Essentially mindless feeding machines, scarabs are a small constructs used by the Necrons. They are used to break down organic and non-organic matter for construction materials, energy or because it is the way. They function in small groups or giant swarms. Several Necron lords will also used them as fodder in battle. They attack in swarms and delete enemy ammunition stores before the bulk of the Necron force arrives. They are also used against heavily armored foes as well. They can turn an armored column to slag within minutes.
The Scarabs come with a WS 2, BS 2 (damn it why!?!), strength, toughness and wounds of 3, initiative 2, 4 attacks, leadership 10 and a 5+ save. They are armed with little bitey mouths, or a single close combat weapon. Yeah no guns so again, why a BS? They have the fearless, swarm, beasts and entropic strike rules. They start in a squad of 3 for as many points as the telephone dialing code for Denmark. You can add up to seven more to the squad for fifteen points each.
The old Scarab Swarm was 12 pts per base, had a zero BS (BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO GUN YOU JACKASS WRITERS! THEY HAVE NO NEED FOR A BS!), had 3 attacks, moved as jetbikes and could deep strike. They gained an attack, lost the turbo boost/ deep strike option, the guaranteed 12” movement and became three points more expensive. The addition of the extra attack and entropic strike more than make up for what was lost.
These things can now really ruin a vehicle’s day. Having five attacks on the charge and lowering armor by 1 on a hit roll of 4+ is fantastic! Even a minimum squad has the potential to destroy a Rhino in one round of close combat. Entropic strike is the bane of the transport. If these guys get there look for a ruined vehicle. If they are shot to bits before then...well that is stuff not being shot at the meat of your Necron army. It is a win-win scenario.
Then there is my favorite use for them, the tar pit. I used to love tying up units with these guys. They can lock down a unit that is infringing or firing on the Necron force. You know who likes to stay out of close combat…. Necrons! Scarabs are pretty damn good at typing up units who look to jump into your lines. Now with an extra attack it is better. Yeah WS 2 is drek, but with 4 base attacks you are gonna hit stuff. Yeah wounding on 5+ is drek, but with enough attacks wounds will get through. Being multi-wound and fearless only makes this better. Yes I know they can be insta-killed but you are throwing them at a unit with a ton of strength 6 attacks, you get what you deserve. They are great for soft targets, anything with toughness 3, dedicated shooters, combat squads, any unit that has 0-1 powerfists, and (duh!) vehicles.
These were one of my favorite units in the old codex. The majority of Necron players swore by Destroyers back then. The Scarab was an underused and under appreciated unit then. Wow how the tables have turned? The Destroyer is poo and the Scarab is now cool. A little secret, they always were! Old Sacrabs wreaked a ton of havoc back then and they look to do the same and more now.
I wag a finger of shame at everyone who passed them over before and now sing songs praising them.
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| Finger of shame! |
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