At De Soto High School, many students indulge in the gaming sensation, “Clash of Clans,” which has become increasingly popular for teens across the world. However, there is one group of DHS students who takes the game to another level. 

Senior Landon Reith, founder and leader of DHS’ largest and most successful clan, spoke on why he enjoys Clash of Clans. 

“I love being the leader of such a high level clan,” Reith said. 

Senior Hoover O’Bannon, one of the clan’s co-leaders, also shared his favorite aspects of the game. 

“The initial spark that got me interested was the archer queen’s purpose in the game,” O’Bannon said. “I love playing [Clash of Clans] with my friends and love everyone in our clan.” 

Reith echoed O’Bannon’s comments about his love for his clan members, describing the tight-knit environment that the clan maintains. 

“It’s similar to a brotherhood that a fraternity may have,” Reith said. 

As for how the clan started, Reith explained his motivation to find a successful clan for DHS students to participate in. 

“I got kicked out of my old clan, so I just decided to make my own,” Reith said. 

After Reith’s creation of the clan, many DHS students, including senior Cooper Schwindt, followed suit in an effort to create a dominant force within the game. 

“I was with Landon when he made the clan, so I joined immediately,” Schwindt said. 

Schwindt was also responsible for recruiting other potential contributors to the clan, like O’Bannon. 

“Cooper invited me into the clan,” O’Bannon said. “As for requirements to join the clan, it’s really important that you attend DHS and are approved by Landon.” 

While most people involved in the Clash of Clans universe play for fun, the DHS clan takes gameplay very seriously. O’Bannon mentioned the unrelenting intensity and competitiveness of the clan. 

“Oh, it’s intense,” O’Bannon said. “It’s very competitive to keep your spot in the clan.” 

Reith also takes the game to another level of seriousness. 

“Some members, including myself, take it more seriously than academics and athletics,” Reith said. 

This culture of competitiveness and passion for the game results in high standards and expectations for clan members. Schwindt talked of the punishments for poor performance within the clan. 

“If a member has a poor war performance or is inactive, we do what we call spring cleaning,” Scwhindt said. “Underperforming members are kicked out of the clan and shamed by the people still in the clan.” 

O’Bannon made similar comments about the harshness of the clan’s spring cleaning policy. 

“Spring cleaning comes almost every week,” O’Bannon said. “One of the eight members of the leadership council has the power to kick out a member for poor performance.” 

One aspect of the game that members are rated highly on are inter-clan competitions called Clan Wars. Reith explained the concept of the battles between opposing clans. 

“We take our ferocious clan and battle another clan,” Reith said. “We take our top 20-30 members and if members are inactive or have poor attacks, they’re kicked out.” 

Clan Wars are generally where the DHS clan’s top contributors shine. The competition gives clan members a chance at true glory. 

“Senior Austin Lum and junior Landen Lawson are big contributors,” O’Bannon said. “They donate a lot of troops and have good attacks in clan wars.” 

Schwindt repeated O’Bannon’s comments for Lum and Lawson, praising them for their donations. 

“Austin, Landen and I are our top contributors,” Schwindt said. “We are the top donators.” 

DHS’ clan will certainly continue to make their mark within the Clash of Clans gaming community. Their intensity and passion for electronic competition will surely guarantee future success.