- Arkheron Epic Games: A team-based PvP game from Bonfire Studios, heading to PC and console.
- Core mode: 15 teams of three climb a tower by claiming beacons and outlasting the Abyssal Storm.
- Build system: Four relic slots (crown, amulet, two weapons) with thousands of item combos.
- Set bonuses: Two relics from a set grant a buff; all four transform you into an Eternal.
- Comebacks: You are not out until your whole team is out—revive and rally mid-match.
What Is Arkheron and How Do You Get It on Epic Games?
Arkheron is a team-based PvP extraction-brawler from Bonfire Studios, the studio founded by industry veterans behind classic arena titles. Matches drop 15 teams of three into a mysterious tower where squads collect relics, build loadouts on the fly, and fight to ascend floor by floor until only one team remains. The keyword "Arkheron Epic Games" points to the big question players ask: where and how to play it.
Here is the current status of the rollout:
| Channel | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha playtests | Active / rolling invites | Studio invites players to stress-test and find edge cases |
| Epic Games Store (PC) | Planned launch | Official gameplay overview confirms PC launch target |
| Console | Planned launch | Targeted alongside PC after alpha concludes |
| Classes / heroes | Not applicable | Items, not characters, define your playstyle |
Video Highlights:
- Isometric free-aim camera rewards skillful aiming over button mashing
- Audio cues warn you of enemies lurking beyond your vision
- Beacons, the Abyssal Storm, and 30-second uncontested holds drive ascension
- Relic sets grant bonuses, and full sets unlock the Eternal transformation
Arkheron is currently in alpha. Expect work-in-progress content, experimental balance, and incomplete features. Do not treat alpha footage or stats as final—relics, beacons, and systems may change before the Epic Games launch.
Core Gameplay Loop: Beacons, Storm, and the Tower Climb
Every match of Arkheron follows a rhythmic loop: loot, gear, claim, ascend. You start with only your fists, scavenging weapons and abilities from treasure chests, quests, monster drops, and executed opponents. After a short gearing phase, the beacon's call begins the ascension phase.
| Phase | Objective | Danger |
|---|---|---|
| Gearing (first minutes) | Loot chests, complete quests, kill monsters | Early skirmishes before you are geared |
| Beacon call | Reach a marked beacon with your team | Not enough beacons for all 15 teams |
| Contested hold | Survive 30 seconds uncontested | Rival teams contesting your claim |
| Abyssal Storm | Shelter on the beacon | The storm destroys anything in its path |
| Top floor | Final two teams battle for victory | No more room to retreat |
Beacons are the safest spot from the Abyssal Storm, but the storm also funnels you toward other teams. Treat every hold as a guaranteed fight—pre-position, call shots, and watch flanks.
Relic Builds and Set Bonuses Explained
Your build consists of exactly four items, called relics: a crown, an amulet, and two weapons. Relics are the true "heroes" of Arkheron—there are no character classes or fixed roles. Whether you prefer hammers, spears, crossbows, daggers, ice, fire, slams, throws, or piercing damage, your relic picks define your style for that match.
Two-Piece Set Bonus
- Collect 2 relics from one set
- Grants a set-bonus buff
- Flexible hybrid builds possible
Double Set Bonus
- 2 relics from Set A + 2 from Set B
- Two set bonuses at once
- Popular mid-match power spike
Eternal Transformation
- Collect all 4 relics in one set
- Transform into an Eternal
- Unlocks a fifth ability
- Cannot leave the form for the rest of the match
| Build Path | Power Level | Flexibility | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed relics, no set | ★★ | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Single 2-piece bonus | ★★★ | ★★★★ | Low |
| Dual 2-piece bonuses | ★★★★ | ★★★ | Medium |
| Full set Eternal | ★★★★★ | ★ | High—locked in for the match |
The strongest teams build relics that complement each other—piercing pressure plus area denial, or throws plus slows. With thousands of possible combinations, coordination with teammates matters more than chasing any single "best" item.
Step-by-Step: Your First Match on Arkheron
Land and Scavenge Fast
You start with fists only. Sprint to the nearest chest, quest, or monster camp and arm your squad within the first minutes. Early relics decide early fights.
Listen to the Audio Cues
Danger lurks beyond your vision. Arkheron's audio design warns you of approaching enemies—play with headphones and call out what you hear.
Answer the Beacon's Call
When ascension begins, move as a trio to a marked beacon. Pick beacons that match your gear timing: under-geared squads should avoid central, hotly contested beacons.
Hold 30 Seconds and Ascend
Fight off contesting teams and hold uncontested for 30 seconds to ascend. Rotating beacons mid-fight is viable if your team is outgunned.
Survive to the Top Floor
Teams are eliminated floor by floor. Use comeback mechanics if a teammate falls, take the final duel deliberately, and claim victory.
Some deaths are not endings. If teammates survive, multiple comeback mechanics can bring you back. Never quit early, and if your team is truly out, requeue together or find new allies to start the cycle again.
Beginner Goals Checklist
New players consistently climb faster when they track fundamentals instead of kills. Use this checklist across your first several matches:
First 10 Matches Goals:
- Fully gear four relic slots before the first beacon call
- Earn at least one 2-piece set bonus per match
- Hold a beacon uncontested for 30 seconds and ascend
- Complete one successful comeback after a teammate falls
- Reach the top-floor final fight at least once
The developer's own framing is the best mental model: Arkheron is deadly musical chairs with fun items and abilities. Positioning for the next "chair" (beacon) matters as much as winning the current fight.
FAQ
Q: Is Arkheron available on the Epic Games Store now?
Not yet. Arkheron is in alpha playtests while Bonfire Studios works toward a launch on PC and console. Alpha access is offered through the studio's community channels, so follow official announcements for playtest invites and the eventual Epic Games release.
Q: Does Arkheron have character classes or heroes?
No. Items called relics are the heroes of Arkheron. Every match you build from scratch with a crown, an amulet, and two weapons, and those four relics—not a class or character—determine your playstyle.
Q: What does collecting all four relics from one set do?
A full four-relic set transforms you into an Eternal and unlocks a fifth ability. The trade-off is significant: you cannot leave that form for the remainder of the match, so commit only when the timing favors your team.
Q: What happens when I die in Arkheron?
Death is not always the end. If at least one teammate survives, comeback mechanics can return you to the fight. You are only fully out when your entire team is eliminated, at which point you requeue with your squad or new allies.