Every Clan In Northgard, Explained

Summary

• Kernev, the Clan of the Stoat, excels in city-building and strategic alliances, offering a unique playstyle focused on Duchies and Lords.
• Focus on autonomous territories, resource management, and adaptable strategies to excel in both Northgard’s military and economic aspects.

Can you survive the brutal winters and fend off the deadly beasts that roam the lands of Northgard? If you think you have what it takes, this incredible real-time strategy game is worth diving into. You play as mighty vikings, each striving for supremacy over the uncharted territories of Northgard.

The game offers six primary clans and 14 DLC clans, each with unique playstyles, abilities, and strategies for achieving victory. Whether through mastering Lore, dominating trade, or leveraging military strength, every clan provides a distinct path to success. Each is worth exploring at least once to discover their charm and character. Here’s a quick breakdown of the clans to help you decide which one to try first.

Updated on January 28, 2025 by Aydan Sattler: Since its debut in 2018, Northgard has seen continuous updates from its developers, introducing 14 new clans through DLCs, redesigning the original six primary clans, and adding new challenges, threats, and factions to the maps. These enhancements make Northgard a dynamic game, offering fresh experiences and strategies for both seasoned players and newcomers embarking on their viking adventure.

20

Eikthyrnir: The Clan Of The Stag

Primary

The Clan of the Stag is a beginner-friendly choice, offering straightforward mechanics and the flexibility to adapt strategies mid-game. Its focus on Fame and rapid expansion makes it an excellent option if you’re aiming for a Fame victory. To maximize this, prioritize Fame influx by destroying and colonizing enemy dens and spawn points. Constructing a ship dock early in the game is essential; assign your raiders to farm Fame instead of Lore to accelerate your progress.

Starting Bonuses:

• Resources: Start with 75 Food, Wood, and Kröwns, and 40 Lore.
• Hall of Skalds: Replaces the Brewery and provides additional Fame alongside Happiness.
• Territory Bonus: Gain 50 percent more Fame and Happiness for each territory you control.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Receive annual supplies of Food, Wood, Kröwns, Lore, and Stone.
• 500 Fame: Unlock Inspirational Tales, which boosts unit production for every 200 Fame you accumulate.
• 1,000 Fame: Unlock the Valorous Leader ability for your warchief, which increases allied military unit damage in the same zone by ten percent and buffs your warchief’s defense by 50 percent and health by 40 percent.

Eikthyrnir’s unique relic is called Hlidskjalf, which enables the recruitment of Einherjar, powerful warriors who consume more Food and significantly boost your clan’s Fame output. This is the perfect relic if you are aiming for a Fame or Domination Victory, but if your strategy is aimed at a different Victory, you’ll be better off selecting one of the generic relics.

The Clan of the Stag offers an excellent blend of simplicity and effectiveness, making it ideal for newcomers looking to learn the game while still offering depth for more advanced strategies.

19

Heidrun: The Clan Of The Goat

Primary

The Heidrun Clan specializes in sheep husbandry, providing unparalleled resilience during the winter months. Their focus on resource efficiency and defensive strategies makes them a sturdy option for players aiming for a steady, measured approach to victory. While their military prowess is less impressive than other clans, their ability to sustain and motivate their people through feasts is rivaled.

Heidrun’s strengths make them well-suited for achieving either a Trade or Lore Victory. You’ll want to focus on fortifying your territory, maintaining a strong economy, and leveraging feasts to boost productivity and morale.

Use your sheepfolds to gain the support of monster tribes, such as the Jötnar and Dwarves, for extra bonuses and abilities.

Starting Bonuses:

• Start with one sheep and the ability to build up to two Sheepfolds.
• Sheepfolds provide a year-round food bonus for sheep.
• Feasts offer a 20 percent increase in production.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: You gain two additional sheep and increase your Sheepfold limit by one (up to three). Your sheep’s food production increases by ten percent.
• 500 Fame: Receive a free feast each year that also heals your units.

The Clan of the Goat’s relic is Eldhrumnir, which provides a 20 percent production buff while feasting, in addition to reducing Feast costs. This is one of the most adaptable relic abilities, helping you maintain a solid foundation to support either a thriving trade economy or a mighty army to decimate your enemies.

18

Fenrir: The Clan Of The Wolf

Primary

The Fenrir Clan represents the pinnacle of Viking strength, drawing inspiration from the fierce warriors of Norse mythology. This clan is built around aggression, militaristic expansion, and the relentless pursuit of dominance, making them a powerful choice for players who want to crush their opponents and take control of the map. The Fenrir Clan’s playstyle revolves around swift and overwhelming combat, often using sheer force to break through enemy defenses and lay waste to opposing forces.

