Rise again with the new Necrons 40k 10th Edition codex and our guide to all the how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
The Necrons are rising once again with a new codex that redefines how these ancient machines wage war. Expect major tweaks to Reanimation Protocols, fresh dynastic detachments, and some serious upgrades for Overlords. If your vision of Warhammer 40k involves relentless metal legions, eerie green energy, and a cold march toward galactic domination, this book delivers in spades.
From Crypteks tuning up the dead to Canoptek horrors crawling across the battlefield, the Necron Codex doubles down on everything that makes them terrifying: precision, durability, and an unending hunger for control.
Let’s break down the new rules, dynastic detachments, and key units so you can command your Necron legions with cold efficiency in 10th Edition.
Why Play Necrons in Warhammer 40k?
Originally published in December 2023. Updated on October 27th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest Warhammer 40k Necron Codex 10th Edition rules, Kill Team models, and information.
If you want to command an army that laughs at death and wins wars through cold, calculated inevitability, the Warhammer 40k Codex: Necrons is calling your name. The Necron Codex 10th Edition brings the dynasties roaring back with upgraded Reanimation Protocols, terrifying new Awakened Dynasty stratagems, and more ways to reassemble your fallen warriors than your opponent wants to deal with.
This isn’t an army that wins through luck or flash. The Necrons grind their enemies down through methodical precision, durability, and just enough eldritch science to make your opponent regret ever playing flesh-based life. Learning how to play Necrons is about mastering efficiency; timing reanimations, choosing when to phase in, and knowing which detachment suits your metallic temperament.
The new Necron Codex gives you five dynastic detachments that define your playstyle: the buff-stacking Awakened Dynasty, the brutal melee-first Annihilation Legion, the sneaky Hypercrypt Legion, the elite Obeisance Phalanx, and the tech-savvy Canoptek Court. Whether you’re teleporting through the void, reforming your legions mid-battle, or rolling buckets of dice with Destroyers, every dynasty has its own flavor of domination.
Strengths of the Necrons in 10th Edition
- Awakened Dynasty stratagems turn your characters and their units into precision killers; bonus hits, tougher saves, and a stronger reanimation game.
- Reanimation Protocols are as nasty as ever, letting you bring back fallen models and keep key units in the fight longer.
- Imotekh the Stormlord dishes out free Command Points and mortal wounds like it’s his day job.
- Annihilation Legion doubles down on close-combat carnage, perfect for Destroyers and Flayed Ones.
- Hypercrypt Legion keeps your opponent guessing: phasing out units, teleporting in Monoliths, and ambushing key targets.
- Canoptek Court leans into Cryptek power plays, offering buffs and damage spikes for your scarab swarms and wraiths.
Weaknesses of the Necron Codex
While the Warhammer 40k Codex: Necrons gives you incredible durability, mobility can still be a challenge unless you go full Hypercrypt. You’ll also need to manage your Command Points carefully. Powerful tricks like Devastating Wounds in the Canoptek Court aren’t cheap, and overextending can leave your empire vulnerable. The army rewards patience and precision, not reckless aggression.
New 40k Necron Rules from Kill Team Tomb World
Fresh out of the Kill Team: Tomb World box, these new Necron rules give our favorite robo-skeletons a serious glow-up. The Geomancer, Macrocytes, and Tomb Crawlers are stomping their way into 40k proper, bringing equal parts weird utility, shiny toys, and questionable point efficiency to the tabletop.
Geomancer
The Geomancer is basically the Necron who read Homeowner’s Guide to Seismic Stability a few too many times. It won’t win fights on raw damage, but slowing enemy units and shutting down deep strikes makes it the petty landlord of the battlefield: annoying, stubborn, and always in your way.
Canoptek Macrocytes
The Macrocytes are like flying lightbulbs with delusions of grandeur. They cost more than they should, pop like soap bubbles under fire, and only shine when they’re buffing Wraiths; but hey, at least they look cool doing it.
Tomb Crawlers
The Tomb Crawlers are the quiet MVPs here: cheap, tough, and surprisingly clever for walking bug-tanks. They make your big Necron blobs shoot straighter, hit harder, and basically tell modifiers to get lost, which is pretty priceless in today’s meta.
How to Play Necrons in 10th Edition
Playing Necrons well means balancing patience and pressure. The Necron Codex 10th Edition rewards players who know when to strike and when to let attrition do the work. Use Awakened Dynasty stratagems to supercharge your core units, drop in ambushes with Hypercrypt tricks, and grind down your foes with relentless Reanimation Protocols.
This army is all about inevitability. Your warriors don’t die, they reboot. Your plans don’t fail; they just take a few turns to finish unfolding. Whether you’re fielding Monoliths, Lychguard, or endless waves of Warriors, the Necron Codex makes every move feel like part of a galactic master plan written 60 million years ago.
Necron Codex 10th Edition Army Rule
Reanimation Protocols are such a staple of the army; it’s good to see them sticking around! As with past codexes, there are plenty of ways to regain more lost wounds in the book, so don’t think D3 wounds are all you’ll get!
Necrons Codex Detachment Rules:
Now, let’s get into all the new detachments; the five Necrons Detachments for 10th Edition 40k are:
Awakened Dynasty Stratagems & Rules
Detachment Rule: Every time a Character joins a unit, that squad gains +1 to hit, because ancient robot kings don’t tolerate sloppy aim. On top of that, Protocol of the Undying Legions lets you heal extra wounds and keep your units fighting long after they should’ve been scrap.
