Weapons, equipment, and vehicles of the Necrons

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This list describes the various weapon types, common equipment, and vehicles used by the Necrons in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The information is derived mostly from the sourcebook Codex: Necrons, which was the first official sourcebook Games Workshop released that solely contained rules for using Necrons as an army for Warhammer 40,000.^[1]

The Necrons are a mysterious race of mechanical, skeletal warriors In the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000. According to the background information, the Necrons have lain dormant in their stasis-tombs for millions of years, pre-dating even the Eldar. The Necrontyr, the precursors of the Necrons, were obsessed with technological advancement to overcome their short lifespans. As a result of this obsession with scientific research, Necron technology is far in advance of anything the modern races of the galaxy can produce.

Whilst they have no grasp of the Warp, the Necrons have a total understanding of the other dimensions overlying this one. They use this knowledge in their technology to devastating effect, often using it for applications(e.g. teleportation) with greater efficiency.

Contents 1 Weapons 1.1 Gauss weapons 1.1.1 Gauss Flayer 1.1.2 Gauss Blaster 1.1.3 Gauss Cannon 1.1.4 Heavy Gauss Cannon 1.1.5 Gauss Flux Arc Projector 1.2 Other weapons 2 Equipment 3 Vehicles 3.1 Land bound 3.1.1 Monolith 3.1.2 Pylon 3.1.3 Tomb Stalker 3.1.4 Eternal Engines of Destruction 3.2 Spacecraft 3.2.1 Cairn class Tombship 3.2.2 Scythe class Harvest Ship 3.2.3 Shroud class Light Cruiser 3.2.4 Jackal class Raider 3.2.5 Dirge class Raider 4 Bibliography 5 References

[edit] Weapons

[edit] Gauss weapons

The most common Necron armaments are Gauss weapons which, although named as such by the Imperium, are nothing like their human counterparts. They are described in canonical material as having a slight basis in gauss gun theory, but are otherwise completely distinct: the technology violently rips matter off a target, instead of firing something at it. Gauss weaponry "flay" matter, dematerializing it molecule by molecule, atom by atom until nothing remains. As such they are effective against even Titan-grade armour plating, systematically "flaying" targets apart (an effect most pronounced on human targets).^[1]

[edit] Gauss Flayer

The gauss flayer is the standard weaponry that Necron Warriors are armed with. Their latest incarnation's appearance is that of a long-barreled rifle with an axe attached to the tip. The most striking feature of this latest version of the gauss flayer is a transparent tube running the length of the barrel, with green arcs of energy crackling within. In-game, gauss flayers are comparable to Imperial boltguns in terms of range and firepower, with the aforementioned "gauss" properties. Has a strength of 4.^[1]

[edit] Gauss Blaster

Gauss blasters closely resemble double-barreled Flayers. They are more powerful than the lighter Flayer variant and have a higher rate of fire at maximum range. Blasters are carried by Necron Immortals, and are more effective against armour. Have a strength of 5.^[1]

[edit] Gauss Cannon

The gauss cannon is a larger version of the gauss blaster with a much higher rate of fire. Gauss cannons are only found mounted on the fast Necron Destroyers. They exhibit greater ability to penetrate enemy armour than a gauss blaster and possess both a greater range and a higher rate of fire. The weapon's game stats are similar to a stronger version of the Imperial heavy bolter Strength of 6. Also they can fire thrice per turn ^[1]

[edit] Heavy Gauss Cannon

The heavy gauss cannon is a much more powerful version of the standard gauss cannon mounted on Necron Destroyers. In the Necron codex, Heavy Destroyers are the only units that are armed with heavy gauss cannons. In game terms, the heavy gauss cannon is a slightly shorter-ranged version of the Imperial Lascannon. Has a strength of 9.^[1]

[edit] Gauss Flux Arc Projector

Gauss Flux Arc Projectors are the secondary weapons mounted on the Necron Monolith. Mounted on Monoliths for close-range fire support, the multi-barreled Flux Arc Projectors are essentially arrays of multiple short-ranged Gauss Blasters that activate to destroy any enemies who stray too close. Their strength is strong enough to get through armour and still do a considerable amount of damage, like 6-8 strength.^[1]

[edit] Other weapons

Although far less common, Necrons also possess some sophisticated non-Gauss weapons. These are frequently carried by more specialist troops such as Lords or Pariahs.

