The Nightbringer is one of the C’tan, the Star Gods worshipped by the Necrons. It’s the embodiment of death and entropy, a shard of a being that once fed on stars and now haunts the galaxy as a fragment of its former self.
What is the Nightbringer?
The Nightbringer is a C’tan, a godlike entity born from the raw energy of the cosmos. It’s the oldest and most feared of its kind, known as the Reaper of Worlds or the Bringer of Death. In Necron myth, it’s the one who taught the Necrontyr the fear of dying.
After the C’tan were shattered into shards by the Necrons, the Nightbringer was broken into countless pieces. The largest surviving shard is what we call the Nightbringer on the tabletop, a monster that still carries the terror of its original form.
Origins and the war in heaven
The Nightbringer was one of the C’tan who consumed the Necrontyr’s souls in exchange for immortal metal bodies. It gorged on the life force of entire worlds, leaving nothing but silence. During the War in Heaven, it fought against the Old Ones and their creations, earning a reputation as the harbinger of extinction.
When the Necrons turned on their gods, they used the knowledge of the Old Ones to shatter the C’tan into shards. The Nightbringer was among the first to fall, but its fragments were scattered across the galaxy, hidden in tomb worlds and lost to time.
Powers and abilities
As a shard of a Star God, the Nightbringer wields terrifying abilities. It can drain the life from nearby foes, causing them to wither and die. Its gaze alone can kill, and its scythe reaps souls with every swing.
On the tabletop, the Nightbringer is a melee powerhouse with high strength and toughness. It has a ranged attack that ignores invulnerable saves, making it a threat to even the most heavily protected units.
- Feeds on the dying, regaining wounds as enemies fall.
- Its scythe is a devastating close-combat weapon.
- Can cause mortal wounds with its gaze.
- Immune to morale and fear effects.
On the tabletop
In Warhammer 40,000, the Nightbringer is a Lord of War choice for Necron armies. It’s a single model with a hefty points cost, but it can tear through infantry and vehicles alike. It’s best used as a distraction or a spearhead, drawing fire while your other units secure objectives.
Its shard form means it’s not the full C’tan, but it’s still one of the deadliest units in the Necron codex. If you’re looking to add a centrepiece model that terrifies your opponent, the Nightbringer is a solid pick.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| M | 8″ |
| T | 7 |
| SV | 4+ |
| W | 9 |
| A | 5 |
Key facts
- The Nightbringer is a C’tan Star God, also called the Reaper of Worlds.
- It’s a shard of a larger entity shattered by the Necrons during the War in Heaven.
- It embodies death and entropy, feeding on the dying.
- In-game, it’s a melee-focused Lord of War for Necron armies.
- Its scythe and gaze make it deadly against both infantry and characters.
FAQ
Is the Nightbringer a C’tan?
Yes, the Nightbringer is one of the C’tan Star Gods. The model represents a shard of the original entity, not the full being.
Can the Nightbringer be killed?
On the tabletop, it can be destroyed like any other model. In the lore, the original C’tan was shattered, so the shard can be defeated, but the essence may persist elsewhere.
What army can take the Nightbringer?
The Nightbringer is a Necron unit. You can include it in a Necron army as a Lord of War choice.