The most effective relic for the Fenrir Clan is the Horn Of Managarm. Once forged, this relic lets you summon three giant white wolves to fight alongside your military forces, providing a substantial power boost.

To truly thrive as the Fenrir Clan, you must focus on maintaining a balance between aggression and resource management. While your military might is your greatest asset, it’s equally important to ensure that your food production and Kröwn reserves remain steady. Failure to do so could leave your forces vulnerable and limit your ability to continue expanding.

Starting Bonuses:

• Gain meat from killing animals.
• Military units boost happiness for your clan and consume less food than normal units.
• The first military unit you recruit is free, giving you an early-game advantage.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Egil can colonize zones for free, allowing for rapid expansion.
• 500 Fame: Military units fighting outside your territory gain a 15 percent attack bonus. The cooldown for Egil’s Dominion ability is reduced by 50 percent, allowing for more frequent use.

With a strategic balance of military power, resource management, and aggressive expansion, the Fenrir Clan is perfectly suited to achieving a Domination Victory. By overwhelming your enemies and establishing unchallenged supremacy, you will solidify your place as the true ruler of the land.

17

Huginn And Muninn: The Clan Of The Raven

Primary

The Clan of the Raven excels in maritime exploration and economic strength, making them a versatile choice for players who enjoy strategic trading and naval dominance. With their unique ability to colonize using Kröwns and their reliance on mercenaries, the Raven Clan stands out as a dynamic and adaptive force on the map.

While aiming for a Trade Victory is ideal, their mercenary forces also offer the opportunity for effective military strikes by sea. The key to boosting your trade efficiency is forging Naglfar, a powerful relic that grants your ships invulnerability, allowing them to traverse even the most perilous waters and face off against formidable threats like the Kraken or icy seas. Additionally, recruiting a Son of Hymyr to join your mercenary raids will significantly enhance the offensive strength of your forces.

Be strategic when raiding enemy clans, so as not to disrupt your trade flow. Systematically attack one clan at a time rather than attacking multiple clans in succession.

Starting Bonuses:

• Use Kröwns instead of food to colonize new territories, freeing up resources for other purposes.
• The Harbor replaces the Longship Dock, allowing you to spend Kröwns to explore a random zone or to send mercenaries to attack your enemies.
• Gain Lore by scouting new zones and Fame when discovering Neutral Factions and enemy Town Halls.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Enable mercenary raids on enemy beaches without Town Halls.
• 500 Fame: Reduce your building upkeep costs, recruit mercenaries directly from military buildings, and unlock the ability for raiders to attack enemy Town Halls.

The Clan of the Raven offers a flexible and adaptive playstyle that combines economic dominance with tactical military action. With careful planning and the strategic use of their unique abilities, the Raven Clan is primed for a Trade Victory, while still having the capability to launch deadly raids on rival Northgard clans.

16

Bjarki: The Clan Of The Bear

Primary

The Bjarki Clan represents the epitome of resilience and winter dominance, thriving in harsh conditions that other clans find crippling. Specializing in minimizing winter penalties and bolstering defenses, they are formidable defenders and strategic attackers during the coldest seasons. Their unique ability to survive and thrive in winter makes them a solid choice for players pursuing Fame and Dominion Victories, as their strategic adaptability and resilience provide a strong foundation for long-term success.

The Bjarki Clan’s sustainability during the colder months allows them to hold their ground when other clans struggle. However, they must remain cautious of aggressive clans like Fenrir and Nidhogg, whose rapid expansion can pose a serious challenge if left unchecked.

Starting Bonuses:

• Reduces Food and Firewood penalties by 30 percent during winter, ensuring consistent resource management.
• You can summon Kaija, the Armored Bear, as a powerful ally. Kaija will regenerate health and produce Food near Fish.
• Your military units are ten percent more resistant during winter.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Kaija and Borgild boost production in their zone by 15 percent.
• 500 Fame: Gain 3 Fame per enemy unit killed in zones with Borgild present. Military units receive a 1.5 percent power boost for every 100 Fame earned and Kaija can be deployed in enemy zones.

