Characters / Warrior Cats

A small sample of major characters^note Clockwise, starting from middle: Firestar, Jayfeather, Crowfeather, Graystripe, Heathertail, Bluestar, Bramblestar, Leafpool, and Sol.

Since Warrior Cats is a book series with a massive cast, don't be surprised if not all the characters are on this list. The page grew so large that it had to be split. You'll find the characters at the pages listed below.

CAUTION: There are major unmarked spoilers ahead! Nearly all successions and plot twists from the first two arcs are unspoilered. You have been warned.

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The Five Clans

• Warrior Cats ThunderClan:
  • Warrior Cats Thunderclan Leaders And Deputies ^CharactersThunder, Lightningtail, Owlstar, Morningstar, Leafstorm, Redstar, Seedpelt, Oakstar, Beetail, Doestar, Pinestar, Sunstar, Tawnyspots, Bluestar, Redtail, Lionheart, Firestar, Whitestorm, Graystripe, Bramblestar, Squirrelstar
  • Warrior Cats Thunderclan Medicine Cats ^CharactersCloudspots, Pearnose, Fallowpaw, Kestrelwing, Oatspeckle, Ravenwing, Cloudberry, Goosefeather, Featherwhisker, Spottedleaf, Yellowfang, Cinderpelt, Leafpool, Alderheart
  • Warrior Cats The Three And Their Allies ^CharactersJayfeather, Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, Dovewing, Ivypool, Cinderheart
  • Warrior Cats Thunderclan Warriors And Apprentices ^CharactersSongbird, Birchface, Frecklewish, Bloomheart, Nettlebreeze, Deerdapple, Seedpelt, Thrushtalon, Windflight, Adderfang, Stormtail, Swiftbreeze, Poppydawn, Moonflower, Thrushpelt, Leopardfoot, Thistleclaw, Willowpelt, Runningwind, Darkstripe, Sandstorm, Dustpelt, Brackenfur, Cloudtail, Brightheart, Thornclaw, Ashfur, Rainwhisker, Sootfur, Sorreltail, Spiderleg, Whitewing, Birchfall, Millie, Hazeltail, Berrynose, Mousewhisker, Honeyfern, Poppyfrost, Foxleap, Icecloud, Rosepetal, Toadstep, Briarlight, Blossomfall, Bumblestripe, Molewhisker, Cherryfall, Lilyheart, Snowbush, Ambermoon, Dewnose, Stormcloud, Hollytuft, Fernsong, Sorrelstripe, Sparkpelt, Larksong, Leafshade, Honeyfur, Twigbranch, Finleap, Plumstone, Eaglewing, Shellfur, Stemleaf, Flywhisker, Snaptooth, Spotfur, Bristlefrost, Thriftear, Flipclaw, Bayshine, Myrtlebloom, Finchlight, Nightheart, Flowerpaw, Deerpaw, Sweetpaw, Swiftpaw, Shrewpaw, Molepaw, Seedpaw
  • Warrior Cats Other Thunderclanners ^CharactersMothwhisker, Rabbitfur, Mumblefoot, Weedwhisker, Larksong, Stonepelt, Smallear, Halftail, One-Eye, Dappletail, Patchpelt, Rosetail, Longtail, Mousefur, Purdy, Patchkit, Larchkit and Petalkit, Nightkit and Mistkit, Mosskit, Snowkit, Hollykit and Larchkit, Juniperkit and Dandelionkit, Flickerkit, Snowfur, Speckletail, Brindleface, Frostfur, Goldenflower, Ferncloud, Daisy
• Warrior Cats ShadowClan:
  • Warrior Cats ShadowClan Leaders and Deputies ^CharactersShadow, Snowstar, Brightwhisker, Flowerstar, Dawnstar, Cedarstar, Stonetooth, Raggedstar, Foxheart, Cloudpelt, Brokenstar, Nightstar, Cinderfur, Tigerstar I, Blackstar, Russetfur, Rowanstar, Crowfrost, Tigerstar II, Tawnypelt, Juniperclaw, Cloverfoot
