Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest Beginner Guide

Updated October 23, 2026

New to Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest? You create a cat, join a Clan as an apprentice, and work up to warrior and finally leader while hunting, foraging herbs and fighting turn-based battles. This guide covers the systems the game confirms (ranks, stances, the 75 moves, herbs, fresh-kill, sunning spots and the den) so your first hours count. Checked on October 23, 2026.

Cat creator tips

The cat creator's Colors tab with fur, pattern, markings and eye colour swatches next to a grey and white cat — The Colors tab: fur, pattern, markings, and the option for separate eye colours. Image: TRAILMARK Games, from the game's Steam page

Looks have stats attached. In the cat-creator trailer, the game assigns personality traits from your choices, such as “Ambitious: increased Instinct and Resilience”. Check the traits screen before you confirm.
Names come from preset parts. You pick a prefix from a list (Black, Spider, Dapple, Holly, Pine, Tiger, Blaze, Fox, Soot and more); as an apprentice your name ends in -paw.
Colours are swatches, not a colour wheel, and include unrealistic shades if you want them. The Purrfect Look and Prophecy packs add more parts.
Your cat ages: from a wide-eyed apprentice to a battle-marked veteran. Scars can be switched off in settings.

Ranks: apprentice to leader

Rank	How you get there	Achievement
Apprentice	Where every cat starts, training under the Clan	—
Warrior	Story milestone in your Saga	Warrior Cat
Clan leader	The climax of every Saga puts you at the head of your Clan	Follow the Leader

You can't choose to become a medicine cat: the developer told IGN the player stays on the warrior path because each Saga ends with you leading the Clan. Medicine cats still guide the story. Your actions also build your reputation in the Clan and your relationships, rivalries and alliances.

Combat, stances and moves

A ginger warrior leaping at a black and white cat with a targeting ring in combat — A leaping strike. Each move you use shifts your stance for the next turn. Image: TRAILMARK Games, from the game's Steam page

Battles are turn-based with up to three cats a side. There are no spells. Depth comes from stances: every move changes your stance mid-fight, so you're reading the enemy's stance and predicting their next move before you commit. Your Clan, level and training set your base stats.

Move type	How many	Notes
Universal Moves	20	Shared moves; learning all 20 unlocks Solid Knowledge.
Ancestral moves	15 or more	Ancestor attacks granted by StarClan; 15 unlocks Ancestral Wisdom.
Clan moves	—	Specialised techniques tied to your Clan (press release).
All moves	75	35 unlocks Experienced Fighter. Your journey choices decide which you learn.

Open with a pounce. Sneaking up and pouncing starts the fight with a sneak attack (10 for Shadow Hunter).
Herbs are your heals, but win five fights without them for Unyielding Warrior.
After a win you may be able to forgive a beaten enemy: Honorable Cat asks for three.

Enemy type	Examples	Why it matters
Prey	Mice, squirrels, birds, rabbits	Hunt for the fresh-kill pile; one-hit KOs count for First Fresh-Kill
Predators	Badgers, foxes, dogs (Dobermanns), snakes	The tougher fights in your territory
Rival cats	Patrols from the other Clans	Border fights; beat 3 on your land for Territory Defender
Bosses	14 in total	King of the Forest asks you to beat all 14

Hunting and fresh-kill

Track scents and hunt birds, rabbits, squirrels and mice to feed your Clan. Bring prey back to the communal fresh-kill pile in camp; 50 pieces unlocks Generous Paw. Knocking out 10 animals in a single hit unlocks First Fresh-Kill.

Herbs and healing

Forage herbs as you explore. You apply herbs to heal your cat, and three achievements involve them: collect three herb types (Herb Gatherer), heal with herbs five times (First Aid) and hold 99 Marigold at once (Resourceful Feline). Since that last one counts what's in your bag, don't barter Marigold away early. We'll list every herb and what it does once we've confirmed them in game.

Exploring: trees, sunning spots, map

Collectible	How many	Same cat?	Achievement
Trees to climb	20 different	Yes	Agile Cat
Sunning-spots	16	Yes	Sunbathing Pro
World-map locations	46	Not stated	Adventurous Soul

The map covers the four Clan territories (forest, marsh, moor and pine swamp) plus two sacred places: the Moonpool and the Island. Expect hidden paths, secret areas and environmental puzzles; tracking scents and climbing are how you reach them.

A patched cat crossing a farmyard by a wooden gate and a windmill — A farmyard with a windmill, one of the places shown on the Steam page. Image: TRAILMARK Games, from the game's Steam page

Your den, crafting and bartering

Forage materials and craft den items such as bedding and scratching posts. Placing three different items unlocks Home Sweet Den. Friends can visit your camp online, and you can craft for them or gift them resources. Bartering is how you swap items you don't need; ten different items bartered unlocks Bartering Expert.

Game modes

Mode	What it is
Prophecy Mode	The story: four original campaigns (Sagas), one per Clan, written for the game by Erin Hunter. Quests, characters and stories are partly procedurally generated, so no two runs match.
Defender Mode	A boss-rush survival mode: fight the game's toughest enemies in a single run and see how long you last. Win 20 fights for One-Cat Army.
Skirmish Mode	Battle other players online asynchronously (you fight their saved cats, not them live).

Ready for the full list? See all 27 achievements with a checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How do you become a warrior in Clans of the Forest?

You start as an apprentice and become a warrior through the main story of your Saga (the Warrior Cat achievement). Later in every Saga you become Clan leader (Follow the Leader).

How does combat work in Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest?

Turn-based, up to three cats a side. There are no spells: instead every move you make shifts your combat stance, so fights are about reading your opponent's stance and predicting their next move. You can also open fights with a sneak-attack pounce.

What are herbs for in Clans of the Forest?

Healing your cat. You forage different herb types around the territories (Marigold is one) and apply them to heal; three achievements involve herbs.

Can you turn off scars?

Yes. Your cat earns stylised scars in tough fights and ages from apprentice to veteran, and the settings have a toggle to turn scars off.

How long is Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest?

No official length yet. There are four Sagas, one per Clan, plus Defender Mode and Skirmish. We'll add real playtimes after launch.