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Structure

This page details military structure of Necrons forces including Detachments, Formations and Apocalypse Formations.

Detachments


Necron Decurion Detachment

The Necron Decurion Detachment allows you to represent the typical structure of the Necron dynasties’ armies on the Warhammer 40,000 battlefield. Whether you wish to represent a phaeron leading his crownworld’s defence, or a dynasty reclaiming their ancient territories, the choices below will offer a great way to pick your army.

The Necron Decurion Detachment is a special type of Detachment that can be included in any Battle-forged army. Unlike the Detachments shown in Warhammer 40,000: The Rules, it has a Force Organisation Chart whose slots are a combination of specific Formations and Army List Entries instead of Battlefield Roles. However, it still has compulsory and optional elements, as well as Restrictions and Command Benefits, just like any other Detachment.

Although units cannot normally belong to more than one Detachment, units from a Formation that is part of a Necron Decurion Detachment are an exception. They count as part of both their Formation and the Detachment, and have all associated Command Benefits and special rules. If your Warlord is part of a Formation or an Army List Entry that makes up part of a Decurion Detachment, that entire Decurion Detachment is your Primary Detachment.

Command per Core
0-1
Core
1+
Auxiliary per Core
1-10

 • 1 Overlord
 • 1-3 Lords
 • 1-3 Crypteks

 • 1 Overlord
 • 0-2 units of Lychguard
 • 1-4 units of Immortals
 • 2-8 units of Warriors
 • 1-3 units of Tomb Blades
 • 0-3 Monoliths

 • 1 unit of Triarch Stalkers
 • 2 units of Triarch Praetorians

 • 1 Canoptek Spyder
 • 1 unit of Canoptek Wraiths
 • 1 unit of Canoptek Scarabs

DEATHMARKS
 • 1 unit of Deathmarks

 • 1 Obelisk
 • 0-2 Monoliths
 • 1 Destroyer Lord
 • 3 units of Destroyers
 • 0-1 units of Heavy Destroyers

STAR-GOD

FLAYED ONES
 • 1 unit of Flayed Ones


 • 2-4 Doom Scythes

RESTRICTIONS
This Detachment must include at least one Core choice. For each Core choice you must include between 1 and 10 Auxiliary choices, in any combination, and you may also include up to one Command choice. Only the datasheets listed above may be included in this detachment.

COMMAND BENEFITS
Ever-living: Models in this Detachment with the Reanimation Protocols special rule receive a +1 bonus to Reanimation Protocols rolls. Models in this Detachment with the Living Metal rule ignore the effects of Crew Stunned and Crew Shaken (but still lose a Hull Point).

Formations


Annihilation Nexus

FORMATION
 • 1 Doomsday Ark
 • 2 Annihilation Barges
RESTRICTIONS
None.
SPECIAL RULES
Quantum Deflection: If the Doomsday Ark from this Formation’s quantum shielding is deactivated at the start of any of the controlling player’s Movement phases, you can nominate an Annihilation Barge from this Formation within 6" that has active quantum shielding. That Annihilation Barge’s quantum shielding is immediately deactivated, and the Doomsday Ark’s quantum shielding is immediately reactivated.

Canoptek Harvest

FORMATION
 • 1 Canoptek Spyder
 • 1 unit of Canoptek Wraiths
 • 1 unit of Canoptek Scarabs
RESTRICTIONS
None.
SPECIAL RULES
 • Move Through Cover
 • Relentless

Adaptive Subroutines: At the start of each of the controlling player’s Movement phases, choose one of the following special rules: Fleet, Reanimation Protocols, Shred. The Canoptek Spyder from this Formation, and all units from this Formation within 12" of the Canoptek Spyder from this Formation, benefit from the effects of the chosen special rule until the start of the controlling player’s next Movement phase.

Deathbringer Flight

FORMATION
 • 2-4 Doom Scythes
RESTRICTIONS
None.
SPECIAL RULES
Amalgamated Targeting Data: When a Doom Scythe from this Formation fires its death ray at an enemy unit, add 2 to its Ballistic Skill for each other Doom Scythe from this Formation that has shot at the same enemy unit this turn.

Wailing Cacophony: All enemy units that are within 12" of at least two Doom Scythes from this Formation have -1 Leadership.

Destroyer Cult

FORMATION
 • 1 Destroyer Lord
 • 3 units of Destroyers
 • 0-1 units of Heavy Destroyers
RESTRICTIONS
Each unit of Destroyers must consist of at least 3 models.
SPECIAL RULES
 • Move Through Cover

Extermination Protocols: All units in this Formation re-roll failed To Wound rolls and Armour Penetration rolls in the Shooting phase.