The Scabbard of Gram, a powerful relic of the Bjarki Clan, is the ultimate tool in their winter arsenal. This relic grants the Warchief the ability to freeze enemies and the surrounding area, making them immobile and vulnerable. Additionally, it provides substantial attack and defense bonuses to Shield Maidens, solidifying their role as elite defenders. Combined with the Bjarki Clan’s natural winter resilience and tactical advantages, the Scabbard of Gram gives them an unparalleled edge in battle, particularly during winter.

Timing is the key to victory for the Bjarki Clan. Their strategy revolves around patience and preparation. Bide your time, fortify your defenses, and wait for the right moment to strike. When snow falls, the Bjarki Clan will be ready, holding their ground while other clans struggle to survive.

15

Slidrugtanni: The Clan Of The Boar

Primary

The Clan of the Boar excels in Lore gathering and colonizing challenging environments. They thrive in areas filled with hostile wildlife, turning these potentially dangerous zones into safe and productive territories. However, their success relies on strong defenses and strategic use of Menders and military units like Shield Bearers to protect their growing settlements.

Slidrugtanni’s ability to master the land and increase their Lore production makes them particularly well-suited for players aiming for a Lore Victory, especially as they unlock Knowledge through exploration and the steady accumulation of resources. To succeed, you should focus on strategically targeting zones that boost Lore production and building Longship Docks early to maximize Lore gathering. By sending sailors to search for new Lore, you can quickly expand your knowledge base and grow stronger over time.

Starting Bonuses:

• The Healer’s Hut is replaced by the Mender’s Hut, producing Lore when not actively healing.
• Colonizing neutral zones with wildlife converts creatures like Wolves and Brown Bears into allies.
• For every territory you colonize, your maximum population is increased by two.
• Unlocking Knowledge grants Fame, bolstering your progress toward Fame and Lore-based victories.
• Non-upgraded buildings suffer no Happiness penalties.
• The Boar Clan can trade only with neutral factions, not enemy clans.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Grants free Knowledge, though it does not count towards a Lore Victory. Svarn gains the ability to heal friendly animals in the same zone and can tame one animal.
• 500 Fame: Improves the Lore blessings you receive. Freya drastically reduces Food and Wood penalties during the winter; Baldr increases Happiness and Lore bonuses; Jörd upgrades your Defense Towers and increases your army’s attack power by ten percent.

The Clan of the Boar rewards players who value patience and careful planning, standing as guardians of the land, balancing nature with progress and using the knowledge they uncover to further their domination over the continent. If you enjoy thoughtful, steady expansion combined with powerful wildlife management and Lore gathering, Slidrugtanni offers the perfect opportunity to secure victory in the harsh lands of Northgard.

14

Sváfnir: The Clan Of The Snake

DLC

The Clan of the Snake is a shadowy and cunning force in Northgard. Focused on deception and domination, this clan thrives on subterfuge, using clever tactics to disrupt enemies and seize opportunities to strike decisively. Their strategies revolve around stealth, sabotage, and calculated risks, making them ideal for players who enjoy ambushes and covert operations. Their military strength grows even more potent after forging Gungnir, a legendary relic that grants all military units the Stealth ability and enhances their evasiveness, transforming your army into a deadly ninja squad.

Unlike other clans, the Snake Clan is built for a Domination Victory, using stealth and sabotage to overpower rivals rather than brute strength. Though they lack a Fame Victory pathway, their unique abilities allow them to outmaneuver and undermine their opponents, giving them a tactical edge. Patience and precise timing are key to success, as you leverage your warchief Signy and specialized military units to orchestrate sneaky strikes.

Starting Bonuses:

• Instead of Fame, the Snake Clan can copy Knowledge from other clans they encounter.
• Signy, the warchief, starts as a child, growing stronger each year and unlocking new abilities.
• Signy can use Scorched Earth to burn neutral or enemy zones for strategic advantages, stealing resources and disrupting foes.
• Recruit Skirmishers from Skirmisher Camps, fast and stealthy military units that excel at hit-and-run tactics.

Fame Bonuses:

Instead of traditional Fame bonuses, Signy gains new abilities as she ages:

• Age 16: Signy learns how to use Cloaked, letting her hide from enemies unless war is declared in that zone. When she uses Scorched Earth, all enemies evacuate burned zones to adjacent areas.
• Age 17: Signy taught Cloaked to all military units and can now use Scorched Earth on two zones simultaneously.
• Age 18: Scorched Earth can target enemy zones, giving military units a 50 percent attack buff in those zones.

The Clan of the Snake thrives on deceit, adaptability, and precise execution. They rely heavily on stealth mechanics and sabotage abilities, making them a perfect choice for players who prefer to outsmart their opponents and create opportunities through careful planning. Their reliance on cunning ambushes and disruption ensures that they are a force to be reckoned with, capable of flipping the balance of power with quick, calculated strikes.

