izigame.me

A very hard clan to master. The Snake clan is not my most favourite clan to play, and i would not recommend it to newer players, but i will say you should getting it eventually, because playing them can be enjoyable for those who like to play with extra challange. i think they are a good addition to Northgard.
If you want to know more of this clans playstyle and bonuses, keep reading this review. (Keep in mind that i'm no competitive or online player, and as such, my experience is very low for multiplayer games, so i'll speak for offline mode with bots.)
The Snake clan is a very heavy millitary clan, focusing mostly on your warchief and a unique unit. They are the only clan so far who has no access to fame and NO economy bonuses. (As for the date of this review) They start with thier warchief Signy at the start of the game, and have access to skirmishers, a unique type of melee infantry unit. Because they don't get fame ranks or other economy bonuses, the snake clan can be considered one of the harder clans to play, simply because you have to manage your economy more when playing them.
Signy is a very unique warchief. As mentioned in the DLC description She start as a teen and is a pretty weak unit at the start of the game, having almost the same stats as a Warrior. However each winter, Signy ages, growning older and stronger. This is where the "fame bonus" changes for the Snakes clan. Instead of a fame bonus to your clan, your warchief grows stronger instead. Gaining better stats and new abilities. She also dosen't cost iron like most warchief does. making her less of a trouble to get again, should you lose her.
After the first year, signy gains better stats and a ranged attack.
At second year, she get the cloaked ability where she can sneak in neutral territory without having to fight (unless you order her to)
And finally after the third year Signy becomes an adult, gaining more stats and the Scorched Earth ability. this requires Signy to be in the middle of the territory to be casted, after there is some cast time. When she casts it, the territory becomes schorted, reducing rescources gathered for enemy villigers and buffs your own Soldiers damage, as long as they stay in the territory. The effect lasts a few mins and Signy can only cast this abilty again after the first scorched territory is gone, due to the cooldown of the ability.
Signy will continue to get more stats after each year as an adult, until seven more years have passed. (10 years in total)
Next are the Skirmishers. in order to get them, you need to build a skirmisher camp and turn a villager to one. Skirmishers are melee units who moves faster, are cheaper to get, (around 10 less krowns) and have the unique cloaked ability, which allows them to sneak trough neutral territory without having to fight wildlife or zombies. this in theroy allows you to send them into enemy territory (If you scouted it) without having to get rid of the monsters or gain more territory yourself in order to reach your foe.
but Skirmishers aren't bulky. they have the same hp as Warriors but less armor. this makes them easily go down from towers or in an equal fight againts Warriors or Axe Throwers. They are useful at herrasing, where you send them in enemy territory, kill a few vils and get out before the enemy gets to you. In late game, they become less effective where bigger armies will destory them.
Thier lore tree is very interesting, focusing on dirty tricks and stealing. Insteads of "Weaponsmith" they have "Under Pressure, which only give 20% more attack to thier Skirmishers, and 10% more attack to the rest of your militray units. it also you gain a very little bit of food and happiness when your millitary is close to the enemy borders. there's Black Market which does almost the same as conage, but instead won't let your oppenent get the resource you trade to them.
but most facinating is the "Stolen Lore" tech, which allows you to choose a lore tech form a different clan and use it as your own bonus. which is very unique from other clans lore trees imo.
In game the Snake clan can be underwhelming at times. Signy is your only so-called "economy bonus" you have for early game. And while she can clear territory with weak mobs.She can't fight well yet, and having extra millitary for getting territory early can hurt your economy, since you have no bonueses for getting more resources. Most people will instead wait for one year to pass, then get Signy aged up to clear more territory for your clan. Also if you lose Signy early game, you're in a huge disadvantage and it might be game over for you.
The Snake Clan is fun to play in a 1v1 offline match with thier playstyle, but when in a 4 player free for all, it can get harder to win, where harrasing other Computer oppenents isn't easy.
but still if you get your economy solid, and some few lore techs with good amount millitary. the Snake clan becomes easily very dangerous. Your other millitary may have a bit less attack, however Signy is very good warchief unit late game. She is tanky as an adult, and the Snake clans relic only helps them more getting on the offensive. Keep in mind the snake clan still can archive a Wisdom Victory or Trade Victory. but Fame Victory is impossible. As such, you gotta do the other ones. If conquest isn't possible, then you'll have to prevent your enemy from getting more land, while getting the other victory types.
Overall the Snake clan is a very hard clan to play, but there's some charm playing a clan with no economy bonueses at all, and Signy is a very unique character. (love her design.) The clan feels weak at the start, but great when you can get things going. Skirmishers are fun to use and the lore tree only makes you want to unlock all the unique techs.
Still would recommend this for those who want a challange to thier playstyle.