- Arkheron Spires is a 3v3 arena mode built for fast fights and build testing
- Checkpoint rooms let you loot and strategize freely before each match
- Runs use three lives: lose three matches and your run stats reset
- Best of three format against another team of three players
- Runs save between sessions, so you can leave and resume anytime
What Is Arkheron Spires?
Spires is Arkheron's dedicated 3v3 arena mode, introduced as an early playtest prototype by Bonfire Studios. Its purpose is simple: give players a place to fight constantly, test new builds, try out items, and learn the moment-to-moment combat of Orc War without the pressure and time investment of a full Ascension match.
The core problem Spires solves is learning curve. Arkheron's combat is unique compared to other games, and in Ascension you might only get two or three good fights in a 25-minute match. Spires compresses that experience into rapid, repeatable skirmishes.
Video Highlights:
- Spires is Bonfire Studios' official take on a 3v3 arena mode
- Designed for build testing, item experimentation, and combat practice
- Matches are best of three with persistent teammate options
- Introduces the "runs" system with three lives per run
- Still an early prototype; community feedback shapes its direction
| Feature | Spires | Ascension |
|---|---|---|
| Team size | 3v3 | Larger scale |
| Match length | Short, best of three | ~25 minutes |
| Fight frequency | High | 2-3 good fights per match |
| Loot phase | Checkpoint room | Full match economy |
| Best for | Build testing, practice | Full competitive matches |
Spires is not a replacement for Ascension. Think of it as a lower-pressure sandbox where every match teaches you something about Arkheron's combat, while still letting you earn progress along the way.
Match Flow: From Checkpoint to Arena
Every Spires session follows a consistent loop that keeps downtime minimal and fighting frequent.
Queue and Matchmake
Queue up for a Spires match. You'll be matched with two teammates and placed in a checkpoint room.
Loot and Strategize
Take as much time as you need in the checkpoint room to loot gear, coordinate builds with teammates, and plan your approach before committing.
Ready Up
Interact with the ready banner in the center of the room when your team is prepared. Everyone ready means the match begins.
Fight the 3v3
Battle the opposing team in a best-of-three format. Winning two rounds takes the match.
Stay or Leave
After the match, keep your teammates and continue to the next checkpoint room together, or leave and find a new team.
There is no timer pressure in the checkpoint room. Use it to check damage numbers, compare items, and align your team's composition—rushing in unprepared wastes a life if you lose.
The Runs System: Three Lives Explained
Spires introduces an early concept called runs. A run gives you three lives to climb as high as you possibly can. Every lost match costs one life, and when all three lives are gone, your run and your stats reset.
| Runs Mechanic | Details |
|---|---|
| Lives per run | 3 |
| Life lost | Each match defeat |
| Full reset | After third life lost |
| Session saving | Runs persist between sessions |
| Goal | Reach the highest level possible |
The saving mechanic is the key quality-of-life feature: you can leave after any match, log back in later, and your run is exactly where you left it. This makes Spires easy to pick up for short sessions without sacrificing long-term progression.
Losing all three lives doesn't just end the run—it resets your run stats too. If you're chasing a high level, protecting your remaining lives matters more than gambling on risky matches.
Team Strategy and Build Testing
Spires shines as a laboratory for Arkheron's combat. Use it the way Bonfire Studios' own developers do internally: the training arena has long been their tool for onboarding new hires, and the community uses it to test builds, check damage numbers, and evaluate balance changes. Spires turns that practice into an official, rewarding mode.
Build Lab
- Test new item combos risk-free
- Compare damage numbers directly
- Verify balance change impact
Team Chemistry
- Keep teammates that click
- Drop mismatched teams freely
- Practice coordinated engages
Combat Fundamentals
- High fight frequency accelerates learning
- Learn Arkheron's unique combat feel
- Warm up before Ascension sessions
| Strategy | When to Use | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive early push | Confident in your build | High |
| Coordinated team focus | Established teammate trio | Medium |
| Defensive counter-play | Testing unfamiliar items | Low |
| Warm-up routine | Before Ascension matches | Low |
Treat your first several Spires sessions as experiments. Lock in teammates who complement your playstyle, and only start pushing your run level once you've validated a build that consistently wins rounds.
Spires Readiness Checklist
Before you commit your three lives to a serious run, make sure you've covered the fundamentals.
Before Starting a Run:
- Test your build in the checkpoint room and confirm damage numbers
- Coordinate roles and engage timing with teammates
- Win at least one practice match before spending lives
- Verify your item choices against balance changes
- Confirm teammate compatibility before continuing past a checkpoint
Bonfire Studios has highlighted playing Spires during community night and Friday night fights—ideal opportunities to queue with developers and directly shape the mode's future direction with your feedback.
Spires FAQ
Q: What is Arkheron Spires?
Spires is Arkheron's 3v3 arena mode, currently in early prototype. It's designed for frequent fighting, build testing, and learning Orc War's unique combat without the time investment of a full Ascension match.
Q: What happens when I lose a Spires match?
Each lost match costs one life from your run's three-life pool. Losing all three lives resets your run and its stats, so protecting lives matters when climbing levels.
Q: Can I keep my run if I log out?
Yes. Runs are saved between sessions. You can leave after any match and return later with your run still in progress at the same point.
Q: Do I have to stay with the same teammates?
No. After each match you can either stay with your teammates and continue to the next checkpoint room together, or leave and queue with new teammates.