So you wanna know how to make your own clan in Discord? Let me tell you straight up – it’s not just clicking "Create Server" and calling it a day. I’ve run three gaming clans over the years, and each taught me brutal lessons about what works (and what gets your server ghosted in two weeks). This ain’t theory – it’s battlefield experience condensed into one guide.
What Actually IS a Discord Clan?
Picture this: You’re playing Valorant with randoms. Chaos. No communication. Someone’s blasting Nickelback through their mic. A clan fixes that. It’s your curated tribe – gamers, artists, crypto folks, whatever – who actually follow rules and vibe together. Unlike regular servers, clans have hierarchy (like Guild Leader > Officers > Members), shared goals (clan wars, art collabs), and usually private channels. Miss that structure? You’ll end up with a free-for-all dumpster fire. Trust me, my first attempt looked like a digital refugee camp.
Why Bother Creating a Discord Clan?
Three big reasons:
- Control: Ban toxic kids instantly. No more explaining why racial slurs aren’t "just jokes".
- Community: Ever had 30 clanmates swarm an enemy base simultaneously? Goosebumps.
- Growth: My anime merch clan started with 4 weebs. Now we partner with Crunchyroll. Wild.
But – and this is critical – don’t make a clan because it sounds cool. If you ain’t ready to mediate drama at 3 AM or plan weekly events, stick to public servers.
Pre-Setup: Don’t Skip This or You’ll Regret It
Most guides jump straight to Discord settings. Big mistake. Screw up foundation work, and your clan collapses like a sandcastle.
Nail Your Clan’s Purpose
"Gaming clan" is too vague. Are you casual Minecraft builders or hardcore Warframe grinders? Specifics attract the right members. My failed D&D clan? I wrote "for D&D players" – got random Fortnite kids asking where the battle royale channel was. Get granular:
| Vague Purpose | Specific Purpose (Way Better) |
|---|---|
| "Gaming community" | "Ranked Apex Legends players grinding to Masters" |
| "Art group" | "Digital artists creating OC for Genshin Impact" |
Rules That Won’t Get Ignored
Forget novel-length rule docs. Mine fit in one Discord embed:
- No NSFW in general chats (instant ban)
- @Admin for urgent issues ONLY (we muted Karens who @everyone for pizza debates)
- Mandatory event attendance? Explain why (e.g., "Miss 3 raids without notice = demotion")
Pro tip: Pin rules in #welcome AND make new members react to them before accessing channels. Cuts problems by 80%.
Server Creation: The Actual "How To Make Your Own Clan in Discord" Part
Finally! Click that "+" icon in Discord’s server list. But slow down – these choices haunt you later.
Template or Blank Slate?
Discord offers "Gaming" templates. Decent for beginners, but my clan outgrew theirs in a month. Better to start custom:
- Text Channels: Create these first:
- #welcome-rules (read-only)
- #general-chat (casual talk)
- #clan-strategy (locked to members+)
- #event-announcements (admins only posting)
- Voice Channels:
- "General Voice" (always open)
- "Strategy Room" (for ranked games)
- "AFK Lounge" (low priority chit-chat)
Naming trick: Add emojis! Like "🎯clan-wars" or "🤫secret-planning". Makes navigation intuitive.
Server Region Matters More Than You Think
Living in Texas but set server to Singapore? Voice chats will lag like dial-up. Check where most members live:
| Your Location | Optimal Server Region |
|---|---|
| USA West Coast | US West |
| Europe | Germany or London |
| Southeast Asia | Singapore |
Change it anytime in Server Settings > Overview. Test voice quality with friends before recruiting.
Roles and Permissions: Your Anti-Chaos Armor
This is where most new clan creators faceplant. I once gave "Manage Channels" permissions to a troll. Never again.
Essential Roles for Every Clan
Keep it simple early on:
| Role Name | Permissions | Who Gets It |
|---|---|---|
| Leader/Owner | All permissions | You + 1 trusted co-leader |
| Officer | Kick/ban, mute, manage messages | 3-5 active veterans |
| Member | Send messages, join voice | Verified recruits |
| Recruit | Read #welcome only | New joiners pre-verification |
Permission trap to avoid: Never give "Administrator" to anyone but yourself. Officer roles should have LIMITED powers. Found under Server Settings > Roles.
Channel-Specific Permissions
Lock sensitive channels! Example:
- #clan-strategy: Only "Member+" roles can read/write
- #admin-chat: "Officer+" only
- #event-announcements: Officers write, everyone reads
Right-click any channel > Permissions to customize. Saves you from spies leaking raid plans (yes, really happened).
Must-Have Bots If You’re Serious About Running a Clan
Discord bots automate the boring stuff. Skip these, and you’ll drown in admin work.
