Destroyer Wing

This is considered the most competitive Necron theme with the use of multiple Destroyer bodies in the HQ, FA and HS slots...

So I've been asked ALOT how to make an effective Necron list in 5th. By ALOT, I mean I've gotten a dozen emails in the last couple months on making an effective Necron list.

I've been experimenting alot with the current Necron 'dex. Yes, the new Necrons are different but for now, this is what you've got to live with.

A bit on tactics below--it should be apparent how you run this list, but I'll break it down as it appears there are alot of irritated Necron players out there. lol

2000 Pts - Necrons Roster - Necrons 5th Edition

Allright, so...how does this list work?

Well, it's a shooty army as that's what Necrons do. I've tried to maximize that while still retaining other options.

Essentially you place your army 'core' in the center of your deployment zone, and place your 'wings' on either side of it. Future post will illustrate what Stelek means.

So what's the core?

The Spyders, your Lord, and the Swarms.

Each wing is made up of 1 unit each of warriors, immortals, destroyers, and heavy destroyers.

You'll want to keep each unit near the Spyders so you can keep going

The Warriors, Immortals, and Destroyers are your primary anti-infantry. The heavy destroyers are your primary anti-tank, but of course you can focus the Immortals and Destroyers at light vehicles to try and attrition them away.

You can survive several turns of close combat with this list, by pretending to sacrifice warrior and immortal units to incoming assault units. With the Spyders nearby, you can "We'll Be Back" entire squads wiped out to sweeping advances and have them teleport freely to another squad of the same type in range.

At any rate, the Spyders and Lord are together (and that 2nd spyder has a PPC for a reason). Each spyder generates it's own scarab swarms and takes wounds separately (they have different weapons). The Lord is infantry, so with just 1 swarm base you get cover for the Spyder unit. The GW FAQ is pretty poorly written in this regard, but at least you can get some kind of cover save, right? ;) Here is the FAQ for those curious. Anyways, let's say you get shot at by 6 lascannons (unlikely) on turn 2. You've generated two swarms.

You put wounds on the lord and the scarabs (who get cover saves) with the swarms taking the hits first of course. You usually want to fire off the Solar Pulse your first turn, simply to prevent the other guy from unloading on your core and possibly breaking your army build. It's still a risk, but even on turn one...most players won't shoot your defensive unit, they'll want to shoot your offensive units which are the destroyers and heavy destroyers. Call it a fail safe.

Once you've had 2 or 3 turns to generate swarms, you should probably stop if none of them are dead. Mostly so you don't lose any Spyders. Note, against Railheads and Markerlights...better spread the unit out or you're going to get alot of swarms insta-killed. lol

Note: This really should say 'Spyder' as each unit of Spyders is a single entity.

This 'core' isn't a great counterattack unit by any means, but it's dangerous enough to beat alot of enemy units and that is a good thing for you.

The normal swarm unit is your other failsafe. Against many armies, it will buy you one extra turn of shooting by blocking movement of assault troops or tying something up you don't want near you. Remember you have two Fearless units in your army, the Spyders and the Swarms. Use them wisely, if you cannot stop an assault with them you are probably going down.

This army can win games, and it can handle most army variants. You really need to concentrate your firepower where it's needed though, and use your multiple lines of assault defense wisely.

EDIT: I had a comment about how to 'layer' the units.

Warriors in front. They are, frankly, bait. Let the other guy aim for phase out. You aim for shooting repeatedly with your shooting units while he's not killing them.

You can put the Immortals behind them, their job is to provide mobile small unit killing capability or just more attrition shots.

Then the Destroyers and Heavy Destroyers behind them.

Don't be afraid to run your Necron Warriors your first turn, just do your best to get them cover saves to make them survivable.

- Stelek from YTTH in My Necrons