13

Nidhogg: The Clan Of The Dragon

DLC

The Clan of the Dragon is a dark and aggressive force in Northgard, devoted to their draconic patron, Nidhogg. This clan stands out due to its unique mechanics, which focus on Thralls (slaves), sacrifices, and powerful Dragonkin units. These mechanics create a high-risk, high-reward playstyle, perfect for players who relish mastering intricate systems and dominating through sheer power and strategic sacrifices.

Nidhogg is the most technical clan to master, but can be the most powerful if well-developed. However, it is easy to lose balance between developing a military force and producing resources, especially Thralls. Be sure to maintain a steady stream of Kröwns.

Designed for an aggressive Domination Victory, the Dragon Clan thrives on Dragon Essence, which they generate by making sacrifices and converting villagers into Dragonkin. However, balancing the Dragon Essence gauge and maintaining a steady flow of Thralls is key to success. With great power comes great responsibility; managing resources and avoiding overwhelming opposition from other clans are crucial to your dominance.

Starting Bonus:

• Begin your campaign with a Sacrificial Pyre, allowing you to sacrifice units to gain bonuses. Be careful not to let your Dragon Essence gauge dip too low!
• Instead of military camps, you now build Dragonkin Alters to transform villagers into Dragonkins.
• Start with two Thralls, who collect Food. Assign Thralls to production units to boost resource yield.
• Non-military units, such as Scouts, do not suffer penalties from being wounded in neutral territories.

Fame Bonus:

• 200 Fame: Receive five Thralls and extend Dragon Essence gauge.
• 500 Fame: Maximizes the Dragon Essence gauge and unlocks Draconic Nightmares, an advanced form of Dragonkin with increased health and defense. These are trained by sending Dragonkin through the Dragonkin Alter a second time.

The Clan of the Dragon is designed for players who enjoy a complex, aggressive playstyle and are willing to manage multiple interdependent systems. The balancing act of sacrificing units, managing Dragon Essence, and transforming villagers into Dragonkin creates a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience. However, with the right strategy, this clan can overwhelm any opponent, using sheer force and cunning resource management to dominate the map.

12

Svadilfari: The Clan Of The Horse

DLC

Svadilfari brings a unique blend of forging, construction, and resource optimization to Northgard, making them versatile and powerful in the right hands. With Eitria and Brok leading the charge as skilled artisans, this clan is an excellent choice for players who enjoy strategic planning and adaptability.

The Clan of the Horse is highly adaptable, capable of pursuing multiple victory types. While slightly less effective in Trade Victories, their strong resource management and crafting abilities make them a force to be reckoned with in Lore, Fame, or Domination strategies. Their reliance on their warchiefs for mining and forging adds a technical edge to gameplay, especially when buffed by the Dainsleif & Tyrfing relic.

Starting Bonuses:

• Eitria and Brok replace Miners, Smiths, and Builders. They can build, repair, mine, and forge 20 percent faster than their counterparts in other clans.
• Forges are replaced by Völund’s Forge, from which you can summon your chiefs without Iron.
• You receive 50 percent less Kröwns from Ruins and Shipwrecks, but can discover five Stones from Ruins and five Iron from Shipwrecks.

Fame Bonus:

• 200 Fame: Eitria and Brok can mine and forge 50 percent faster while in the same zone. Selling Stone or Iron earns 20 percent more Kröwns and neutral factions, such as the Jötnar, will accept stone and iron in trade.
• 500 Fame: Two additional Stone and Iron deposits appear in your territory. Zones containing or are adjacent to an active relic will gain a 15 percent non-stackable production bonus.

The Clan of the Horse is perfect for players who enjoy careful planning and versatile strategies. Their unique mechanics offer unmatched adaptability and power when used with skill.

11

Lyngbakr: The Clan Of The Kraken

DLC

The Clan of the Kraken offers a unique and mysterious playstyle, worshiping the sea’s dark powers. This clan not only harnesses the strength of spectral warriors and Valkyries, but also calls upon the Kraken itself to attack their enemies. Their reliance on coastal zones adds a tactical challenge, as limited access to the sea can restrict expansion and resource collection. However, when played correctly, the Kraken Clan can dominate through powerful military units and supernatural synergies.

