stunning Death Korps artwork. It’s not just a rulebook—it’s a love letter to Krieg fans, packed with lore, detachments, and enough strategic variety to keep your games fresh. Plus, it looks fantastic on your hobby desk. See the full reveal of the Army Set and all the new Krieg models in our article here.
The Might of the Imperium Expands With Death Korps of Krieg in 2025
Revealed at Nova Open 2024, the Death Korps of Krieg will be getting a “Full Release” in 2025 starting off the new year. For fans, this update means you’ll finally get to field a fully plastic army that looks as gritty as their lore suggests.
The Death Korps aren’t just any regiment—they’re the ones who make trench warfare look like a leisurely stroll through the park. Expect lots of mud, masks, and melancholic reflections on the futility of existence, all backed up by an impressive array of artillery that would make even the most hardened Ork Warboss think twice.
This is the Astra Militarum at its most stoic, ready to prove once again that quantity is a quality all its own. If this roadmap isn’t enough to satiate your Warhammer needs, be sure to check out our “living roadmap” with all the unreleased Warhammer 40k miniatures and rumors so far!
Death Korps of Krieg Rumors: Release Date Update
According to the rumors, GW did have big plans for them a few years back, which started when they dropped artwork with updated Death Riders and infantry in 2021. The rumor before the Nova previews was that it is all still in the works, but it’s just taking a bit longer than most people expected.
Now, it’s looking like we won’t see the new Death Korps of Krieg until Q1 of 2025. So, while we have already seen Advent Engines teasers and heard huge rumors about the new DKoK for years, now we know they are on the way!
GW’s Older Hint Drops For New Plastic Death Korps of Krieg
When GW released the Beast Snagga box in 2021, there was a bunch of DKoK artwork inside. This is the artwork from the inside of the box. We had seen Azog already, but most probably didn’t expect the whole frame showcasing DKoK infantry. The other piece of art from the 2021 Beast Snaggas Army box is where things get interesting.
What do we see charging into the lines? Oh, hello, Death Korps of Krieg Death Riders (and more likely, since we saw the new Rough Riders)! As we said before, GW doesn’t like to put out art for something that won’t have a miniature, meaning they could already even have the sculpts ready to go and are waiting to release them!
Maybe they already had enough new Imperial Guard stuff with the last codex, and this codex will drop with DKoK miniatures. If you look at the Orks’ side, they also didn’t put anything random in here, meaning you can literally buy everything you see.
Our most recent hint was when they battled Angron at the release of World Eaters. Interestingly, the designs may diverge from the Forge World models of old. Fans have noted artwork from 2023—released alongside the Angron release—that depicted Death Riders in a more modernized aesthetic, hinting at a new visual direction for the regiment (you can see them in the right corner). It’s not extremely clear, but each horse has a spike on the head and looks to be more heavily armored.
So, if you’ve been hoping for a cheaper and plastic DKoK army, these may be already in the works! Again, this is just a rumor based on some artwork (and older art at that), so don’t get too excited just yet. However, we saw the same thing hidden in plain sight with the Cadia Stands Army Box. Months later, it was revealed that the art was for the new Rogal Dorn Tank.
So never, say never when it comes to a new Warhammer 40k model rumor when we have actual art for it.
New Death Korps of Krieg Models & Range Refresh
The rumors below initially were about a brand new regiment coming to the Astra Militarum, and now we know it will be a whole wave of Death Korps of Krieg Model kits starting in early 2025. Considering they already have a giant Forge World line, we’ve already seen the plastic Kill Team box, and there are even a ton of solved Rumor Engine teasers for them…
While they might not get everything currently from Forge World in plastic, things are looking good for a big refresh. With the Rough Riders returning to the Guard in 10th, we would love to see that in plastic along with some of the tanks, the characters, and maybe brand new Heavy Weapons Teams.
In early 2024, they currently have 38 items on Forge World, so there’s plenty to turn into plastic kits, but we also hope there will be some new units, too.
New Death Koprs of Krieng Rumors Engines For Days
We actually saw a couple of Advent Engines back in 2023 that look awfully Kriegy as well, and now we know they were indeed the new plastic models.
December 3rd, 2023: Revealed November 22nd, 2024
There you have it, right under his horse! It’s not the best place for mines, but seems Kreig was the perfect guess!
December 8th, 2023: Revealed November 22nd, 2024
On the right side, you can see the servo carrying a scroll!
December 15th, 2023: Revealed November 22nd, 2024
Another banger Kreig miniature!
How To Paint Death Korps of Krieg Models
Rob painted up some of the resin Death Korps of Krieg Death Riders not too long ago (you can check out the tutorial here), and they have always been awesome minis. He also has a great tutorial on how to paint infantry and get those greatcoats ready to hit the table!
Final Thoughts On The New Models
We hope that with the new DKoK coming in plastic, they could be a little cheaper and perhaps even more detailed than their nearly 20-year-old Forge World Designs! Either way, it looks like the Death Korps of Krieg hype train is running full steam ahead, with a plastic army on the books for 2025. Get ready to unleash the grimdark glory of trench warfare, mud, and existential angst onto the tabletop.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
What do you think about the new plastic Death Korps of Krieg Death Riders Warhammer 40k new models and rumors?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
