Defending your base in Clash of Clans is just as important as launching attacks. If your defenses aren’t strong, you’ll lose trophies, resources, and war stars. But with the right base design, defensive buildings, and traps, you can stop attackers in their tracks.
This guide will break down the best defense strategies for different Town Hall levels, rank defensive structures, and teach you how to counter popular attack strategies.
Let’s get started.
DPS of All Defensive Buildings by Town Hall Level
| Defensive Building | TH8 | TH9 | TH10 | TH11 | TH12 | TH13 | TH14 | TH15 | TH16 | TH17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon | 35 | 42 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 90 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 160 |
| Archer Tower | 56 | 70 | 80 | 92 | 110 | 125 | 140 | 150 | 160 | 175 |
| Mortar | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 48 | 55 | 62 | 70 | 78 | 85 |
| Air Defense | 190 | 230 | 280 | 320 | 360 | 400 | 450 | 500 | 550 | 600 |
| Wizard Tower | 32 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 72 | 80 | 88 | 96 | 104 |
| Bomb Tower | 42 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 72 | 80 | 88 | 96 | 104 | 112 |
| X-Bow | — | 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 | 140 | 160 | 180 | 200 | 225 |
| Hidden Tesla | 56 | 70 | 80 | 100 | 120 | 140 | 160 | 180 | 200 | 225 |
| Inferno Tower (Single Target) | — | — | 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 2,400 |
| Inferno Tower (Multi Target) | — | — | 75 | 95 | 115 | 135 | 155 | 175 | 195 | 215 |
| Eagle Artillery | — | — | — | 300 | 350 | 400 | 450 | 500 | 550 | 600 |
| Giga Tesla (Town Hall 12) | — | — | — | — | 150 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Giga Inferno (Town Hall 13-17) | — | — | — | — | — | 200 | 225 | 250 | 275 | 300 |
| Scattershot | — | — | — | — | 150 | 200 | 225 | 250 | 275 | 300 |
| Monolith | — | — | — | — | — | — | 200 | 250 | 300 | 350 |
✅ Inferno Towers (Single Target) destroy tanks like Electro Dragons, Golems, and P.E.K.K.A.
✅ Scattershots dominate at Town Hall 12+, dealing massive splash damage.
✅ Eagle Artillery remains one of the highest DPS defenses from TH11 onward.
✅ Monolith (introduced at TH15) specializes in taking down high-hitpoint troops.
✅ X-Bows scale heavily in damage, making them deadly at higher levels.
Understanding Clash of Clans Defense
Before we dive into specific tactics, let’s cover the core principles of a strong defense.
Key Defensive Principles
Building Placement
- Spread out high-hitpoint buildings (e.g., Clan Castle, Storages) to slow down attacks.
- Keep defensive structures centralized for maximum protection.
Understanding Troops Attacks
- Troops target specific types of buildings (e.g., Giants go for defenses, Balloons attack air defenses).
- Use funneling techniques to direct enemies into traps and kill zones.
Trap Placement and Timing
- Place Spring Traps near defenses to eliminate Hog Riders and Giants.
- Hide Giant Bombs near splash damage defenses to counter swarm attacks.
- Skeleton Traps set to air mode help stop Electro Dragon spam.
Base Design and Layout
- Compartmentalized bases force troops to break walls multiple times.
- Offset Town Hall placement helps with Trophy Pushing bases.
- Anti-3-star bases use uneven spacing to confuse attackers.
Clash of Clans Defense Tier List: Best Defensive Structures
Here’s how the best defenses rank based on their effectiveness:
S-Tier Defenses: Unmatched Potential
✅ Monolith – Shreds high-hitpoint troops.
✅ Eagle Artillery – Deals massive splash damage from anywhere on the map.
✅ Scattershot – Counters swarm troops like Balloons, Miners, and Hog Riders.
A-Tier Defenses: Solid Choices for a Strong Defense
🔹 X-Bow – Versatile defense for both ground and air attacks.
🔹 Inferno Tower – Single-target mode melts tanks, while multi-target mode counters swarms.
🔹 Town Hall (Weaponized) – Explodes and deals poison damage when destroyed.
B-Tier Defenses: Strategic Options with Vulnerabilities
🔸 Archer Towers – Good all-around but outclassed by higher-tier defenses.