  • ^{Medicine Cats}Pebbleheart, Redscar, Mossheart, Molepelt, Sagewhisker, Runningnose, Littlecloud, Flametail, Puddleshine, Shadowsight
  • ^{Warriors and Apprentices}Jumpfoot, Mossfire, Spottedpaw, Featherstorm, Crowtail, Deerleap, Hollyflower, Toadskip, Brackenfoot, Brightflower, Amberleaf, Nettlespot, Blizzardwing, Scorchwind, Nutwhisker, Rowanberry, Wolfstep, Boulder, Flintfang, Fernshade, Clawface, Tangleburr, Deerfoot, Badgerfang, Jaggedtooth, Nightwhisper, Snowbird, Talonpaw, Smokepaw, Kinkfur, Applefur, Scorchfur, Dawnpelt, Redwillow, Mistcloud, Sparrowtail, Berryheart, Rippletail, Stoatfur, Needletail, Yarrowleaf, Beenose, Sleekwhisker, Strikestone, Slatefur, Whorlpelt, Flowerstem, Snaketooth, Antfur, Blazefire, Cinnamontail, Gullswoop, Frondwhisker, Conefoot, Lightleap, Pouncestep, Spireclaw, Sunbeam, Hollowspring, Hopwhisker, Flaxfoot
  • ^{Other ShadowClanners}Lizardstripe, Ashfur, Silverflame, Lizardfang, Archeye, Cedarheart, Blossomkit
• Warrior Cats RiverClan:
  • ^{Leaders and Deputies}River, Dovestar, Birchstar, Hailstar, Shellheart, Crookedstar, Oakheart, Leopardstar, Stonefur, Mistystar, Reedwhisker, Curlfeather, Owlnose, Splashtail
  • ^{Medicine Cats}Graywing, Meadowpelt, Brambleberry, Mudfur, Mothwing, Willowshine, Frostpaw
  • ^{Warriors and Apprentices}Cloudberry, Appledusk, Reedshine, Rainflower, Fallowtail, Echomist, Whitefang, Beetlenose, Petaldust, Sunfish, Skyheart, Sedgecreek, Whiteclaw, Mosspelt, Feathertail, Hawkfrost, Rippletail, Rainstorm, Icewing, Beetlewhisker, Hollowflight, Softpelt, Dappletuft, Harelight
  • ^{Other RiverClanners}Brightsky, Willowbreeze, Silverstream, Graypool
• Warrior Cats WindClan:
  • ^{Leaders and Deputies}Wind, Graywing the Wise, Swiftstar, Heatherstar, Reedfeather, Tallstar, Deadfoot, Mudclaw, Onestar, Ashfoot, Harestar, Crowfeather
  • ^{Medicine Cats}Mothflight, Hawkheart, Barkface, Kestrelflight
  • ^{Warriors and Apprentices}Rabbittail, Larksplash, Sandgorse, Woollytail, Dawnstripe, Shrewclaw, Whitetail, Gorsepaw, Gorsetail, Nightcloud, Breezepelt, Heathertail, Sedgewhisker, Antpelt, Featherpelt, Hootwhisker, Brindlewing, Smokehaze
  • ^{Other WindClanners}Palebird, Tornear, Morningflower, Crowfur, Adderkit, Smallstar
• Warrior Cats SkyClan:
  • ^{Leaders and Deputies}Skystar, Beechstar, Maplestar, Darkstar, Raincloud, Flystar, Petalfall, Cloudstar, Buzzardstar, Spiderstar, Honeyleaf, Leafstar, Sharpclaw, Waspwhisker, Hawkwing
  • ^{Medicine Cats}Fawnstep, Brackenheart, Echosong, Frecklewish, Fidgetflake
  • ^{Warriors and Apprentices}Brightspirit, Mothpelt, Robinwing, Cherrytail, Sparrowpelt, Rainfur, Petalnose, Patchfoot, Billystorm, Harveymoon, Macgyver, Ebonyclaw, Shrewtooth, Fallowfern, Tinycloud, Mintfur, Sagenose, Plumwillow, Rabbitleap, Nettlesplash, Sandynose, Firefern, Stormheart, Harrybrook, Blossomheart, Pebbleshine, Parsleyseed, Rileypool, Bellaleaf, Curlypaw, Fringewhisker, Violetshine, Dewspring, Reedclaw, Quailfeather, Kitescratch and Turtlecrawl, Rootspring, Needleclaw, Wrenflight
  • ^{Other SkyClanners}Skywatcher, Clovertail, Lichenfur, Tangle, Egg, Honeytail, Snookthorn

