Quick answer
If you already own the Cloudspire base game and enjoy deep faction lore and asymmetric objectives, Vol. 1: The Joining War adds three new factions and a campaign that expands the narrative without overhauling the core rules.
What the expansion adds to your table
The Joining War is not a standalone game—it requires the Cloudspire base game. It introduces three new factions (Brawnen, Narora, and Grovetenders) plus a new hero, Kram the Mighty, each with their own victory conditions and unique units. The expansion also includes a campaign book that ties the factions' stories together, giving you a reason to play through multiple sessions rather than one-off skirmishes.
If you already own other Cloudspire expansions, note that The Joining War is designed to slot alongside them. The factions here are balanced against the base game's factions, so you can mix and match without rebalancing. However, the campaign mode is self-contained and does not require any other expansion.
Who should consider it
This expansion is best for players who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay and want more variety in faction choices. The asymmetric objectives mean each faction plays differently, so if you like replayability and strategic depth, this adds that without adding complexity to the core rules.
If you are new to Cloudspire or prefer minimal rule overhead, you might find the faction-specific victory conditions a bit much at first. The base game already offers plenty of variety, so consider mastering that before jumping into this expansion.
How to decide if The Joining War is right for you
- You already enjoy Cloudspire's asymmetric gameplay: If you like that each faction has different victory conditions and unit abilities, The Joining War doubles down on that design with three new factions that each play uniquely.
- You want more narrative context for your games: The campaign book provides a story-driven reason to play through a series of linked scenarios, which is a shift from the base game's more open-ended skirmish mode. If you prefer pure competitive play without story, the campaign may not appeal to you.
- You are considering price and value: At $18.87 (down from $29.95), this expansion offers three new factions and a campaign at a lower price than buying individual faction packs. It is a cost-effective way to expand your faction pool. Check that you have the base game before purchasing; this expansion is not standalone.
Product details
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Cloudspire, Vol. 1: The Joining War: Follow Kram the Mighty as he seeks to emulate the glory of his forbears and lead the brawnen to victory and prosperity. Peer into the aviaries of the heirs and journey with Vorter on his military endeavor. This expansion weaves a connected campaign story across the new factions, giving you a narrative reason to play multiple games rather than standalone skirmishes.
Cloudspire, Vol. 1: The Joining War
Who this expansion fits
Best for
- Cloudspire players who want more faction variety and asymmetric objectives
- Fans of narrative campaigns who enjoy linked scenarios
Not for
- Players who do not own the Cloudspire base game
- Those who prefer minimal rule complexity or only play one-off skirmishes