The Resounding Success of Trench Crusade: A New Era in Tabletop Wargaming
Trench Crusade, a skirmish-scale tabletop miniatures game, has taken the wargaming world by storm, carving out its place as a monumental success in the hobby’s history. This grim and blasphemous alternate timeline, set against the backdrop of an apocalyptic World War I, pits the forces of Heaven and Hell in a brutal war that will determine humanity’s very soul.
The concept is captivating: a rogue faction of Templars, in defiance of their sacred vows, unleashed Hell on Earth during the Crusades. Now, in the year 1914, the remnants of this cataclysmic event play out on battlefields where faith, horror, and sheer will clash in the mud and trenches. This is no ordinary wargame—this is Trench Crusade.
A Record-Breaking Launch
The journey of Trench Crusade from concept to sensation is nothing short of extraordinary. Its Kickstarter and BackerKit campaigns shattered expectations, raising over $5 million with the support of more than 26,000 backers. This achievement makes it one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in tabletop gaming history.
But the success doesn’t stop there. The late pledge campaign offers players a final opportunity to join the ranks of this groundbreaking game at reduced bundle prices, alongside an exciting painting competition to celebrate the community’s creativity.
The Visionaries Behind Trench Crusade
The pedigree of Trench Crusade’s creative team is as impressive as the game itself:
- Mike Franchina (Diablo II Resurrected, Diablo III/IV, Path of Exile 2, Magic: The Gathering) brings his signature dark and evocative artistic style to the game’s grim setting.
- Tuomas Pirinen, renowned for his work on Mordheim and Warhammer Fantasy 6th Edition, crafted the game’s ruleset, ensuring an engaging and strategic experience for players.
- James Sherriff, known for 28 Magazine and Ian Miller’s Grim Tarock, alongside a host of wargaming’s top talents, brought this twisted world to life with stunning visuals and atmospheric storytelling.
What Makes Trench Crusade Stand Out?
Trench Crusade is more than just a game—it’s a visceral experience. Players command skirmish-sized warbands, leading daring assaults and counter-operations in the hellish no-man’s-land of this alternate World War I. The game’s mechanics encourage tactical thinking, creative storytelling, and, most importantly, immersion in a setting that is as bleak as it is captivating.
This setting, a fusion of theological horror and wartime brutality, strikes a chord with hobbyists who yearn for a return to the gritty, grimdark roots that once defined the genre. It’s a refreshing alternative for players who feel modern wargaming has leaned too heavily into high fantasy and superhero tropes.
A Community-Driven Phenomenon
One of Trench Crusade’s most remarkable achievements is its rapidly growing and highly active community. With forums, Discord channels, and subreddits buzzing with activity, the game has fostered a passionate following. Painting competitions, lore discussions, and custom warband showcases are already becoming staples of the Trench Crusade experience.
The game’s openness to kitbashing and 3D printing has further endeared it to hobbyists, encouraging creativity and inclusivity. This philosophy stands in stark contrast to more restrictive policies in the industry, making Trench Crusade a beacon for those who value artistic freedom.
The Future of Trench Crusade
While Trench Crusade may not aim to dethrone titans like Warhammer 40K, it has firmly established itself as a powerful alternative, offering something unique to the wargaming landscape. Its success is a testament to the power of authentic vision, unbridled creativity, and a community-first approach.
With the release of physical miniatures on the horizon and more expansions undoubtedly in the works, Trench Crusade is poised to continue its meteoric rise. For now, players can revel in a game that embodies the heart and soul of the grimdark aesthetic while delivering unparalleled tabletop gameplay.
So, whether you’re a veteran wargamer or a curious newcomer, Trench Crusade invites you to join the battle for humanity’s soul. Just remember: in the trenches, no one escapes the horror unscathed.
Will Trench Crusade Replace Warhammer 40K?
As Trench Crusade rises in popularity, many players are beginning to ask: will it replace Warhammer 40K as the dominant force in tabletop wargaming? While the two games share some similarities in scale and tactical gameplay, they occupy vastly different genres. Trench Crusade dives into an alternate World War I setting, blending theological horror with historical conflict, while Warhammer 40K exists in a far-future, high-tech universe brimming with alien races, psychic powers, and space marines.
Some voices in the community are quick to point out that Trench Crusade may never fully replace Warhammer 40K. One YouTube comment succinctly puts it:
„Trench Crusade is cool and all, but it’s far from a Warhammer replacement. It’s a completely different genre.“
However, that doesn’t mean Trench Crusade can’t carve out its own place in the wargaming world. Many players have expressed a hope that the game will exert downward pressure on the prices of miniatures in general, which have been steadily rising, especially in Warhammer 40K. As one commenter put it:
„I just hope that Trench Crusade puts a DOWNWARD pressure on prices rather than GW continuing to put an UPWARD pressure.“
There’s also a growing sentiment that Warhammer 40K has lost some of its appeal due to changes in how customization works. A particularly vocal group of 40K players feels disconnected from the game now that many customization options, such as the armoury, have been removed. One passionate voice in the community stated:
„40K lost me when they removed the armoury in 10th. My Chaos lords were my characters. I customised them, designed them, and outfitted them accordingly. In other words, they removed me from the game when they got rid of the armoury. We’re now at a stage where they want you to only buy what’s in the box. No customisation, no flavour. Why did we get two separate Chaos lord profiles this year? Why, because the kits are monopose, there is only one option, and they don’t want you to make your own so that you can buy both models! And how quick we are to forget that they put them in two separate battleforce boxes at launch.“
These voices suggest that while Trench Crusade may not replace Warhammer 40K in terms of sheer scale or fanbase, it could provide a compelling alternative for those looking for a different kind of wargaming experience—one that emphasizes customization, creativity, and a more affordable entry point.
