The Immortals are the Necrons’ shock troops: towering, heavily armoured soldiers who were once the battle-hardened veterans of the Necrontyr empire. Biotransference stripped them of their flesh but not their discipline, making them one of the most dangerous infantry units the Necrons can field.
What the immortals are
Before biotransference, the Immortals were the soldiers of the Necrontyr Infinite Empire, trained in prestigious military academies and hardened by war. When the C’tan tricked the Necrontyr into trading flesh for metal, these veterans were reborn in bodies far better built and better armed than the common Necron Warrior.
Countless trillions died in the final days of the War in Heaven, but billions of Immortals survived. They’ve spent the long aeons since waiting for the reconquest of the galaxy.
How they fight
Immortals are giants, taller even than a Space Marine, and they kept much of the skill they had in life. Biotransference arguably made them more efficient at war, not less. Left without orders, an Immortal won’t simply fall back on defensive protocols like a Warrior. It’ll push for victory using whatever tactics it has.
What they lack is tactical flexibility. An Immortal can’t adapt to genuinely new modes of warfare, though across the aeons war has changed little enough that this rarely matters. Where they’re found wanting in adaptability, they make up for in durability: Immortals can wade through storms of heavy bolter or assault cannon fire and come out with little more than fresh carbon scoring.
Their self-repair systems are a touch better than a Warrior’s, so they’re harder to put down for good. Their Gauss Blasters punch through most armour and flay the flesh from anyone inside, and their weight of fire only increases as they close the distance. They’ll methodically chip away at cover until there’s nowhere left to hide.
They can still speak, though only in a flat, emotionless tone, used mainly to issue orders to Warriors and relay reports to their superiors. Outside of that they’re mostly silent, especially when faced with concepts beyond their understanding.
- Armed with either Gauss Blasters or Tesla Carbines.
- Usually deployed in units of 5 to 10.
- Better armoured and better armed than Necron Warriors.
- Capable of independent action, unlike Warriors.
Subtypes and roles
Immortal Guardians kept a higher level of individuality after biotransference and can employ strategies even without a commander nearby. Their firepower makes them deadly at close to mid-range.
Despotek are another variant, though the sources say less about them. The Lexicanum entry cuts off mid-sentence on the subject, so treat any detailed claims about Despotek with caution.
Why they matter
Immortals sit in the middle of the Necron infantry hierarchy: tougher and smarter than Warriors, but without the raw strength or mental complexity of the Necron nobility above them. That makes them the dependable core of a Necron battle line, the unit you send in when Warriors aren’t enough but you don’t want to commit something irreplaceable.
For players and lore fans, they’re a good example of what biotransference cost and preserved. The Immortals lost their bodies and most of their inner lives, but the training and instinct of a soldier survived intact.
Key facts
- The Immortals are the Necrons’ shock troops, once Necrontyr veterans trained in prestigious military academies.
- They were reborn in metal bodies better built and better armed than Necron Warriors.
- They stand taller than a Space Marine and can wade through heavy bolter or assault cannon fire.
- They’re armed with Gauss Blasters or Tesla Carbines and usually deploy in units of 5 to 10.
- They can act independently, unlike Warriors, but can’t adapt to genuinely new modes of warfare.
- Immortal Guardians retained more individuality; Despotek are a lesser-documented variant.
FAQ
What weapons do the Immortals use?
They carry either Gauss Blasters or Tesla Carbines. Gauss Blasters are the more common choice and are lethal against armour and infantry alike.
How many Immortals are in a unit?
They usually take the field in units of 5 to 10.
Are the Immortals stronger than Necron Warriors?
Yes. They’re bigger, better armoured, better armed, and can act independently, whereas Warriors fall back on defensive protocols without orders.
Can the Immortals talk?
They can, but only in a flat, emotionless tone, mainly to give orders to Warriors or report to their superiors. They rarely speak otherwise.