Mudclaw was a deputy of WindClan under Tallstar's leadership. He was born as Mudkit to Ryestalk and Shrewclaw along with his brother Tornear. He was apprenticed as Mudpaw and later earned his warrior name, Mudclaw. As a warrior, Mudclaw was fiercely loyal to his Clan and was eager to defend his territory. He mentored three apprentices, Brushpaw, Webfoot, and Crowfeather. Mudclaw's ruthless devotion to protect his Clan in battle convinced Tallstar to make him deputy in order to balance WindClan's leadership. However, when Tallstar replaced Mudclaw with Onewhisker as deputy moments before the leader died, Mudclaw felt betrayed and openly challenged Onewhisker's legitimate leadership. Hawkfrost convinced Mudclaw that Onewhisker was a puppet leader for Firestar and was planning on taking over the Clans, and Mudclaw, Hawkfrost, and several ShadowClan and WindClan warriors attempted to overthrow Onewhisker and his supporters. However, StarClan sent lightning, striking a tree down, killing Mudclaw. He ascended to StarClan, and despite Mudclaw's insistance otherwise, Tallstar revealed Mudclaw belonged in StarClan since he believed he was acting in his Clan's best interest. Mudclaw gave Onewhisker a life for determination and promised to work together to protect their Clan. He and other StarClan cats later decided that they must persuade the Clans to fight against the Dark Forest.