Compare the two modes
| Ascension | Spires | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting field | 15 teams of three | Two teams of three per fight |
| Equipment | Loot and adapt during the run | Select equipment in the preparation room |
| Progress | Fight monsters and teams; contest Beacons to ascend | Win arena fights to climb floors |
| Run ending | Final 3v3 confrontation | Run resets when its limited failure allowance is exhausted |
Ascension: loot and climb
Your team searches the Tower for equipment while dealing with creatures and other teams. Beacons are central to ascending. The field narrows as the run progresses, leaving a final three-player team fight.
Spires: focus on combat
The preparation room lets you choose equipment before fighting. Spires puts more emphasis on learning combat and items without Ascension’s initial looting phase. Do not treat every Spires loss as an immediate reset: the mode uses a limited allowance for failed fights.
Where should a new player start?
Complete the Tutorial, then use Training to explore equipment and Bot matches to practise fighting. This is a suggested learning order, not a requirement to unlock the public modes. See Training and Bots and Relics and Eternals.
Why is a mode unavailable?
Public matchmaking runs on event schedules during testing. Check queue availability before treating a closed queue as an installation problem.