Trench Crusade: The Grimmest New Wargame and Where to Get Your Models

If you have even a passing interest in tabletop wargaming, chances are you have heard the name Trench Crusade mentioned in the last twelve months. This grimdark indie skirmish game has exploded from a cult passion project into one of the most talked-about miniature wargames in the hobby — and demand for Trench Crusade miniatures is growing by the day.

In this guide, we break down exactly what Trench Crusade is, why it has captured the imagination of wargamers worldwide, and — most importantly — where you can get your hands on quality resin miniatures to build and paint your own warband here in the UK.

What Is Trench Crusade?

Trench Crusade is a skirmish-scale miniature wargame set in a nightmarish alternate history. The premise is deceptively compelling: following the First Crusade, members of the Knights Templar committed a catastrophic act of heresy — opening a gateway to Hell. By 1914, humanity has been at war with demonic forces for over 800 years, and the battlefield looks like the trenches of World War One twisted beyond recognition by occult horror.

The game was born from the vision of concept artist Mike Franchina — whose credits include Diablo IV and Magic the Gathering — and brought to life by sculptor James Sherriff and legendary game designer Tuomas Pirinen, creator of the beloved Mordheim. The result is a game with genuine pedigree, dripping in atmosphere.

A typical Trench Crusade warband numbers between 6 and 20 models, making it an ideal project for painters who want a focused, high-impact force rather than a vast army. Factions include the devout (and terrifying) Trench Pilgrims, the Heretic Legions, the Iron Sultanate, and more — each with their own distinctive aesthetic and play style.

From $66k Target to $3.3 Million: The Kickstarter That Changed Everything

When Factory Fortress Inc launched the Trench Crusade Kickstarter in 2024, they set a modest goal of $66,666. What happened next was extraordinary: the campaign raised over $3.3 million from more than 20,000 backers. It became one of the most funded miniature wargame campaigns of the year and catapulted the game from indie curiosity to mainstream hobby phenomenon.

With Version 1.0 of the core rules released in November 2025 (and already on update 1.0.2 as of early 2026), the game is now in full swing. Organised play, narrative campaigns, and a growing tournament scene have all begun to emerge. The rulebook is available for free, in keeping with the developers' commitment to accessibility.

Why Is Trench Crusade Taking Over the Hobby Right Now?

The timing is perfect. Wargamers have never been more receptive to indie alternatives, and Trench Crusade delivers on nearly every front:

• A genuinely original setting — grimdark alternate WW1 is unlike anything else on the market.

• Small warband size — a complete force can be just 6 to 10 models, keeping costs low and painting achievable.

• Free core rules — permanently free in perpetuity, as pledged by the developers.

• Miniature agnostic — the game explicitly encourages the use of proxy models and third-party miniatures.

• 3D printing friendly — the entire STL range is available via MyMiniFactory, and print-on-demand services make access easy.

That last point is particularly significant for UK hobbyists. With plastic sets from Archon Studio expanding through 2026 and an active community licence programme allowing independent creators to produce compatible content, the range of available miniatures is growing rapidly.

Trench Crusade Factions: Which Warband Should You Build?

Choosing your faction is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting into Trench Crusade. The setting's lore is genuinely fascinating, and each faction plays very differently on the tabletop.

Trench Pilgrims

Holy warriors consumed by faith, the Trench Pilgrims stride into No Man's Land armoured in iron capirotes and righteous fury. Their warband box is an ideal starting point, including a War Prophet, Communicant, Stigmatic Nun, and five Pilgrims — a tight, characterful force perfect for narrative play.

Heretic Legions

The forces of Hell on earth, the Heretic Legions are ideal for players drawn to corruption, body horror, and demonic imagery. Models such as the Goetic Warlock — tortured priests reborn inside arcane armoured constructs — are among the most visually striking minis in any wargame right now.

New Antioch & Prussian Stosstruppen

For players who prefer a more grounded, historical aesthetic fused with dieselpunk weaponry, New Antioch and the Prussian Stosstruppen offer warband boxes centred on iconic equipment — the Stosstruppen's Tank-Splitter Sword in particular is already a fan favourite.

Where to Buy Trench Crusade Miniatures in the UK

This is the question we get asked most. Official plastic Warband Boxes are beginning to reach retail shelves through distribution in 2026, but availability can be patchy — and they won't cover every unit or faction you want to build.

That's where high-quality resin print-on-demand services come in. Because Trench Crusade is explicitly miniature agnostic — meaning the rules actively encourage using any models that fit your vision — building your warband from premium 3D printed resin minis is not just acceptable, it's part of the hobby's culture.

At TabletopXtra, we supply beautifully printed resin miniatures from licensed designers on MyMiniFactory — delivered to your door in the UK, ready to clean, prime, and paint. Many of our designers produce models that work exceptionally well as Trench Crusade proxies:

• Ghamak Miniatures — dark, heavily armed warriors with a grimdark aesthetic that sits naturally in the Trench Crusade world. Ideal proxy material for Heretic or Faithful warbands.

• Papsikels Miniatures — their dieselpunk and sci-fi ranges cross over brilliantly with the game's blend of early 20th-century technology and supernatural horror.

• RN Estudio — cinematic, narrative-driven dark fantasy models with incredible character — perfect for representing unique warbands with real personality.

Browse our full wargaming collection at tabletopxtra.co.uk/collections/wargaming-proxies for proxy-friendly options, or explore our dedicated Ghamak range and Papsikels collection.

Getting Started With Trench Crusade: A Quick Checklist

New to the game and not sure where to begin? Here's a simple route into your first games:

• Download the free rules from trenchcrusade.com — they're permanently free and available in multiple languages.

• Pick a faction that appeals to you visually and thematically — this is a game where the look and feel of your warband really matters.

• Source your miniatures — either through official Warband Boxes, or via a quality resin print-on-demand supplier like TabletopXtra for a wider selection.

• Build and prime — our range of Colour Forge spray primers are ideal for getting your models table-ready fast.

• Join the community — the Trench Crusade Discord and Reddit communities are among the most welcoming in the hobby.

Why Trench Crusade Matters for the Future of Indie Wargaming

Trench Crusade is not just a great game — it represents a broader shift in how miniature wargames are created, funded, and distributed. Built on 3D printing technology, crowd-funding, and an open community licence, it proves that a small independent team with a genuinely original vision can compete at the highest level of the hobby.

That's a story we are very enthusiastic about at TabletopXtra. Our entire range is built around exactly this model: licensing designs from independent sculptors on platforms like MyMiniFactory and delivering them as premium resin prints. The rise of games like Trench Crusade, One Page Rules, and Space Weirdos is creating incredible demand for exactly the kind of boutique, high-quality miniatures we stock.

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