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As the title describes, I have just decided to get into modeling (and hopefully playing) Necrons, and as a newbie to wargaming, must say I am completely lost. I recently picked up a Overlord, a single box of 10 Necron warriors, the rule book, and the codex. As a result, I now feel swamped by information, as well as weighed down by the modeling side, which is my main focus at the moment.

So, I figured the best way to perhaps cut through it would be to engage the main reason I decided to collect, the community! As Necron players, and war gamers, what do you suggest be my next step with the models? As well as important points to learn from the codex to better understand my army, or at least understand its tactics better?

Another major question to the community, is how do you like to assemble and paint your necrons, or even your armies in general? I see all these articles and tutorials on magnetization, and it makes me hesitant to even begin to assemble them, for fear of limiting my options (though this isn't a big deal for my vanilla warriors, it does for many of the HQ's as well as Vehicles). Is this a major deal to most people? Or am I simply over thinking things haha?

In terms of painting, I am planning to do my necrons in black (as I feel the metal is a tad to generic for me). I tried to find a picture from the rule book that inspired me, but haven't been able to find it online! For those who wish to know, it is on pg 292 of the hardcover rulebook, and is the immortal weilding a gausblaster. I am going to keep the burn't orange trim, and change the gauss to purple instead of green, but am a little stumped on how to give the plain black coat depth, as well as reduced the sheen that most paints seem to give..

Thanks in advance for any and all help! Look forward to talking to everyone!

Hi, I don't know much about necrons so can't help you there but black is one of the harder colours to paint well! I'd recommend using google and having a look on youtube to find some tutorials with end results that you like. Whether you're completely new to the hobby or not it's usually really helpful to see how more experienced painters achieve the look you want. Once you've painted your first model I'd compare it to the picture you have and see where things look different - hopefully you can then work out why they don't look the same and that's the first step towards improving the paint-job!

Regarding shiny paints, using a matt varnish once you're done should sort that out and a coat of gloss used first will protect your models from chipping when in use. Gloss varnish is generally pretty easy to use but the matt can be a little temperamental - you need to be careful about excess humidity when spraying (unless you brush it on) and shake the can really well or you risk getting a dusty/cloudy finish. I usually use Testors Dullcote and have never had these problems with it, so would recommend that if you can get hold of some. I've found Vallejo matt varnish to be good too but if you don't have an airbrush then it needs brushing on which can get pretty tedious!

One way to paint black nicely is to put down the black layer, then go round edges/highground with grey.

I haven't magnetised any of my HQs, only Immortals/Deathmarks, but that was quite hard to magnetise, so I wouldn't be worried about that.

As for what to get next, I'd say Annihilation Barges any day! You don't have to glue the gun/platform on, so can switch it round no bother. They are amazing in battle and you get a free Lord/Overlord too.

Have fun with Necrons