Clan War League Basics: From Start to Medals

by Loki on 09/02/2025

A straight-up guide to CWL: from start dates to medal charts, plus tips on how both individuals and clans can maximize rewards every season.

Hey Chief,

Okay, let’s be real for a second: Clan War League (aka CWL) is both the best and the most exhausting thing Clash of Clans throws at us. We sign up all hyped, talk big about “dominating our league,” and then three days in we’re begging our clanmates to just drop an army on the field so we don’t get demoted. Been there.

Let’s break it down, no boring lectures, just the stuff we actually care about.

What is Clan War League?

Clan War League (CWL) is Clash’s version of a monthly tournament, basically clan wars but on steroids. Instead of one-and-done, you fight 7 wars in a row, with a prep day to kick things off.

Your clan gets matched into a league with 7 other clans, and you battle every single day until someone comes out on top. Rewards? Medals, bragging rights, and hopefully a promotion to a higher league next month.

The vibe is different from regular wars too. Rosters are locked, no mid-league swapping, and every star actually matters.

How Long Does CWL Last?

Think of CWL like binge-watching a Netflix show… but way slower. It runs 8 days straight: 7 war days + 1 prep day. And yes, it’s every single day back-to-back. No skipping episodes. No bathroom breaks.

If you’re in it, you’re in it. Which means by day five, half the clan is either pretending their internet died or just forgetting to attack.

Honestly though, that’s part of the charm.

How Many Players Do We Need?

CWL is flexible, kinda like how you can technically solo a pizza but it’s way more fun with friends. You can run it with 15v15 or 30v30. Most clans go 15v15 because, let’s face it, convincing 30 people to show up every single day is basically harder than maxing walls.

And here’s the kicker: once you lock in your roster, that’s it. No swapping. Your rushed TH11 alt? Stuck on the bench until next month.

When Does CWL Happen?

Every. Single. Month.

It kicks off on the 1st of every month. Same time, like clockwork. There’s no surprise here. Supercell treats it like rent—you just know it’s coming, whether you’re ready or not.

So if you’re trying to dodge it, sorry. Not happening.

Can We Join CWL After It Starts?

Short answer: nope.

Long answer: still nope.

Once it’s rolling, you’re either in or watching from the sidelines.

We’ve all had that clanmate who logs in on day two like, “Yo, add me in.” Sorry buddy. Should’ve hit “opt in.” Rules are rules.

CWL Medals: Why We Put Ourselves Through This

Now the juicy part—medals. That shiny currency is the whole reason we torture ourselves with CWL in the first place.

How do we get them?

War performance: More stars, more medals.
Clan ranking: Higher league = more rewards for everyone.

And what do we do with them?

Buy magic items (hello, Hammer of Heroes).
Stack them for resources when loot raids just aren’t cutting it.
Or flex by maxing out your walls faster than your clanmates.

Honestly, CWL medals feel like Clash’s version of frequent flyer miles. Painful to earn, glorious to spend.

How to Get More Clan War League Medals

Alright, let’s talk about the part everyone secretly cares about: maxing medals. Because if we’re grinding 8 days in a row, we might as well squeeze every last drop out of it.

Solo side: More stars = more medals. And honestly, running the top 3 armies for every Town Hall will keep you tripling all 8 days without overthinking.

Clan side: The higher your clan ranks, the bigger the payout. That’s why clans that grab the CWL Exclusive Base Pack (15 bases for every member) usually stay a step ahead.

Defense side: Bases matter more than people admit. Fresh CWL bases designed for the current meta stop enemy 3-stars. Check out the best CWL base for every TH.

More stars + stronger defenses + league climb = medals stacked. Simple.

The CWL Medal Chart - How Much You Actually Get

And since we’re already talking medals, let’s peek at the actual payout chart. Because yeah, “more stars = more medals” is true, but the exact numbers matter when you’re planning that shiny Hammer purchase.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

Champion League = up to 508 medals for a perfect performance
Master League = somewhere in the 200–300 medal range
Crystal & Gold = lower, think 100–200 medals depending on how many wars you win
Bronze & Silver = enough to grab potions and small stuff, but don’t expect to walk away with a hammer

CWL Medal Chart - Clash of Clans

And here’s the fun twist: even if you don’t land every star, you still snag a minimum medal payout just for existing in the roster. Yup, CWL literally pays you for showing up (which is why some clans drag their alts along for free loot).

Basically: climb higher leagues, get more medals. Simple math. But like all Clash math, it hurts when you’re on the losing side.

CWL in a Nutshell 🥜

8 days total (prep + 7 wars)
15v15 or 30v30 format
Starts on the 1st of every month
Locked rosters: no joining mid-league
League Medals = life (okay, maybe not life, but definitely loot and hammers)

That’s the gist. Simple, brutal, rewarding.

Closing

So yeah, CWL is basically Clash’s monthly reality show: 8 days, high drama, rage-quits, and medals at the end if we don’t completely flop. We sign up every month knowing it’ll drain us… and still do it anyway. Because who doesn’t want that Hammer of Heroes?

And if you still think CWL is chill, wait till you’re staring at a disconnect on day 7. Good luck not smashing your phone.