Trench Crusade style - Cortez's Conquistadors

This Trench Crusade style squad brings the grim horror of an eternal war to your tabletop in uncompromising detail. Cortez's Conquistadors are a six-model infantry unit sculpted by DakkaDakka, each standing 33 mm from feet to eyes. These soldiers wear a striking blend of historical conquistador plate armour and gas-masked, kit-laden modern infantry gear, evoking a world where ancient crusades never ended and the trenches run deep with dread. Shield iconography, layered pauldrons, strapped packs, and long-barrelled rifles combine to create a cohesive and sinister aesthetic that fits perfectly into any grimdark sci-fi or dark fantasy warzone setting.

Each of the six models ships as a physical resin miniature, with supports already removed and surfaces cleaned and sanded where needed. The figures are cast in high-quality grey resin that captures fine surface textures including riveted armour plates, webbing straps, respirator tubes, and sculpted boot buckles. Poses vary across the squad: you receive aiming troopers, advancing riflemen, and alert sentries, giving your unit visual dynamism on the battlefield. The models arrive ready to assemble where applicable and ready to paint straight away.

Sized at 33 mm from feet to eyes, Cortez's Conquistadors are compatible with most 28 mm to 32 mm scale wargame rulesets. Their Trench Crusade style aesthetic pairs naturally with grimdark infantry forces, trench warfare campaigns, and dark alternate-history skirmish games. Whether you field them as a core infantry squad or a specialist kill team, these models will draw attention on the table.

Bases are included and measure approximately 25 mm round. Models may require minor assembly with plastic glue or super glue. Painting and basing materials are not included.

The following guide is designed to help you achieve a grimdark, campaign-worn finish that suits the Trench Crusade style of this squad. All stage references are generic and compatible with any major hobby paint range.

1. Prime

• Apply a thin, even coat of dark grey or black primer to the entire model, ensuring all recesses are covered.
• A zenithal highlight of light grey or white from above will help define the raised surfaces before you begin painting.

2. Armour Base

• Basecoat all plate armour panels with a mid-tone steel grey or worn iron colour.
• Apply a thin all-over wash of dark brown or black ink to settle into recesses and define the armour segments.

3. Trim and Details

• Pick out shield iconography, buckles, and rivets with a bright silver or aged bronze for contrast against the dull armour.
• Paint the fabric areas such as undergarments and straps with an ochre, muddy brown, or faded olive to suggest worn campaign clothing.

4. Weapons

• Basecoat rifle stocks with a dark wood brown, then drybrush a lighter tan to bring out the grain texture.
• Paint metal barrel and receiver areas in a dark gunmetal, followed by a targeted silver drybrush to catch the edges.

5. Weathering

• Stipple thinned brown and rust tones onto armour edges and lower legs to suggest mud and corrosion from long trench service.
• Add fine scratches to armour panels using a silver paint applied with a torn blister foam sponge for a natural chip effect.

6. Bases

• Texture the base with a mix of fine sand and PVA, then paint in dark earth tones. Add patches of static grass or dead foliage and finish with a thin gloss varnish on any pooled areas to suggest waterlogged ground suited to this Trench Crusade style force.

This is an adult hobbyist collectible, not a toy. Not suitable for children under 14 years due to small, detailed parts.