The Canoptek Scarabs are tiny robotic swarms that the Necrons use to build, repair, and maintain their tomb worlds. In battle they’re cheap, fast, and surprisingly dangerous, chewing through armour and infantry alike while their masters watch from afar.
What the Canoptek Scarabs actually are
Canoptek Scarabs aren’t soldiers. They’re maintenance drones, part of the Canoptek network that keeps a Necron tomb world running while its inhabitants sleep through the ages. Each scarab is a small mechanical insect, and they work in swarms that can strip a battlefield clean of raw material in minutes.
When a tomb world wakes, the scarabs switch from repair work to warfare. They’re still doing the same job, really. They break things down, they rebuild them, and they consume anything that gets in the way.
How they fight
On the tabletop, Canoptek Scarab Swarms are a fast, fragile harassment unit. They move 10 inches, which is quick for Necrons, and they have four wounds each with a 6+ save. That save is basically nothing, so they die fast to any real firepower.
What makes them useful is the package around that fragility. They have Objective Control 0, so they can’t hold objectives on their own, but they’re cheap enough to throw forward as a screen or a distraction. Their feeder mandibles put out six attacks per model at Strength 2, with Lethal Hits, which means every 6 to hit auto-wounds. Against light infantry that adds up.
They also have Self-destruction. At the start of the Fight phase, if they’re in engagement range of an enemy, you can destroy one of your own models to roll a D6 and try to deal a mortal wound back. It’s a nice bit of spite when they’re about to die anyway.
- Move 10″, Toughness 2, 4 wounds, 6+ save, OC 0
- Feeder mandibles: 6 attacks, WS 5+, S2, AP0, D1, Lethal Hits
- Self-destruction: sacrifice a model for a chance at a mortal wound
- Reanimation Protocols: they can get back up if the unit survives
Where they fit in a Necron army
Scarabs are the cheapest unit in most Necron lists, and that’s their real value. You use them to block charges, grab early board space, or force your opponent to spend shots on something that costs almost nothing.
They also pair well with Canoptek Spyders, which can spawn new scarab bases during the game. That combo lets you keep pressure on without spending more points. If you’re running a Canoptek-themed list, scarabs are the chaff that lets your bigger constructs do the real work.
Lore connections
The Canoptek Scarabs sit alongside Canoptek Spyders, Wraiths, and Tomb Crawlers as part of the same self-repairing machine ecology. Spyders build and command scarabs, while Wraiths handle heavier work.
In the wider Necron story, scarabs are one of the clearest examples of how the dynasties operate. They don’t conquer worlds, they consume them, and by the time a Necron lord steps out of stasis, the scarabs have usually been busy for millions of years.
Key facts
- Canoptek Scarabs are Necron maintenance drones that double as swarm troops in battle.
- They move 10″, have 4 wounds each, a 6+ save, and Objective Control 0.
- Their feeder mandibles have Lethal Hits, so 6s to hit auto-wound.
- Self-destruction lets you sacrifice a model for a chance at a mortal wound.
- Canoptek Spyders can spawn new scarab bases during a game.
FAQ
Are Canoptek Scarabs good in 10th edition?
They’re not damage dealers, but they’re excellent value. Their low points cost and 10″ move make them great for screening, blocking, and scoring secondary objectives. Just don’t expect them to survive a real fight.
Can Canoptek Scarabs hold objectives?
Not on their own. They have Objective Control 0, so they can’t contest or hold a point by themselves. You need other units nearby to actually score.
What’s the difference between Canoptek Scarabs and Canoptek Spyders?
Scarabs are the small swarm units, Spyders are the bigger constructs that build and control them. In game terms, Spyders can add new scarab bases, which makes them a natural pairing.