Playstyle: Efficient, durable, and relentless. You’re playing the long game here, turning standard Warrior phalanxes into precision engines of death while your Overlords bask in the glory.
Enhancements:
- Harder-to-hit characters (great for those flashy Overlords)
- Improved durability and reanimation potential
- Extra wound regeneration from Undying Legion protocols
- Increased Leadership and toughness to keep your lines steady
Stratagem Highlights: Command re-rolls, bonus attacks, and buffs that make your reanimated units hit back even harder. Basically, your entire army gets a software upgrade every turn.
Annihilation Legion
Detachment Rule: Every time a Destroyer or Flayed One unit smells blood, it goes into overdrive, literally repairing itself through Murderous Reanimation. Combine that with Blood-Fuelled Cruelty, which punishes enemies for trying to run, and you’ve got a detachment that thrives on close-quarters carnage.
Playstyle: Aggressive, melee-focused, and perfect for players who think “subtlety” is for Tyranids.
Enhancements:
- Re-rolls in combat for your Destroyers
- Wound recovery after kills
- Increased melee strength and movement buffs
- Additional mortal wounds on counterattacks
Stratagem Highlights: Counter-charge, fight-on-death, and hit harder when your opponent least expects it. It’s the definition of “overkill.”
Canoptek Court Rules
Detachment Rule: The Canoptek Court channels its Power Matrix to grant Devastating Wounds to select units. Just be ready to pay 2CP for that burst of high-tech vengeance.
Playstyle: Support-heavy and tactical. Perfect for players who want to tinker, buff, and outthink their opponent with Crypteks and Canoptek constructs.
Enhancements:
- Increased resilience for Crypteks and their bodyguards
- Expanded control over the Power Matrix
- Damage spikes for Canoptek units
- Access to key Cryptek powers that enhance allies
Stratagem Highlights: Supercharged reanimation, mortal wound bursts, and CP-efficient utility plays to keep your army buzzing.
Obeisance Phalanx Necron Codex Rules
Detachment Rule: Triarchs and Lychguard gain +1 to wound, and rerolls are abundant thanks to Eternal Conqueror. You’ll carve through elite enemies like butter while your units hold the center with absolute authority.
Playstyle: Elite melee dominance. This detachment is all about armored death parades walking slowly and smashing anything that gets too close.
Enhancements:
- Critical hits on 5+ via Enslaved Artifice
- Extra Leadership for command units
- Reroll hits and wounds for elite phalanxes
- Anti-character buffs through Suffer No Rival
Stratagem Highlights: Tankier defense, precision melee attacks, and all-around “we do not yield” energy.
How To Play Necrons: Hypercrypt Legion
Detachment Rule: At the end of your opponent’s turn, you can phase out entire units, returning them to the battlefield in your next Movement phase. Combine that with Monolith portals, and you’ve got the galaxy’s deadliest game of peekaboo.
Playstyle: Tricksy, unpredictable, and perfect for control players who love teleport shenanigans.
Enhancements:
- Deep Strike access for key leaders and their bodyguards
- Ignore battlefield edge for Reserve drops
- Strategic redeploys for objectives and ambushes
- Monolith synergy for guaranteed charges out of reserve
Stratagem Highlights: Phasing tricks, surprise charges, and cheap movement manipulation. If you like teleporting behind people and whispering “boo,” this is your jam.
New Necrons Unit Datasheets
Imotekh the Stormlord
Role: CP generator and lightning-slinging overlord.
Highlights: Free Command Points every turn, Strength 12 attacks that auto-crit, and a 4+ invuln aura for his squad.
Use: Perfect for leading an Awakened Dynasty or any army that wants to play the long tactical game.
Overlord
Role: Classic Necron commander.
Highlights: Enhances units with re-rolls, buffs attacks, and keeps your warriors fighting longer.
Use: The backbone of your dynasty—pair him with Warriors or Lychguard for maximum effect.
Orikan the Diviner
Role: Time-bending Cryptek and cosmic control freak.
Highlights: Grants his unit a 4+ invuln save and, once per battle, powers up with +3 Strength and Attacks while every wound becomes a Critical Wound.
Use: Pair with Immortals or Warriors for extra durability and that perfect “the stars said you’d lose” moment when he goes full chrono-god.
Final Thoughts From Us on the New Necrons Codex
The Necron Codex crackles with power, bringing back the galaxy’s most patient conquerors in full force. From Overlords commanding gleaming legions to Crypteks tuning up the dead like vintage machinery, this book doubles down on everything that makes the Necrons terrifying: precision, reanimation, and that smug, inevitable march toward domination.
If you’re ready to roll out with glowing green weapons, unstoppable Warriors, and enough resurrection tricks to make your opponent question reality, this codex gives you all the tools to turn the tabletop into your personal tomb world.
Where to Get Your Necron Codex
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You can save even more on your purchase by using our exclusive list of redeemable discount codes from some of the best hobby retailers and miniature manufacturers!
If you’re looking for the Necrons codex PDF, Wahapedia is the go-to spot for free reference material, but if you want the full book with lore, art, and all the extras, Games Workshop’s official version is the way to go.
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