Getting Started with Trench Crusade: A Beginner’s Warband Using Artifex Fabricatum Proxy Minis
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☦️ Getting Started with Trench Crusade
A Beginner’s Guide Using Miniatures from Artifex Fabricatum
“The soil is sacred. The trench is holy. Faith is the only armour.”
Trench Crusade is a grimdark miniature setting steeped in divine horror, heresy, and brutal trench warfare. If you’re new to the settin or want to use our miniatures for your own ruleset like OPR, Grimdark Future, or homebrew, this guide will help you build your first 5–8 model warband using miniatures from our store.
🛠️ What Is Trench Crusade?
Trench Crusade isn’t a single ruleset, it’s a growing narrative world. Most players use:
- Homebrew or RPG-style rules
- Skirmish-level systems like Grimdark Future: Firefight
- Or simply collect, kitbash, and paint for display or story-driven missions
Note: Trench Crusade is primarily a narrative setting, but now has an official ruleset in development. While many hobbyists still use systems like Grimdark Future or custom RPG-style rules, an official skirmish game is coming soon at trenchcrusade.com. Artifex Fabricatum is not affiliated with Trench Crusade
🧱 Your Starting Warband
Below is a suggested 6–model “crusading force,” drawn from our current range. Each model brings rich narrative potential and is perfect for storytelling or skirmish play.
| Role | Miniature | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Leader / Prophet | War Prophet | View Model |
| Heavy Support | Communicant | View Model |
| Core Infantry | Trench Pilgrims (x3) | View Model |
| Fire Support | Witch Burner | View Model |
| Iconic / Narrative Piece | Ecclesiastic Prisoner | View Model |
✝️ Alternative Warband Ideas
Want more zealotry, or a more militaristic vibe? Try one of these:
🔨 Inquisitorial Strike Team
- Castigator (Leader)
- Combat Nun (Melee Specialist)
- Ammo Monk (Support)
- Observer (Scout/sniper)
- Trench Pilgrims ×2
🩸 Fanatic Rabble
- War Prophet (Leader)
- Trench Pilgrims ×3
- Stigmatic Nuns ×2
Mix and match based on your vision. Every model tells a story.
🎲 Exercise: Build a Custom Ruleset
Beginner Challenge:
- Assign stats: Move / Range / Melee / Faith / Health
- Use d6s to resolve rolls
- Play on a small board (2x2 or 3x3)
- Start with 3v3 models, then expand
Even a prisoner transfer mission can become a dramatic battle in no-man’s land.
📸 Painting Tip: Tell the Story
Grime. Rust. Script. Bandages. Smoke. The story is in the weathering. Each model is a relic, a zealot, or a martyr—don't be afraid to paint them like one. Ununiformed = immersive.
🛒 Shop the Crusade Collection
📖 What’s Next?
In Part 2, we’ll walk through your first narrative scenario: escorting the Ecclesiastic Prisoner across a shelled trench board while the Witch Burner tries to hold off heresy in all directions.
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