Fearsome Ruler: If this Formation is chosen as your Primary Detachment, you can re-roll the result when rolling on the Warlord Traits table in Codex: Necrons.

Judicator Battalion

FORMATION
 • 1 unit of Triarch Stalkers
 • 2 units of Triarch Praetorians
RESTRICTIONS
None.
SPECIAL RULES
 • Move Through Cover

Target Designated: At the start of each of the controlling player’s Shooting phases, nominate one enemy unit within line of sight of a Triarch Stalker from this Formation. All units from this Formation can re-roll failed To Hit, To Wound and armour penetration rolls against the nominated unit until the end of the phase.

Living Tomb

FORMATION
 • 1 Obelisk
 • 0-2 Monoliths
RESTRICTIONS
None.
SPECIAL RULES
Precision Arrival: All units in this Formation must be placed into Deep Strike Reserve. Do not make Reserve Rolls for the Obelisk from this Formation; it automatically arrives on the controlling player’s second turn. When arriving from Deep Strike Reserve, Monoliths from this Formation do not scatter if they are placed within 12" of the Obelisk from this Formation.

Tomb Nexus: Immediately after a Monolith from this Formation arrives from Deep Strike Reserve, you can choose one friendly unit with the Necrons Faction consisting entirely of models with either the Infantry or Jump Infantry unit type that is in Reserves or Ongoing Reserves. The chosen unit is placed as if it were disembarking from the Monolith’s eternity gate. Any models that cannot be placed are removed as casualties, but the unit is otherwise treated exactly as if it were disembarking from a Transport vehicle.

Reclamation Legion

FORMATION
 • 1 Overlord1
 • 0-2 units of Lychguard
 • 1-4 units of Immortals
 • 2-8 units of Warriors
 • 1-3 units of Tomb Blades
 • 0-3 Monoliths
RESTRICTIONS
None.

1 Nemesor Zahndrekh, Trazyn the Infinite, Anrakyr the Traveller or a Catacomb Command Barge may be taken in place of the Overlord.
SPECIAL RULES
 • Move Through Cover
 • Relentless

Enhanced Reanimation Protocols: You can re-roll Reanimation Protocols rolls of 1 for the Overlord from this Formation (or the model taken in place of the Overlord) and units from this Formation that are within 12" of him.

Royal Court

FORMATION
 • 1 Overlord1
 • 1-3 Lords2
 • 1-3 Crypteks3
RESTRICTIONS
None.

1 Imotekh the Stormlord, Nemesor Zahndrekh, Trazyn the Infinite, Anrakyr the Traveller or a Catacomb Command Barge may be taken in place of the Overlord.
2 Vargard Obyron may be taken in place of a Lord.
3 Illuminor Szeras or Orikan the Diviner may be taken in place of a Cryptek.
SPECIAL RULES
 • Move Through Cover
 • Relentless

Wisdom of the Aeons: If the Overlord from this Formation (or the model taken in place of the Overlord) is chosen as your Warlord, you can re-roll the result when rolling on the Warlord Traits table in Codex: Necrons.

Oppressor Flight

FORMATION
 • 1 Flyer Wing consisting of:
  - 1 Night Scythe
  - 2-3 Doom Scythes
RESTRICTIONS
The Night Scythe must be the Wing Leader.
SPECIAL RULES
Command Asset Located: You can re-roll To Wound rolls of 1 and Armour Penetration rolls of 1 for units from this Formation if the target is an enemy HQ unit.

Energy Transference: If the Formation is in an Attack Pattern at the start of your turn, pick a single friendly Necron vehicle that is in Reserve. That vehicle can Deep Strike to the battlefield within 6" of the Night Scythe from this Formation and will not scatter. Then roll for any remaining Reserves normally.

Retribution Phalanx

FORMATION
 • 1 Necron Overlord
 • 1 unit of Necron Warriors
 • 1 unit of Canoptek Scarabs
 • 1 Triarch Stalker
RESTRICTIONS
None.
SPECIAL RULES
From the Sands, We Rise: If the unit of Necron Warriors or Scarabs from a Retribution Phalanx is wiped out, it can return to the battlefield at the start of your next turn. The unit must be set up within 3" of the Necron Overlord from this Formation.

