Combat at a glance
The table below gathers every confirmed combat feature in one place. The counts come from Steam and the PlayStation Store, which agree with each other. The systems come from the developer interview and the publisher's page. Nothing in it is a tested measurement.
| Feature | Confirmed detail |
|---|---|
| Battle type | Turn-based |
| Battle size | Up to 3 vs 3 |
| Moves | 75 unlockable |
| Stances | Moves change your stance |
| Special systems | Clan techniques, enemy weaknesses, ancestor attacks |
| Opponents | Rival cats, foxes, badgers, dogs |
Turn-based battles, up to three per side
Battles take turns rather than running in real time. Steam and PlayStation list encounters of up to three against three. That means you may fight alongside allies and against several enemies at once. Managing a small team is part of the challenge.
Turn-based combat gives you time to think about each move. The developer describes anticipation as a key skill. Watching what your opponents do helps you choose your next action. Rushing your turns wastes that advantage.
75 unlockable moves
The stores advertise 75 unlockable combat moves. You do not start with all of them, so your options grow as you progress. The developer links learned moves to the choices you make. No talent tree has been published.
Move names, costs and exact effects were not verified. We will add a move directory once it can be checked in game. Until then, treat any full move list posted before launch with caution. Our directory will note the game version for each entry.
Stances
According to the developer, moves change your cat's combat stance. Stances affect how a battle unfolds, which is why positioning matters. The publisher encourages experimenting with stances to find what works. Expect to switch stances often as a fight develops.
The names of the stances and their exact effects were not published. We also have no data on initiative or turn order. Treat any stance chart you see before launch with caution. We will publish a tested chart after release.
Clan techniques and ancestor attacks
The publisher highlights Clan techniques as part of battle. It also introduces ancestor attacks, linked to the spiritual guidance of StarClan. These give combat a flavor tied to Warriors lore. They are among the game's signature features.
How strong these attacks are, and how often you can use them, was not quantified. The official descriptions explain that they exist, not their numbers. Which techniques belong to which Clan was not listed either. We will test them after release.
Enemies and weaknesses
You will face rival cats from other Clans, as well as predators. The confirmed examples include foxes, badgers and dogs. Each type of opponent can call for a different approach. Fighting a fox is not the same as fighting a rival warrior.
The publisher mentions enemy weaknesses as a combat feature. Reading an opponent and choosing moves to match is part of the strategy. Specific weakness charts and boss patterns were not verified. Exact attack timings were not measured either.
What makes your cat stronger
The developer says your Clan, your level and your training all affect your base stats. Combat is described as a way of strengthening your cat. Choices also shape which moves you learn. Getting stronger draws on all of these systems.
No damage formula, stat table or build ranking was published. That is why this guide does not recommend a single best build. We will add tested builds once we can compare them fairly. Fair tests need matching levels, moves and enemies.
Combat outside the story
Defender is a survival challenge that tests your fighting skills. Skirmish lets you battle other players asynchronously, so they do not need to be online at the same time. The story mode, Prophecy, contains the Clan campaigns. Each mode uses the same core battle system.
We have not verified dodge timings, damage scaling or action costs in any mode. Avoid guides that claim exact punish windows or tier lists before launch. Our page will only list mechanics that are confirmed. Tested strategies will follow after release.
Tactics the developer describes
In the IGN interview, Bamtang's creative director explains the design behind the combat. Moves change your stance, so anticipating what the enemy will do is central. Positioning also matters because your stance affects what happens next. These ideas come straight from the developer.
The publisher adds that you should experiment with stances. Combined with enemy weaknesses, that suggests reading each fight rather than repeating one routine. Clan techniques and ancestor attacks give you extra options. How each one performs will need testing.
Combat details we will test
After launch we will check each part of the combat system in real fights. Results will note the game version, because balance can change with patches. We will separate official descriptions from our own findings. The list below shows what we plan to measure.
- Stance names and effects
- Turn order and initiative
- Move costs and unlock conditions
- Enemy weaknesses by opponent type
- Clan techniques for each Clan
- Ancestor attack strength and limits
Frequently asked questions
- Is combat real-time or turn-based?
- Combat is turn-based. Battles allow up to three cats on each side. You choose moves on your turn.
- How many moves are there?
- The stores list 75 unlockable combat moves. You unlock them over time, and your choices influence which ones you learn. A full move list has not been published.
- What is the best combat build?
- No build has been tested or ranked by reliable sources. Stats depend on Clan, level and training. We will publish tested builds after launch.
- What enemies will I fight?
- Confirmed opponents include rival cats, foxes, badgers and dogs. Each can call for a different approach. Specific boss fights were not verified.
- What are ancestor attacks?
- They are a combat feature highlighted by the publisher, linked to StarClan's spiritual guidance. Their exact strength and limits were not published. We will test them after launch.
- How do stances work?
- According to the developer, the moves you use change your combat stance. That makes predicting the enemy and positioning important. Stance names and exact effects were not published.
- Can I fight other players?
- Yes, Skirmish lets you battle other players asynchronously. They do not need to be online at the same time. Matchmaking details were not published.
- Can I fight alongside other cats?
- Yes, battles allow up to three cats on each side. That means you can have allies in a fight. How allies are chosen was not published.
Sources and further reading
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Steam
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — PlayStation Store
- The big Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest interview — IGN (September 1, 2026)
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Trailmark Games