CTG Buyer's Guides

The Cloudspire 
Buyer's Guide

What Is Cloudspire?

Written by Devon Norris 

Published on August 12, 2025

Influenced by tower defense and MOBA games, Cloudspire is a fierce strategy game with competitive and cooperative play for 1-4 players. Players will fight for supremacy in Ankar as each faction desires control of Source. Construct spires, upgrade your fortress, and march units relentlessly onward until your opponent’s fortress crumbles and falls from the floating realm forever!

 

Cloudspire offers multiple ways to play, with robust solo and cooperative scenarios for players who aren’t looking to engage in PvP contests for control of Ankar. These three modes allow players to fully explore each faction, and the pursuit of different winning objectives provides continual variety in your game sessions. Your decisions will decide the victor of the Joining War!

Where Do I Start?

Great question! We've compiled this handy buyer's guide to help you answer that question. Cloudspire has only one base game, so you'll need to grab that, but afterwards, you'll be able to consider other asymmetric factions and more content expansions, as well as all of the goodies that you've come to expect from Chip Theory Games. Because each Ankarian faction fights in a unique fashion, you'll be chomping at the bit to find your home in the floating isles and discover which nation-state aligns with your playstyle.

 

Let's start with the base game (the first and only essential purchase in the process). There is only one to speak of, but it's humming with Source and bursting with potential.

Each nation-state in Ankar adds complexity and depth to the world. No matter if you’re controlling them or opposing them, these charismatic groups rely on unique strengths (and mask any weaknesses). Whether summoning a terrifying Grizzled Oak as the grovetenders or diving down from your Minarets as the heirs, every decision in Cloudspire hinges upon the strategies and talents of your faction.

The mystical Source lies at the heart of Ankar’s conflict, and it will be the determining factor for success in a game of Cloudspire. Your fortresses, your spires, and your units depend on how well you can stretch the limited resource. Its presence on the battlefield may well dictate your movements; channeling the most powerful resource in Ankar is the path to victory!

Cloudspire boasts some truly immersive solo and cooperative scenarios that pull you into the world of Ankar and place you directly into the middle of its greatest conflict. Beloved by many gamers in the solo community, these scenarios create layers of puzzles for players to disentangle as they extract the greatest potential from each faction. Overcome the onslaught and come out on top as the isles collide in the Joining War!

Cloudspire

Published in 2019.

Includes 4 factions (Brawnen, Heirs, Grovetenders, and Narora).

Cloudspire offers solo, cooperative, and competitive modes.

You can play with 1-4 players, and games can take 90-180 minutes.
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire
Cloudspire

Factions

Ankarian factions are the beating heart of Cloudspire. Mastering them will make you the preeminent competitive player. Understanding them will help you navigate the solo scenarios with elegance. And coordinating their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses will ensure the best cooperative play.

 

The base game introduces the Brawnen, Heirs, Grovetenders, and Narora, but The Joining War affects all of Ankar, and there are other factions entering the fray!

The Griege - Subterranean insectoidhibious race. Need we say more?!

Cloudspire: The Griege Faction Expansion
Cloudspire: The Griege Faction Expansion
Cloudspire: The Griege Faction Expansion
Cloudspire: The Griege Faction Expansion

Horizon's Wrath - Sky pirates on a mobile fortress full of cannons and attitude! 

Cloudspire: Horizon's Wrath Faction Expansion
Cloudspire: Horizon's Wrath Faction Expansion
Cloudspire: Horizon's Wrath Faction Expansion
Cloudspire: Horizon's Wrath Faction Expansion

The Uprising - A band of mercernaries from Jawl infiltrating the island of Ankar! 

Cloudspire: The Uprising Faction/Content Expansion
Cloudspire: The Uprising Faction/Content Expansion
Cloudspire: The Uprising Faction/Content Expansion
Cloudspire: The Uprising Faction/Content Expansion

Scenarios

The Joining War envelops all of Ankar. Written by Ryan Howard, it's the tale of Cloudspire and its myriad factions. But it's not just a distant artifact, resigned to a lore compendium. It's a playable history of the Ankarian conflict, with solo and cooperative scenarios for you to explore.

