Reanimation Protocols

The living metal on a Necron Deathmark engaging Reanimation Protocols^[12]

Reanimation Protocols are a type of Necron technology used to repair and reanimate damaged or destroyed Necrons.^[1]

Overview

Reanimation Protocols^[1]^[2], specifically the Protocol of Recall in Necron terminology,^[9]^[10a] are sophisticated auto-repair systems installed on all Necron Living Metal exo-skeletal systems that can repair even the most crippling of damage. While this can keep them functioning constantly, should there be irreparable damage sustained, the Necron "phases out". Both their minds and their bodies are teleported^[1] via Translation Relays^[10b] to the nearest tomb complex or nearby ship where they either remain in storage until repairs are made or a new body is forged.^[1]^[2] This teleportation, called "translation" in the Necron Lexicon^[9], is the very same technology used by Gauss weapons to break the bonds of matter of their opponents into energy, so that it may repurposed later by the Necrons.^[5c] Sometimes they may even be rebuilt during a battle before an enemies eyes.^[7] This act does, however, come at a cost as each act of transference leads to a decay in the Necron's engrams. As such, those Necrons that have "died" and phased out hundreds of times suffer the most for they become little more than automatons who have lost the memory of the creature that they used to be in life.^[1]^[2]

Reanimation Failure

^{An Explorator's report detailing the analysis of Necron remains.^[6] Such remains are left behind when they are unsalvageable for reanimation purposes.^[5a]}

Reanimation is not a perfect reclamation process. Often there are parts and pieces of Necron bodies which are unsalvageable which will be left behind on battlefields.^[5a]^[6]

There are also certain situations however where Necrons can not be phased out at all, ensuring them a true death. This includes worlds with bizarre geology such as Serenade.^[3a] The Necron Awakened Council also had the ability to block the Reanimation Protocols of particularly troublesome Necrons, effectively rendering them mortal.^[3b] A Necron could also willingly choose to shut down their reanimation protocol if they felt that it was their time to die, such as having failed their Dynasty or Overlord.^[10a] Some dynasties may also choose to withhold reanimation protocols for Flayed Ones, in the hopes of preventing the spread of the Flayer Virus^[10a] though in general Flayed Ones are still able to make use of Reanimation Protocols^[11].

Gauss-Jammer

In order to capture the Necrons, the Imperium has developed experimental Gauss-Jammers - these devices can be thrown at range or attached to a Necron in melee combat, where if properly stuck, may prevent a Necron from phasing out. The device does not perfectly guarantee success in preventing translation, though the more Gauss Jammers stuck on a Necron the greater the chance of success.^[5c]

Gallery

Pict captures from an Inquisitor's report of a necron phasing out ^[5b]
Blood Raven Power Armour Autosense recording of Necrons activating Reanimation Protocols^[7]
Necron phasing out after being decapitated^[8]