Mechanicus 2 Complete Beginner Guide

Getting Started: What Is Mechanicus II?

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II is a turn-based tactical strategy game developed by Bulwark Studios and published by Kasedo Games. Released on May 21, 2026, it is the sequel to the 2018 cult hit Mechanicus. The game blends fast-paced squad-level combat with a strategic overworld layer where you manage resources, upgrade units, and make narrative choices that reshape the campaign.

Unlike many turn-based games, Mechanicus II features an initiative-based action system rather than a strict alternating-turn model. Each unit acts according to its initiative value, which creates fluid and dynamic combat sequences. Understanding this system early on is the single most important thing you can do to improve your gameplay.

The game offers two fully playable factions — the Adeptus Mechanicus (Tech-Priests and their cybernetic legions) and the Necrons (ancient, undying metallic warriors) — each with its own campaign, tech tree, and playstyle. Your first big decision is which side to start with.

Choosing Your First Faction

If you played the original Mechanicus, starting with the Tech-Priests will feel familiar. They rely on ranged firepower, tactical positioning, and technological upgrades. Their playstyle rewards careful planning: set up firing lines, use cover, and gradually outshoot the enemy. The Tech-Priest campaign follows Dominus Faustinius as he races to stop the Sankhotep Dynasty from awakening.

The Necrons, on the other hand, are a brand-new playable faction in this sequel. They excel at aggression, resilience, and board control. Their Reanimation Protocols allow fallen warriors to return to battle, and their Gauss weaponry strips away enemy armor with alarming efficiency. The Necron campaign follows Vargard Nefershah as she mobilizes her dynasty to reclaim their world from the Mechanicus intruders.

For first-time players, the Tech-Priest campaign is generally recommended as the starting point. It teaches core mechanics — cover usage, the initiative system, and resource management — in a more forgiving way. The Necron campaign is more aggressive and punishes passive play, making it better suited for a second playthrough.

Understanding the Initiative System

Combat in Mechanicus II uses an initiative-based system. Each unit on the battlefield has an initiative stat that determines when it acts in the turn order. Faster units move first, but every action — moving, attacking, using abilities — consumes action points. This means a unit with high initiative can strike first but may run out of AP before doing everything you want.

The key strategic insight is that you can influence turn order through abilities, equipment, and positioning. Certain Tech-Priest augmentations boost initiative, and some Necron abilities can delay enemy actions. Paying attention to the initiative tracker at the top of the screen is essential — it tells you exactly who acts next and lets you plan accordingly.

A common beginner mistake is spending all AP on movement and leaving none for an attack or overwatch. Always leave enough AP to react. If your Tech-Priest dashes across the map and has no AP left to shoot, that unit becomes a vulnerable target. Similarly, Necron Warriors that charge in without AP for Reanimation are far less durable than they appear.

Resource Management Basics

Both factions manage resources during the strategic layer between missions, but the resources differ. The Mechanicus collects Blackstone — a mysterious material central to the plot — and uses it to research technologies, craft equipment, and construct outposts. The Necrons harvest Awakening Points to rouse their slumbering dynasties and unlock powerful units.

Spending resources wisely early on is critical. For the Mechanicus, prioritize technologies that improve your core units (Skitarii Rangers and Vanguard) before branching into exotic upgrades. A well-equipped basic squad is more valuable than an underfunded elite unit. For the Necrons, invest in Reanimation upgrades first — the ability to revive warriors mid-battle is the cornerstone of your entire strategy.

Outposts are a new feature in Mechanicus II. The Mechanicus can construct fortified positions on the strategic map that provide passive bonuses and resources between missions. The Necrons can awaken tomb complexes that serve a similar purpose. Both factions must balance expanding their territory with upgrading existing assets — overexpansion without solid defenses is a quick path to losing the campaign.

Combat Fundamentals: Cover and Positioning

The cover system in Mechanicus II is more interactive than in most turn-based games. The Mechanicus can construct temporary barricades and energy shields using certain abilities, turning open ground into defensible positions. The Necrons, conversely, can destroy cover objects — collapsing walls, barriers, and structures — to deny the enemy protection.

When playing as the Mechanicus, always seek cover before ending your turn. Units caught in the open take full damage from attacks and have no defensive bonuses. Position your Skitarii behind barriers, use elevated terrain for accuracy bonuses, and keep your Tech-Priests in the rear where their auras and abilities can support the front line.

As the Necrons, your approach is different. You want to close distance rapidly and force melee engagements where your superior durability gives you the advantage. Destroy cover that enemies are hiding behind, use your mobility to flank, and rely on Reanimation to shrug off losses that would cripple any other faction.

Early Game Tips for Success

Focus on learning the initiative system before anything else. Watch the turn order, plan two steps ahead, and never leave a unit with zero AP in a vulnerable position. Once initiative management becomes second nature, the rest of the game clicks into place.

Upgrade your basic units before investing in advanced ones. Skitarii Rangers with improved weapons and armor will carry you through the early campaign far more reliably than a single undergeared Kastelan Robot. For Necrons, a reinforced block of Warriors with Reanimation support is more survivable than a fragile group of specialized units.

Explore the strategic map thoroughly. Side missions and optional encounters reward bonus resources that make the main campaign missions significantly easier. Do not rush from one story mission to the next — take time to build your forces and unlock key technologies first.

Finally, save often and in multiple slots. Campaign decisions can lock you out of certain paths, and some missions have difficulty spikes that are much easier to handle with prior preparation. Having a save before major choices gives you the freedom to experiment without committing to a suboptimal path.