Your ultimate guide: How to play Trench Crusade and win.

How to play TRENCH CRUSADE: A grim guide to war in the wretched trenches

Are you ready to enter into a world of unrelenting darkness, where faith and fury collide in the muddy trenches of a twisted, alternative history? Then prepare yourself for Trench Crusade, a tabletop wargame that throws you into the heart of a brutal conflict unlike any other. If you’ve been searching for “How to play Trench Crusade”, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to step onto the battlefield and fight for survival amidst the chaos.

Bambu Lab A1 3D Printer Combo

Full-auto Calibration Multi-Color Printing (Combo Version) Active Flow Rate Compensation 1-Clip Quick Swap Nozzle Active Motor Noise Cancelling 256*256*256 mm³ Build Volume The upgraded heatbed cable features Kevlar reinforcement, thicker insulation, softer copper, optimized wire winding interval, Nylon sleeving and an extended strain relief. ~~Was US$559.00~~ Now US$489.00

What is Trench Crusade? A glimpse into the Grimdark

Trench Crusade is a skirmish-level wargame that transports you to a horrifying, fictional version of the early 20th century. The game is set in the “Anabasis“, a period of relentless, apocalyptic war, where the line between faith, madness, and technological advancement has blurred. Instead of the relatively straightforward conflicts of World War I, Trench Crusade throws players into a nightmare landscape where religious zealotry, twisted science, and demonic incursions collide on a battlefield soaked in blood and despair.

Imagine the horrors of trench warfare dialed up to eleven. Add in fanatical religious orders wielding unholy weapons, grotesque abominations unleashed by depraved science, and the constant threat of supernatural horrors tearing at the very fabric of reality. That’s Trench Crusade. This isn’t just a historical game; it’s a brutal, immersive experience that challenges players both tactically and morally.

A history of faith and fury: Setting the stage

The game’s backdrop is a fascinating blend of historical inspiration and dark fantasy. The core premise of Trench Crusade is an alternate World War I, where the old world order of the pre-war era has been ripped apart by not only advancements in technology, but also the revelation of ancient secrets and the emergence of supernatural forces.

The driving forces behind this brutal conflict are the Church and the various factions within it. These are not the kindly figures of traditional religion. Instead, they are fanatics twisted by their belief that the world has been tainted, corrupted beyond redemption.

In the game, you’ll encounter religious zealots wielding bizarre and terrifying instruments of war alongside scientists driven to the brink of madness by the search for forbidden knowledge. There are also supernatural creatures, nightmares made flesh, that stalk the battlefields and prey on the unwary. The grim, almost comedic nature of the setting is evident in units like “prisoner Jimmy” who, as mentioned in the transcript, “cut his balls on the barbed wire”.

The key here is that the what of Trench Crusade is just as important as the how. Understanding the lore of the game and the motivations behind these factions adds a layer of depth that makes the game a richer experience, and also allows players to go further into the universe created by the talented team behind it. The game goes a long way into conveying the dark and gritty world that it is set within.

Download the best free files for 3D printer

Get files here

The creators behind the chaos: A look at the team

Trench Crusade is the creation of horror artist Mike Franchina, sculptor James Sherriff, and former Games Workshop designer Tuomas Pirinen. Franchina has previously worked on Magic the Gathering, Diablo IV, and Path of Exile, while Pirinen was the lead designer for Morphemic, part of Warhammer Fantasy Battles., a team of passionate tabletop gamers and artists who have poured their creativity and love for grimdark aesthetics into this project.

They have created a universe that is both terrifying and captivating, and this comes through in the detailed miniatures, the carefully crafted lore, and the tense, nail-biting gameplay. The passion of the creators is palpable, and they clearly have spent a great deal of time crafting a truly original and unique experience. They sought to “cut out the middle man” and create a unique experience that challenges the traditional norms of war games.

