Warhammer 40K: The Flayed Ones – Victims of A Virus
So there are new Necron Flayed Ones in the Kill Team: Pariah Nexus Box – But what’s their deal and why do they wear skin?
Alright mighty readers, we’re going to do this. Brace yourself because we’re talking about Necron Flayed Ones today. “But AdamHarry, I thought you hated Flayed Ones.” Yes, dear reader – I do. I’ve gone on record multiple times talking about how I dislike them as a lore concept and their models rank high on my most least favorite list (editor’s note: Saving that list idea for later). But, technically, I hated their old, pre-5th edition lore. The new integration attempts to clean some of that up.
So today, we’re going to take a closer look at them – just don’t get too close. You don’t want to catch the virus they got.
Flayed Ones are Necrons who have succumbed to the Flayer Virus of the C’tan Llandu’gor, a process which drives them insane with hunger for blood and gore. They wear the skin and body parts of their opponents, spreading mass terror across enemy lines.
Flayed Ones are loathed by other Necrons, fearing their virus. Due to this, any Necron infected will be exiled or destroyed, although some of them will always escape into their red pocket universe known as the Flayer Dimension to join their degenerate kind. They have no regard for strategy nor tactics, just appearing on battlefields, lured by the smell of blood and carnage, and will attack anything they get their eyes on. Once an opportunity for blood has been detected a Flayed One will tear open reality with their claws and emerge from their pocket dimension.
5th Edition Flayed Ones
That being said, they are not stupid: Flayed Ones have been known to stalk prey and wait for long periods for an exposed weakness, giving them the perfect opportunity to attack. A Nemesor won’t rely on Flayed Ones, nor change his tactics to accommodate their presence, as they are far from predictable and refuse to take orders. When a battle is over, the commander usually orders the destruction of the Flayed Ones, but just like before, some of them always escape back to their pocket dimension, waiting to once again materialize onto the battlefield to slake their eternal thirst and hunger for blood and flesh.
3rd Edition Flayed Ones
In the northeast corner of the galaxy exists an old Necron kingdom known as the Bone Kingdom of Drazak, which is a haunt for Flayed Ones; every Necron save it’s ruler, Valgûl the Fallen Lord, is a Flayed One. Whenever the kingdom suffers from “food shortage”, Valgûl issues a time of bounty, sending his people out in search for more. The Maynarkh Dynasty is also known to be suffering from the Flayer Curse, though many have still managed to retain their sense.
Flayed Ones can be lured to a target via Bloodswarm Nanoscarabs.
Want to learn more about the Flayed Ones? Check out the Lexicanum
…Yeah, I still don’t get it. But just to make sure I’m understanding this unit, they:
- Are infected with a Virus (flayer virus)
- that makes them crazy and want to “feast” on blood and gore
- they come from a “red pocket universe” known as the Flayer Dimension
- and they just sorta “show up” when there is the smell of blood and gore
- after battle they escape to their pocket dimension
Okay. Well…that’s nice. You know who kinda already does those things and they don’t have to blame a computer virus:
And hey – their armor is red, too! Just sayin.
Flayed Ones. I still don’t get it.
