There are five main living Clans in Warrior Cats: ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan. Each has its own territory, hunting skills, and traditions. Compare all five, learn about Clan life, or take a quiz to find the Clan that suits you.
In the Warriors books, a Clan is a community of cats that shares territory, a camp, leaders, duties, and traditions. ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan are the five main living Clans. Their members hunt, guard borders, train young cats, and follow the warrior code.
StarClan is different: it is the home of deceased Clan ancestors, not another living Clan.
Clan territories change during the series. The habitats listed below come from the official Clan profiles and may reflect different points in the story.
Discover how each Clan hunts, where it lives, and what makes it different.
The famous cats below appear at different times in the books.
01 / 05
ThunderClan
Woodland cats known for courage
Habitat
Abandoned rock quarry
Typical prey
Mice
Skills
Strength, tenacity
Famous cat
Firestar
Known for: Courage, compassion, and persistence
ThunderClan cats are known for courage, loyalty, and helping others, even when it means taking a risk. They hunt mice in woodland and rocky places and defend their territory with strength and determination. Firestar is one of ThunderClan's best-known leaders; his journey from kittypet to Clan cat shows that a warrior's past does not have to define their future. Not every ThunderClan cat is fearless, but many of their stories explore what it means to be brave.
Known for: Swimming, fishing, and close Clan bonds
RiverClan cats are skilled swimmers and fishers who feel at home among rivers, streams, and reeds. Fish are an important part of their diet, and their grace in the water sets them apart from the other Clans. RiverClan cats also have strong ties to their Clanmates. Changing water levels and tricky river crossings can make life near the banks challenging. Leopardstar is a well-known RiverClan leader from the books.
Known for: Swift running and closeness to the stars
WindClan cats live on open moorland and hills, where speed and endurance help them hunt rabbits. With fewer trees around, they are used to wide skies, wind, and long stretches of open ground. They are also known for sleeping beneath Silverpelt and feeling close to their warrior ancestors. Tallstar is a memorable leader from WindClan's history. Their swift running and love of the moor make WindClan easy to recognize.
ShadowClan cats live among pines and shaded woodland, where moving quietly is a valuable hunting skill. They are known for stealth, cunning, and a fierce sense of independence. Frogs are among their typical prey, and they defend their territory with pride. ShadowClan has had its share of difficult leaders and conflicts, but its cats are not all villains; each has their own loyalties and choices. Blackstar is one of its best-known leaders.
Known for: Powerful leaps, agility, and resilience
SkyClan is the lost fifth Clan, remembered for its cats' powerful hind legs, high leaps, and skill at moving through trees. Catching birds and crossing rocky ground suit these agile warriors. SkyClan was separated from the other Clans for generations before it was rebuilt, helping explain why some early books focus on only four Clans. Leafstar played an important part in SkyClan's return. The Clan's history is full of challenges, new beginnings, and the determination to find a home.
There are five main living Clans across the wider book series. The early forest stories mostly follow four—ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan—because SkyClan had been separated from them for generations. Later books reveal SkyClan's history and its return.
That's why some early guides mention four Clans, while the wider series includes five. Learn how SkyClan returned in our SkyClan guide.
The 2026 game Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest also features four Clan storylines. The books still include SkyClan as the fifth living Clan. See the official game announcement.
LIFE IN THE CLANS
How Do Warrior Cats Clans Work?
Every Clan depends on its leader, deputy, medicine cats, warriors, apprentices, queens, and elders. Clanmates share food, care for kits, train young cats, and patrol the borders of their territory. They also meet cats from other Clans at Gatherings.
Leader
Leads the Clan, makes important decisions, and chooses mentors for apprentices.
Deputy
Organizes patrols, supports the leader, and usually becomes the next leader.
Medicine cat
Cares for sick or injured cats and looks for signs from StarClan.
Warrior
Hunts for food, guards the borders, and trains apprentices.
Apprentice
Learns to hunt, fight, or heal under the guidance of a mentor.
Queen and kits
Queens raise their kits in the nursery until the young cats are old enough to train.
Elder
An older or retired Clanmate whose experience is valued and who is cared for by others.
No. StarClan is the spiritual home of Clan ancestors who have died. It is not a living Clan with a hunting territory of its own. Medicine cats and leaders may seek guidance from StarClan through dreams and signs.
Would you rather swim in the river, race across the moor, explore the forest, hide among the pines, or leap through the trees? Take the quiz and discover which Clan suits you.
Invent a Clan with its own territory, traditions, and characters. For example, your BrookClan could live beside a floodplain and teach apprentices how to spot rising water. It's a Clan for your own fan story, not one from the books.
Choose a forest, riverbank, moor, or pine forest as its home, then give your Clan a name.
There are five main living Clans in Warrior Cats: ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan. The early books focus on four because SkyClan had been separated from the others.
What are the five Warrior Cats Clans?
ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and SkyClan are the five main living Clans. They have different territories, hunting skills, and traditions.
Why do some Warrior Cats stories have four Clans?
The first forest stories follow ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan. SkyClan was lost to the others and is discovered again later. The 2026 Clans of the Forest game also features four Clan storylines, but the books include five living Clans.
Is SkyClan the fifth Clan?
Yes. SkyClan is the fifth living Clan. It was separated from the others for many generations before being rebuilt, which is why it does not appear alongside the four Clans in some early stories.
Is StarClan a sixth Clan?
No. StarClan is the home of the warrior ancestors who have died, not a sixth living Clan. It has no hunting territory of its own. Leaders and medicine cats may seek guidance from StarClan.
What is the difference between ThunderClan and ShadowClan?
ThunderClan is known for woodland life, courage, and compassion. ShadowClan is known for pine forests, stealth, and independence. Cats in both Clans can have very different personalities.
Which Warrior Cats Clan is known for speed?
WindClan is especially known for speed and endurance. Its cats run across open moorland and hunt rabbits, so fast paws are a valuable skill.
Which Warrior Cats Clan should I join?
Think about where you would feel most at home and which skills appeal to you. You can also take our free Clan Quiz to discover your match.
Can I create my own Warrior Cats Clan?
Yes. Give your own Clan a name, territory, traditions, and cats. It can be part of your fan story without being one of the five Clans in the books.
SOURCES
Learn more from the official Warriors Clan overview, the individual Clan profiles above, and the Clan life guide. Clan territories may change during the series. This is an unofficial fan-made guide. Last reviewed: November 13, 2026.