The Clan of the Kraken excels in the coastal zones, making them a formidable choice for a Domination Victory. Their military strength is bolstered by supernatural abilities, including the use of Spectral Warriors and Valkyries. However, their reliance on coastal zones means that map layout is a critical factor, since limited access to the sea can severely hinder expansion and resource gathering. With the right map, the Kraken Clan can become one of the most powerful forces in Northgard.

Starting Bonuses:

• Fishing Cabins replace Longship Docks, which are 20 percent more effective than Fishing Huts and can be used to fish in both lakes and the ocean.
• Non-coastal zones cost 50 percent more to colonize and reduce your attack power by 30 percent.
• Hörgr replaces the Brewery, producing Wyrd to grant various bonuses and powers.
• At the start of the campaign, you start with one Spectral Warrior. You can recruit additional Spectral Warriors by building Hörgrs and maintaining a negative Wydr balance.
• Promote Seeresses to Valkyries, powerful military units with special abilities.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Spectral Warriors increase resource production by 15 percent in zones they inhabit. Events are revealed sooner than to other clans, and you feast whenever the Kraken emerges.
• 500 Fame: Recruit four more Spectral Warriors. When your military units are killed in battle, they have a chance of returning as Specral Warriors.

This clan is perfect for players who enjoy strategic adaptability and the challenge of managing a supernatural force. Their ability to adapt to the map, by focusing on coastal zones, requires careful planning but rewards you with powerful military forces and unique bonuses.

10

Himmingbrojotir: The Clan Of The Ox

DLC

The Clan of the Ox is a powerful, defense-focused clan that thrives on a balance of strength and resilience, with the unique goal of uncovering ancient Ancestral Equipment to unlock Torfin’s true potential. Their robust units and strong defensive capabilities make them formidable, but their high food consumption requires careful management of resources. The clan is well-suited for Fame and Domination victories, particularly after enhancing Torfin with the Ancestral Equipment, transforming him into an unstoppable force.

Himmingbrojotir specializes in defense and military prowess, but their heavy reliance on food production means that securing a strong food economy is critical. As you develop Torfin and build your army, your clan can dominate militarily and secure a Fame Victory. The high defense capabilities make them ideal for holding territory and sustaining battles over long periods.

Starting Bonuses:

• Clan units have a 15 percent attack and defense bonus. However, this strength comes at the cost of increased food consumption.
• All specialized civilian units, except Loremasters, receive a 40 percent production bonus.
• Buildings can only hold one unit, and houses have reduced capacity, so managing your population efficiently is essential.
• When Torfin is not summoned, his throne will passively produce two Lore.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Non-military units receive a production bonus based on the number of military units you control.
• 500 Fame: Torfin learns the Ram ability, allowing him to target and immediately destroy enemy buildings. Doing so will instill your enemy with fear.

Mastering the Clan of the Ox requires a keen sense of resource management and strategic defense, but once you unlock Torfin’s true power, you’ll have one of the most formidable forces in Northgard at your disposal.

9

Brundr And Kaelinn: The Clan Of The Lynx

DLC

The Clan of the Lynx is an aggressive, combat-focused clan that thrives on hunting, collecting Hunting Trophies, and using these trophies to unlock powerful abilities. With their warchief Mielikki, and the legendary lynxes Brundr and Kaelinn, the clan is well-equipped for battle, able to harness the power of mythical beasts and spectral creatures in combat. This clan excels in Domination and Fame Victories, and also has potential for Trade Victories with their nature-based food production bonuses.

Starting Bonuses:

• Gain Hunting Trophies from killing animals, which can be spent to unlock new abilities for Brundr, Kaelinn, and your Trackers in the Paths of the Hunter.
• The Axe Thrower Camp is replaced by the Archery Range.
• Brundr, Kaelinn, and Mielikki can be summoned at the Archer Range. While Mielikki is less powerful than other warchiefs, she does not cost Iron.
• Hunters’ Food production is increased by ten percent.

Choose a Victory strategy before activating a particular Path of the Hunter.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Unlock Mythical Lures, which attract powerful mythical beasts to specific zones in waves. Hunting Trophies are awarded for defeating these beasts and the cost of feasts is reduced by 7.5 percent for every animal killed, up to 50 percent.
• 500 Fame: Mielikki unlocks her Oshoreia ability, allowing her to summon the spirits of the strongest wave of Mythical beasts killed by her clan, unleashing the spirits on her enemies.

