Necron Campaign Walkthrough

Campaign Overview: Rise of the Sankhotep Dynasty

The Necron campaign in Mechanicus II follows Vargard Nefershah as she leads the Sankhotep Dynasty's bid to reclaim their homeworld from the Adeptus Mechanicus. After millennia of dormancy, the tomb worlds are stirring — but the Mechanicus has already established outposts and fortified positions across the planet. Your task is to dismantle their presence while awakening enough of your dynasty to tip the balance of power.

The campaign is divided into three phases: Awakening (early game, where you rouse basic units and secure your initial tomb complexes), Expansion (mid game, where you push into Mechanicus-held territory and unlock elite units), and Ascension (late game, where the full power of the dynasty is brought to bear against the remaining Mechanicus forces). Each phase introduces new unit types, strategic options, and narrative events.

Phase 1: Awakening (Early Campaign)

Your first priority is securing the starting tomb complex and awakening your initial wave of Warriors. Do not spread your forces thin — concentrate on one tomb at a time and fully clear the surrounding area before moving to the next. Each awakened tomb provides a steady stream of Awakening Points that fund your expansion.

In combat, rely on your Warriors' durability and Reanimation to win through attrition. Your early forces are not glamorous, but they are incredibly resilient. Focus fire on one enemy unit at a time to eliminate it before Reanimation becomes relevant on the other side — you do not want the Mechanicus player getting the same regeneration benefit from their own abilities.

Invest your first Awakening Points into improving Reanimation efficiency. The faster your Warriors stand back up, the more aggressively you can play. Avoid spending on elite units too early — a reinforced core of Warriors with enhanced Reanimation is more reliable than a thin force with one or two Immortals.

Phase 2: Expansion (Mid Campaign)

Once your core is stable, begin expanding toward the Mechanicus outposts. Each outpost you destroy weakens their strategic position and provides bonus resources. However, do not neglect defense — the Mechanicus will launch counter-attacks against your tomb complexes, and losing a tomb means losing its Awakening Point income permanently.

This is the phase where you should start awakening Immortals and Deathmarks. Immortals give you the armor-piercing damage needed to crack fortified Mechanicus positions, while Deathmarks provide the surgical strike capability to eliminate Tech-Priests before they can buff their forces. Pair Immortals with your Warrior blocks for a balanced assault force.

Narrative events become more frequent during this phase. Many present choices between immediate rewards and long-term benefits. As a general rule, prioritize choices that improve your Reanimation capabilities or unlock new unit types — these benefits compound over the rest of the campaign. One-time resource bonuses are tempting but rarely game-changing.

Phase 3: Ascension (Late Campaign)

The late campaign is where the Necron dynasty reaches full power. By now you should have access to Lychguard, Tomb Blades, and possibly a Necron Lord with advanced protocols. Your Warrior blocks should be fully upgraded with enhanced Reanimation, and your awakening economy should be producing enough points to replace losses between missions.

The Mechanicus will field their strongest units in this phase — Kastelan Robots, fully equipped Tech-Priests, and elite Skitarii squads. Counter them with combined arms: Lychguard to absorb and return ranged fire, Immortals to strip armor at range, and Warriors to hold the line. Use Deathmarks to eliminate Tech-Priests as a priority — without their buffs, the Mechanicus infantry becomes far less threatening.

The final missions are heavily narrative-driven and feature unique mechanics not found in standard missions. Expect environmental hazards, time-limited objectives, and powerful enemy commanders. Bring your most versatile force and be prepared to adapt mid-mission. The Necron campaign culminates in a climactic confrontation that tests everything you have learned.

Key Strategic Decisions

Tomb Awakening Priority: Always awaken the tomb closest to a Mechanicus outpost first. This gives you a forward operating base for your assault and denies the enemy a potential expansion point. Interior tombs are safer but contribute less to territorial control.

Protocol Selection: When choosing which ancient protocols to activate, prioritize Reanimation enhancements and movement bonuses. The ability to revive fallen units faster and reposition quickly gives you tactical flexibility that raw damage cannot match. Damage-boosting protocols are useful but should be secondary to survivability.

Diplomacy Events: Several campaign events present opportunities to negotiate with other Necron dynasties. These choices offer unique units and abilities but come at a cost — typically reduced Awakening Point income or restricted unit choices. Consider your current army composition before committing. If you are already strong in melee, a diplomacy event that provides ranged units fills a gap in your roster.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overextending without Reanimation support. Your units are durable, but they are not invincible. Pushing too far ahead of your Reanimation aura range means fallen Warriors stay down, gradually eroding your combat power. Always keep your army within supporting distance of each other.

Ignoring Tech-Priest targets. A single Dominus healing and buffing a squad of Skitarii can turn a straightforward engagement into a grueling attrition battle. Kill the Tech-Priest first — once the support is gone, the infantry falls quickly.

Hoarding Awakening Points. Resources not spent are resources wasted. Every turn you delay awakening a new unit or activating a protocol is a turn the Mechanicus grows stronger. Spend aggressively but thoughtfully — invest in upgrades that multiply your existing strengths rather than diversifying into areas where you are already adequate.

Neglecting the strategic map. Combat missions are important, but the strategic layer determines which missions are available and how prepared you are for them. Check the map between every mission, reinforce weak points, and plan your next two or three moves in advance.