Battlefield Archetypes
Trench Crusade games are fought across all kinds of terrain, from the highest mountain passes to shadowed subterranean depths, but for the purposes of the scenarios in this rulebook we have focused on three battlefield archetypes: No Man’s Land; Decimated Ruins; and (of course) Trench Lines. The scenario you are using for the game will clearly explain what type of battlefield archetype is to be used. The terrain for the scenario can then be set up using the instructions below.
No Man's Land
No Man’s Land is the area that lies between the trench systems of the Great War. It is a stark and deadly place, criss-crossed with fire from machine-guns and artillery, and with only occasional ruined buildings, craters, fallen trees, wrecked tanks or cannons, and pockmarked shrines to provide cover. This makes it a dangerous place to enter in daylight, so most Scenarios that take place in No Man’s Land will be night-time raids where the cover of darkness can be used to provide some measure of protection against enemy gunfire.
Terrain Pieces: The players roll-off, and the winner sets up the terrain for the game. The terrain pieces for a game taking place in No Man’s Land must be from the following list:
Number of Terrain Pieces: We recommend that you use at least 2 pieces of each terrain type if you can. Count pieces that are more than 8" across or more than 8" long as being 2 pieces of terrain towards this number rather than only 1. However, this is only a guideline, and you can use any number of terrain pieces in a No Man’s Land scenario, from there being almost no terrain at all, to there being as much terrain as can be fitted onto the Battlefield (without breaking any of the following restrictions on how pieces can be placed, of course!)
Terrain Set-Up: The terrain pieces must be set up in such a way that each piece of terrain is at least 6" away from any other pieces of terrain. Trenches can only be set up if they are wholly within one of the Deployment Zones shown on the map for the scenario that is being played.
Decimated Ruins
Battles are frequently fought to capture cities, towns and villages located between, or just behind, the trench lines of the opposing Warbands. The constant warfare quickly reduces once-proud buildings to ruins, amongst which Warbands fight each other in brutal short-ranged engagements. Tactical and strategic success can be measured by who takes control of the ruined buildings, piles of rubble and wrecked vehicles that litter the shattered landscape.
Terrain Pieces: The players roll-off, and the winner sets up the terrain for the game. The terrain pieces for a game taking place in Decimated Ruins must be chosen from the following list:
Number of Terrain Pieces: You will need at least 6 ruined buildings and at least 2 pieces of each other sort of terrain. Count pieces that are more than 8" across or more than 8" long as being 2 pieces of terrain towards this number rather than only 1.
Terrain Set-Up: Any ruins that are going to be used for the game must be set up first. The first ruined building or corner can be set up anywhere on the Battlefield. Each subsequent ruined building or corner must be placed between 3" and 9" away from any other ruined building or corner. After all of the ruins have been set up, any other terrain can be added to the Battlefield. Terrain apart from ruins can be set up anywhere on the Battlefield that is at least 3" away from any other terrain pieces.
Trench Lines
Behind No Man’s Land lies a system of interconnected Trench Lines, often several miles thick. Trench Lines are made up of interlinked trenches that are deep enough to shield most warriors from enemy fire. Because of this combat usually takes place in the trenches themselves, though sometimes a brave warrior will risk clambering out of a trench and running across open ground in order to outflank a strong enemy position.
Terrain Pieces: The players roll-off, and the winner sets up the terrain for the game. The terrain pieces for a game taking place in Trench Lines must be chosen from the following list:
Number of Terrain Pieces: You will need enough Trenches to reach from one edge of the battlefield to the opposite edge. In addition to the trenches, you will need 2 pieces of each other sort of terrain. Count pieces that are more than 8" across or more than 8" long as being 2 pieces of terrain towards this number rather than only 1.
Terrain Set-Up: Any trenches that are going to be used for the game must be set up first. The first trench must be set up so that it enters from one edge of the Battlefield, and subsequent trenches must connect with an existing trench. Once all of the trenches have been set up they must extend from the edge of the Battlefield, from where the first trench was placed, to the opposite edge of the Battlefield, so that a model could enter on one edge and exit off the other without ever having to leave a trench. After all of the trenches have been set up, any other terrain can be set up anywhere on the battlefield that is at least 1" from any trenches and 3" away from any other Terrain Pieces.
