Quick answer
If you're new to Cloudspire, start with the base game. The base game gives you the core rules, multiple factions, and the solo/co-op campaign. Faction expansions like the Graft Faction Expansion are best for players who already own the base game and want to add a unique, parasitic playstyle with a movable feastress.
Cloudspire
Why the base game first?
The Cloudspire base game is a complete experience. It includes the rulebook, map tiles, chips, and several factions so you can jump into competitive or cooperative play right away. Without it, you lack the board, the core mechanics, and the enemy AI needed for solo scenarios. The base game is the foundation every expansion builds upon.
What faction expansions add
Faction expansions like the Graft Faction Expansion introduce a single new faction with unique units, abilities, and a distinct playstyle. They do not include the base game components. If you already own the base game and crave more variety or a specific theme—like the Graft's environmental blight and parasitic worms—an expansion is a cost-effective way to refresh the game without buying a second core set.
Your decision rules
- Rule 1: Start with the base game if you don't own any Cloudspire product: The base game includes everything needed to play. Expansions have no standalone value. Buy the Cloudspire base game first.
- Rule 2: Choose a faction expansion only if you already own the base game and want more variety: Expansions like the Graft Faction Expansion add a single faction with unique mechanics. They do not add new maps or campaigns. Consider the Graft expansion if you love asymmetric, high-risk playstyles.
- Rule 3: Consider the playstyle gap: The Graft faction's movable Nucleus and parasitic worms require a different strategy than base game factions. If you prefer straightforward tactics, stick with base factions first. The Graft is best for experienced players seeking novelty.
Key product facts
- Cloudspire: The Graft Faction Expansion: Spreading across Ankar and consuming everything in its path, the Graft is an environmental blight. With Source reserves dwindling, it will take a concerted effort for other factions to defeat the Nucleus and its coterie of parasitic worms. The Graft is one of the strangest factions in Cloudspire, featuring a movable 'feastress' thanks to Nucleus, who enjoys the advantages and suffers the pitfalls of being both a… The Graft plays very differently from standard factions. Its movable Nucleus creates a dynamic, offensive playstyle that can feel chaotic. This is great for experienced players who want a challenge, but may overwhelm someone still learning the core rules.
- The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era: Do The Elder Scrolls shape your destiny, or do you shape their prophecies? Tamriel is an ancient continent filled with rich cultures, diverse peoples, and legendary civilizations. It’s a land promising great things to those brave enough to make a difference. In the tumultuous Second Era, war rages across the continent, cults scheme in the shadows, and a powerful Wood Elf aims to reshape Tamriel forever. Adventurers… This is a completely different game from Cloudspire, set in the Elder Scrolls universe. If you're a fan of that lore and enjoy narrative-driven board games with asymmetric factions, it's a strong alternative or complement to Cloudspire.
Which should you pick?
Best for
- New players who want the complete Cloudspire experience and core rules
- Players who enjoy a standard competitive or co-op game without extra complexity
Not for
- Players who already own the base game and want a radically different, parasitic playstyle (they should consider the Graft expansion)
- Solo players who need a full campaign with multiple factions (the base game is required)