Cloudspire, Vol. 1: The Joining War
Cloudspire, Vol. 1: The Joining War
Cloudspire, Vol. 1: The Joining War

Cloudspire, Vol. 1: The Joining War

Cloudspire, Volume 2: Ankar's Plunder
Cloudspire, Volume 2: Ankar's Plunder
Cloudspire, Volume 2: Ankar's Plunder

Cloudspire, Volume 2: Ankar's Plunder

Expanded Gameplay

Factions aren't everything in Cloudspire. Earthscapes, events, relics, and more await the players who mine the richest veins of Source.

Cloudspire: Portal Seekers Content Expansion
Cloudspire: Portal Seekers Content Expansion
Cloudspire: Portal Seekers Content Expansion
Cloudspire: Portal Seekers Content Expansion

Cloudspire: Portal Seekers Content Expansion

Cloudspire: Hero's Bounty
Cloudspire: Hero's Bounty
Cloudspire: Hero's Bounty

Cloudspire: Hero's Bounty

Deluxe Add-ons

Do you want Ankar to shine resplendent? Bedecked with all of the Source-rich goods that you've purchased? Then look no further!

Premium Health - A beloved upgrade that replaces the standard health chips.

Cloudspire: Premium Health Chips
Cloudspire: Premium Health Chips

Skymat - A serene cloudscape ready to transport you to Ankar at a moment's notice.

Cloudspire Play Mat
Cloudspire Play Mat

Control 'Ur Roll Tray - For the dice-rolling fiends amongst you, this is a must!

Control ‘Ur Roll Neoprene Dice Tray (Cloudspire)

Your heroes and minions will glide across the Skymat with glorious purpose once you've anchored them with sturdy Premium Health. You'll be floating across the clouds on a playmat from the heavens, and your dice will be cushioned by the finest neoprene in the land.

 

Isn't that what your games deserve?

 

The earthscapes are rich in Ankar, and the Source is there waiting. Let's take a look at where you fit into The Joining War!

Summary

Are you curious about the strategic depth and enjoy multiple modes of play ➡️ Get the base game! 

The no-brainer for solo and cooperative players ➡️ Base game and the scenario volumes

You don't want to miss out on the asymmetric factions ➡️ Base game and faction expansions

Want a premium experience ➡️ Pick up some deluxe add-ons with your base game

A completionist ➡️ We get it… We’re the same way. Get the base game and then start adding the right expansions and add-ons so that you can experience it all!

Shop Cloudspire

Summary

Are you curious about the strategic depth and enjoy multiple modes of play ➡️ Get the base game! 

The no-brainer for solo and cooperative players ➡️ Base game and the scenario volumes

You don't want to miss out on the asymmetric factions ➡️ Base game and faction expansions

Want a premium experience ➡️ Pick up some deluxe add-ons with your base game

A completionist ➡️ We get it… We’re the same way. Get the base game and then start adding the right expansions and add-ons so that you can experience it all!

Shop Cloudspire

See what reviewers have written about Cloudspire!

Punchboard UK

"The straight-up 1v1 competitive game is so good that I’ve not even touched on the other modes of play. You can go have three or four players in a free-for-all battle, team up in pairs to fight, and on top of that, there are books for solo and co-operative scenarios."

Read More

Gaming Trend

"Chip Theory Games doesn't disappoint with Cloudspire. The game can feel overwhelming at first, but as you play, you'll feel the rhythm of the waves. You can try to plan the best you can, but you never know what kind of curveballs you'll encounter on the map and from your opponent."

Read More

More Resources

Need more information for Cloudspire? No problem!

Cloudspire Support

Want to talk to the best support team around? You got it!

CTG Support

Looking to join the coolest community in board games?

Chip Theory Games - Discord

Spend $200 on Cloudspire, add a $30 Cloudspire product for FREE!

Shop Cloudspire Now!