Warhammer 40k Meta Hotness -December 2023: Return of the C’Tan
Let’s look to the stars and talk about why the new C’Tan update is probably the biggest 40K Meta Hotness in the Necron Codex.
Oh boy are we in for a few rough months of the big bad Star Gods wrecking games. The new Necron codex has shown itself to have some legs with the powerful new Canoptek Court Detachment mixed with 3 beatdown C’Tans as a new meta powerhouse. These poor star gods are chained to ancient machinery, and their “souls” are slowly sucked out of them to power all kinds of Necron gizmos. C’tan are one of the most “40K” units in the game – the idea of chaining this being and locking them into servitude is such a metal way to deal with things. I always like the idea that this reality-bending creature is being used by the Necrons. It is so grim and weird. It’s like if they took Q in Star Trek, latched him to a spaceship, and had Wesley drive it around the universe.
Why have C’tan gotten so good now? Let’s jump on in and discuss what makes these star gods tabletop superstars. I expect them to warp the meta a bit, and while they hurt some lists, there is some hope of wrecking them with sheer weight of damage.
C’tan Have Default Good Invulnerable Saves
The first layer of toughness comes from the C’tan having a decent amount of wounds, a good toughness value, and a flat 4+ invulnerable save. Being able to ignore half the damage that gets to you is an amazing thing, especially with the other layers that come after this. It is a huge thing that you can easily “math” out that any chance to cause damage to these beings of the stars is just halfway taken away.
C’tan Damage Prevention
Next up C’tan also have the ability to halve any damage that comes into them. This pushes all damage 2 to 1’s, 3’s to 2’s, 4’s to 2, and any of those 1d6 damage options become a lost worse when you roll that 1 or 2 on the damage roll. This is where it starts to get really funky, too, as some armies have a plethora of 3+ damage options, and others just utilize a wave of damage 2 to try and chew through things.
Finally, C’tan Get Feel No Pain
On top of all of this, they gave all C’Tan’s a flat 5+ Feel No Pain. This is one of those extra rules that I have a love/hate relationship with. I like it as it is a method to make something “tough” without just increasing its toughness. It also gives you an option that doesn’t directly invalidate your rules and opponents’ rules. Things like auto wounding on a 2+ gets past toughness or massed lethal hits. With FNP, you get an extra save that lets you have a roll versus it, so while it is still doing damage, you get a chance to ignore it. On things with 2 other layers of protection, having a FNP can be a bit of a slap in the face as you strive to kill these chained Space Oddities.
C’tan Regeneration
Oh – they also regenerate wounds, too, so when you need to kill them – you need to kill them right then. This is a lot for an army to chew through, and it usually means if you can’t concentrate and kill one at a time, you are doing something wrong. In fact, I think most other armies will just concentrate on killing the easier-to-remove Wraiths and hopefully tarpit the C’Tans.
A Sample Tournament List
Colin Mcdade – local Texas guy who runs events in Houston – took first place at the Rise of Empire this past weekend in Houston, TX. I was sad I couldn’t make it, but I didn’t think an even would want 2 coughing kids begging me to charge their iPads. He took the following list, which I feel is just about spot on with what will end up seeing a ton of come LVO and all those players finding the 18 Wraiths they needed, as well as a Transcendent C’Tan.
Necrons
Canoptek Court
Strike Force (2000 Points)
CHARACTERS
C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (255 Points)
• 1x Gaze of death
1x Scythe of the Nightbringer
C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (270 Points)
• 1x Canoptek tail blades
1x Spear of the Void Dragon
1x Voltaic storm
Hexmark Destroyer (70 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
Technomancer (80 Points)
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancements: Dimensional Sanctum
Technomancer (60 Points)
• 1x Staff of light
Technomancer (60 Points)
• 1x Staff of light
Transcendent C’tan (275 Points)
• 1x Crackling tendrils
1x Seismic assault
OTHER DATASHEETS
Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
Flayed Ones (70 Points)
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws
Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (50 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss destructor
Tomb Blades (75 Points)
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
2x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
1x Twin tesla carbine
Tomb Blades (75 Points)
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
2x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
1x Twin tesla carbine
2000 pts
Using the C’tan
As you can see, it is 3 bricks of Wraiths and then 3 C’Tans for any army to chew through. I get the feeling some CSM builds might have a chance into this – especially the Accursed Bombs that are going to start showing up. Just the sheer weight of attacks, damage, and tarpit ability will be key to wrecking these things. I wonder if the Tyranid armies with blankets of bodies might also have a play into this. Still, good job by Colin for wrecking face with this list. He was on stream for a game, so you can check it out and watch it chew through some Orks from this past weekend on Wargames Live.
All Hail the Silent King
