The name of the game is Clash of Clans. Clashing is what you do. Clans are whom you do it to. Just exactly how that works, the fine folks at Supercell are here to give you a little primer to the titular action.
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In a post yesterday, from Supercell's Manuel, he gets into a little of the hows and why of the Clan Wars structure, who can do it, how you do it and what you need to get it done.
That a Clan Leader is the only one who can start a war is understandable. While it would be nice if some low level lieutenant or flunkie shoots his mouth off and causes a major battle like they were the Five Families battling for New York, then we would never stop fighting. What strkes me as odd is the lack of direct challenging. The Clan War structure operates by random matchmaking with similarly matched, both in offense and defense, clans. Why not be able to call out another team or engage in grudge style matches to determine who gets the women or this year's harvest?
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In order to take part in the ensuing feudal tiff, you obviously have to be part of a clan. If you join a clan after a battle begins, you'll be relegated to judgmental specter hanging over the battlefield, keeping your opinions to yourself. If you can't take these noobs anymore, you can leave, but your War Base will remain present in the melee. Alas, you can't go ahead and join another clan (like the one you're currently battling).
Lastly, all you need is ten members to go to war. Unfortunately, there is no option in Clash of Clans to pick and choose the best players. What if one of your Clanmates is currently on vacation? Or has narcolepsy?
The recent update has gone over well and addresses some issues, but our readers have their own ideas for more improvements. Along similar lines, one likes the idea of Clan War statistics option: "Stars won, troops donated, troops received, average destruction done to your opponents as single and overall group, defenses won and defenses lost, and an actual win-loss record with every battle. Not just the recent 10 with the boring overall score on it only." This would allow clans to readily identify who the weak links are and help improve their overall position.
Another reader suggested the ability to share resources amongst clanmates. I am shocked it's not present already. It would create more of reason to be in a clan during times of peace. I helped you out in getting that next level, please come save me, we're on the same team after all.
Additionally, the current clan messaging system is more of a loud, general mass group text. The fine readers here at GameNGuide think a little more specificity, the ability to chat with individual clan members and tell them to get off their ass or give em an 'attaboy' would go a long way to improving Clan cohesion. Likewise, the ability to talk smack to the enemy, at least partially, would make the experience a touch more fun.
There is no doubt Clash of Clans is a good game. It's one of the most popular games on mobile devices. The Clan dynamic is, quite literally, in the title. Supercell clearly does not need the money, but if they could improve how Clans operate, that would make Clash of Clans not just a good game, but perhaps a great one.
What other improvements to Clans would you want to see? Sound off below!