Are Necrons Good for Beginners? The Short Answer: Yes.
If you're stepping into the galaxy-spanning war of Warhammer 40K for the first time, the Warhammer 40K Necron army is one of the most beginner-friendly factions you can choose. Durable, forgiving, and dripping with ancient alien menace — Necrons reward patience and positioning over complex combo chains. But before we dive into tactics, let's talk about who the Necrons actually are.
Who Are the Necrons? Lore Overview
The Necrons are an ancient race of skeletal, metallic warriors who once ruled the galaxy sixty million years ago. Originally a flesh-and-blood species called the Necrontyr, they made a fateful pact with godlike beings known as the C'tan — the Star Gods — trading their mortal bodies for immortal metal forms. The price? Their souls.
After an eons-long slumber in their tomb worlds, the Necrons are awakening across the galaxy, reclaiming what was once theirs. Cold, calculating, and virtually unkillable, they fight not out of rage or faith — but out of cold, inevitable purpose. Their aesthetic draws heavily from ancient Egyptian iconography: golden death masks, hieroglyphic engravings, and monolithic tomb architecture.
This ancient, undying identity makes the Warhammer 40K Necron army one of the most visually striking and thematically compelling factions in the entire game.
Why Necrons Are Great for Beginners
1. Reanimation Protocols — Built-In Forgiveness
Necrons have a unique faction rule called Reanimation Protocols. At the end of each phase, destroyed Necron models have a chance to stand back up. This means your mistakes on the battlefield are partially self-correcting — a huge advantage for new players still learning positioning and target priority.
2. Durable, Tough Units
Necron Warriors have a 4+ Save and Reanimation Protocols, making them surprisingly hard to remove permanently. You spend less time frantically removing models and more time learning the game's core mechanics.
3. Straightforward Playstyle
Unlike some factions that rely on complex multi-phase combos, Necrons reward a methodical, advance-and-shoot approach. Move forward, shoot, reanimate. It's a playstyle that teaches fundamentals without overwhelming new players.
4. Excellent Starter Sets
Games Workshop regularly includes Necrons in their starter boxes (Combat Patrol, Recruit Edition), giving beginners an affordable entry point with pre-selected, well-balanced units.
Key Warhammer 40K Necron Army Units for Beginners
Necron Warriors — Your backbone. Cheap, durable, and benefit fully from Reanimation Protocols. Take 20 of these and you'll have a reliable core for any list.
Overlord — Your warlord choice. Buffs nearby Warriors with a Command ability and hits hard in melee. Simple to use, high impact.
Immortals — Tougher than Warriors with better weapons. Great for holding objectives or pushing into mid-board.
Canoptek Scarabs — Fast, cheap, and great for screening your more valuable units or contesting objectives early.
Doomsday Ark — Your heavy firepower. A single Doomsday Cannon shot can delete most vehicles. Intimidating on the table and satisfying to roll.
C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer — A powerful monster unit that terrifies opponents and looks incredible on the table. A great centrepiece model for any Necron collection.
Necron Army Tactics: How to Play Necrons
Control the Mid-Board Early
Necrons win by holding objectives. Push your Warriors and Immortals into the centre of the board early, using Scarabs to screen and Reanimation Protocols to stay there.
Use Reanimation Protocols Aggressively
Don't be afraid to take casualties — your Reanimation rolls can bring models back. Position your units to maximise the number of models that can reanimate each turn.
Layer Your Shooting
Necrons have excellent shooting across all ranges. Use Warriors for mid-range volume fire, Immortals for reliable mid-range damage, and your Doomsday Ark for long-range anti-tank work.
Pick Your Dynasty
Necron Dynasties (subfactions) give your army additional rules. For beginners, Szarekhan (the Silent King's dynasty) offers straightforward, powerful bonuses that don't require complex setup.
Complete Your Necron Experience with the Right Dice
Rolling dice is at the heart of every Warhammer 40K battle — and for a Warhammer 40K Necron army, nothing completes the experience like rolling with faction-themed dice. Our Warhammer 40K Necron D6 Dice feature deep-engraved Necron skull iconography on the 6-face, capturing the cold, undying aesthetic of the faction perfectly.
Whether you're rolling Reanimation Protocols, hit rolls, or wound saves, rolling with Necron-themed dice adds immersion and style to every game. Browse our full range of Warhammer 40K dice to find the perfect set for your army — from Necrons to Space Marines, Chaos, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Warhammer 40K Necrons
Yes. Necrons are widely considered one of the best starter factions in Warhammer 40K. Their Reanimation Protocols mechanic forgives positioning mistakes, their units are durable and straightforward to use, and their playstyle teaches core game fundamentals without overwhelming complexity.
A Combat Patrol box gives you a solid 500-point starting force — typically an Overlord, 20 Warriors, 3 Scarab Swarms, and a Plasmancer. This is enough to learn the game and play small introductory matches. For a full 1,000-point army, you'd typically add another unit of Immortals and a heavier support unit like a Doomsday Ark.
Szarekhan is the most beginner-friendly Necron Dynasty. It provides straightforward, powerful bonuses tied to the Silent King's royal court without requiring complex positioning or multi-phase setup. Nihilakh is another solid choice for objective-focused beginners, rewarding you for holding ground — which aligns naturally with the Necron playstyle.
Yes. Necrons are a mid-to-high tier faction in 10th Edition, with strong objective control, durable troops, and powerful elite units. Their Reanimation Protocols remain one of the most impactful faction rules in the game, and their shooting output is reliable across all game sizes.
For the most immersive experience, use faction-themed dice that match your army's aesthetic. Our Warhammer 40K Necron D6 Dice feature engraved Necron skull iconography and are designed specifically for Necron players. Browse our full Warhammer 40K dice collection for more options.