The Clan of the Lynx is ideal if you enjoy a combat-focused playstyle with a twist of nature-based strategy. Their ability to hunt and gain bonuses from Hunting Trophies allows them to build a powerful military force that can dominate opponents. Whether you prefer Domination victories through sheer force or Fame victories by summoning powerful mythical spirits, the Lynx Clan offers a thrilling and aggressive playstyle that rewards bold, strategic actions.

8

Ratatoskr: The Clan Of The Squirrel

DLC

The Clan of the Squirrel offers a unique, food-centric gameplay experience, focusing on ingredient collection, meal preparation, and winter survival. Led by Andhrimnir, a warchief-chef with a passion for food and flavors, this clan excels in resource management and strategic planning, making it a perfect choice if you enjoy a more methodical, survival-based approach.

Ratatoskr has a special Victory condition: the Ratatoskr Victory, which requires gathering 1,000 of each type of Ingredient and preparing the Banquet of Valhöll, while also achieving 1,500 Fame.

Starting Bonuses:

• Instead of feasting, Ratatoskr gathers Ingredients to prepare Meals.
• The Stove replaces the Brewery, and Andhrimnir uses it to produce more Ingredients.
• During the autumn months, production is increased by 30 percent, allowing you to gather Food and resources faster. However, this boost comes with a trade-off: during the winter months, the clan consumes more Food and Wood, making it important to plan for the harsh winter season.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Your ingredient storage increased by 200, and you receive shipments of Ingredients by boat. Additionally, Gift Routes at the Trading Post become available, allowing you to give Meals to your allies.
• 500 Fame: Gain Fame bonuses based on your population size compared to enemy clans. For every 100 Fame, new villager arrivals will increase by five percent.

The Clan of the Squirrel thrives on food management, particularly through its ingredient collection and meal preparation mechanics. Their main advantage lies in their ability to gather ingredients efficiently, with autumn bonuses giving them an edge in food and resource production. However, they must carefully manage their food consumption during the winter months, as it becomes more resource-intensive. This clan is particularly suited for players who enjoy a survival-based strategy, balancing Fame accumulation with the completion of the Ratatoskr Victory.

7

Dodsvagr: The Clan Of The Rat

DLC

The Clan of the Rat is a unique and challenging faction that thrives on survival through pain and sacrifice. Its playstyle centers around pushing their villagers and units to the brink of death without letting them perish, making use of mechanics like Overwork, injuries, and death to strengthen their position. The Clan of the Rat has high-risk, high-reward gameplay coupled with the challenge of balancing resources and survival in extreme conditions.

Injured Rat Clan units are still subject to a 20 percent debuff in production rates, so when using Overwork, already injured units will only increase their production by 20 percent rather than 40 percent.

Starting Bonuses:

• You begin with more villagers than other clans, but they all arrive injured. Injured and military units do not count towards or against the Happiness requirement.
• Instead of houses, your clan resides in production buildings. Additional villagers will stay in the Population’s reserve, joining your clan after more buildings are constructed.
• The Healer’s Hut has been replaced with the Shaman Camp.
• When your clan units kill enemies or die, the bodies are cremated in a Purification Pyre at a Shaman Camp, producing additional Lore and increasing the rate of new villagers.
• Overwork replaces the Feast, boosting production but causing damage to all units during the process.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Your units will consume 30 percent less food while being healed.
• 500 Fame: Your Population’s reserve will increase the maximum population by four villagers and the Purification Pyre’s maximum duration will extend to six months.

Dodsvagr’s primary strength lies in their ability to boost production while sacrificing the health of their units. This requires careful planning to ensure that their villagers and military units can continue to operate at full capacity without tipping over into the danger zone of death. The Purification Pyre and Shaman Camp mechanics allow the clan to turn death into an advantage by producing Lore and accelerating population growth. The clan excels at surviving in harsh conditions where other clans might struggle.

6

Hræsvelg: The Clan Of The Eagle

DLC

The Clan of the Eagle in Northgard draws inspiration from the eagle’s soaring prowess, excelling in exploration, resource gathering, and maintaining a small yet powerful presence. Led by Grif, the sole survivor of a fallen clan, this faction is designed for players who enjoy strategic expansion through the efficient use of resources and strong survival skills.

The Clan of the Eagle thrives by sending out units to gather resources outside their territory, utilizing their Aviary and Falconers to scout and uncover hidden treasures. With a focus on maintaining a small, protected territory, the clan can easily allocate resources towards military production and Domination Victories, making it perfect for those who prefer strategic expansion without the need for an expansive territory. By redirecting resources away from non-essential buildings, you can build a strong army and pursue military dominance.

