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Disclaimer: I realize that the Necron Codex is not really in need of an update at the time of this writing. However, there are units that I think could be toned down, other units that could use a boost, and items of wargear that could use tweaking - to say nothing of some of the fluff changes that have gone down. This endeavour is largely intended as a personal challenge for myself, but I intend to share my works with the wider world.

So I have been thinking for some time now about doing a re-write of the Necron Codex. I have some experience designing for game systems, and I've been told I'm a pretty good writer in general. Such an endeavour would as likely as not be a full-blown redevelopment of the entire Codex, with changes ranging from small points cost adjustments to fundamentally changing how core units work. Additionally, I intend to re-write the fluff presented in the Necron Codex: some fluff will likely remain as is, but I intend to make changes of my own. It's not that I think the new fluff is inherently bad, but even so, some of the changes presented don't fit with my overall view of the Necrons. I also intend to take comments and criticism (presented in this thread, among other places) seriously, but just because I take a concern doesn't mean I will automatically include your suggested fix.

With all the dancing around words concluded: what would you most like to see in a Necron Fandex? Suggestions can range from new units (though ideally you should be able to represent these with existing kits), wargear options, fluff changes, special characters, USR's, and even include things like the codex layout (I DO intend to make my fan-dex a tad more....orderly than GW's). Please refrain from trolling, flaming, and generally being an idiot.

A reason to make a Necron fandex. It really seems like a solution in need of a problem.

The only change to the fluff I would make would be to elaborate on the idea that there are still C'Tan shards at large in the galaxy, as well as possibly unbroken C'Tan, particularly the Void Dragon and the Outsider. This would allow for the new (and in my opinion, much more interesting) background for the Necrons while still allowing the pre-recantation fluff to be valid in that "it was a shard of the Deciever that had absorbed enough shards to regain significant independence). As a side note, my own current project is writing a variant army list for what I call "C'Tan Cults", or Necrons who for whatever reason are still loyal to the C'Tan.

As for new units, there are none that I can really think of, although the Elites section needs a significant revamp, Fast Attack needs to be rebalenced, and perhaps a couple of new HQ choices (both SC and regular characters) would be nice.

If it aint broke don't fix it.

I think the dex is rather nice, and the fluff is fine for the most part.

I don't think it really needs a rewrite.

However, a novel or short story elaborating on the C'tan cults, and your Other ideas for the C'tan shards and potentially intact ones could be neat. You can include an additional rule subset to add on to the existing to play games reenacting your book.

Just make sure you don't infringe on any copyrights before you publish or make available.

Scale back some of the extra-cheesy stuff somewhat, make Flayed Ones Troops (and change their fluff) and bring back Pariahs... that's all I've got off the top of my head.

A fluff fix (not a big fan of Ward's fluff)
Make Flayed One's troop or give them something to make them genuinely worthwhile (like poisoned or something similar to heroic intervention)
I miss my Pariahs... I want them back

Edit: To hell with it, I want this (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/449469.page) as the fluff.

I'd give lychguard a 2+ (in line with their outrageous cost)
Make Flayed ones worth taking (nope)
Raise the costs on the barges (honestly needed badly)
Give C'tan a 3++ (only a 4++...cmon)
Raise the cost on wraiths, or give them 1 wound, and increase the squad's max size

Re-introduce the C'tan as galactic players fluffwise

 iGuy91 wrote:
I'd give lychguard a 2+ (in line with their outrageous cost)
Make Flayed ones worth taking (nope)
Raise the costs on the barges (honestly needed badly)
Give C'tan a 3++ (only a 4++...cmon)
Raise the cost on wraiths, or give them 1 wound, and increase the squad's max size

Re-introduce the C'tan as galactic players fluffwise

Flayed one's should cause fear (no points change), -1LD in combat, that grows with each unit killed (due to wrapping themselves in skin of the enemy's comrades)

I agree with most of those, except for the C'tan fluff, that fluff was horrible.

Nercon fandex? Remove the nonsense railgun from the doomscythe, change MSS to be less stupid, boost flayed ones troops, increase the price of the night scythe, make tomb blades better and a small price increase on the wraiths.

Codex un-matt ward-ed.

 DarthSpader wrote:
If it aint broke don't fix it.

I think the dex is rather nice, and the fluff is fine for the most part.

I don't think it really needs a rewrite.

Indeed.

I think some people are missing the point of this project (or maybe just didn't read the first paragraph in my original post). Re-posted here for emphasis:

PrinceOfMadness wrote:
Disclaimer: I realize that the Necron Codex is not really in need of an update at the time of this writing. However, there are units that I think could be toned down, other units that could use a boost, and items of wargear that could use tweaking - to say nothing of some of the fluff changes that have gone down. This endeavour is largely intended as a personal challenge for myself, but I intend to share my works with the wider world.

There are two main reasons I'm pursuing this endeavour. One is, as I stated, that this is mostly a 'mental exercise', if you will. I've seen a lot of posts running through these forums about how Necrons are 'overpowered' or 'broken', and in my own experience with the codex, there are certainly aspects of it that could use re-working. This is going to be great practice for myself as well, since I'm soon going to be pursuing another project that will run in a similar vein.

The other reason I'm taking on this project is that I am sick and tired of hearing catcalls of 'OP' every time I bring out my Necrons. I purchased my Necrons because I enjoyed their aesthetics - no other reason. If I can produce a fandex that makes them more acceptable to people while still leaving them 'competitive', I will do so. And I have to admit that some of the criticisms of the Necron codex have merit (not all of them, mind you, but a few). Even if no one uses this codex but myself, that will be fine.

Now, with that out of the way:

There are some great suggestions in this thread. Pariahs are something I hadn't taken into consideration, but I think they're pretty cool and so will try to re-introduce them. Flayed Ones as troops is something that I definitely intend on implementing. Doom Scythe, MSS, and C'Tan fixes are all currently planned for this fandex. I particularly like RegalPhantom's suggestion of allowing for C'Tan Shards at large - I had previously intended to write the C'Tan as being unbroken and in control of Necron forces (with high-ranking Necrons retaining sentience and personality, although not free will), but I like this implementation better, as it allows for both fluff interpretations without recanting either.

Some of the current changes I'm looking at implementing are making Warriors significantly cheaper (around 8 points, with an appropriately adjusted statline) and allow larger squad sizes so that you can field a true horde of them (because let's face it, in the fluff Necrons are always encountered as massive legions). Similar changes to Flayed Ones are planned as well. I also intend to do at least one C'Tan Special Character (undecided as to which C'Tan) while still allowing generic C'Tan to be fielded. I intend to make the Monolith a little more effective, and am looking at making changes to how the Gauss rules work (perhaps it only treats vehicle AV as being one or two points lower? That would make it less viable against heavy armor, but significantly more powerful against AV 10-11...still undecided on this).