Necron Flayed Ones Tactics

Did we already talk about flayed ones? I can’t remember, but even if we did let’s throw it out there again…

So what is the deal with flayed ones?

Of course GW nerfs all the current models to sell new models, every codex but marines does this to xeno players, just something you have to expect, so I expected flayed ones to kind of stay the same, but to get worse? Huh?!?

Just like you I was excited about the rumors of power weapons, rending, and all that, and what did we get. Something that is supposed to be an assault unit, but has no power weapons, shooting (even if it is pistols) and strikes last- on top of a 4+ armor save. Uh, what happened to terrifying visage?

Now if I could take some overlord that is the blind king or something and make them troops, then at least we could do a themed army of all flayed ones- but no.

So you are left with an elites choice that is outclassed by every other unit entry in the codex, added to the curious fact that GW even went thought the motions of designing new models, yet making a unit entry that won’t sell?

First glance is auto-suck, but let’s delve a bit deeper for a moment focusing on cost, FO slot, and their one ability.

“Competitive” ‘Crons means your troops and fast are maxed out so you can’t draw on them. Heavy is probable some tomb spyders or flyers, and elites is C’Tan and soon to be deathmarks once 6th rolls around. Flayed ones take up an elite, which usually doesn’t compete so they have that going for them.

Second is the cost for five and what it brings to the table- five guys that are a joke and can outflank- this is where they have a use, and I’ve got a group of five in my list for just that reason. Outflank as a distraction, to contest objectives, and generally be a minor annoyance. Come on, in a 2000+ point game you can’t find 65 points? They are kind of the “scout squad” of Necrons.

Sure they can be wiped out in a round of shooting by just about anything, but who is going to really bother shooting at them- and in this case it isn’t even a point of the usual if you are shooting at them, then you are not shooting at the rest of my army. Flayed ones aren’t worth the time to take them off the board- so how can you use them to that advantage?

Maybe in 6th when we get a reactive deepstrike, who knows beyond that…

So, convince me RE flayed ones- good, bad, no use, or even half a use for the 65 points?