Outside the Clans

• Warrior Cats: Tribe of Rushing Water:
  • ^{The Ancients}Rock, Half Moon, Furled Bracken, Jay's Wing, Fallen Leaves, Stone Song, Dark Whiskers, Running Horse, Falcon Swoop, Falling Rain
  • ^{Modern Tribe}Stoneteller, Stormfur, Brook, Talon, Crag, Jag, Rock, Bird
  • ^{Tribe Invaders}Stripes, Flora, Flick, Twist
• Warrior Cats Others:
  • ^LonersRavenpaw, Barley, Sasha, Tadpole, Pine, Domino, Fleck, Mitzi, Soot, Magpie, Mist, Piper, Cinders, Sol's father, Diesel, Burr, Tree, Smoky, Floss, Coriander, Coriander and Little Daisy, Jingo, Hussar, Jet, Fritz, Pod, Speckle, Frisk, Merry, Chirp, Flower, Pepper, Frosty, Jester, Woody, Root, Bug, Dash, Spider
  • ^KittypetsPrincess, Smudge, Snowdrop, Jigsaw, Seville, Hattie, Jake, Nutmeg, Shnuky, Shanty, Crystal, Ferris and Whiskers, Tyr, Myler, Duke, Husker, Moss, Splash, Birdy and Pad and Raindrop and Little Mew, Violet, Lulu and Patch, Mitzi, Fritz, Henry, Fuzz, Patch, Quince, Socks and Ruby, Cody, Jacques and Susan, Hutch, Oscar, Bella, Rose and Lily, Velvet, Twig, Madric, Pasha, Betsy, Max, Coco, Milo and Olive, Jessy, Benny, Minty, Brandy and Polly, Parsnip, Victor and his gang, Smoke, Bailey, Melody, Leo, Dudley, Snowflake, Nutmeg, Bob, Max, Zelda and Loki, Jasper, Velvet, Fuzzball, Ajax, Rose, Yew, Pickle, Jack, Blade, Cheddar, Pancakes, Bacon and Eggs, Coco, Tom-Tom, Sunflower, Daffodil
  • ^RoguesSol, Jay, Marmalade, Pixie, Hal, Jessamy, Flower, Scree, Foxy, Stick, Shorty, Cora, Coal, Snowy, Red, Percy, Foggy, Suzy, Branch and Stone and Night, Dodge, Harley, Misha, Skipper, Onion, Nutmeg, Algernon, Bess, Reena, Sparrow, Mole, Wee Hen, Coal, Mae, Floyd, Scrap, Fog, Tuna, Streak, Growler
  • ^BloodClanScourge, Bone, Willie and co, Brick, BloodClan Bullies, Snake and Ice, Snipe, Claw, Fury, Gremlin, Scraps
  • ^{Dark Forest}Mapleshade, Shredtail, Snowtuft, Sparrowfeather, Maggottail, Silverhawk, Houndleap, Rushtooth
  • ^{The Kin}Darktail, Rain, Raven, Roach, Nettle, Toad, Flame, Thistle, Silt, Dragonfly
  • ^{The Sisters}Moonlight, Snow, Ice, Leaf, Chestnut and Snail, Cloud, Mud and Spider
  • ^{Other Cats}The Voice In The Tunnel, The Traveler
  • ^{Other Animals}Midnight, Sharptooth, The Dog Pack, Samwise, The Rat Pack, The Beavers, Bunny, Spike
  • ^TwolegsKen, The Scientists, The Abusive Twoleg
  • ^{Mythological Characters}Fleetfoot, Rage, Fury, Swiftstar, Goldenstar, Shadestar, Thorntooth, Mouthclaw, Sunpelt, Petalkit

