Games Workshop Unveils Rocket-Boosted Bellatus-Class Imperial Knight Destrier Model

Games Workshop has unveiled the Imperial Knight Destrier, a Bellatus-class, medium-weight Knight pattern sized between an Armiger and a Questoris that mounts two large rocket boosters on the back of its carapace. Wargamer quoted Warhammer Community saying the Bellatus achieves "Incredible speed and grace, achieved by slimming down the chassis and mounting two large rocket boosters to the back of its carapace," and WarCom confirmed the model "will be available alongside 'The next narrative expansion for Warhammer 40,000'."

The Destrier’s design emphasizes mobility and a lean chassis. Wargamer’s published photos include detail shots of the pilot in the cockpit and a side view of a rocket-propelled lance, while Spikeybits labeled the new kit a Bellatus-class "speed freak" and called it a brawler focused on faster strikes. Spikeybits also warned that "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."

Outlets list a variety of reported weapon options rather than a single confirmed loadout. The original summary and Wargamer highlight a Chastiser Gatling Cannon or Thundershock Spear as primary choices, GamingTrend lists melee-range Thundershock Spears and Bellatus Reaper Chainswords alongside a long-range gatling cannon and a frag bombard, and Wargamer’s image captions show close-ups of a gatling cannon and frag bombard. Presenting each weapon name mirrors how sources have described the kit without asserting a definitive GW statline.

The Destrier also enters a named narrative set piece: GamingTrend and Spikeybits place the new Knights coming to aid Forge World Agripinaa against an Iron Warriors onslaught led by Warsmith Kravek Morne, with Archmagos Thulia Ghuld calling in favors from Knight Worlds. A YouTube video framing the reveal as significant for the Adeptus Mechanicus appeared with the title "Games Workshop with a BIG NEW REVEAL for the Adeptus Mechanicus!!! New Imperial Knight Destrier Incoming," and influencers Valrak and HeartShapedTear shared the official WarCom article.

Commentary on the kit’s novelty varies across outlets. Wargamer called the Destrier "the first Knight built on the medium-weight Bellatus chassis" and Timothy Linward wrote, "By the Emperor, Sanguinius, and all the saints, it's a new Imperial Knight chassis for Warhammer 40,000!" BoLS and Spikeybits framed the release as the first true boxed Knight kit since the Armiger rather than just an upgrade kit like the Defender. Wargamer also noted the Knight Defender went on sale less than a year ago and speculated this reveal might arrive before Warhammer 40k’s 11th edition; that timing remains outlet speculation rather than an official date.

WarCom’s single availability line is the only confirmed timing detail in public materials so far; Games Workshop has not published a release date, statline, or pricing in the supplied information. Coverage so far gives model photos, declared narrative placement alongside the next expansion, weapon names reported by several outlets, and community reaction from named influencers and commentators.