Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition has a lot going on at any one moment, as any good RTS (Real-Time Strategy) game does. There are mechanics that form the basis of the game, and there are mechanics that form the basis of the faction you choose to play as.
Necrons are an interesting faction that have certain unique mechanics that make them a real change of pace from the competition. In the right hands, the Necrons can be a powerhouse, especially in the late game. In the wrong hands, the Necrons are going to fold in the first portion of the match.
Necron Strengths
The Necron faction can be an extremely strong one, once it gets its legs under it. It can bring a lot of force to bear without too much effort, and has unparalleled mobility.
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Strength |
Reasoning |
|---|---|
|
Strong Mid And Late-Game |
Once you get out of the opening stages of the game, Necrons grow in strength exponentially. They can spit out cheap units like Builders and Warrior for virtually nothing, the latter of which can essentially revive. The later the match goes, the more strong units they have access to. |
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Teleportation |
The Necrons have a teleportation mechanic that certain units and buildings can make use of, giving them some of the best movement options in the game. This can make it very difficult for an opponent to effectively set up their own forces in relation to yours. |
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Turrets |
Necrons have very good and easy-to-build turrets that can provide a lot of defensive support, especially when you’re able to teleport units over to defend them at a moment’s notice. |
Necron Weaknesses
While Necrons can be one of the strongest factions in the game, there are some blind spots that you’ll need to be aware of.
|
Weakness |
Reasoning |
|---|---|
|
Time-Intensive |
Certain things, like creating Necron Warriors and building Plasma Generators, take longer the more of them you have. While they might be cheap or free, you’ll need to make sure you’re not setting yourself back when it comes to time. |
|
Capturing Points |
Only the Builder Scarabs can capture Strategic Points. You’ll need to make sure you’ve got an escort for them if you’re moving them into the Fog of War, or you risk losing them needlessly. On the other side of things, if you’ve got an opportunity to attack enemy Builders, take it. |
Tactics For Using Necrons
Necrons can be weak in the early game, and that means that’s when you’re going to need to be most aware of your opponent making a surprise push. If they can catch you before you’ve built up enough power, it can set you back for quite a while, if not earn you a loss immediately.
One of the biggest strengths of Necrons is their mobility. Careful placement of buildings to teleport to and a good understanding of where your opponent has placed defenses can give you opportunities to overwhelm any hole in your opponent’s lineup.
Making heavy use of Necron Warriors, especially in the early and mid-game, can stack the odds in your favor to a tremendous degree. Their ability to occasionally revive themselves means you can keep your numbers high without nearly as much upkeep as most other factions.
Get at least a couple of groups of builders out early on, and reinforce them to full right away. They’ll be able to head out to capture points and get their things built quickly, which is particularly important with the Necron’s poor early game.