• Staff of Light: Carried by Necron Lords both as a symbol of rank and a formidable weapon, the Staff of Light can shoot devastating, short-ranged energy blasts that can cut down even heavily armoured troops. It can also be wielded as a close combat weapon by the Necron Lord and functions in a manner similar to a power weapon. Strength of 5
• Warscythe: One of the most powerful close combat weapons in the galaxy, Warscythes are made of Necrodermis and imbued with Necron phase technology. A Warscythe can cut through anything, even force fields, daemonic auras or heavy tank armour, and is therefore a very powerful weapon in the hands of a skilled wielder. Warscythes are sometimes wielded by Necron Lords instead of a Staff of Light, while Pariahs carry even deadlier variants with built-in Gauss Blasters.
• Particle Projector: Sometimes mounted on Tomb Spyders, the Particle Projector fires blasts of energy similar to a Staff of Light.
• Particle Whip: The primary weapon of the Necron Monolith, the Particle Whip is a very powerful weapon indeed. The weapon fires a focused particle beam which unleashes a very powerful bolt of energy. The result is a deadly energy blast, although the beam itself is even more dangerous, surely annihilating whomever it strikes. Strength of 9
• Particle Accelerator: The primary weapon of the Necron Pylons, which are defensive constructions (also made of the Necron living metal) used to defend their tomb worlds, these are used to fire highly explosive balls of energy over an extremely long distance to destroy their enemies, even those which have not yet landed on the planet being defended. Being a stationary gun emplacement rather than a mobile weapon, the Particle Accelerator packs an enormous punch. The Necrons also teleport Necron Pylons into position, to be used as stationary super-heavy siege guns.

[edit] Equipment

While Necron troops lack the sheer number of various equipment found in other armies, the few devices in Necron arsenal are unique and powerful. Necron Lords can carry a number of these arcane devices.

• Chronometron: This device seems to affect the time-space continuum to a very limited degree, enabling Necrons to act faster relative to their opponents.
• Disruption Field: The only Necron device known to be carried by troops other than the Lords, Disruption Fields penetrate vehicular armour in close combat in the same manner as a Gauss weapon.
• Destroyer Body: Necron Lords are sometimes fused to the same hover platforms found in Necron Destroyers, granting them increased durability and agility.
• Gaze of Flame: Some Necron Lords possess a malign presence so powerful that any being in the galaxy hesitates before engaging one in hand to hand combat. This effectively steals the momentum of any charges made towards the Lord.
• Lightning Field: Lightning Field devices generate arcs of unearthly energy that surround the Lord and nearby troops. Enemies engaging in melee combat will be subject to this harmful energy every time they strike someone protected by the Lightning Field.
• Nightmare Shroud: This rare device taps into the minds of nearby enemies, inspiring terror and breaking their will to fight.
• Phase Shifter: A very powerful protective device, the Phase Shifter makes the Necron Lord partially incorporeal, so he seems ghost-like. While under the protection of a Phase Shifter, even the most powerful attacks may pass harmlessly through his indistinct and hazy body.
• Phylactery: This device is worn by the Necron Lords as a charm. It is filled with countless spider-like nanobots which will swarm all over the Necron Lord to repair him if he sustains heavy damage.
• Resurrection Orb: These orbs contain a small amount of the colossal energy of a C'tan. It can be released on the will of the Necron Lord that carries it and can reinvigorate seemingly dead necrodermis.
• Solar Pulse: This device is integrated into the staff of the Lord. When triggered, it releases a one-time flash of blinding light. This intense light can be used to illuminate the entire battlefield when fighting in darkness, or the Lord may use it to stun and partially blind the enemy army.
• Veil of Darkness: The pinnacle of Necron technology, this highly-advanced portable teleporter can instantaneously transport both the Lord and nearby troops to anywhere on the battlefield. Other than striking at the back of the enemy lines, these devices can also be used to escape from difficult close combat situations as the Necrons will simply vanish right under the nose of enemy combatants. In The Computer Game Dawn of War: Dark Crusade the veil of darkness makes the lord and nearby Necron units invisible.