Bambu Lab A1 3D Printer

Full-auto Calibration. 4-Color Printing with AMS lite. Under 48 dB Low Noise in Silent Mode. Full-metal Linear Rails and Bearings. Vibration and Flow Rate Compensation. ~~Was US$299.00~~ Now US$199.00

Getting started: Assembling your warband

Before you descend into the trenches, you’ll need to assemble your warband. Unlike many wargames, Trench Crusade emphasises a more personal, character-driven approach. Your forces are not just faceless units; they are individuals with their own unique strengths, weaknesses, and backstories, and this shows through in the rules, which are designed to foster personal experiences and tactical nuance.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

The rulebook: The core rulebook is essential, as it contains all the rules, lore, and scenarios you need to play.

Miniatures: Trench Crusade features a range of highly detailed miniatures, each representing a unique type of unit from various factions. These are often available as plastic or resin kits that you assemble yourself.

Dice: You’ll need a selection of standard six-sided dice (d6s) to resolve actions in the game.

Measuring tools: A measuring tape or ruler is necessary to move units and determine ranges.

Terrain: A playing surface with terrain pieces such as trenches, craters, and buildings will create an immersive and tactical battleground.

Tokens and markers: These will be used to track various game effects, such as wounds and activation.

Warhammer 40000 Space Marine 2 Lieutenant Titus Limited Edition Scale Statue

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Lieutenant Titus Limited Edition 1:6 Scale Statue

US$1399.00

Pre-Order Now

Gameplay overview: Navigating the trenches

The gameplay of Trench Crusade is a dynamic back-and-forth between players. At its core, the game focusses on action-packed, squad-level skirmishes. Each round of play will typically involve the following:

Initiative Phase: One player will gain the initiative, allowing them to activate their forces first. This is crucial in this game, where every moment counts and can swing the battle in your favour.
Activation Phase: Players alternate activating units within their warband. Each activated unit can perform actions such as moving, shooting, engaging in close combat, or interacting with the environment.
Combat Phase: When units engage in combat, they will roll dice to determine the outcome. Success in combat depends on factors like weapon skill, armor, and modifiers from terrain or special abilities. The video emphasises that combat is “pretty straightforward”. You check if you are in range, and then you roll on the action success table.
Morale Phase: Trench Crusade includes a morale system. The video mentions that “if you roll a nine up, they die”, indicating a particularly brutal and direct way of resolving combat.
End Phase: At the end of the turn, players will resolve any end-of-turn effects, check for victory conditions, and prepare for the next round.

Bambu Lab P1P 3D Printer

Set up in 15 minutes High-speed 3D printing with up to 20000 mm/s² acceleration Upgradeable and customizable flexibility Compatible with AMS for multi-color printing State-of-the-art electronics ~~Was US$699.00~~ Now US$499.00

Key concepts and mechanics

Understanding the following core mechanics will help you master Trench Crusade:

Action economy

During a model’s activation, you can do “as many actions as you want”, but you can’t do the same action twice. So, while the game allows you to perform multiple actions, you need to be careful not to waste your actions or get yourself stuck in a rut. According to the transcript, some actions are also “much risky” and if you fail on the action success table, the model’s turn is over.

Action success table

The video highlights two tables that are important during gameplay: “the injury table” and “the action success table”. These tables dictate the outcome of combat and other actions. “If you roll above a six,” you hit, and you then roll on the injury table. If you roll a nine on the injury table, that model dies, as the video explains.

Dice rolling system

The game utilises a dice-rolling system to resolve actions. The default number of dice you roll is “two plus dice”. If you receive “+ dice”, you add that amount to your pool, and pick the two highest. If you receive “- dice”, you add that amount to your pool, and you still pick the two highest. This system, as the transcript mentions, means “the game is more random”.

Line of sight

The video mentions that line of sight “works off the alpha” of the models, and uses a “strike system of squatting down”, which means that models need to have a clear line of sight to engage their opponents. A model also needs to be “touching the thing they are hiding behind” to actually gain cover.

Range

Range is also very important when you’re engaging an enemy. According to the transcript, “if your target is more than half of your guns range away, you get a – dice”, and “if you are shooting from above, you get a + dice”, which shows the importance of battlefield positioning.

