Why there is no ranking yet
The game releases on October 23, 2026, so nobody has published fair comparisons yet. A real ranking would need matched levels, training, moves, enemies and difficulty. It would also need repeated tests on the same game version. None of that exists before launch.
Official sources confirm that Clans differ, but not by how much. Without numbers, a tier list would be opinion presented as fact. We prefer to say the answer is unknown. That protects you from choosing based on a guess.
What we know Clan choice affects
In the IGN interview, the developer names Clan, level and training as factors in your base stats. So your Clan does matter for your cat's starting numbers. The size of those differences was not shared. Level and training can change your stats over time as well.
Your Clan also sets your campaign and home territory. Each campaign is shaped by that Clan's culture and conflicts. That is the clearest difference you will notice from the start. It is also the one you can compare today.
Choose by setting and story
Since strength cannot be compared yet, pick the Clan whose world you want to explore. Each Clan has a distinct territory in the Lake Territories. The table below lists them. The terrain comes from official store descriptions.
Your first choice is not your only one, since each Clan has its own campaign to play. You can try others later. That makes a preference-based choice low-risk. You can work through all four stories over time.
| Clan | Territory | Pick it if you like |
|---|---|---|
| ThunderClan | Dense forest | Classic woodland settings |
| RiverClan | Marshlands | Wetlands and water |
| ShadowClan | Pine swamps | Darker, shadowy woods |
| WindClan | Open moors | Wide, open landscapes |
Story fit vs combat strength
It helps to separate two questions: which Clan fits the story you want, and which is strongest in combat. The first you can answer today from official descriptions. The second needs testing after launch. Mixing them leads to bad advice.
Combat is shared across Clans, with turn-based battles, stances, Clan techniques and ancestor attacks. Your choices and progress also shape which of the 75 moves you learn. Strength will depend on more than your Clan alone. Training and level matter too.
Clans in online play
Skirmish lets you battle other players asynchronously. That is where Clan strength would matter most, if differences are large. No competitive data exists yet. We will watch for balance information after launch.
Camp visits and helping friends with items are also asynchronous. They do not depend on Clan strength as far as the sources describe. Your Clan choice mainly shapes your own story. Our multiplayer page explains the online features.
Myths to ignore
Marketing copy describes the Clans with words such as courageous, graceful, cunning and swift. These are descriptions, not numerical bonuses. Do not treat them as stat values. They tell you about personality, not power.
We found no evidence that ThunderClan is easiest, that WindClan always acts first, or that RiverClan has a defensive multiplier. Claims like these were not backed by official sources. Treat them as unverified. The list below collects the common ones.
- "ThunderClan is the easiest Clan" — not verified
- "WindClan always acts first" — not verified
- "RiverClan has a defensive multiplier" — not verified
How we will test the Clans
After launch, we plan to compare Clans at the same level and training. We will use the same moves, enemies and difficulty where possible. Each test will record the game version. Patches can change balance, so versions matter.
We will repeat tests to avoid one lucky or unlucky result. Only then will we publish a comparison. Until then, this page stays a clear explanation of what is and is not known. We will date every result we add.
- Same level and training for every Clan
- Same moves and opponents where possible
- Repeated runs, not single results
- Game version and platform recorded
Where to read more
Our all Clans page describes each Clan's territory and campaign. The ThunderClan guide focuses on the forest Clan. The combat guide explains the shared battle system. Each page uses only official information.
If you are new, start with the beginner guide. It walks through creating your cat and choosing a Clan. The leveling page explains how stats grow. All of these pages will be updated after launch.
What would make a Clan the best
The answer depends on what you want from the game. For story, the best Clan is the one whose culture and conflicts interest you. For combat, it would be the Clan whose base stats suit your play style. Only the first can be judged today.
Exploration preferences matter too. Some players will want dense forest, while others prefer open moors or marshland. Each territory is the setting for a whole campaign. Picking a landscape you enjoy is a sound reason to choose.
Facts that apply to every Clan
Every Clan uses the same turn-based combat with up to three cats per side. Every Clan has access to the game's 75 unlockable moves, shaped by your choices. Every Clan hunts, explores, crafts and takes on quests. Every Clan earns favor by completing quests.
These shared systems mean your skill and choices matter alongside your Clan. Training and level also raise your base stats. A well-trained cat in any Clan should be capable in battle. Exact comparisons will come after launch.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Clan is strongest?
- No official or tested ranking exists. Clan choice affects base stats, but the numbers were not published. We will compare Clans after launch.
- Which Clan is best for beginners?
- No Clan is confirmed to be easier. Choose the setting and story you enjoy most. You can play other Clans' campaigns later.
- Do Clan descriptions like swift or cunning give bonuses?
- Not as far as official sources show. They are descriptive marketing words, not stat values. No numerical Clan bonuses were published.
- Is there a tier list?
- No reliable tier list exists. One would need matched tests that have not been done yet. Any tier list published before launch is opinion.
- Can I change my mind about my Clan?
- Each Clan has its own campaign, so you can play another Clan's story. How saves work across campaigns was not published. We will explain it after launch.
- Will you publish a Clan ranking?
- Only after matched tests on the released game. We will compare Clans at the same level, training and moves. Each result will note the game version.
Sources and further reading
- The big Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest interview — IGN (September 1, 2026)
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Trailmark Games
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Steam
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — PlayStation Store
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Xbox Store