The Court Rules Review Hotfix
by Brook Close
Is anyone else feeling particularly sinful? Nope? Just me? Well, that doesn’t change much I guess.
We mentioned in our first post announcing the April Rules Review that the Court changes would be saved for October, as the changes are more than we could possibly achieve in the time that we have. This remains the case. However, to make the wait a bit less painful, we’ve put together a small handful of quality of life tweaks to the current list for you. No, there aren’t a lot, but this, alongside the updates to the Fallen Mercenaries, should let you know that you’re in our infernal hearts.
Goetic Powers
The changes are headed up by a small quality of life addition to Goetic Powers designed to make models easier to recruit. Now, for a small surcharge of 1 Glory to the City of Dis, you can purchase Goetic Powers for a model during the Quartermaster Step.
Cost changes
Next up, we have a couple of ducat discounts. When it was first designed, the Malebranche was the pinnacle of murder. However, as the game has gone on, it simply wasn’t worth the 50 ducats it once cost. As a result, we’ve given a 15 ducat discount to bring it to 35. Likewise, a small 5 ducat discount for the Serpent Assault Gun is there to pull it more in line with the output it generates.
New abilities
As for Warband Entries, we have a couple of new Abilities: a discounted means of getting FEAR for the Hell Knights, and a boon to Dashing when your Wretched are within poking distance of a Yoke Fiend. The latter is a thematic boon, but it will make a lot more sense when you see the Court rework. For now, enjoy bullying your Wretched to be extremely cheap Objective grabbers and otherwise act as roadblocks or tarpits, as well as for your regular torturous proceedings. Finally, the Desecrated Saint has gained an ability to keep its full movement when standing up from being Downed, as well as the NEGATE DIFFICULT TERRAIN Keyword. We found that the Desecrated Saint was easy to deny Dashes to once a couple of enemies had given it some BLOOD MARKERS, which was rather easy given its notable stature. Given its legs are longer than most human beings, it gets to move more reliably across the battlefield and be the threat it was always intended to be, smashing Faithful faces and leeching out tempting auras.
Patrons
Because we couldn’t help but give a preview, we’ve decided to bring Court players a new Patron in the form of the Diabolic Circle, as well as a small rework of the Infernal Noble Patron. The Diabolic Circle is a new Court-exclusive Patron that represents one of the myriad groups of fell sorcerers belonging to the underworld. We wanted to give an option that provided some flexibility to Goetic Powers (and yes, this will be compatible with the Court rework!), as well as provide a couple of options to help the Court feel as tricksy and unnatural as they should. It was also a good opportunity to explore some of the historical concepts and traditions around esotericism and demonolatry. Those nobles of hell love giving a familiar or two. Regarding the Infernal Noble Patron, a couple of the Skills felt a bit too punitive or a bit redundant, so we’ve focused on making them a more attractive option. Between this more offensive option, and the more defensive/technical option in the Diabolic Circle, Court players should have an especially fun time.
The future
As for the future, well, we think Court players are going to be happy. They will be going from the Faction with the least variability to the most, with a full rework of the Goetic Power system to make it usable no matter your enemy and a plethora of new Spells and Abilities. Each Sin will be promoted to a full Variant, with special rules, Battlekit, a Campaign Glory Item, and a unique way to generate the resource needed to fuel Goetic Spells.
We’re rather excited about what we have to share, but we are also mindful that it is a lot of work. We’ll be keeping you updated as we have things to show off. But for now, keep your eyes peeled, your horns sharpened and your infernal shrine well supplied with offerings to your Sin of choice.
Project Morningstar is a go, and it will be unlike anything else we’ve made so far.
To give us your thoughts and feedback, use the Contact form on the Trench Crusade website and select the header ‘Rules Feedback’.
The Court of the Seven-Headed Serpent Rules Hotfix (Public Beta)
Brook Close
Brook is a full time game designer at Factory Fortress and a lifelong wargamer. After years of freelancing in the gaming world, Brook joined the company in late 2025, and he has been Extremely Normal about the idea of working with the industry legends who shaped his childhood. When he’s not doing abominable things to miniatures, he spends probably a bit too much time reading books on esoterica. He is, however, very happy that he can now say “it’s for work” and it be the truth. Art by Moritz Kreb.