What Is an Elder in Clash of Clans?

At first glance, Clash of Clans might seem like a simple game. The mechanics are relatively straightforward, and it doesn’t take much to get the hang of basic features. However, once you scratch the surface, you realize that you need flawless war attacks to defeat enemies and impeccable strategies to climb the trophy ladder.

Clan roles are another thing that you must get acquainted with. Each person performs specific tasks for the group, with the starting position being a Member. Elder is one of the more advanced positions in the clan, having the ability to add or kick Members. However, Elders are not clan Leaders and can be kicked themselves.

In this article, we’ll properly explain the role and its purview. We’ll also explain how clans benefit from having good Elders.

What is an Elder in Clash of Clans?

Think of clan roles as a pyramid. At the broad base are the Members, the lifeblood and warriors of the clan. At the very peak sits the Leader, the ultimate authority. Below that are the Co-Leaders, the trusted generals. And right in between the Members and the Co-Leaders, you’ll find the Elders.

An Elder is a senior member who has earned a measure of trust from the clan’s leadership. It’s a promotion that says, “We see your contribution, and we trust your judgment.”

While you won’t be starting clan wars or redesigning the clan badge, your new privileges are vital for keeping the clan healthy, active, and growing. These individuals serve as the clan’s stewards, ensuring that everything goes smoothly.

What You Can Actually Do as an Elder in Clash of Clans

Earning the Elder rank in your clan grants you a few key abilities that are off-limits to regular Members. These tools are designed to help with the day-to-day management of the clan, easing the burden on the Leader and Co-Leaders.

●       Become the Recruiter: As an Elder, you can send invitations to players you find in the global chat or your friend list. See a promising player with a great profile? You can now personally invite them to join the clan, acting as a vital recruiting tool.

●       Guard the Gates: When your clan is set to “Invite Only,” players will send requests to join. Elders can review these join requests and accept new members into the fold. This enables the clan to continue growing even when the highest-ranking leaders are offline.

●       Maintain the Roster (With Limits): This is the most significant power an Elder wields. You can kick regular Members from the clan. However, Supercell has wisely placed a safeguard on this ability to prevent chaos. An Elder can kick one Member every 20 minutes. This cooldown ensures that a rogue Elder can’t dismantle the whole clan in a fit of pique. You also cannot kick other Elders or Co-Leaders, as this would disrupt the chain of command.

How to Become an Elder in CoC

There’s no secret formula or achievement to unlock the Elder rank. Promotion is a social contract, an organic process based entirely on the discretion of your clan’s Leader or Co-Leaders. While every clan is different, the players who consistently get the nod usually exhibit a few key qualities.

1. Loyalty and Activity: This is the foundation. Players who log in daily, participate in clan chat, and have been with the clan for a respectable amount of time are the first to be considered. Longevity proves that you’re willing to stay with the clan for a while.

2. Generous Donations: A healthy donation ratio is a clear sign of a team player. Consistently filling your clanmates’ requests for troops shows you’re invested in their success as much as your own.

3. Good War Performance: Solid participation in clan wars and clan games is non-negotiable. Using both your attacks, following the war plan, and contributing to the team’s victory speaks volumes.

4. Positive Influence: Are you the player offering advice to new members? Do you congratulate clanmates on a significant attack or offer encouragement after a near miss? A positive, helpful attitude is often the tipping point for a Leader looking to promote members to Elder. Besides being a good player, you should also have a positive influence on others.

Some clans also have a “free elder” policy to attract new members, but the most stable and prosperous clans make it a title that must be earned.

A Field Guide to Clan Ranks

To fully appreciate the Elder role, it is helpful to view it in context. The power structure within a clan is clear-cut, with each rank holding distinct responsibilities.

As the table shows, going from Member to Elder is a big jump, offering a great amount of administrative power within the clan.

How to Be Co-Leader

Once you’re an Elder, you might start looking toward the next promotion, which is Co-Leader. This is where the social dynamics of the clan come into play. A Co-Leader is a significant position of trust, as they can kick almost anybody in the clan and promote others to Elder.

To make that leap, you’ll need to fulfill your Elder duties and a few things on top of that. You’ll need to demonstrate leadership qualities, offer sound strategic advice in the clan chat, and become someone the Leader can truly depend on.

The Elder role gives you a chance to improve your leadership skills. Use it to learn the ropes, build relationships, and prove you have what it takes to be a true leader.

What are your clan’s unique rules for promotion? Let us know, and we’ll add it to our list!