Apocalypse Formations


Acquisition Phalanx

APOCALYPSE FORMATION
 • 1 Trazyn the Infinite
 • 5 units of Lychguard
RESTRICTIONS
None.
TYPE
 • Battle Formation

SPECIAL RULES
A New Acquisition: Whenever an enemy Apocalypse Formation is destroyed, Trazyn's controlling player places an acquisition counter on the battlefield within 1" of the position of the last model removed (if several models were removed at once, you can choose which was the last model for the purposes of this rule). If Trazyn moves into contact with an acquisition counter, remove the counter and roll a D6. On a roll of 1, there was nothing of value there; on a roll of 2+, you gain 1 Strategic Victory Point.

Acquisition Phalanx: All of the models in this formation form a single unit known as an Acquisition Phalanx.

Ceaseless Loyalty: All models in an Acquisition Phalanx have the Fearless special rule whilst Trazyn is alive.

Dispersion Barrier: If at least 20 models in the Acquisition Phalanx have dispersion shields, all models in the unit have a 3+ invulnerable save that deflects hits in exactly the same manner as a dispersion shield.

Baleful Necropolis

APOCALYPSE FORMATION
 • 1 Tesseract Vault
 • 8 Monoliths
RESTRICTIONS
None.
TYPE
 • Battle Formation

SPECIAL RULES
Annihilator Beam: The Tesseract Vault can fire an annihilator beam in addition to its other weaponry, using the profile below. Any Monolith in the formation can forgo firing its weapons to contribute to the annihilator beam. You must declare which Monoliths will do so before firing the annihilator beam - only those within 3" of the Tesseract Vault can contribute. Only one shot is fired, regardless of the number of contributing Monoliths, but the range of the shot increases by 12" for each Monolith that contributes.

RangeSAPType
24"+D1Primary weapon 1, Apocalyptic Mega-blast, Sonic Boom

Supreme Shield Matrix: A Monolith from this formation within 3" of the Tesseract Vault has a 6+ invulnerable save and the It Will Not Die special rule. In addition, a Monolith from this formation that is within 3" of the Tesseract Vault receives a +1 bonus to its invulnerable save for each other Monolith from this formation within 3" of it, to a maximum of 4+. For example, a Monolith within 3" of the Tesseract Vault and one other Monolith has a 5+ invulnerable save.

Infinite Phalanx

APOCALYPSE FORMATION
 • 10 units of Necron Warriors
RESTRICTIONS
No Dedicated Transports may be taken.
TYPE
 • Battle Formation

SPECIAL RULES
 • Fearless
 • Relentless

Infinite Phalanx: All of the Necron Warrior units form a single combined unit known as an Infinite Phalanx.

Numberless Legion: An Infinite Phalanx that contains more than 100 models has the Fear special rule.

Reanimation Matrix: Models in an Infinite Phalanx must be within 1" of another model from the same unit to remain in unit coherency. However, all models in the Infinite Phalanx receive a bonus to their Reanimation Protocols rolls based on the number of models in the unit that are still in play at the point Reanimation Protocol rolls are taken (note that Reanimation Protocol counters as well as remaining models count towards this number). If there are at least 100 models/counters in the Infinite Phalanx, then its Reanimation Protocol rolls are passed on a 4+. If there are at least 150 models/ counters in the Infinite Phalanx, then their Reanimation Protocol rolls are passed on a 3+. These Reanimation Protocol rolls cannot be improved by any other means.

The War Council of Mandragora

APOCALYPSE FORMATION
 • Imotekh the Stormlord
 • Nemesor Zahndrekh
 • Vargard Obyron
 • Orikan the Diviner
 • 1 Royal Court
 • 1 unit of Immortals
RESTRICTIONS
The Royal Court must contain at least five models.
TYPE
 • High Command

SPECIAL RULES
He Has a Plan: Before deployment begins, roll three D6, one at a time, and consult the table below to learn what Imotekh has decided (re-rolling duplicate results). Make a note of the results, and the order in which they were rolled.

D6Result
1Eradicate Them All: Destroy all remaining models in a single enemy Apocalypse Formation. 
2Slay the Upstart: Kill an enemy model with the Independent Character special rule. 
3Cripple the Goliath: Cause a penetrating hit on an enemy Super-heavy vehicle. 
4Crush Their Spirit: Cause an enemy unit to fail a Morale test. 
5Unmake Their Works: Destroy three or more enemy vehicles in a single turn. 
6Endure: The War Council must last a single game turn without losing any models. 

Each result ties to a particular condition that must be met by the owning Necron player. As soon as any condition is met, you gain one Necron Strategic Asset of your choice. However, the second condition can only be met if the first has already been completed, and the third can only be met if the first two conditions have already been completed. It is possible to meet two or more conditions in the same turn. You score D3 Strategic Victory Points when the third condition is met.