Fifth Series

• Warrior Cats: Dawn of the Clans
  • ^{Main Characters and Clan Founders}Gray Wing, Thunder, Clear Sky, Tall Shadow, Wind Runner, River Ripple, Moth Flight
  • ^{Other Major Characters}Jagged Peak, Turtle Tail, Petal, Gorse Fur, Lightning Tail, Slate, Star Flower
  • ^{Thunder's Camp (New Forest Group)}Owl Eyes, Cloud Spots, Leaf, Pink Eyes, Violet Dawn, Milkweed, Clover, Thistle, Shivering Rose, Hazel Burrow, Morning Fire, Gooseberry, Yew Tail, Apple Blossom, Snail Shell, Blue Whisker, Lightning Stripe, Sleek Fur, Feather Ear, Shell Claw, Patch Pelt, Beech Tail
  • ^{Clear Sky's Camp (Forest Group)}Sparrow Fur, Quick Water, Nettle, Alder, Birch, Thorn, Acorn Fur, Micah, Dew Petal, Flower Foot, Tiny Branch, Blossom, Red Claw, Honey Pelt
  • ^{Tall Shadow's Camp (Pine Forest Group)}Pebble Heart, Mud Paws, Mouse Ear, Sun Shadow, Raven Pelt, Juniper Branch, Dangling Leaf, Dusk Nose, Shade Pelt, Bubbling Stream
  • ^{Wind Runner's Camp (New Moor Group)}Dust Muzzle, Holly, Spotted Fur, Willow Tail, Fern Leaf, Rocky, Swift Minnow, Reed Tail, Storm Pelt, Dew Nose, Eagle Feather, Silver Stripe, Black Ear, White Tail, Owl Song
  • ^{River Ripple's Camp (Cats of the River)}Night, Mist, Dew, Shattered Ice, Dappled Pelt, Dawn Mist, Moss Tail, Drizzle, Pine Needle, Spider Paw, Hollow, Croak, Kite Wing, Trout Fur, Willow Stream, Snow Tail, Finch Song, Arc Shadow, Ripple Shine, Dusk Smoke, Flower Stream
  • ^{Spirit Cats}Rainswept Flower, Jackdaw's Cry, Hawk Swoop, Moon Shadow, Falling Feather, Bright Stream, Shaded Moss, Storm, Frost, Fox, Fircone, Emberkit, Morning Whisker, Pale Sky and Tiger Tail
  • ^KittypetsBumble, Tom, Flower, Cleo, Casper, Hunter and Scout
  • ^RoguesOne Eye, Slash, Snake, Splinter, Beetle, Swallow, Bee, Ember, Beech, Frog, Stone, Rain, Hawk, Snail, Sparrow and Grub
  • ^{The Tribe}Stoneteller, Silver Frost, Misty Water, Lion’s Roar, Quiet Rain, Snow Hare, Fluttering Bird, Twisted Branch, Stone Song, Hollow Tree, Dewy Leaf, Sharp Hail, Broken Feather, Jay Frost, Crow Muzzle and Dancing Leaf, Melting Ice and Morning Star and Falling Dusk
  • ^{Cats of the Park}Arc, Flutter, Magda, Dart, Shine, Moth, Squirrel, Owl, Midge, Rust, Stoat, Scooby, Hopper
  • ^{Unaffiliated Cats}"The Stranger", Petal's Mother, Misty, Swift, Branch, Tansy, Cricket, Bramble, Cow, Mouse, Lightning and Rumble, Sage, Silver, Whistle, Woodlouse

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The Clans in general

Four (later five) distinct groups of wild cats that live in the forest (later by the lake). Each Clan is made up of many cats who live and hunt together, and fiercely defend their territory from intruders. Clan cats begin life as kits, becoming apprentices at the age of six moons and warriors at the age of one year. They are led by a leader, who has a deputy as their second-in-command and a medicine cat to look after their sick cats.

