We’ll Be Back
Tactical discussion and notes.
There has always been a lot of confusion on the topic of one of the Necron’s most distinguishing abilities, the “We’ll Be Back” roll (WBB). A lot of this confusion can be cleared up with the rule book, codex, and a simple read of the latest FAQ. But for those that are still confused, here is a breakdown for you… and I will apologize right now for the length of this discussion.
First off, any “Necron” figure that has another figure of the same unit type within proximity of it will always receive a WBB roll if it goes down in battle. This roll is a modified version of the Universal Special Rule ‘Feel No Pain’ (Fifth Edition Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook). Now with that in mind, there are some things that will deny the WBB roll.
“A Necron cannot self-repair if it was destroyed by a close combat weapon that allows no Armour save or any weapon who’s Strength is twice the Toughness of the Necron concerned.” (page 13 Codex Necrons)
Thus, in the Shooting Phase there is only
one thing that will deny you a WBB roll: a weapon who’s Strength is twice the model’s Toughness. This is also refered to as an Insta-Kill weapon or a weapon that inflicts Instant Death. Many people confuse this (Yes, its happened to me too) with the Armour Piercing value of the weapon. But, the Armour Piercing value of a weapon actually has no bearing WBB.
In the Assault Phase there are a few more ways to deny a Necron’s ability to self repair (WBB). And this is why hand to hand combat is so dangerous for Necrons. In
close combat the items that specifically deny WBB are “anything that ignores armour saves”. This includes such things as power weapons (swords, fists, etc.), Dreadnought close combat weapons, Monstrous Creatures, Rending attacks that Wound on a roll of a “6”.
Assuming that the Necron figure in question has a figure of the same unit type within proximity; but is struck down by an enemy weapon that denies WBB, what options does the Necron have at this point ? Well if you check the Necron Codex, you will find that the Resurrection Orb (ResOrb) is a Necon’s best line of defence against Phase Out as it will allow a WBB roll to be taken even if a Necron was killed in a manner which normally denies WBB. The only requirement to gain this effect from the Res Orb is that the Necron unit must have at least one figure within proximity of the Necron Lord with the Res Orb. So this means that you may take causalities from any part of the squad and still allow them to make a WBB roll.
If the entire squad is taken out in a single round of shooting or close combat then they must rely on their comrades for a chance to WBB. Because if there is no figure of the same unit type within proximity when casualties are incurred, then the unit is denied its WBB option. But the Necrons also have a way to increase the range of this proximity, as the mighty Tomb Spyder actually doubles the range of both the Res Orb, and the requirement to have a figure of the same unit type within proximity. When a squad is completely wiped out in a single Shooting or Assault Phase the Tomb Spyder can allow the squad to WBB as long as certain conditions are met.
Necrons and loosing CC = bad news for Necrons... and here is why. The Close Combat takes place as per normal (read above rules).. and some Necrons will obviously get put down.. but if you happen to loose Close Combat, then your taking a LD test at - whatever you lost by.. and this can hurt alot... Warriors can take a lot; but they do not put out much in CC, so even loosing by 2-3 figures will have them LD testing at LD=7-8 or maybe even less. And then they have to run away, now they get hammered again, as their Inititative is too low to compete with most armies out there... but this is not the worst of it... NOOOO
The Rules for Sweeping Adcance (thats when the enemy runs you over) state clearly that all figures caught in a Sweeping advance are removed immediately; so they are gone, they do not get a chance to WBB, even if there is a Res-Orb in range, etc.. Their gone.... Thus you must (as a Necron player) do eveything you can to avoid your True Necrons getting assaulted and loosing Combat Resolution. This is were things like a Tomb Spyder (which is fearless) can hold the enemy in CC so that he can't run you down in a Sweeping Advance,... or if you do live through the first round, having a decent assault unit on hand to help the little machines out in CC and push the odds back into the Necron favour.
More to follow