Northgard is a Viking real time strategy game from Shiro Games, first released on 7 March 2018 and now sold on Steam as Northgard: Definitive Edition. You settle a newly discovered continent one territory at a time, assigning villagers to jobs, feeding them through winters that raise food and wood consumption, and choosing which of the several victory paths to chase. Clans are the real depth here: the base roster of Stag, Wolf, Goat, Raven and Bear plays very differently, and the clan list has grown past fifteen with Kraken, Ox, Lynx, Squirrel, Rat and more. A match usually runs 40 to 90 minutes and is decided long before the fighting starts.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clan of the Stag (Eikthyrnir) | A | Balanced | Warrior | Yes |
| Clan of the Wolf (Fenrir) | A | Balanced | Shield Bearer | Yes |
| Clan of the Goat (Heidrun) | A | Balanced | Axe Thrower | Yes |
| Clan of the Raven (Huginn and Muninn) | A | Balanced | Skirmisher | Yes |
| Clan of the Bear (Bjarki) | A | Balanced | Warchief | Yes |
New player? Start with Clan of the Wolf (Fenrir). See our beginner's guide for why.
Clan of the Stag (Eikthyrnir)
Clan of the Stag (Eikthyrnir) is a strong option in Northgard: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Warrior |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Territory colonisation with Food and Krowns |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Warrior
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Your Town Hall territory to learn Clan of the Stag (Eikthyrnir)-specific mechanics
- Focus on Territory colonisation with Food and Krowns. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Warrior as your first major upgrade
- See our full Clan of the Stag (Eikthyrnir) build guide for the optimal gear progression
Clan of the Wolf (Fenrir)
Clan of the Wolf (Fenrir) is a strong option in Northgard: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Shield Bearer |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Winter and the seasonal clock |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Shield Bearer
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Your Town Hall territory to learn Clan of the Wolf (Fenrir)-specific mechanics
- Focus on Winter and the seasonal clock. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Shield Bearer as your first major upgrade
- See our full Clan of the Wolf (Fenrir) build guide for the optimal gear progression
Clan of the Goat (Heidrun)
Clan of the Goat (Heidrun) is a strong option in Northgard: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Axe Thrower |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Villager job assignment |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Axe Thrower
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Your Town Hall territory to learn Clan of the Goat (Heidrun)-specific mechanics
- Focus on Villager job assignment. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Axe Thrower as your first major upgrade
- See our full Clan of the Goat (Heidrun) build guide for the optimal gear progression
Clan of the Raven (Huginn and Muninn)
Clan of the Raven (Huginn and Muninn) is a strong option in Northgard: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Skirmisher |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | The Lore tree and the four blessings |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Skirmisher
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Your Town Hall territory to learn Clan of the Raven (Huginn and Muninn)-specific mechanics
- Focus on The Lore tree and the four blessings. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Skirmisher as your first major upgrade
- See our full Clan of the Raven (Huginn and Muninn) build guide for the optimal gear progression
Clan of the Bear (Bjarki)
Clan of the Bear (Bjarki) is a strong option in Northgard: Definitive Edition.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Warchief |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Five separate victory paths |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Warchief
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Your Town Hall territory to learn Clan of the Bear (Bjarki)-specific mechanics
- Focus on Five separate victory paths. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Warchief as your first major upgrade
- See our full Clan of the Bear (Bjarki) build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Clan of the Wolf (Fenrir) is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Clan of the Stag (Eikthyrnir) is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Warrior for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Clan of the Bear (Bjarki) offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Clan of the Raven (Huginn and Muninn) shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Northgard: Definitive Edition Guides
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Northgard: Definitive Edition Overview
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Best Builds
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Tier List
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Walkthrough
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Beginner's Guide
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Tips & Tricks
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Weapons Guide
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Combat Guide
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Boss Guide
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Maps & Locations
- Northgard: Definitive Edition Crafting Guide
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