Mecha Competition Build – Part 1: Building the Necrosknight
One of the things I love most about this hobby is that there's always something new to try. This time, rather than simply building another kit for the shelf, I've decided to enter my first online mecha building/painting competition.
While this is my first competition, it certainly isn't my first venture into mecha. If you missed it, you can read about my first impressions of Guel's Dilanza HG and how I later weathered it to give it a more battle-worn appearance
The kit I've chosen is the Necrosknight. While it isn't technically Gunpla, the competition rules allow any form of mecha, making it the perfect opportunity to branch out without straying too far from the hobby I enjoy. More importantly, it gives me a chance to challenge myself with something I've been wanting to tackle for a while, a fully painted display piece complete with a story-driven diorama.
A Simple but Clever Build
The build itself was surprisingly straightforward. The instructions were clear, everything fit together well, and across two nights I had the complete model assembled.
One feature I really enjoyed was the modular armour system. Rather than having the armour permanently attached, the kit is built around an internal body that allows different armour sets to be swapped on and off. It's a clever idea that adds a lot of flexibility if you own multiple kits with not enough space to display or store them all.
That said, I'll probably never take advantage of that feature. I only own the Necrosknight and the Rosan Lancer, and I actually prefer how each of them looks in their original configuration. For me, they're staying exactly as they were designed.
More Than Just a Painted Model
The build is really only the beginning.
Posed Underbody
Since this project is for competition, I want to push myself well beyond my usual approach. Rather than simply painting the kit and placing it on a base, I'm planning to build a full battle scene that captures a single dramatic moment.
The idea is to have the Necrosknight mid-attack, slicing the Rosan Lancer clean in half. I want the diorama to capture this instant, as if someone has paused an intense battle at exactly the right moment.
It's an ambitious project with a deadline fast approaching of 31st August 2026. There are plenty of things I'll need to figure out along the way, from how to convincingly cut and pose the Rosan Lancer to creating terrain that supports the action without distracting from it. I would also like to be able to have the Lancer split in two pieces without needing any clear support rods.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
There's definitely some pressure knowing the finished piece will be judged alongside other talented builders, but that's also what makes it exciting. Competitions have a way of encouraging you to try techniques you might otherwise put off, and even if the final result isn't perfect, I'm certain I'll learn a lot from the experience.
Naturally, I am a competitive person, and I always go for the win even if it is a long shot, but when competing, I like more so to see where I stack up against others. I find that even without feedback, I compare my work to others and can help find areas to improve.
That's ultimately why I entered. Winning would be fantastic, but the real goal is to create something I'm proud of while pushing my skills further than they've gone before, to learn more about what I can do.
What's Next?
Built Necrosknight
The next stage will be building the Rosan Lancer, then onto the hard stuff: planning the colour scheme, deciding how much weathering the battle deserves, and beginning work on the diorama that will (hopefully) bring the whole scene to life.
I would like the battle to be the brightest part, with lots of colour on and around them, with the background being exactly that: the background, but we will see where the process takes me.
I'm looking forward to sharing the process, both the successes and the inevitable mistakes, as this project comes together. Whether the competition ends with a trophy or just a valuable learning experience, it already feels like a worthwhile challenge.
On to the next.
And remember: Always Paint Your Way
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this project, you might also like:
Building a Nurgle Blood Bowl Team from the Bits Box - Bulding my soon to be Nurgle Blood Bowl Team
Painting Guel's Dilanza HG - Painting Guel’s Dilanza and completing the weathering process.
Sometimes the Hobby Isn't About the Paint – Building Guel's Dilanza HG from the box to primer.
