What asynchronous means
Asynchronous play means you interact with other players without both of you being online at the same time. For example, you might battle another player's team or visit their camp while they are offline. This is a general definition of the term, not a detailed description of how the game schedules it. The exact timing of results has not been documented.
It is different from live co-op, where friends play together in real time. The verified features all fall into the asynchronous category. That is the key point to understand before buying. If you want live co-op, this game does not advertise it.
Online features at a glance
The table below lists every online feature described in official sources. All of them are asynchronous. Features that were not confirmed are listed too, so you can see the gaps. Nothing here is a tested result.
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Skirmish battles vs other players | Confirmed, asynchronous |
| Camp visits | Confirmed, asynchronous |
| Helping friends with crafted items or resources | Confirmed, asynchronous |
| Den visits | Confirmed, asynchronous (publisher) |
| Live co-op campaign | Not announced |
| Split-screen or local multiplayer | Not verified |
| Cross-play | Not verified |
Skirmish: battles against other players
Skirmish is the competitive mode, listed by Steam as asynchronous competition. Steam and Xbox both describe it as battling other players asynchronously. The game's battles are turn-based, with up to three cats per side. Your cat's moves and stances matter here as they do in the story.
Matchmaking details were not published. We do not know how opponents are selected or ranked. We will test the mode after launch. Our combat guide explains the battle system you will use.
Camp and den visits
Steam and Xbox describe visiting other players' camps asynchronously. You can also help friends by sending crafted items or resources. The publisher's den-customization section confirms that online den visits are asynchronous. These features reward the time you spend decorating your den.
These features let you share your decorated den and support friends. They do not turn the story into a shared adventure. You still play your own campaign. Friends see your den without needing to play alongside you.
Single-player story and modes
Prophecy, the story mode, is played on your own. It contains the four Clan campaigns. Defender, the survival challenge, is listed separately from the online competition. You can enjoy most of the game offline.
PlayStation lists one player with optional online features. That matches the idea of a single-player game with asynchronous extras. Store tags alone cannot describe the whole online system, so we rely on the written descriptions. The table below summarizes the modes.
| Mode | Type | Played with others? |
|---|---|---|
| Prophecy | Story campaigns | No, single-player |
| Defender | Survival challenge | Not described as online |
| Skirmish | Competition | Yes, asynchronously |
What is not confirmed
No live co-op campaign, split-screen mode or local multiplayer was verified. Invite steps and friend limits were not published either. Cross-play and cross-save between platforms were not confirmed. Each of these is an open question until launch.
We also did not verify whether online features need a paid subscription on consoles. A trailer showing several cats in one battle does not mean several people control them. Check back after launch for tested details. We will update this page as soon as we know more.
Multiplayer on each platform
The game launches on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and Switch 2 on October 23, 2026. The same asynchronous features are described across stores. Platform-specific online requirements were not verified. Check your platform's listing before relying on online play.
If you want to play with friends on different systems, wait for official cross-play information. None has been announced so far. We will add it here if that changes. Our platforms page lists every official store.
Is it worth it for social players?
If you enjoy sharing your den and challenging friends' teams, the asynchronous features fit that. If you want to explore the Lake Territories together in real time, that is not an announced feature. Set your expectations based on the official descriptions. The story itself is a personal journey.
Other Warrior Cats games, including Roblox experiences, offer live roleplay. Their features do not apply to this game. Clans of the Forest is a structured RPG with its own systems. Our beginner guide explains what to expect.
Your den and camp
Den customization is one of the game's listed activities. The publisher confirms that other players can visit your den asynchronously. That gives your decorating work an audience. Camp visits work the same way, according to Steam and Xbox.
The Prophecy Pack DLC adds cosmetic items for your cat, not den items, according to its description. Which den items exist and how you get them was not published. We will cover den customization in detail after launch. Visits do not change your story progress, as far as the sources describe.
Preparing for Skirmish
Skirmish uses the same turn-based battle system as the rest of the game. Your learned moves, stances and Clan techniques all matter. Your cat's base stats depend on Clan, level and training. Building a strong cat in the story should help you compete.
How Skirmish teams are formed was not published. We also do not know whether Skirmish has ranks or rewards. Our combat guide explains the shared mechanics in the meantime. We will test Skirmish after launch.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I play with friends in real time?
- No live co-op has been announced. The confirmed online features are asynchronous. You can visit camps and battle teams without playing at the same time.
- Is there split-screen?
- Split-screen and local multiplayer were not verified. The official descriptions do not mention them. We will update this page after launch.
- Does the game have cross-play?
- Cross-play was not confirmed by any official source. The same online features are described on every platform. Wait for an official announcement before relying on it.
- Do I need to be online to play the story?
- The story mode Prophecy is a single-player experience. Online features are optional extras. PlayStation lists one player with optional online features.
- Is there a PvP mode?
- Skirmish is the mode for battling other players. It is asynchronous rather than live. Ranking and matchmaking details were not published.
- Do I need a subscription for online features?
- This was not verified for any platform. Check your platform's store listing for online requirements. We will update this page after launch.
Sources and further reading
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Steam
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Xbox Store
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Trailmark Games
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — PlayStation Store
- Prophecy Pack — Steam
- The big Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest interview — IGN (September 1, 2026)