What a clan is and why you might want one

A clan in Warframe is a player-run group that shares a private space called a dojo, where members can research weapons and upgrades together, trade items, and run missions as a team. You do not need a clan to play Warframe — the game works fine solo — but clans speed up your progress because they let you unlock gear that would take much longer alone.

The main reason to join is access to clan research. Your clan's dojo contains a lab where members pool resources to unlock new weapons, warframes, and mods. These items then become available for you to build in your own foundry. Without a clan, you cannot get certain weapons at all, no matter how long you play.

Clans also provide a social structure: people to run void fissure missions with, players who answer questions, and a shared chat channel. Many clans are casual — you log in when you want and contribute what you can. Others are more structured and expect regular activity.

Key Takeaways

  • You search for clans using the in-game recruitment tab, which shows active clans sorted by size and activity level.
  • Most clans are open to new players and let you join when ready, though some require you to send a message to the clan leader first.
  • Once you join, you can see what research the clan has completed and start contributing resources to unlock new items.
  • You can leave a clan at any time with no penalty, so trying a few different ones is normal while you find a fit.
  • Clan research takes time — weapons and warframes can take days or weeks to unlock — so joining early means you benefit sooner.

Finding a clan through the recruitment tab

Open Warframe and go to the main menu. Look for the Clan button — it is usually on the left side of the screen near the other main options like Arsenal and Codex. Click it, then select Search Clans.

You will see a list of clans with their names, member counts, and activity status. The list is sorted by default, but you can filter by size: solo clans (one player), small clans (2–10 members), medium (11–100), large (101–500), or ghost clans (500+ members). Larger clans usually have more research done already, which means you unlock gear faster. Smaller clans feel more personal but may have less completed research.

Read the clan description — many clans write what they are about, whether they are casual or competitive, and what language they speak. If a clan looks interesting, click on it to see more details: how many members are currently active, when the clan was founded, and what research they have already completed.

Sending a join request or explore directly

Some clans are set to open, which means you can join when ready by clicking a button. Others are set to invite only, which means you must send a message to the clan leader or officers asking to join.

If the clan is open, click Join Clan and you are in. You will see a confirmation message and the clan will appear in your menu.

If the clan is invite only, click Request to Join. A text box will open where you can write a short message to the clan leader — something like "Hi, I am new to Warframe and looking for a clan to help me progress" is enough. Most leaders respond within a few hours or a day. You will get a notification when they accept or decline your request.

What happens after you join

Once you are in a clan, you will see a new tab in your menu called Dojo. This is the clan's shared space. Click it to see what rooms the clan has built and what research is available. The most important room is the Tenno Lab or Orokin Lab, where you can see weapons and warframes the clan is researching or has already unlocked.

To contribute to research, you need resources: credits, materials like plastids or alloy plate, and sometimes rare drops from missions. When you have the resources, go to the lab, click on the research project, and donate. You do not have to donate — many clans have enough members contributing that research finishes without you — but donating speeds things up and is how you earn standing with the clan.

Once research is complete, you can build the item in your own foundry. Go to your ship, open the foundry, and look for the newly unlocked weapon or warframe. You will need to spend credits and resources again to actually build it, but the blueprint is now yours.

Understanding clan ranks and permissions

Clans have a rank structure. You start as a regular member. Some clans promote active players to officer or elder, which gives them the ability to invite new members, manage research, or build dojo rooms. You do not need a high rank to benefit from the clan — regular members can use all the research and facilities.

Different clans have different rules about who can do what. Some let any member donate to research; others restrict it to officers. Most clans have a chat channel where you can ask questions or coordinate missions. Read the clan description or ask in chat what the expectations are.

Leaving a clan or trying a different one

If a clan is not a good fit, you can leave at any time. Go to the Clan menu, click on your clan name, and select Leave Clan. You will lose access to the dojo and any research you contributed to, but you keep any items you already built from that clan's research.

There is no penalty for leaving, and you can join a new clan when ready. Many players try two or three clans before finding one that matches their playstyle. A casual player might prefer a small, relaxed clan. A player who runs missions every day might prefer a large, active one. Both are valid — it is about what works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to donate resources to clan research?

No. Donating speeds up research, but most clans have enough members contributing that projects finish without you. If you want to help, you can donate when you have spare resources. If you do not, the clan will still benefit you through completed research.

Can I join a clan as a brand-new player?

Yes. Most clans accept new players because they know you will grow into the game. Some very competitive clans have level requirements, but the vast majority are open to anyone. Starting a clan early means you benefit from research sooner.

What if I join a clan and then want to start my own?

You can leave your current clan and create a new one. Creating a clan costs 5,000 credits and requires you to be the only member initially. You can then invite others. Building a dojo from scratch takes longer than joining an established clan, but some players prefer the control.

Do clans cost real money?

No. Clans are run entirely with in-game currency and resources. There are no paid tiers or membership fees. Everything a clan does — research, building rooms, upgrading — uses credits and materials you earn by playing.

What if the clan I joined becomes inactive?

If a clan stops researching or no one logs in for weeks, you can leave and join a more active one. There is no cost to switching. You keep any items you built from the old clan's research, so you do not lose progress.