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We return to the shadows, Heretics. Once again, we pry open the rusted gate and peer into the filth to witness what becomes of humanity when it willingly abandons its soul and marches into the arms of Hell. Today, we stalk through the ranks of the Heretic Legion.
I am Necreator (Sameer), though most know me simply as Necreator. Buried waist-deep in Trench Crusade and the hobby as a whole, I will guide you through Bestiarum’s vast catalogue of horrors and highlight the ideal abominations to stand in for your Heretic Legion.
Our primary source for proxies lies within the Allstein Collection, although a few cursed honourable mentions will surface where appropriate. With a range this deep, every slot in your warband can be filled with something bitter, broken, or beautifully hideous.
The Heretic Legion is what remains when a human willingly casts aside sanity. These are defectors who allow Hell to carve out their weakness and stitch in cruelty. They are spat back onto the dying soil of Earth as weapons that think and bleed.
They are fun to play and forgiving for new initiates. They are also a creative playground. And yes, you get a wolf whose head is a chainsaw. There is no universe in which that is not wonderful.
There are several Legion variants, each dripping with its own flavour of despair. For this article, we focus on the core warband. The principles remain the same for all variants, including the Naval Raiders.
For choosing proxies, our approach -as always- is simple:
Weapons are flexible. Visuals are king. Later, we will mention a support kit called Trench Invasion, which can add more variety where needed.
Heretic Priest
Your warband leader and the spiritual rot at its core. This model can lean arcane or militaristic - both paths suit the Priest perfectly.
Arakhan, Bane Commander
The strongest choice. Arakhan radiates exactly the aura a Priest should: commanding, blighted, and cold.
Xerofant
A strong alternative. The massive blade speaks of ritual slaughter, and the posture of authority is unmistakable.
Chorister
A zealot so unhinged that he removed his own head to scream hymns of damnation. A supporting piece rather than a leader - and extremely difficult to match visually.
Xerofant
Yes, he still possesses a head. However, his imposing presence and ceremonial blade make for a convincing reinterpretation. It only takes a whisper of narrative justification to explain why his skull remains attached.
Death Commando
A silent butcher - fast, efficient, and merciless. Imagine a predator born in fire and left to stalk the dark.
Bane Destroyer
Not subtle, but brutal enough to fit the role.
Ironbond Soldiers
Leaner and more assassin-like. The saw-bladed hands make perfect stand-ins for Hell-forged claws, and their pistols translate easily into suppressed sidearms.
War Wolf
A centrepiece horror. A hulking beast of steel and mutant flesh with a chainsaw for a skull, a nightmare that charges.
Fleshfang
No chainsaw, but its multiple heads and colossal claws deliver the correct savagery. It looks terrifying, and that is what matters.
Charnel Houndmould
Another excellent option from the Trench Invasion line. Less organic, but beautifully dieselpunk.
Artillery Witch
A faceless conduit of destruction, a woman erased of identity and wrapped in black, hurling artillery from the depths of Hell.
Mechanomagi
The perfect embodiment of eerie precision and occult machinery. The silhouette is flawless for a Witch.
Heavy Anointed
Your shock troops, the hammer that breaks the enemy line.
Bane Knights
A flexible and modular option. They blend well with standard troopers if you want visual cohesion.
Bane Juggernaut
Enormous and intimidating. Ideal for melee-focused heavies.
Flame Sower
For those who want the heavy flamer variant. Massive. Terrifying.
Heretic Troopers
Your corrupted infantry: mortals who survived Hell but did not return unchanged.
Bane Gunners
Possibly the best direct match. Modular, varied, and authentic.
Allstein Scientists
Stranger and more experimental. Excellent if you want flamers or twisted equipment.
Bestiarum's Choice: Warband & Encounter Sets
Thinking of picking up some of these units for yourself? Check out these discounted Warband & Encounter sets which include many of the models showcased in this article and more!
A balanced beginner force: simple to play, but powerful. As before, we’re working with a 750-ducat limit, but feel free to scale it as you like.
Weapons
Pistol
Sacrificial Blade
Armour
Reinforced Armour
Equipment
Combat Helmet
Unholy Trinket
Puppet Master is the core ability - moving enemies into danger, off ledges, or into mines. The blade ensures lethality up close, while the armour keeps him alive long enough to matter.
Weapons
Silenced Pistol
Sacrificial Blade
Armour
Reinforced Armour
Your infiltrator. Hard to hit and harder to pin. The blade is insurance when someone finally closes in.
Weapons
Machine Gun
Armour
Standard
Equipment
Combat Helmet
Your ranged suppression piece. Multi-hit firepower is invaluable.
Weapons
Semi-Auto Rifle
Armour
Standard
Equipment
Combat Helmet
A simpler trooper, a body to hold ground or draw fire while still contributing shots.
Equipment
None
The War Wolf needs nothing. It exists to kill. It is tough, armoured at -3, and tears enemies apart with multiple attacks. Use it well and enjoy the carnage. Only fire gives it pause.
Armour
Standard
A glass cannon, but devastating when placed correctly. Put her high. Keep her hidden. Let Hell rain.
You now have a complete set of proxy options for every Heretic Legion unit, as well as a reliable starting warband. To expand your collection and carve out your own aesthetic, explore the rest of the Allstein collection (such as the Scrapper Tribes) for modular components and the Trench Invasion set for weapon options. Combined, they open a world of kitbashing possibilities.
For those pursuing the Naval Raiders variant, the Roilsea Corsairs collection is a treasure trove of dieselpunk piracy and fits astonishingly well.
That concludes this descent into the Legion. May your models be horrific and your battles bloody.
Until next time, Heretics.
Necreator
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This post was written by one of the lovely members of our community. If there's an article, guide or other feature you'd like to share, reach out to us at contact@bestiarumgames.com!
Editing by Sam Franquet
Comments
I’ve been loving all these Trench Crusade+Bestiarum posts. This one was particularly well timed, because just earlier this week I was looking through my Bestiarum stls and thought that the allstein infantry would make excellent heretic troopers. Great minds think alike. Keep up the awesome trench content
