Northgard, a real-time strategy game, is known for its ever-evolving gameplay and strategic depth. As the game continues to receive updates, the meta shifts, and different clans rise and fall in strength. In this tier list, we’ll break down the various clans, discussing their strengths and weaknesses and how they stack up in the 2024 meta.
Northgard Clan Tier List December 2024 UPD
D-Tier Clans
- Horse Clan
- The Horse Clan finds itself in a tough spot this season. While it’s not necessarily the worst clan, it lacks any real standout abilities. The Horse Clan has a decent scale, but it is heavily spawn-dependent. Although it can feast, scout, and colonize, it doesn’t excel at any of these roles. Despite recent buffs to other clans, the Horse Clan didn’t receive any significant upgrades, leaving it underwhelming in comparison to others.
- Bear Clan
- The Bear Clan has seen some improvements recently, particularly with its early recruitment options. However, it remains a fairly mediocre pick in the grand scheme of things. The Bear has the ability to recruit early, but other than that, it lacks significant advantages. Recent changes to the Winter Festival and Freya’s Blessing didn’t elevate the clan enough to make it a competitive choice, and it’s easily outclassed by other clans in various game scenarios.
C-Tier Clans
- Squirrel Clan
- The Squirrel Clan, despite its unique potential, struggles with the new meta. It can be effective in specific team compositions but falters when it comes to fulfilling all the roles required by the current meta, especially in scouting and colonizing. It cannot feast, and its inability to colonize efficiently against the enemy limits its usefulness in a competitive setting. It remains a decent 802 clan, but not a top-tier pick.
- Boar Clan
- The Boar Clan has traditionally been a solid choice due to its balance between feasting, scouting, and scaling. However, in 2024, it faces stiff competition from clans that excel at these roles. The Boar is a good option if you focus on a Jar strategy, but its reliance on either an 801 All-in or scaling with Jar limits its versatility. Other clans have simply outpaced it in terms of adaptability and role fulfillment.
B-Tier Clans
- Kraken Clan
- The Kraken is a strong clan, but its lack of versatility makes it difficult to utilize in diverse scenarios. While it can feast, its inability to scout and the limitations around colonizing (especially on non-coastal tiles) hurt its overall utility. If you’re looking for a strong but somewhat one-dimensional clan, the Kraken remains a solid pick.
- Raven Clan
- Once a powerhouse due to its scouting ability, the Raven Clan has faced a nerf that has significantly reduced its effectiveness in scouting. However, it’s still a very versatile clan with decent scaling, and it can fill a variety of roles when paired with other clans. It has strong potential in specific matchups, particularly against the Kraken.
- Dragon Clan
- The Dragon Clan may not be the best at scaling in 802, but it shines in 801. The Dragon’s unique ability to scout and its early-game power with Dragonkin units make it a formidable force if played correctly. The Dragon’s ability to harass enemies and create early-game pressure with strong units like the Dragonkin places it firmly in B-tier.
A-Tier Clans
- Goat Clan
- The Goat Clan has redeemed itself in recent updates, earning a top spot in A-tier. Its flexibility and ability to fill multiple roles, such as feasting, scouting, and colonizing, make it a valuable asset to any team. Even in a poor spawn scenario, the Goat Clan can still perform admirably. Its ability to sustain the warband through sheep is invaluable, especially in harsh winters, solidifying its position as a top contender in the current meta.
- Ox Clan
- The Ox Clan has received significant buffs that make it a stronger contender in 2024. With improvements to its scaling and changes to Torphin’s cost, Ox is now a great option for both 801 and 802 strategies. It can efficiently rush with warriors or go for the standard 802 scaling, making it a versatile pick in the meta. The Ox Relic remains one of the best in the game, further enhancing its potential.
- Stoat Clan
- The Stoat Clan excels at defense, making it a formidable choice for long-term strategies. In a meta where attacking is more difficult, the Stoat’s ability to fill defensive roles and sustain itself through militia units without upkeep is crucial. It may be vulnerable early on in 801, but once it scales to 802, it becomes a powerhouse capable of dominating the battlefield.
- Eagle Clan
- The Eagle Clan remains one of the best clear clans in the game, even with recent nerfs. It can fill dual roles as a clear and scout, allowing it to provide great utility for the team. Its ability to scale and quickly take control of the map with high mobility makes it a consistent pick for any team.
- Lynx Clan
- The Lynx Clan shares many similarities with the Eagle Clan, especially in its ability to fill dual roles. With the ability to feast and clear efficiently, it’s a reliable clan for supporting your team. Its strong cats and healing abilities provide a substantial boost to any army, making it a solid option for balanced team compositions.
- Wolf Clan
- The Wolf Clan remains a strong pick, especially in 801 maps. While it struggles in 802 due to its lack of scaling power compared to other clans, it’s still an excellent clear clan with solid military power. Its ability to rapidly scale in the early game with Tracker units makes it a good option in specific strategies, though it’s less versatile compared to other clear clans.
S-Tier Clans
- Stag Clan
- The Stag Clan is arguably one of the strongest in the game right now. Its ability to achieve a passive Fame win condition, especially when paired with the Owl Clan, makes it incredibly difficult to counter. The Stag can also be very powerful in both military and scaling strategies, offering a versatile playstyle that is hard to beat. Its passive win condition alone places it firmly at the top of the tier list.
- Owl Clan
- Much like the Stag, the Owl Clan’s potential to passively enable Fame wins alongside other powerful abilities makes it one of the most overpowered clans in the game. The Owl can boost teammates, providing game-changing support that can tip the scales in any battle. Combined with the Stag, the Owl is one of the most dangerous clans to face.
- Snake Clan
- The Snake Clan continues to be an incredibly strong pick, even after recent nerfs. It excels in 801 strategies and can still hold its own in 802. The ability to burn tiles, along with Zy’s scaling potential and the clan’s overall flexibility, makes it a powerhouse. It’s one of the most annoying clans to play against due to its ability to disrupt the map and force other clans into unfavorable situations.
- Lion Clan
- The Lion Clan is a late-game monster. If left unchecked, it can become an unstoppable force, especially in 802. With its strong Champions and the Holy Fire ability, the Lion can crush enemies once it reaches its late-game potential. Its military power and resilience make it a threat that should not be underestimated.
- Rat Clan
- Much like the Lion, the Rat Clan is strong in the late game, thanks to its powerful Shamans and scaling potential. If the Rat can survive until 802, it can dominate with its powerful late-game abilities. However, its dependence on Shamans and specific setups makes it a more difficult clan to manage effectively compared to the Lion.
The Northgard 2024 tier list shows how much the meta has shifted with the introduction of new mechanics and updates. While some clans have been buffed and others nerfed, the core principles of strategic team compositions remain crucial.
Whether you favor passive win conditions like the Stag and Owl, or prefer scaling powerhouses like the Lion and Snake, understanding each clan’s strengths and weaknesses is key to success. Stay flexible, adapt to the ever-changing meta, and choose your clans wisely for victory!