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• Dishonored Dead: A Clan cat who has committed a grave crime is buried without the traditional funeral rites of their loved ones sharing tongues with (i.e. grooming) them.
• The Exile: In the second series, the forest is destroyed by Twolegs, forcing the Clans to flee the home they have lived in for many generations and make a great journey to find a new place to settle.
• Half-Breed Discrimination: Kits with parents from two different Clans are frowned upon, and it is believed by some that they cannot ever be truly loyal to one Clan, even the one they were raised in.
• Fantastic Racism: In general, the Clans do not think highly of cats who live outside their system. They have a particular scorn for kittypets, who they view as soft, lazy and pampered.
• Gender Is No Object: A she-cat can become anything a tom can — warrior, medicine cat, deputy, leader.
• Liberty Over Prosperity: While kittypets have their every need provided for by their Twolegs, Clan cats cannot abide being confined to a Twolegplace and not being able to hunt their own prey, even if life is harder and more dangerous in the wild. After Pinestar left ThunderClan and abandoned his position as leader to become a kittypet, the rule that "a warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet" was added to the warrior code.
  Rusty: Why don't you find yourself an owner with a nice cozy house instead? Your life would be much easier. There are plenty of housefolk who'd take in a kitten like you. All you have to do is sit where they can see you and look hungry for a couple of days—
  Graypaw: And they'd feed me pellets that look like rabbit droppings and soft slop! No way! I can't think of anything worse than being a kittypet! They're nothing but Twoleg toys! Eating stuff that doesn't look like food, making dirt in a box of gravel, sticking their noses outside only when the Twolegs allow them? That's no life! Out here it's wild, and it's free. We come and go as we please.
• Meaningful Rename:
  • Most Clan cats will be renamed twice in their lives—the first being when they receive their apprentice name (the suffix of their name changes from "-kit" to "-paw"), and the second being when they receive their warrior name.
  • When a cat becomes leader, the suffix of their warrior name is changed to "-star."
  • Outside of those times, a cat's name can be changed due to unusual circumstances. When Brokenstar was taken in by ThunderClan, his name was changed to his original warrior name, Brokentail, to represent that he was no longer a leader.
• The Mentor: An apprentice must be assigned a mentor by their leader, who will teach them the ways of being a warrior or a medicine cat.
• Star-Crossed Lovers: Falling in love with a cat outside one's Clan is against the warrior code, yet it still happens now and again.
• The Men First: When it is time to eat, the more vulnerable members of the Clan (elders, queens and kits) eat first, while warriors and apprentices eat last.
• Thou Shalt Not Kill: The warrior code mandates that an honorable warrior doesn't need to kill to win battles unless it is necessary for self-defense. Still, accidental (and deliberate) murders have happened within the Clans.
• Truce Zone: Every moon where the Gathering takes place, there must not be fighting or StarClan will cover the moon with clouds to show their anger. On one occasion when a leader led his Clan to attack all four other Clans at once during the Gathering, they hit him with a Bolt of Divine Retribution.
• Wouldn't Hurt a Child: Kits are treasured by all the Clans, and it is against the warrior code to not help a kit that is visibly in pain or danger, even one from a different Clan. Hurting or killing a kit is considered one of the vilest crimes a Clan cat can commit.

Kits

Kits are the youngest members of the Clan, and are zero to six months old. It is the duty of their Clanmates to look after them until they can grow up to become apprentices and warriors.

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• Children Are Innocent: Most kits are portrayed as innocent, energetic young cats who contrast with the hardened, shell-shocked, and weary warriors. Even Tigerstar was adorable and innocent as a kit. It's only when the kits start training to become warriors that they lose their innocence.
• Curious as a Monkey: They are often curious and get into trouble, which can range from comical to life-threatening depending on the situation. Larksong comments that she doesn't know a kit who's never been in trouble before.
• Cute Kitten: Kits are adorable, happy, and playful.
• Death of a Child: It happens, sadly. Despite the efforts of their parents and Clanmates to protect them, kits have died of various causes due to the harshness of the wild—starvation, stillbirth, predators, drowning, etc.
• Theme Naming: All kits have the suffix "-kit" in their names.
• Three-Month-Old Newborn: Kits can open their eyes, walk, and talk almost immediately after being born.

Apprentices

Apprentices are six months to a year old. They are in training to become warriors and are assigned a mentor who will teach them the ways of Clan life.

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• The Apprentice: What all young cats have to be before they can become warriors.
• Deathbed Promotion: If an apprentice has been mortally wounded in battle and fought bravely, they may be given a symbolic warrior name to take to StarClan, with the traditional words, "I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He/she has learned the warrior code and has given up his/her life in the service of his/her Clan. Let StarClan receive him/her as a warrior."
• Death of a Child: Every so often, an apprentice tragically dies without completing their training and becoming a warrior.
• Denied Food as Punishment: If a cat is assigned to hunt and eats his catch rather than sharing it with the kits and elders of the Clan first, they have to give their share of fresh-kill to the elders and go hungry until the next day. This is often one of the first things a new apprentice learns.
• Eager Rookie: Brand new apprentices are often very eager to learn about becoming warriors.
• Grade Skipper: Though rare, an apprentice can be promoted to a warrior before the standard six month period, usually after performing an exceptional act of bravery.
• Kids Hate Chores: Apprentices often grumble about having to do chores like clean out the elders' bedding.
• Passed-Over Promotion: An apprentice's promotion to warrior can be delayed if the leader feels there is sufficient reason for doing so, for example, if they have not been passing their training and hunting assessments.
• Theme Naming: All apprentices have the suffix "-paw" in their names.
• You Are Grounded!: An apprentice who has caused trouble is sometimes punished by being forbidden to leave the camp for a certain amount of time.

