Necessary? I'm not sure how to answer this. No it is not particularly needed. It definitively helps. Remember that every clan's ultimate goal is to become official. If you don't have that goal then why start an official clan. If you're planning on skipping the tags and going strait for official, Whether or not that is allowed I'm not sure. I personally have never seen it done (or even attempted). If you have no real interest in becoming official there was no reason to create a clan. If you say you don't know much about clans I recommend joining a clan before trying to start one. I personally was a part of 3 total clans before I took leadership. And my leadership wasn't even created it was inherited. But back on topic. Necessary? Not really, but highly recommended. If you don't know much about clans join one, don't create one. If you do create one don't create it by yourself. Have friends and a starting plan. If you do choose to join a clan I recommend joining [Bleu]. They are meant to help new player learn the ropes.