Champions Ascension
Do you enjoy skill-based gladiatorial combat with true asset ownership? Then Champions Ascension is just for you! This free-to-play third-person arena RPG lets you collect, train, and battle unique NFT Champions in the fantasy world of Massina across Steam, Epic Games Store, and direct download.
What is Champions Ascension?
Champions Ascension is a third-person arena combat RPG developed by Plai Labs (originally Jam City blockchain division), founded by Chris DeWolfe (MySpace co-founder) and Josh Yguado. The game launched Pre-Alpha in September 2022, entered Alpha on January 18, 2024, and listed on Steam August 2023 with Epic Games Store following November 15, 2023.
Set in the fantasy world of Massina, players develop, train, and manage stables of gladiators called Champions for PvP and PvE combat in the Colosseum Eternal. The game blends intense third-person action combat with RPG progression, strategic resource management, and a player-driven economy built on Polygon blockchain. Alpha launched with menu-driven gameplay replacing the earlier open-world design, focusing on streamlined arena access and competitive modes.
How Does Champions Ascension Work?
Champions Ascension centers on third-person gladiatorial combat across multiple game modes. Players control Champions—each with unique abilities based on 12 Families, 6 Classes, and 7 Essences—in skill-based brawls featuring dodges, special attacks (Feat Cards), and environmental hazards like spike traps and fire pits.
Game modes include 1v1 duels, 3v3 team battles, Free-For-All (20-player chaotic brawls), Raid Boss PvE (team up against monsters like “Old Sally” the crocodile), and Hardcore Mode where defeated Champions permanently die. The Vault of Carnage delivers total chaos with 20 fighters competing for last-Champion-standing glory.
Champions progress through four Ascension Tiers: Grunt (starter level), Challenger, Gladiator, and Eternal. Ascending requires winning battles to earn XP and Raw Essence from fallen opponents, then crafting Scrolls of Ascension and Essence Crystals. Higher tiers unlock better stats, exclusive abilities, more breeding potential, and increased daily earning caps. Each ascension also transforms your Champion’s visual appearance based on their elemental attunement.
Combat rewards Gold (main currency), Tickets (from victories), Bones (from Hardcore losses), and Raw Essence. Gold summons new Grunts from the Gate of Fools, purchases items from the Bonesmith, and powers marketplace transactions. Players craft weapons and armor using Bones and resources, with higher-tier Forges enabling cosmetic customizations.
Digital Collectibles in Champions Ascension
Champions Ascension runs on Polygon blockchain with Prime Eternal NFTs representing the highest Champion tier. The Prime Eternal collection contains 7,622 unique NFTs that will never be minted again, offering exclusive benefits including daily Gold claims, strongest Divine combat parts, and superior 1v1 performance.
The game features dual token economy with $MASSINA and $DIAMOND tokens. Prime Eternal holders earn both tokens through daily staking. $MASSINA purchases Land NFTs for constructing buildings like Forges for weapon crafting, while $DIAMOND unlocks exclusive armor and weapon sets like the Diamond Gauntlet. Only Prime Eternals generate $DIAMOND tokens, creating scarcity value.
Additional NFT collections include Elemental Eternals (alternative Champion types), Pets (combat bonuses when matched to Champion essence, plus mini-game utility), Crystals (tradeable XP boosts), Scrolls (ascension materials), Monsters, and Imperial Gallery items for upcoming player-generated challenge modes. All Eternal NFTs trade on OpenSea and OKX using MATIC or WETH on Polygon.
Free-to-play Challenger Champions let anyone start without NFTs. Players ascend Challengers to Gladiator and Eternal tiers through gameplay, eventually minting them as NFTs. The marketplace supports trading Champions, crafted gear, Essence Crystals, and Scrolls of Ascension between players using Gold or cryptocurrency.
Getting Started in Champions Ascension
Download Champions Ascension free on Steam, Epic Games Store, or direct from the official website. Create an account using email—no wallet required for free-to-play access. The game runs 24/7 with no NFT ownership needed to compete in arena modes.
Start with free Challenger Champions and battle through tutorial missions to learn combat mechanics. Earn Gold and Essence from victories to level your Champion and craft resources for ascension. Connect a Polygon-compatible wallet only if purchasing Prime Eternal NFTs or trading on the blockchain marketplace. Join Discord for tournaments, crafting guides, and community events.
Watch Champions Ascension in Action
Here’s gameplay showcasing Champions Ascension’s third-person arena combat and Champion progression.
Where to Go Next
- Explore more RPG games.
- Learn about blockchain gaming in our FAQ Library.
- Browse all NFT games.