🔸 Wizard Towers – Splash damage is great, but they have low range.
🔸 Bomb Towers – Useful against ground troops but ineffective against air attacks.
C-Tier Defenses: Supporting Structures for Enhanced Defense
⚫ Cannons – Strong single-target damage but useless against air troops.
⚫ Mortars – Great against low-hitpoint troops, but slow attack speed makes them easy to bypass.
⚫ Air Sweepers – Annoying for attackers but don’t deal damage.
Town Hall-by-Town Hall Defense Strategies
Each Town Hall level introduces new defensive buildings and attack strategies. Here’s what you need to know:
Town Hall 9: Mastering the Basics
🔹 Centralize the Clan Castle to prevent easy lures.
🔹 Use Double Giant Bombs to counter Hog Rider attacks.
🔹 Create an Anti-3-Star Base for Clan Wars.
Town Hall 10: Inferno Towers and Advanced Tactics
✅ Set Inferno Towers to Single Target to counter high-hitpoint troops (P.E.K.K.A, Golem).
✅ Use Tesla Farms to trap Electro Dragons and Queen Charges.
Town Hall 11-12: Eagle Artillery and Scattershots
🔥 Eagle Artillery activates after 180 housing space of troops are deployed – force attackers to trigger it early.
🔥 Place Air Sweepers to disrupt LavaLoon and Electro Dragon attacks.
Town Hall 13-16: Monoliths, Spell Towers, and Merged Defenses
🔹 Monolith should target key lanes where tanks approach.
🔹 Spell Towers should use Invisibility or Rage for max effectiveness.
🔹 Use Builder Huts for healing defenses during battles.
Defending Against Popular Attack Strategies
GoWiWi and GoWiPe: Tank-and-Spank Strategies
🛑 Spread defenses to reduce splash damage effectiveness.
🛑 Use Spring Traps to take out Golems and P.E.K.K.As early.
Hog Rider Rushes: Countering Swarm Tactics
⚡ Double Giant Bombs can wipe out groups of Hog Riders instantly.
⚡ Place Skeleton Traps near defenses to distract Hogs.
Air Attacks: Dragon Spam and Electro Dragon Strategies
🔥 Stack Air Defenses in a triangle formation.
🔥 Air Sweepers should push back Dragons and force them into Seeking Air Mines.
Queen Charges: Disrupting Key Offensives
👑 Use X-Bows set to Ground mode to pressure the Queen early.
👑 Place Seeking Air Mines near Healers to eliminate them quickly.
Optimizing Your Base Design
Hybrid Bases: Balancing Resource Protection and Trophy Pushing
- Keep Storages spread out to avoid losing all loot at once.
- Use compartmentalization to slow down Queen Charges.
War Bases: Preventing Three-Star Attacks
- Asymmetrical designs confuse attackers.
- Keep defensive heroes (Archer Queen, Barbarian King) deep inside the base.
Funneling: Directing Troops into Traps
- Use Collectors & Mines to redirect troops away from the core.
- Place dead zones (empty spaces) to disrupt pathing.
Advanced Defense Techniques
Spawn Pushing: Controlling Troop Deployment
🚀 Use Builder Huts in the corners to waste enemy troops’ time.
🚀 Leave gaps in walls to make attackers think there’s a weakness (bait base).
Corner Buildings: Delaying Tactics and Time Management
🔹 Place Builder Huts in the corners to delay 3-star attacks.
🔹 Use hidden Teslas in corners for a surprise defense.
Hidden Teslas: Surprise Elements and Strategic Placement
⚡ Tesla Farms near the Town Hall can kill attackers’ Heroes and Electro Dragons fast.
⚡ Spread Teslas out to avoid being zapped by Lightning Spells.
Hero Equipment and Defense
Hero Equipment is a game-changer. Focus on:
✅ Barbarian King: Shield Gauntlet for extra tankiness.
✅ Archer Queen: Cloak of Shadows to escape high-damage defenses.
✅ Grand Warden: Eternal Tome for maximum troop survivability.
Final Thoughts: Mastering Clash of Clans Defense
A strong defense isn’t just about having high-level defenses—it’s about smart base design, trap placement, and countering common attacks.
Follow these strategies, upgrade key defenses first, and constantly tweak your base layout to stay ahead of the meta.
Now, go crush your enemies and protect those trophies! 🏆🔥
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