Warriors

After an apprentice passes their training, they are promoted to warrior. Warriors make up the bulk of the Clan, and perform duties such as patrolling, catching prey, and defending the Clan against enemies.

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• Action Girl: Female warriors are that by default.
• Enthusiastic Newbie Teacher: Younger warriors who become mentors are often eager and enthusiastic about the prospect of doing so.
• Happily Married: A warrior is at the age where they can take a mate and have kits. Many do just that.
• The Mentor: Some warriors are assigned to mentor apprentices in the ways of becoming the Clan's next warriors.
• Thank Your Prey: Warriors are expected to only kill prey to be eaten, and thank StarClan for the life that was given to feed their Clan.
• Thou Shalt Not Kill: The warrior code mandates that an honorable warrior doesn't need to kill to win battles unless it is necessary for self-defense. Still, accidental (and deliberate) murders have happened within the Clans.

Elders

Former warriors who have retired either due to old age or injury. In recognition of service to their Clan, they are treated with great respect by their Clanmates.

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• Cool Old Guy: Most elders are friendly and happy to share their wisdom with the younger cats of the Clan.
• Career-Ending Injury: Warriors sometimes retire early because of an injury that leaves them unable to fight or hunt.
• Grumpy Old Man: They have lots of things to grumble about, such as new apprentices not making their bedding correctly. Often they will mutter that new warriors nowadays don't know how hard life was back then.
• Old Soldier: By default, since every Clan warrior is trained in battle since the age of six moons.
• The Storyteller: Elders love to tell stories to kits, and sometimes even apprentices and warriors will stop to listen to them.

Queens

She-cats who are either expecting kits or currently nursing kits.

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• Action Mom: Queens have been trained as warriors and will fight to defend their kits if necessary.
• Good Parents: Most queens love their kits very much and want them to grow up into fine warriors.
• Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe: When a she-cat is expecting kits, she is not required to tell her Clanmates who the father is, which can allow her to avoid incriminating herself if he's a tom from another Clan.
• Outliving One's Offspring: Due to the harshness of living in the wild, nearly every queen knows the pain of losing at least one kit.
• Team Mom: Some female warriors prefer to be permanent queens, living in the nursery all the time instead of the warriors' den and helping other queens look after their kits.

Medicine cats

A cat who treats injuries and sickness in the other members of the Clan, and receives and interprets prophecies from StarClan.