Starting Bonuses:

• The Scout Camp is replaced by the Aviary, which trains Falconers to explore Northgard and discover Buried Caches. Aviaries do not count towards your total buildings in a zone and increase the maximum number of Hawks you can deploy.
• You start each campaign with one Hawk, which can turn a cleared zone into a Boneyard, providing natural resources while healing your units.
• You do not gain Fame by colonizing new zones.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Units outside your territory consume 30 percent less Food and Firewood. You can upgrade zones using Food, in which houses give an additional bonus to your maximum population and military buildings increase your warband.
• 500 Fame: You can explore Ruins, Shipwrecks, and other special zones for a second time to uncover additional resources. You can reclaim a colonization bonus from a zone for a second time, such as Wolf Dens.

The Clan of the Eagle is perfect for players who enjoy strategic exploration, resource management, and military dominance. The ability to gather resources outside your territory and focus on military expansion without the pressure to colonize many zones makes it a great choice for players who want to optimize their resources and achieve Domination through well-planned strategies.

5

Garm: The Clan Of The Hounds

DLC

The Clan of the Hounds are the feared sons of Ragnarök. Like Nidhogg, Garm is a small but mighty clan, relying on their Brawlers as their primary military units. They grow stronger over time by killing animals and absorbing their souls, gaining powerful abilities as they become more seasoned. This makes their Brawlers highly dangerous, especially in prolonged campaigns, where they can become nearly unstoppable.

Starting Bonuses:

• Garm has no Warchief, Military Paths, or military camps, being replaced by Brawler Arenas.
• Two civilians enter a Brawler Arena, but only the winner emerges as a Brawler. Brawlers count as two units, but only consume the resources of a single unit.
• The souls of civilizians killed in the Brawler Arena are collected and can be summoned in an animal form to be fought and absorbed by Brawlers and Berserkers.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Fallen berserkers’ souls can be summoned in Brawler Arenas to gain Military Experience.
• 500 Fame: Berserkers can ascend to level seven, increasing their power cap.

As you progress, aim to decimate your enemies or gain fame, as a fully leveled Brawler force will give you a significant advantage, allowing you to crush your enemies and achieve a Domination or Fame Victory. A force of fully-developed Brawlers would wreak havoc on any map, making for a challenging battle for enemy clans.

4

Vördr: The Clan Of The Owl

DLC

The Vördr Clan are the guardians of Northgard and the protectors of the Yggdrasil Tree. They may not be inherently aggressive, but they possess strong defensive capabilities when necessary. However, their true strength lies in exploration, knowledge, and building alliances, making them well-suited for a Realms Unleashed Victory.

Starting Bonuses:

• Forests and other sources of Wood provide Lore.
• The Seed of Yggdrasil in your main zone can train up to three Norns.
• Knowledge is unlocked through a unique web and is built in the Branches of Yggdrasil, which you can place in any ally or neutral territory.
• You have a choice of one of three different warchiefs, each with their own unique stats.
• The clan can achieve the Realms Unleashed Victory instead of a Wisdom Victory.
• Deer and Fish provide Happiness instead of Food.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: Norns will scout 100 percent faster and can explore enemy clans after the Town Hall is upgraded. You can place Branches of Yggdrasil in enemy territory.
• 500 Fame: Zones can house an additional Branch of Yggdrasil and Knowledge can be placed twice.

Be wary of Lore consumption. You need to balance constructing buildings and unlocking Knowledge.

The Clan of the Owl deviates from typical Viking clan mechanics by not using Wood or consuming meat. Instead, they rely on Lore to unlock knowledge, which is organized in a web format rather than a linear progression. As you unlock various Knowledge, the Seed of Yggdrasil gains new abilities and strengths, which directly impact your clan’s development.

3

​​​​​Hafgufa: The Clan Of The Turtle

DLC

The Hafuga Clan is a unique merchant-based faction in Northgard, perfectly tailored for players aiming for a Trade Victory. The clan’s mechanics revolve around strategic commerce and resource acquisition, allowing them to thrive economically while maintaining flexibility in resource management and building positive diplomatic relationships.

The Fame bonuses you receive from building relationships allow you to pivot towards a Fame Victory as needed.

The Hafuga Clan excels at leveraging Caravans to facilitate trade and resource gathering across the map. This mobility allows them to adapt to the game’s changing landscape, accessing critical resources even in contested zones. Unlike most clans, Hafuga’s ability to purchase villagers with Food and later with Kröwns adds a layer of versatility, enabling rapid population growth and resource management based on your needs.