Non-Negotiable Bots for Clan Management
| Bot Name | Purpose | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|
| MEE6 | Auto-roles, welcome messages, moderation | 10 mins |
| Carl-bot | Reaction roles, custom commands | 15 mins |
| Apollo | Event scheduling (raids, tournaments) | 5 mins |
| Statbot | Tracks game stats (CS:GO KD, LoL wins) | 10 mins |
Adding bots: Go to bot’s website > Click "Invite" > Select your server > Authorize. Done.
Personal preference: I avoid all-in-one bots like Dyno. They overload features. Better to use specialized bots.
Auto-Roles Save Hours (Especially for Big Clans)
When someone joins, Carl-bot or MEE6 can instantly assign "Recruit" role. Then, make a #role-selection channel:
- Post: "React below with 🎮 for Gamer role or for Artist role!"
- Each reaction auto-assigns matching role
No more manually assigning 200 roles. Lifesaver.
Getting People to Actually Join Your Discord Clan
Your shiny server is empty. Now what? Paid ads suck. Organic growth works better.
Where to Recruit Quality Members
Stop spamming Discord server lists. Target communities where your people live:
- Game-specific subreddits: r/ValorantLFG, r/DestinyClans (follow their promo rules!)
- Twitter hashtags: #[GameName]LFG or #[GameName]Clan
- In-game recruitment: If it’s a multiplayer game, invite standout players post-match
My clan grew fastest when I messaged top players in Apex ranked: "Hey, saw you frying. My Diamond+ clan has daily scrims. Interested?" 80% joined.
The Art of the Application Form
Open floodgates = chaos. Use Google Forms for applications:
- "What’s your main role/class?"
- "How many hours/week can you commit?"
- "Link your stats tracker profile"
Review manually. Boot people who lie about skills – they cause resentment. I learned this after a "Global Elite" CS:GO recruit couldn’t control recoil.
Keeping Your Clan Alive (The Hard Part)
Here’s the brutal truth: 90% of new Discord clans die in 60 days. Avoid that.
Scheduled Events Are Oxygen
No events? Your clan flatlines. Minimum weekly rhythm:
| Day | Event Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Strategy Session | New raid walkthrough |
| Wednesday | Scrim Night | In-house tournament |
| Saturday | Community Hang | Movie watch party |
Use Apollo bot to auto-announce and track RSVPs. Post recaps in #event-announcements.
Kill Cliques Before They Form
Early in my NFT clan, whales created a private VC excluding newbies. Server split in two. Fixes:
- Mandate "no private VCs" rule
- Assign veterans to mentor batches of recruits
- Randomize teams for events (no friend groups)
Remember: Your clan is ONE community, not factions.
Monetization (If That’s Your Goal)
Wanna fund esports teams or buy server perks? Do it ethically.
Acceptable Ways to Fund Your Clan
- Merch: Sell clan-branded hoodies via Printful (only if members want it)
- Patreon perks: Early event access, exclusive VODs
- Sponsorships: Partner with gaming brands once you hit 500+ active members
Never charge mandatory fees upfront. My biggest growth spike came after removing a $5 "application fee".
FAQs: Real Questions from Clan Leaders
How do I stop my Discord clan from getting raided?
Raiders love new clans. Prevention combo:
- Verification level: Set to "Medium" (requires verified email)
- Anti-raid bots: Wick or Shieldmaiden auto-ban mass joiners
- Disable @everyone mentions for recruit role
Can I run a clan from my phone?
Possible but painful. Desktop Discord lets you:
- Configure complex permissions
- Add/manage bots smoothly
- View member activity dashboards
Mobile is fine for chatting, but setup requires a computer.
What if my clan grows too fast?
Chaotic growth killed my first 200-member clan. Solutions:
- Promote officers BEFORE you need them (aim for 1 per 20 members)
- Create sub-groups: "Team Alpha" / "Team Beta" with their own VCs
- Freeze applications if moderation can’t keep up
How to make your own clan in discord for non-gamers?
Same principles apply! For example:
- Art clans: Roles for "Digital Artists" vs "Traditional Artists"
- Crypto clans: Channels for #altcoin-discussion and #NFT-drops
- Study clans: Voice channels like "Focus Room" with cam sharing
Adjust bots – Apollo for art collab deadlines, Statbot for crypto price alerts.
When to Bail or Reboot
Not every clan succeeds. If you see:
- Consistent member decline over 3 months
- Officer burnout (they ghost meetings)
- You dread opening Discord
Pivot or reset. I merged my dying Minecraft clan with a bigger one. Became head of their build team. Win-win.
Look, creating a clan isn’t rocket science – but it’s work. Most quit when drama hits or growth stalls. But get it right? Nothing beats leading your own tribe. I’ve seen enemies become IRL friends in my clans. That’s the magic. Now go build yours.