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• Celibate Hero: Medicine cats, regardless of gender, are not allowed to have mates or kits. However, this has not stopped some of them.
• Combat Medic: Medicine cats usually don't fight or hunt, but in the rare cases where a grown warrior is chosen to train as a medicine cat, they become skilled in healing in addition to battling and hunting.
• Early Personality Signs: It's usually easy to tell if a young kit is destined to become a medicine cat. They may show a fascination with herbs or the medicine den, or have prophetic dreams from StarClan.
• Emissary from the Divine: A medicine cat interprets omens from StarClan that foretell the future of their Clan's cats.
• Gender Is No Object: Both toms and she-cats can become medicine cats. However, the Vow of Celibacy that comes with the position may weigh a little more heavily on a female medicine cat, because if she breaks her vow, she'll be the one who has to keep her pregnancy a secret and figure out what to do with the resulting kits.
• Love Hurts: Because of their celibacy vow, a medicine cat who falls in love is always bound to suffer heartbreak. If they act on their feelings and pursue a mate, they are forced to keep their relationship a secret, and at some point must choose between their lover or their duty to their Clan. Even a medicine cat who honors their vow and puts their feelings aside must deal with the painful realization that they can never be mates with the cat they love, and possibly watch them become mates with another cat.
• The Medic: A medicine cat's duty is to treat the wounded and ill of their Clan.
• Master-Apprentice Chain:
  • ThunderClan: Echosnout > Cloudberry > Goosefeather > Featherwhisker > Spottedleaf. After Spottedleaf's death, the chain goes Yellowfang > Cinderpelt > Leafpool > Jayfeather > Alderheart.
  • ShadowClan: Redthistle > Sagewhisker > Yellowfang > Runningnose > Littlecloud > Flametail. A new one is starting with Puddleshine > Shadowsight.
  • RiverClan: Milkfur > Brambleberry > Mudfur > Mothwing > Willowshine.
  • WindClan: Hawkheart > Barkface > Kestrelflight.
  • SkyClan: Echosong > Frecklewish > Fidgetflake.
• My Secret Pregnancy: If a female medicine cat secretly takes a mate and accidentally finds herself pregnant, she must hide her pregnancy and give birth to her kits in secret. This happens to Yellowfang and Leafpool.
• Non-Action Guy: As a general rule, medicine cats are not trained to hunt or fight, focusing all their energy on studying herbs and curing cats. Exceptions include any medicine cats who were formerly warriors, including Yellowfang and Hawkheart.
• Resigned to the Call: Some medicine cats take up the position not because they want it, but because other circumstances force them to.
  • Yellowfang was born with the ability to sense and feel the pain of other cats, which crippled her ability to fight and forced her to become a medicine cat.
  • Jayfeather's blindness prevents him from being a conventional warrior, but his ability to see omens in his dreams and tell apart herbs by scent and texture makes him more suited to being a medicine cat.
  • Puddleshine of ShadowClan was chosen at random by his Clan and had to be trained from scratch by Leafpool because Littlecloud's previous apprentice, Flametail, died without completing his training, and Littlecloud himself died after him of old age without taking another student.
• Secret-Keeper: Because medicine cats see their Clanmates at their most vulnerable, they often discover secrets about them that they usually decide to keep. Sagewhisker knows about Yellowfang's pregnancy, Mudfur knows about Mothwing's atheism, and Runningnose knows that Nightstar was not given nine lives by StarClan.
• Seers: After providing herbs and treating injuries, a medicine cat's secondary purpose is to communicate with StarClan and interpret omens that foretell the future of their Clan.
• Single Line of Descent: A Clan has many warriors, but usually only one medicine cat and one medicine apprentice at a time. This has the potential to become problematic if a medicine cat dies without an apprentice, such as when Ravenwing was killed by Mapleshade.
• Star-Crossed Lovers: Several ThunderClan medicine cats have run into this problem.
• Vow of Celibacy: Medicine cats are forbidden from taking mates or having kits, regardless of gender.

Deputies

A deputy is the second in command of a Clan, chosen by their leader. When the leader dies, their deputy becomes the next leader.

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• Celestial Deadline: If the current deputy dies, the leader has to appoint a new one before moonhigh. Appointing a deputy late is considered a bad omen which may invoke the anger of StarClan.
• I Coulda Been a Contender!: Some deputies retire or die without ever getting the chance to become leaders. Brightwhisker of ShadowClan was one day away from becoming leader when she died of greencough.
• The Mentor: A warrior has to have been a mentor previously before they can be chosen as deputy.
• The Starscream: Deputy is only one step removed from leader. Naturally, some ambitious deputies just can't wait for their leader to bite it, and decide to hasten the process.

Leaders

The leader is the highest ranking member of the Clan, and controls everything that happens within it.

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• Ambition is Evil: At worst, there have been leaders who have committed murder and other crimes to get to the top, like Tigerstar and Brokenstar.
• The Caligula: Not all leaders are good, wise cats. Some make terrible decisions that result in suffering, death and devastation for their Clanmates.
• Cats Have Nine Lives: A leader receives nine lives from StarClan, given by cats who were closest to them in life.
• The Chains of Commanding: It has been shown many times that being the leader of a whole Clan is no small feat. They are responsible for the well-being of every cat in their Clan and have to make hard decisions in order to keep everyone alive.
• The Good King: The best, most ideal leaders rule with wisdom and put their Clanmates' needs before their own, with female examples counting as The High Queen.
• The Mentor: Since a cat has to have mentored an apprentice to become deputy and then leader, it can be assumed that every leader was a mentor at least once.
• Out of Continues: After a leader loses eight lives, their ninth death will be their last one.
• Theme Naming: All leaders have the suffix "-star" in their names.

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