1) in a clan, more experienced players can give optimal advice to beginners, being less stingy with secrets than, say, on the same forum.
2) in a clan, you can arrange pairs or trios for team play; for example, the map and faction data are known in advance, and players before the tournament, or whatever you have, can roughly plan who goes where, why, and for what purpose, who they will kill, and how they will build up.
In general, I don't consider the idea of clans obsolete; there would be a leader who isn't burdened by doing this and setting goals for the participants, taking into account their desires and capabilities.
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Also, the vampires seem to be alive, I think.