Mordheim Designer Talks New Grimdark Game, Trench Crusade!
May 10, 2023 by brennon
Tuomas Pirinen, the creator of Mordheim, is looking to bring a brand-new 32mm game to the tabletop soon. Trench Crusade is going to be a brutal, grimdark skirmish game set in an alternative version of our own world around the time of World War I.
Trench Crusade // Tuomas Pirinen
The collaborative effort has been in the works for around six months and Pirinen is working alongside Mike Franchina and James Sheriff to bring this world to life on the tabletop. With a pedigree in such a stunning skirmish game like Mordheim, it made sense for Pirinen to be involved in designing a new skirmish game.
Trench Crusade Miniature // James Sheriff
In terms of "vibe", the game is going to be old-skool and grimdark with full campaign rules for taking your band of fighters from one glory to another. This Sci-Fi/Pulp setting has a Weird World War aesthetic but with a twist that is decidedly holy (and unholy!). Here's some more of the lore from Pirinen....
"The game is set in an alternate timeline where the Crusades never ended, as the armed forces of Hell manifested themselves on Earth and began a war against humanity as a whole. Mankind has rallied in a global holy war and halted the advance of the seemingly inexhaustible legions of the Damned, and now trench warfare rages across vast swathes of pockmarked Europe. It is the year of our Lord 1914, where the armies of World War I, bolstered by the divine powers wage an endless battle to stop the Legions of the Archdevils from overwhelming the Earth. Heroes arise on both sides: Heroes of Heaven, and Heroes of Hell. Welcome to Trench Crusade!"
I am all for this and the energy that it is giving off! You might be familiar with the art style and miniatures that you're seeing here as both Franchina and Sheriff worked together on the Trench Crusade Kickstarter not long ago.
Trench Crusade Art // Mike Franchina
That crowdfunding campaign helped to bring the first few miniatures for this 32mm world to life and was pretty darn stunning. I can see why folks would want to take things another step forward and turn this world into a full-on wargame.
It sounds like things are going great guns and if you're interested in seeing more of the art for Trench Crusade, it's worth having a peek at Pirinen's Facebook Page where they are no doubt going to be talking more about it in the run-up to its release.
Trench Crusade Art // Mike Franchina
You can also go and check out Mike Franchina over on their Artstation page where they have been showcasing a lot more of the concept pieces and final art for the game. Having a big name like Pirinen on this project and working towards something as grimdark and awesome as Mordheim but with a new setting sounds like a recipe for success.
I will be watching this eagerly...
"In terms of "vibe", the game is going to be old-skool and grimdark with full campaign rules for taking your band of fighters from one glory to another..."
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The artwork really is something!
Interesting…
I have the minis on the way, soon I believe. Will definitely have a look at the game
that is certainly some artwork…
i like the fallout looking guys and the one armed spear dude. Im less sold on the strange priest who has a mix of every cross going.
When you need faith, any faith will do
That’s some striking artwork
Nice getting a Priest film vibe from some of the figures.
Definitely a more fearsome environment of grimdark as it feels closer to home. You can withdraw from 40k in the alien nature of scifi. Mordheim was fantastic and could be set aside like the darkness of Grimm. The artwork for this melds the divine and obscene much more plausibly to the real world than say “The Marquis” by Guy Davis (something @avernos or @brennon should delve into).
???