Starting Bonuses:

• When a zone is attacked, non-military units will garrison themselves in buildings, so you’ll need to develop a military force quickly.
• The clan earns 30 Fame for each positive relationship with other clans and factions.

Fame Bonuses:

• 200 Fame: You can purchase an additional Caravan and assign one more Shopkeeper per Caravan.
• 500 Fame: Military units gain a one percent Attack and Defense buff for every 50 Kröwns. You can also purchase Villagers with Kröwns instead of Food.

The Andvaranaut Ring relic elevates the Hafuga Clan’s trade game to a new level. By allowing you to buy and sell relations with other clans and factions, this relic maximizes trade efficiency, ensuring optimal profits and resource flow. Pair this with a Longship Dock with a Lighthouse, and you can increase your profits and secure a Trade Victory.

2

Neustria: The Clan Of The Lion

DLC

The Clan of Neustria in Northgard offers a unique shift from the usual viking-inspired factions. Drawing its inspiration from medieval England, Neustria’s mechanics and playstyle introduce new strategies and elements that require you to adjust your usual approach.

With the ability to recruit units through Faith and the focus on Livability and Feasts, Neustria offers a blend of strategic military expansion and economic development. Your primary military strength comes from Sentry Camps, which can be upgraded into specialized military camps, and Hildegard. However, since there is no equivalent to a Healer’s Hut, the only way to heal Hildegard and your Sentries is to build a costly Monastery. A workaround until you build up the resources is to shift your sentries back into subjects who will heal themselves, and to use Hildegard sparingly.

Faith is generated by subjects who pray when they are in-between tasks. Subjects do not generate food and only consume Food and Wood during the winter.

Starting Bonus:

• Zones with military camps gain additional Livability buffs.
• Faith is generated is an enemy is killed while in battle with Hildegard.
• Military units can be recruited using Faith instead of Kröwns, the cost of which is reduced after each unlocked Knowledge.

Fame Bonus:

• 200 Fame: Feasts cost three percent less for each unlocked Knowledge and Vow. Military camps in prosperous zones give a five percent attack bonus.
• 500 Fame: You can shift Monks into Paladins, who can be assigned a Relic to carry into battle.

Whether you are aiming for Domination or Fame, Neustria’s mechanics allow for a dynamic playstyle that can keep opponents on their toes, offering a truly unique experience in Northgard.

1

Kernev: The Clan Of The Stoat

DLC

Following in Neustria’s pawprints, Kernev is another clan based in Western medieval Europe, bringing a new layer of strategy with its focus on city-building, trade, and alliances. Unlike the military-focused Neustria, the Kernev clan excels in supporting its allies and creating robust cities while managing resources efficiently.

Kernev’s playstyle revolves around autonomous territories, called Duchies, that operate independently but unite under the command of the Lords. This gives you a unique opportunity to maintain a highly adaptable approach to both resource management and military strategy. The ability to forge both Viking and Kingdom relics allows Kernev to pivot towards any victory condition, whether it’s Domination, Fame, or Trade.

Starting Bonuses:

• Building a Fort in a zone transforms it into a Duchy, which provides special bonuses. Inside the Duchy, specialized workers consume fewer resources but require a salary. This encourages careful resource management and strategic planning when assigning workers to the Duchy.
• Buildings inside the Duchy do not incur maintenance costs but also have reduced production. This unique balance forces players to plan around limited resources while still maximizing their output in Duchy zones.
• The Fort in each Duchy can be upgraded in two distinct ways, allowing you to tailor your defensive and economic needs. After an upgrade, you can begin collecting Levies from the Duchy, adding another layer to your military and resource-building strategies.
• Subjects within your Duchy produce less Faith, but they can be assigned as Monks to Viking Artifacts, offering additional support to military units or even unlocking powerful artifacts for your Duchy.

Fame Bonus:

• 200 Fame: Levies become more potent, and military camps within the Duchy can be upgraded into Defensive Forts, further enhancing your defensive capabilities.
• 500 Fame: The ability to collect two Levies simultaneously opens up new possibilities for military strategy, providing more flexibility to support your efforts in war, resource management, and expansion.
• Kernev has access to both standard Viking and Kingdom Relics.

Each Duchy in Kernev operates independently, but when the clan faces danger, the Lords come to its aid. Unlocking the Inland Protection Knowledge early allows your Lords to access the entire territory, enabling them to serve as your primary defense. This frees up your military units to focus on other tasks, such as defending the homeland, combating wild animals, or invading other clans.