[edit] Vehicles

[edit] Land bound

[edit] Monolith

The Necron Monolith is a massive building-vehicle used by the Necron army in the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game. The Monolith is similar in appearance to a huge, black pyramid with a large green crystal at the top. Several guns (Gauss Flux Arc Projectors) are mounted midway to the top at the four corners of the pyramid. On one of its faces is a green gateway that the Necron army's troops can use to teleport straight onto the battlefield. To move, the Monolith floats via the intricacies of Necron technology. This is represented by the vehicle's model being supported by a transparent base to give it the illusion of hovering above the tabletop.

In August of 2002, the massive Necron Monolith first made its appearance on the Warhammer 40,000 scene as an enormous plastic miniature kit. This was, to-date the largest plastic miniature that Games Workshop had released. When assembled, the Monolith was just shy of 22 centimeters tall without the base that supported it.^[2][3]

The Monolith is one of the most resilient vehicles in the entire game. It has the highest armor ratings possible for vehicles and due to the Living Metal rule, the Monolith is immune to many anti-vehicle-oriented special rules and weapons. In the background, the Monolith is the Necrons' primary method of teleporting into the thick of battle. This is reflected in game terms by the Monolith's ability to be deployed straight onto the battlefield via the Deep Strike special rule. Unlike other perusers of the same special rule, the Monolith may deploy directly into the enemy ranks with no ill-effects due to its massive size. In fact, the enemy might actually suffer some ill effects if the Monolith teleports directly on top of them. One of the Monolith's more unusual abilities is its capability to teleport other Necrons into the battlefield. Both in-game and in-background, the newly arriving warriors enter through the portal located on one of the Monolith's faces.^[1]

Outside the tabletop games, the Necron Monolith makes an appearance in the last mission of the Winter Assault expansion pack for the computer game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.^[4] In the game's succeeding expansion Dark Crusade, the Monolith is a unit for the new Necrons faction.^[5]

[edit] Pylon

Immobile gun emplacements rather than actual vehicles, Pylons are huge crescent-shaped constructs with a glowing green crystal in the middle. They can be deployed anywhere on the battlefield to support Necron assaults by teleportation (similar to a Monolith) or will rise out of the ground to defend tombworlds. Once deployed, the Pylon firmly settles on the ground and keeps its position until the battle is won or the Pylon is destroyed. As with the Monolith they are very well protected but are even sturdier and can absorb incredible amounts of enemy fire. Pylons are equipped with close-range Gauss Flux Arc Projectors and extremely long-range Particle Accelerator cannon. As of the current Warhammer 40,000 storyline, these are known to have been encountered only seven times by Imperial forces, resulting in significant casualties each time.

[edit] Tomb Stalker

The Tomb Stalker first appeared in the 2006 Medusa V campaign and it appears to be the Necron equivalent of a titan. The Tomb Stalker was either built by the Necron forces on Medusa V or brought with them. It is described in this quote from week 2 of the campaign "The Cadian 12th, along with a detachment of Imperial Fists Astartes, a Baneblade and two mighty Warlord titans from the Legio Skarlos have encountered a vast Necron force on the ash wastes of Battle Zone Hydra. The Necrons had already been gathering in numbers by the time the warriors and epic war machines of the beloved Emperor drew the Xenos into battle. Their forces included many Obelisks, waves of Destroyers and a large – and never before seen – mechanical spider-like creature with a massive glowing thorax. The fighting was fierce, with the Imperial Fists acquitting themselves well by destroying at least five of the Obelisks. Unfortunately the Baneblade was lost due to the destructive might of the spider-shaped abomination." In the 2006 UK games day, the 40k mega battle featured a Necron force including many converted Tomb Stalkers. It is unknown whether a model will be made or not, but if it is it will probably be made by Forge World.

