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Warhammer 40K: New Necron Rules Preview

4 Minute Read
Sep 28 2020
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Our Robot Overlords are getting a new codex and Games Workshop is showcasing some of their new tech!

You didn’t think it was JUST the Space Marines getting all the attention this week, did you? The new Necron Codex is coming and they are getting some new tweaks and changes to match those new units. Let’s take a look at the GW preview!

via Warhammer Community

 

“Today, we’re focussing on the range of rules and army-wide abilities that benefit your force regardless of which dynasty they belong to. For example, Reanimation Protocols have always been a huge part in the way that Necron armies play and they have undergone a slight change in the new codex. Your Necrons can still come back from wounds that would take any other warrior out of action, but now you roll when models are destroyed rather than at the beginning of your turn.”

This is certainly an interesting change. It’s going to be easier to reanimate models with fewer wounds but the multi-wound models still have a chance to reanimate. This also seems like it could slow things down if you have to do it after every attack on a unit. It might not seem like much, but it is an extra step and that time will add up over the course of a game.

The next thing up are the new Command Protocols that the Necron Overlords out there will get to use.

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“Before a game starts, you secretly assign one of the six protocols to each of the first five battle rounds. Then, when you reach the relevant battle round, you choose from one of the two directives associated with the protocol to be active for that round and any unit within 6 inches of a Necron Character can benefit from it.”

As an example, here’s the Necrons Command Protocol Sudden Storm:

This protocol does provide some nifty tactical options. Perform and action and still get to fire? That seems like it could be quite handy! Or a flat bonus to movement for a round is also nice.

Hexmark Destroyers

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We already got a look at the pistol this Necron is packing. But it doesn’t stop there. Here’s the gun – and remember that the model will get to use six of them!

And if you were thinking “Well 6 shots a turn isn’t *that* bad” – don’t forget about the Multi-Threat Eliminator:

Kelermorph who?

Nu-Monolith

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The Monolith is getting a fantastic new model – it’s one that we’re excited to get our hands on! Along with that, GW is updating the stats. It’s getting another 4 wounds and many of the weapons have gotten a boost. On top of that the Monolith now has access to the Death Ray which replaces the Gauss Flux Arc.

This is one of those vehicles that you’re not going to want to get up close with.

C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon

We’re finally getting a sense of what the C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon will be able to do as well. For starters, here’s a look at it’s stat-line:

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Impressive, no? Now let’s take a look at it’s weapon and it will be very clear how easily this thing will be tearing through targets up close or at range!

Yeah. Seems legit. Look out Vehicles.

And while the Void Dragon C’tan Shard is a tough on it’s targets, it’s also tough to kill itself thanks to a pair of abilities it has:

Killing the C’tan in one round is going to be extremely tough. You’ll have to do 3 wounds in three different phases. While that’s not impossible for some armies, it’s still a lot to ask. Especially when you combine that with it’s other ability:

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It eats vehicles. Have fun with that one!

That’s it for this preview. The Necron codex is coming to pre-order this weekend!

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Author: Adam Harrison
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