I’ve found that one of my favorite parts of the hobby is crafting terrain that sets the stage for epic battles. For my first terrain-building project (besides a rock and a bridge), I decided to create a small battlefield trench. This piece features sandbags, wood planks, machine gun positions, and even old battlefield propaganda posters to give it a gritty, war-torn atmosphere. It was a labor of love that taught me a lot about how little I know about terrain crafting.
Inspiration and Planning
The idea for this project came from my interest with World War I-style trench warfare, which aligns perfectly with the grim, industrial tone of the grimdark universe. I wanted to capture the look and feel of a desolate battlefield—a place where soldiers have fought, endured, and left behind remnants of their struggle.
I started with a rough sketch to plan the layout of the trench. Key elements included:
- Sandbags to define the trench’s edges and provide cover.
- Wood planks to create a stable walking surface and reinforce the walls.
- Machine gun positions to hint at the trench’s defensive role.
- Battlefield propaganda posters to add narrative depth and a touch of realism.
The Build Process
Base Structure: The foundation of the trench was built using foam board, which is lightweight and easy to shape. I cut into the foam to create depth for the trench itself and added layers to build up the surrounding terrain. All of this was built on some cardboard. Yeah, I hear you’re not supposed to do that. But it’s working for me so far.
Sandbags: I sculpted the sandbags individually using foam core from the dollar store. I found this awesome video that explains how to do this process. This step was time-consuming but well worth the effort for the look it achieved.
Wood Planks: The wooden planks were made from coffee stirrers, which I cut to size. I painted them in muted browns and oranges. I added dry brushing to highlight the grain with a light grey color. I think this helped added to the weathered look alot.
Machine Gun Positions: To create the emplacements, I added small recesses in the trench walls, reinforced with additional planks and sandbags. I added in a range card and some scattered weapons to help tell the story of this environment as well.
Propaganda Posters: The posters were printed on sticky paper, which was a whole thing and pain in my ass. When I finally printed them, I realized that I was going to just glue them on anyways. Duh. After gluing them, I weathered with a brown wash, torn around the edges and crumpled them for an aged look.
Lessons Learned
This project was as much about learning as it was about creating. Here are a few takeaways:
- Texture Matters: Adding texture to materials, like weathering the wood planks, brings the scene to life.
- Storytelling Enhances the Build: Small details, like propaganda posters, turn a simple terrain piece into a narrative-driven environment.
- Experiment and Adjust: Not everything went according to plan, but trial and error helped me improve along the way.
The Final Result
The finished trench is a rugged, atmospheric piece of terrain that looks great on the tabletop. It’s a perfect setting for skirmishes involving my Death Korps of Krieg or other factions. I’m proud of how it turned out and excited to use it in upcoming battles and campaigns.
What’s Next?
This first project has sparked ideas for future terrain builds. I’m already thinking about expanding the trench into a larger battlefield with bunkers, craters, and more. The possibilities are endless, and I’m eager to keep exploring and improving.
If you’re thinking about building terrain, I highly recommend starting with a small project like this. It’s a fantastic way to develop your skills and add a personal touch to your games. Let me know if you’ve tried something similar or if you have tips for my next build. Happy crafting!