Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids: A Co-op RTS Revolution

Introduction: Why Chip ‘n Clawz Matters

When Julian Gollop—the mastermind behind X-COM—launches a new co-op RTS, strategy fans sit up and take notice. Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids, arriving February 2025 from Snapshot Games, shreds the rulebook by fusing third-person hero mayhem with classic RTS base-building, resource management, and real-time army command. Its two killer features—an all-access Friend’s Pass at launch and true crossplay across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox—promise to smash platform silos and shake up co-op forever.

In this guide, we’ll unpack every major mechanic—from recruitment and resource chains to ranked PvP—spotlight common pitfalls, and drop pro tips that will have you dominating the battlefield. Ready to dive in?

1. Friend’s Pass: A Genuine Invitation

Forget half-baked trials that lock key missions or pesky DLC paywalls. Chip ‘n Clawz doles out a full-campaign Friend’s Pass:

• Full Campaign Access: Invite one friend to tackle every story mission and side quest—no extra purchase required.
• All PvP Modes: From nail-biting 1v1 showdowns to chaotic 2v2 brawls, every mode is unlocked.
• No Timers or Limits: This pass never expires or caps progress—you can grind side missions at your leisure.

This upfront generosity says, “Jump in free, then stay for the thrill.” If Snapshot Games maintains this model post-launch, we could be looking at a new industry benchmark for co-op accessibility.

2. Crossplay at Launch: Unity over Fragmentation

Friend’s Pass decides who plays; crossplay decides where they play. On day one, PC (Steam), PlayStation, and Xbox users share the same matchmaking pools. The benefits are immediate:

• Faster Matchmaking: Larger pools mean near-instant co-op lobbies and PvP queues.
• Seamless Progression: Carry hero skins, upgrades, and ranks across platforms without hassle.
• Vibrant Community: Streamers, clans, and casual squads thrive when everyone’s in the same ecosystem.

Of course, this relies on rock-solid netcode. Snapshot Games must leverage lessons from Phoenix Point’s launch to deliver the stable backbone players expect.

3. Core Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies

At its heart, Chip ‘n Clawz blends arcade-style hero action with deep RTS decision-making. You command either Chip or Clawz, gather resources, build your base, and lead squads in real time. Master these pillars, and you’ll crush both PvE and PvP opponents.

3.1 Hero Control and Abilities

Chip moves with lightning speed, firing precision energy bursts and evading danger with swift dashes. His personal shield can soak heavy fire for a tactical edge. Clawz wanders in with earth-shaking gauntlet swings, slams enemies with ground pounds, and unleashes area knockbacks.

Pro Strategy: Monitor ability cooldowns like an RTS minimap. Timing your ultimates to coincide with a minion surge can shatter enemy lines or turn the tide of a close match.

3.2 Resource Gathering and Base Construction

Scattered across each map are Energy Crystals and Scrap Nodes. You can harvest these yourself for quick returns or set up drone networks for automated collection.

• Minion Barracks: Recruit melee or ranged units to reinforce assaults or plug defensive gaps.
• Research Labs: Unlock hero upgrades, cosmetic skins, and specialized minion classes.
• Defensive Turrets: Secure key choke points so you can focus on expanding your presence.

Pro Tip: Resist the urge to overextend your front line without securing defensive structures. Balanced expansion keeps enemy counterattacks at bay.

3.3 Army Command and Micromanagement

Once your minions are deployed, switch between big-picture commands—advance, hold, guard—and frontline hero control. This push-pull dynamic creates the trademark chaos of Chip ‘n Clawz, rewarding players who can juggle micro and macro on the fly.

4. Getting Started: Setup, Controls, and Interface

Spend a few minutes in the offline tutorial to map your controls and tweak your HUD:

• Movement: WASD (PC) / Left Stick (console)
• Camera: Mouse (PC) / Right Stick (console)
• Primary Attack: Left-click / R2
• Secondary Ability: Right-click / L2
• Build Menu: Tab / D-pad
• Command Wheel: Q/E or L1/R1

The HUD tracks hero health, ability cooldowns, resource totals, and shows a minimap with node and enemy icons. Customizing hotkeys now will save precious seconds once you’re in the thick of battle.

5. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Difficulty Spikes: Some late-game raids can outpace your resource network. Keep drones and turrets online to handle sudden pressure.
• Progression Pacing: Early missions can feel sluggish if you hoard resources. Spend wisely on hero and minion upgrades.
• PvP Balance: Watch for dominant hero-minion combos. Adapt your strategy and build to counter the meta.
• Monetization Creep: At launch, only cosmetics are sold. Stay vigilant for any future pay-to-win shifts.

6. Pro Tips: Sharpen Your Claws

• Hero-Minion Synergy: Smash enemy defenses with your hero, then flood the breach with minions to secure objectives.
• Resource Relay: Stagger drone hubs near your base and rotate heroes between nodes to deter enemy raids.
• Ping Smart: Use the minimap ping to flag ambushes or weak spots, keeping teammates in sync.
• Flexible Builds: Shift mid-match between melee and ranged barracks to adapt to enemy compositions.

7. Community, Replay Value, and Custom Lobbies

With Normal and Hard Story modes, ranked 1v1/2v2 PvP, and split-screen local co-op, there’s endless replay potential. Collectible comics expand the lore, while challenge maps push your tactics to the limit. Thanks to Friend’s Pass and crossplay, expect fan-run tournaments, obstacle-course maps, and grassroots events to flourish.

8. Bridging Action and Strategy

Fast-paced co-op and deep RTS sims have long sat at opposite ends of the genre. Chip ‘n Clawz bridges the gap: casual players get instant thrills, while veterans dive into layered strategic decisions. Seamlessly switch from a chill co-op session to a high-stakes 2v2 ranked match without ever leaving the lobby.

9. Conclusion: Should You Dive In?

Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids isn’t just another side project—it’s a bold experiment in co-op generosity, cross-platform unity, and genre fusion. If you crave:

• Inviting friends for free and diving into the full campaign
• Seamless crossplay matchmaking across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
• A vibrant community of streamers, clans, and casual squads
• Deep tactical layers wrapped in exhilarating hero action

then this is the RTS you’ve been waiting for. It may still face balance tweaks and netcode checks, but at launch it already feels like a game-changer. Are you ready to show the Brainioids who’s boss?

About the Author

This guide was crafted by a seasoned strategy veteran who’s conquered every X-COM expansion and wondered what happens when base building collides with third-person mayhem. No Brainioids were harmed in the making of this article—yet.