Got my first game in with nightbring in today. I didn't have high expections, and he didn't disappoint (or he did, but just as I expected him to!)

Have anybody used him in games, successfully? His short threat range (15cm) and high value (SC/very choppy if he gets into CC) would, I think, mean that he gets stranded pretty quick if you don't win the strategy roll. Theoretically he could be useful as part of a big wave of threats, but he needs to be placed so aggressively that I don't see many opportunities for him to hide, unlike Monoliths who can double 30cm and then have a formation engage a target further 30cm away. Using him as a distraction also means risking the SC and having a very high chance of never actually getting to use the SC reroll.

So what's the trick?

I have found the same thing.
Both C'tan will be given the Walker ability which is useful (hide in terrain) but doesn't really help make him worth taking.

He's great when playing against Mossinians (SR1 )!

I haven't really found a way to get the most out of him (despite nearly a dozen games using him).

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I intend to try to find a way to make him worth taking over the deceiver, and am open to suggestions.

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Reduce the Deceiver's 4BP to 3BP? Increase their speeds?

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One way I could imagine using him is if he loses Supreme Commander and drops to 250 points. Add Walker and he can, given the right terrain, teleport into cover between to enemy formations and force your opponent to deal with him. Hopefully 3DC Living Metal in cover can at least stand up to some shooting, and it gives the rest of the army some breathing space when you lose the strategy roll. At 250 points you can include 2 pylons and a SC Warbarqe at 3000 points.

Background-wise he loses SC because, although all the Necrons work for him, he cares far less for planning and tactics than the Deceiver does and leave it up to the Necrons themselves how to fulfill his commands.

edit: or maybe simply add Infiltrate.

Make ''Gaze of Death'' a firefight ability, speed wouldn't be such a huge issue in that case.

I like the Infiltrate suggestion.
I also think that giving the Gaze of Death (15cm) EA(+2) MW would give it a little more flexibility.
I definitely don't want to see the C'tan lose their Supreme Commander abilities.

I presume the Walker ability has already been approved?

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necrons are meant to be masters of teleport tech, and the ctan are meant to be masters of manipulating matter - so why not just let them `re-teleport` letting them jump around the table? it may seem over powered but a ctan is not something that you should be able to ignore, if your opponant isnt soiling themselves at the idea of facing a star god that has existed since before the eldar then somethings wrong.

Tbh I wouldn't min upgrading the C'tans to proper Battle Titan stats, but that's a serious overhaul and probably not a good idea for a list that is regarded as balanced (except for some small internal balance considerations).

The C'tan are also already capable of reteleporting, as they phase out at the end of the turn they appear! I mean, it's not like they're hard to break.

Erm, so...is the advice for the Nightbringer to simply not use him until he gets new stats...? A bit sad is so, I do like the new wrai....err nightbringer model.

I like the Nightbringer model and I've used him fine plenty of times before. The problem is people look at his stats and want to automatically wade him into the middle of their opponent's most powerful formations and expect him to perform a miracle. Even if your opponent has an SR2, you still are putting your C'tan up for a coin toss. If you are going to do this, you as a player need to ask yourself how important it is for you to keep that Supreme Commander re-roll.

Most successes I have had was using him on flanking maneuvers where he was able to go up against and disrupt and/or destroy small to medium strength formations. I have taken some chances with dangerous terrain and come out just fine, although I agree the walker ability is a good addition. I simply never considered adding it while working as the AC until somebody suggested it. This one small addition might be more than enough to fix the Nightbringer and I'll be happy to test it out too.

I have a hunch that infiltrator will totally unbalance the Nightbringer, though.

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An infiltrating WE could do some wonky things with barging. Like run in, grab your commander and drag him out, leaving some of your formation out of FF range.

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