Blood markers

A unique aspect of the game is the “blood markers” system, which as the video points out is “the little consolation prize you get every time you don’t roll that glorious nine up Kill Shot”. These markers can be spent to “add a negative dice to your opponent’s rules or add a + dice to your rolls”, so while you didn’t score a kill, you still gain an advantage.

Basic tactics: Winning in the mud

While every game is different, some key tactical considerations will help you survive in the trenches:

Flanking

Don’t engage your opponent head-on. Use your faster units to outflank the enemy and attack from the side or rear, where they are most vulnerable. The transcript highlights the importance of using line of sight and covering fire to create opportunities to flank enemy units.

Suppression

Pin enemy units down with covering fire, allowing your other units to advance without fear of being hit.

Terrain control

Controlling crucial terrain features, such as choke points, is important to deny your opponent access to key locations.

Synergy

Combine your units and abilities to create synergistic effects, amplifying the strengths of your warband.

Adaptability

Be prepared to adapt your strategy as the battle unfolds. Things rarely go according to plan on the grim battlefields of Trench Crusade, so flexibility is vital.

Movement

The video points out that a unit can move “the number of inches listed here”. It also talks about the “Dash” action, a risk action that if you fail, ends your turn, but if successful, you get to use your movement again.

Warhammer 40k Ultramarines Lieutenant Titus

Joy Toy Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Ultramarines Lieutenant Titus 1:18 Scale Action Figure, Pre-Oder now and receive March 2025.

From the video game Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 comes Lieutenant Titus! This highly articulated and detailed action figure stands approximately 5-inches tall. The Joy Toy Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Ultramarines Lieutenant Titus 1:18 Scale Action Figure comes with a rifle, chainsword, pistol, holster, pistol in holster, 4x alternate hands, alternate head, armor pieces, backpack, jetpack, and display stand.. This action figure is a must-have for any Warhammer 40K enthusiast!

US$56.99

Pre-order Now

Building your warband: Duckets and Glory

The transcript mentions that you “spend duckets and Glory points to buy units and equipment”. The game has a set budget, where the “game army is 900 duckets and eight Glory points”. These points can be used to purchase units, separated into two categories: Elite and Grunts.

You are limited to the number of Elite units you can buy, while the video suggests you can “have as many grunts as you want”. Once you have your unit load, you equip them with weapons and gear. And then, you’re ready to “forth and kill the enemy”.

Where to learn more

If you are excited to start your grim campaign in the trenches of this dark and dangerous game, you’ll want to seek out other resources to help expand your knowledge of this fascinating tabletop game. The following places are excellent areas to start:

The official website: The developers will have the most up-to-date rules, lore, and community information.

Online forums and communities: Join other Trench Crusade players online. These groups are excellent for advice, battle reports, and tips for beginners and veterans alike.

YouTube tutorials and battle reports: There are numerous videos and battle reports online that can help show you the game in action and offer you helpful tutorials.

428602317 791646409657695 6649818340042423823 n

ONLINE TANK ACTION Take control of vehicles from World War II and the mid-20th century, competing against players around the world.

Brace yourselves, Commanders! Frontline returns with its intense 30v30 mode for the first Episode of 2024, running from February 19-26. Get ready for dynamic battle scenarios where one of three scenarios is randomly selected, changing the rules for Combat Reserve! 📦 Rally your troops to the Frontline Battlefield with Tier VIII vehicles! We’ve discounts on 22 additional vehicles ready to find their spot in your Garage 🤩 Don’t miss out! Which Tier VIII vehicle are you eager to play in Frontline?

Enter the trenches

Trench Crusade is a game that offers a truly unique tabletop experience. Its combination of brutal combat, a compelling, dark, and somewhat comical setting, and a focus on character-driven warfare makes it a compelling option for those who are looking for something different. Now that you have an understanding of the core mechanics, you’re one step closer to joining the battle. So gather your warband, prepare for the horrors that await, and step into the trenches!

__________________________________