[edit] Eternal Engines of Destruction

In the Apocalypse book, it is mentioned that the Necrons have access to weapons of immense destructive power, and a wide variety of destructive war machines, only they have not yet began to use them, and if they are used, none survive to tell of it. It is speculated that the Tomb Stalker was one of these, and only utilized when it was necessary. Also, the book briefly mentions Necron Flyers. It is supposed that these may be expanded upon, and given rules and models.

[edit] Spacecraft

No Necron ships use the warp for travel. Instead they rely on their 'inertia-less drive', giving them faster than light travel. This appears to allow the Necron ships to travel at limitless speeds.

[edit] Cairn class Tombship

The largest Necron ship encountered so far, the Tombship is a terrifyingly well-armed craft easily capable of defeating any Imperial battleship. Equipped with various heavy weapon batteries for both long and short range attack, Tombships can wreak havoc while absorbing a disheartening amount of return fire. They are also known to sometimes carry special vaults called Sepulchres. These mysterious devices wear down the minds of enemy crews, causing unrest throughout the ship and disrupting the chain of command. Also, Sepulchre-equipped Tombships are able to shoot down incoming ordnance much more easily than their normal counterparts.

Fortunately for all races, Tombships have so far only been met on seven occasions, always serving as flagships. While thought to be the largest vessel serving the Necrons, some Orks talk about another class of Necron battleship larger yet, dwarfing one of their mighty space hulks. Knowing Orkish behaviour, however, it would not be surprising if this was simply the ramblings of fleeing greenskins attempting to salvage some shred of 'dignity'. However the potency of Necron military might demonstrated in the past combined with the short time during which they have made their presence known means that these reports should not be dismissed.

[edit] Scythe class Harvest Ship

Designated as cruisers of Necron fleets, Harvest Ships are a common sight in any Necron force. Their sleek lines make them appear lightly built, but this is highly deceptive as many pilots found out the hard way. Harvest Ships are incredibly resilient for their size and have an impressive amount of firepower, carrying weapon systems similar to that of a Cairn Tombship. With speed, resilience and firepower, the Harvest Ship is a match for any but the largest Imperial craft.

[edit] Shroud class Light Cruiser

More of an infiltration ship with sensor systems. Shrouds can pass through minefields undetected while scanning enemy formations and relaying information to the rest of the Necron fleet, giving the Necron commanders an important advantage. The five Necron vessels that infiltrated the Adeptus Mechanicus homeworld in the "Mars Gambit" incident were all Shroud light cruisers.

[edit] Jackal class Raider

Necron Raiders are designated to be the equivalents of Imperial escort ships and are a common sight in any Necron fleet like their Imperial counterparts. Small and very agile vessels, Raiders are usually utilized as fighter support for larger Necron ships. Jackal is the slightly larger variant of the two known Raider classes.

[edit] Dirge class Raider

The Dirge class is the smaller variant of Necron Raiders. While lacking the firepower of Jackals, they are one of the fastest vessels in the battlefield, capable of outstripping almost any other ship in existence in a straight line.

[edit] Bibliography

• Chambers, Andy; Haines, Pete, McNeill, Graham, and Hoare, Andy (2002). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Necrons, 3rd Edition, Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-190-7. 

• Chambers, Andy, Haines, Pete, and Keefe, Matt. The Harvesters and The Hive (PDF). Battlefleet Gothic: Armada. Games Workshop. Retrieved on 2006-07-03.
• (2005) Imperial Armour Update 2005. Nottingham: Games Workshop. SKU: FWBK-PUB-B-007. 

[edit] References

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