This article could contain outdated information that is inaccurate for the current version (1.52) of the game. It was last updated for 0.45.
| “ | A fortification built into the ground that can be extended or upgraded into other structures. | „ |
| — In-game description |
The Trench is a playermade oblong hole in the ground dug with a Shovel that give soldiers a good firing position and cover. It is larger than a Dug Foxhole.
Description
Trenches are a defensive position for soldiers. There are three tier of trenches; Tier 1 is built with a Shovel, it can then be upgraded to Tier 2 via a Hammer and Basic Materials, and Tier 3 costs Concrete Materials and a significant amount of time to cure.
They can be connected to Bunkers and other trenches, and they can be upgraded with a variety of add-ons.
You can move, fight and build from inside the trench, although it blocks your ability to move to another trench when it is a blueprint. Trenches are neutral structures, if an enemy takes your trench they can use it against you.
Standard trenches cannot be built on roads, unlike trench connectors.
Tanks can cross trenches while every other vehicle will require the trench to have the "Bridge" add-on installed to be able to cross.
They are pretty sturdy structures and are very resistant to Artillery shelling.
Construction
Equip a shovel and open the build menu (default: B). You can rotate the trench with RMB. It can snap to other nearby trenches or bunkers to create longer pathways (hold Shift if you don't want your trench to snap). Trenches can either join up on their ends or in the middle. However, it should be noted that there are some restrictions on how they can be joined together. They cannot be built on steep slopes.
Once the blueprint is placed, simple hold LMB to start digging. It will take a total of 75 shovel hits to finish.
Tier Upgrading
Trenches can be upgraded with a Hammer, tier 2 requires 30 Basic Materials and tier 3 requires 20 Concrete Materials. The trench must be at full health for that.
Equip your Hammer and switch it to "Upgrade Mode" by pressing F, aim at the trench and press the "use" key (default keybind E) to open the trench's upgrade menu. The menu shows the add-ons and upgrade options. Select the Tier upgrade and start hitting the blueprint with your hammer and with the necessary materials in your inventory. If the blueprint is shot before it is completed, it will turn back into the original trench.
Add-ons
Add-ons can also be installed with the Hammer.
Trenches can be upgraded with several add-ons simultaneously. To install add-ons, equip your hammer switch it to "Upgrade Mode" with F, aim at the trench and press E to open the trench's upgrade menu. If there's a direction to choose for the add-on, use Mouse Scroll Wheel while your cursor is on the desired add-on icon to change the direction. Select an add-on and if you have the required materials in your inventory your character will do a short construction animation after which the add-on will appear.
Barbed Wire 
Cost: 10 
Description: Slows down enemy infantry attempting to invade the Trench.
Sandbags
Cost: 10
Description: A defensive barrier that hinders enemy movement and provides cover during combat
One sandbags add-on only covers a third of the length of the trench. but you're not limited in how many sandbags add-ons you can you place. Soldiers inside the trench cannot shoot over the sandbags so they can be used to prevent the enemy from effectively using your trenches against you. You also cannot exit a trench if the ledge you're next to has a sandbags add-on. This means you can be completely trapped if the trench has sandbags all around and no stairs!
Bridge
Cost: 50
Description: Allows Vehicles to cross over the Trench.
Stairs
Cost: 30
Description: Allows to exit trenches faster
Pipe
Cost: 30
Description: Provides power connections from Engine Rooms to Storm Cannons and Intelligence Centers.
Fill In
Cost: N/A
Description: Fills in this trench, restoring the landscape around it.
This option in the shovel's upgrade menu allows you to fill in a Tier 1 trench or a trench husk of any tier, to remove the structure and make space. After selecting the option, you must use your shovel and hold LMB on the blueprint to fill it.
Reservation
Like Bunkers, trenches can be reserved through a button in the hammer or shovel's upgrade menu so that only the original builder and the players in their squad can modify the trench. The reservation lasts 48 hours but it can be refreshed at any moment by the original builder or their squad mates. Only the original builder can remove the reservation.
Demolishing
Reserved Trenches that are less then 3 hours old can be demolished by the original builder or members of their squad through a button in the hammer or shovel's upgrade menu. There must be no enemies nearby and it doesn't work for concrete trench. The demolition is instantaneous unlike the "Fill In" option.
Trench Variants
Trench Connector
The Trench Connector is similar to the trench in function, but has an irregular shape. They can be used to connect two trenches, two bunkers or a trench and a bunker to each other where a normal trench cannot fit.
Trench connectors can be built on roads, to link trenches on the sides of the road, but it doesn't allow soldiers in the trench to pass under the road.
See Trench Connector.
Trench Emplacement
The Trench Emplacement trench variant with an octagonal shape that can serve as an emplacement for mannable defenses such as 68mm Anti-Tank Cannon , 12.7 Anti Infantry Flak Gun, or an emplaced artillery piece. When placed inside this structure, the mannable defences/artillery pieces get more health (can take more damage)
See Trench Emplacement.
Trench Husk
When a trench is destroyed, it leaves behind a husk. The trench can be rebuilt from the husk by using the hammer in upgrade mode and pressing E. This will replace the husk with a trench blueprint at the tier it used to have, for the cost of that tier (e.g. shoveling for Tier 1, Hammer and 30 bmats for Tier 2). All previously installed add-ons are lost and must be reinstalled after trench reconstruction, at normal cost.
Husks can also be filled in with a shovel via the option in the upgrade menu.
Husks can also be destroyed with explosives, to make space for different structures for example. The trench husk has the same max health as the trench it comes from. Or you can wait for decay to destroy it. Husk decay cannot be prevented and is usually the same speed as the decay near region borders.
Gallery
Tier 2 Bunkers and Trenches used in combination.
Trench Blueprint, Shovel required to build.
Various upgrades: (in order) Tier 1 Garrison, Tier 2 Machinegun, Tier 3 AT, Engine room; Firing Ports, Doorway, Treches with Barbed Wire, a Trench Bridge, and Pipes.
Two trench connectors joined together by destroying one of the original parent trenches.
The "blue print" of the Tier 1 trench connector
Trench Stairs
Tier 1 Trench and Bunker husks
Trench upgrade and add-on menu
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