What kind of game this is
Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest is an adventure RPG inspired by Erin Hunter's Warriors books. It is developed by Bamtang Games and published by Trailmark Games. It launches on October 23, 2026 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and Switch 2. The story takes place in the Lake Territories.
This is a structured RPG with quests, progression and turn-based battles. It is not a Roblox roleplay experience, even though several fan games share the Warrior Cats name. Knowing that helps you set the right expectations before your first session. Systems like stats, training and moves matter here in a way they do not in pure roleplay.
Step 1: Create your cat
You play as an original cat that you design yourself. The developer confirms this in the IGN interview, so you are not taking control of a famous character from the books. The Build Your Warrior Cat teaser embedded above shows off the appearance options. The publisher also highlights customization as a core feature.
Choose a look you enjoy, because appearance is part of how you make the story your own. We have no evidence that a particular coat or eye color changes your stats. Treat appearance as personal expression rather than a build decision. The Prophecy Pack DLC adds extra cat-creator accessories if you want more options.
Step 2: Choose your Clan
There are four playable Clans, each with its own story campaign. ThunderClan lives in dense forest, RiverClan in marshlands, ShadowClan in pine swamps and WindClan on open moors. Each campaign is shaped by that Clan's culture and conflicts. Your choice decides which story you play first.
The developer says Clan choice affects your base stats, along with your level and training. No comparison table has been published, so there is no proven best Clan for beginners. Pick the setting and story that interest you most. You can explore the other Clans' campaigns later.
| Clan | Territory |
|---|---|
| ThunderClan | Dense forest |
| RiverClan | Marshlands |
| ShadowClan | Pine swamps |
| WindClan | Open moors |
Step 3: Learn the three modes
Steam lists three modes. Prophecy is the story mode where you play your Clan's campaign. Defender is a survival challenge, and Skirmish is asynchronous competition against other players. Each mode serves a different purpose.
Start with Prophecy if you want to learn the game's systems through the story. Skirmish and camp visits are online but asynchronous, so other players do not need to be online with you. There is no confirmed live co-op mode. You can enjoy the full story on your own.
| Mode | What it is | When to try it |
|---|---|---|
| Prophecy | Story mode with four Clan campaigns | First, to learn the game |
| Defender | Survival challenge | Once you know the combat basics |
| Skirmish | Asynchronous competition | When you want to test your cat against others |
Step 4: Understand daily Clan life
Between battles you hunt for prey, explore the Lake Territories, take on quests and craft items. Exploration includes scent tracking, climbing and environmental puzzles. You can also customize your den and build relationships within your Clan. These activities make up most of your time outside combat.
Completing quests earns favor with your Clan, according to the official description. Training is part of your progression from apprentice to warrior. The developer notes that a playable Medicine Cat profession is not offered. Your path is the warrior's path.
Step 5: Prepare for your first battles
Combat is turn-based, with up to three cats on each side. There are 75 unlockable combat moves, and moves change your combat stance. The developer says predicting your opponent and positioning are at the heart of the tactics. Take your time on each turn.
The publisher also highlights Clan techniques, enemy weaknesses and ancestor attacks. You will face rival cats as well as predators such as foxes, badgers and dogs. Watching how each opponent behaves helps you choose your moves. Read our combat guide for more detail on these systems.
Step 6: Grow from apprentice to warrior
Your cat improves through several systems. The developer names Clan, level and training as factors in your base stats. Your choices shape which moves you learn. Combat is described as a way to strengthen your cat.
No XP table or level cap has been published, so we cannot give a fastest leveling route. Play the story, complete quests and keep training. Those activities are all named in official sources as part of progression. Our leveling page tracks what is confirmed.
What we have not verified yet
The game is not out yet, so we have not tested the opening hours. Exact controls, the first quest, difficulty settings, save behavior and recommended starting builds still need hands-on checks. We will not guess at them. Guides that list these details before launch are not using official sources.
We will expand this guide after launch with verified steps. Until then, use the official information here to plan your first session. Check our Clan, combat and map pages for deeper overviews. Each one is built from the same verified sources.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Clan should a beginner choose?
- No Clan is confirmed to be easier than the others. Clan choice affects base stats, but no numbers have been published. Choose the setting and story that appeal to you.
- Can I play as a Medicine Cat?
- No, the developer says a playable Medicine Cat profession is not offered. Your journey runs from apprentice to warrior. Training and battles are central to that path.
- Do I need to play online?
- No, the story mode Prophecy can be played on your own. Online features such as Skirmish and camp visits are asynchronous extras. No live co-op is confirmed.
- Do I need to read the books first?
- No, the game tells an original story with your own cat. Familiar Clans and places appear, but the plot is new. Book knowledge is a bonus rather than a requirement.
- What platforms can I play on?
- The game launches on October 23, 2026 for Windows PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Each has its own official store listing. Our platforms page compares them.
- What should I do first after creating my cat?
- Choose your Clan and start the Prophecy story mode. The story introduces daily Clan life, quests and battles. Exact tutorial steps will be added after we play.
Sources and further reading
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Trailmark Games
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Steam
- The big Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest interview — IGN (September 1, 2026)
- Build Your Warrior Cat teaser — GameTrailers on YouTube (August 25, 2026)
- Prophecy Pack — Steam
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — PlayStation Store