Advanced Tricks: Advanced Pathing for Air and Ground Attacks

Introduction

Have you ever watched a pro Clash of Clans player dismantle a maxed-out base with surgical precision and wondered, “How did they make it look so easy?” The secret isn’t just troop levels or spell choice—it's advanced pathing. Mastering pathing for both air and ground attacks is the difference between a failed raid and a flawless three-star. Whether you’re a rising war star or a seasoned veteran, understanding and exploiting pathing mechanics will elevate your attacks to a new strategic level.

The Fundamentals of Pathing: Why It Matters

Pathing is the art of controlling where your troops go after deployment. In Clash of Clans, every structure, wall, and trap can influence troop movement. Poor pathing leads to split armies, wasted spells, and failed attacks. Mastering pathing means dictating the flow of battle—funneling troops toward key defenses, avoiding traps, and ensuring maximum value from every unit.

Example: The Funnel

A classic mistake is dropping all your troops in a line, only to watch them scatter around the base. By removing specific buildings (the funnel), you force troops to move where you want them. For instance, clearing two side structures before deploying your main force ensures they go straight into the base, not around it.

Advanced Funneling: Beyond the Basics

Basic funneling clears outside buildings, but advanced funneling manipulates deeper layers of the base. This is especially critical for complex war bases designed to mislead attackers.

Layered Funneling

• Multi-stage Funnels: Start with a wide funnel, then narrow the path as troops progress. For example, use a Baby Dragon to clear outer trash, then a King to carve deeper into the base, setting up a path for your Queen or main army.
• Troop-Specific Funnels: Different troops have different AI. Bowlers and Valkyries target buildings in a line, while Hog Riders and Balloons go for defenses only. Tailor your funnel to the army’s targeting logic.

Defensive Structure Manipulation

• Luring Defenders: Targeting Clan Castle troops or Heroes early can prevent your army from being distracted mid-attack. Use a precise funnel to lead your kill squad directly to these threats.

Air Pathing: Controlling the Skies

Air attacks, like LavaLoon or Dragon raids, require a different approach. Air units ignore walls but are highly susceptible to air traps and well-placed air defenses.

Key Air Pathing Concepts

• Sweeper Angles: Air Sweepers can ruin an attack if not neutralized or avoided. Plan your path to approach from behind or the side.
• Red and Seeking Air Mines: Identify likely trap locations based on base symmetry and previous attacks. Use test Balloons to trigger traps before your main force arrives.
• Layered Deployment: Deploy Lava Hounds or Dragons in waves, not all at once. This ensures air defenses are distracted and traps are triggered gradually.

Example: LavaLoon Pathing

A well-executed LavaLoon attack starts with a Queen Charge or Sui Hero to remove a key air defense and create a funnel. Balloons are then deployed in a line, following the path of least resistance through remaining defenses, while Lava Hounds tank and trigger traps.

Ground Pathing: Navigating the Maze

Ground attacks like Queen Walks, Hybrid (Hog Miner), and Bowler/Valkyrie smashes are heavily dependent on controlling troop movement through walls and compartments.

Wall Breaker and Jump Spell Precision

• Wall Breaker Placement: Use small groups of Wall Breakers to open specific compartments. Deploying them too early, or without a funnel, risks them targeting the wrong wall.
• Jump Spell Usage: A well-placed Jump Spell connects multiple compartments, but too many options can split your army. Limit their choices by clearing unnecessary buildings first.

Hybrid Army Pathing

• Queen Walks: The Queen should be funneled along a set path, picking off key defenses. Use Baby Dragons, Wizards, or Minions to keep her on track.
• Miners and Hog Riders: These units follow a predictable path if defenses are cleared in a line. Avoid deploying them where they might split around the core.

Trap Triggering and Pathing Manipulation

Advanced players don’t just avoid traps—they use them to their advantage.

Triggering Traps Intentionally

• Test Troops: Send a single Balloon, Hog, or Minion to trigger traps ahead of your main force.
• Pathing Baits: Sometimes, leaving a building up can lure enemy troops into a trap-laden path. Use this to your advantage, especially in war attacks.

Pathing and Base Design Synergy

Understanding how base designers try to mislead attackers can help you anticipate pathing pitfalls. Look for:

• Dead Zones: Empty compartments designed to split your army.
• Offset Defenses: Defenses placed to pull troops away from the core.
• Trap Clusters: Areas likely to contain multiple traps based on building placement.

Spell Usage to Influence Pathing

Spells aren’t just for damage or healing—they can also control troop movement.

Rage and Freeze

• Rage: Use Rage to speed troops through dangerous compartments, minimizing the time they spend exposed to high DPS defenses.
• Freeze: Freeze key defenses that might pull or destroy your troops before they reach their target.

Invisibility and Skeleton Spells

• Invisibility: Protect key troops (like a Queen on a charge) as they path through high-risk areas.
• Skeleton Spell: Distract defenses or Heroes that might otherwise pull your troops off course.

Adapting Pathing to Base Types

No two bases are identical. Adjust your pathing strategy based on base style:

Anti-3 Star Bases

• Multiple Compartments: Focus on creating a clear, linear path through the base. Avoid letting troops circle the perimeter.
• Centralized Town Hall: Use a combination of funneling and Jump Spells to guide your army to the core.

Ring Bases

• Perimeter Traps: Beware of traps along the outer ring. Use test troops and plan for split pathing.
• Queen Walks: Queen Walks are especially effective at breaking the ring and establishing a clear path to the center.

Pro Insights: Learning from the Best

Top players study replays, both their own and their opponents’, to refine pathing strategies. Take note of:

• Troop Deployment Order: Pros deploy in waves, not all at once.
• Spell Timing: Spells are used to support pathing, not just for damage.
• Adjustment on the Fly: Great attackers adapt mid-attack if troops start to stray.

Conclusion

Advanced pathing is the secret weapon of elite Clash of Clans players. By mastering funnels, manipulating troop AI, and anticipating base defense tricks, you’ll transform your attacks from chaotic to calculated. The next time you plan a raid, don’t just think about what troops to use—think about where they’ll go and why. Study your replays, experiment with new pathing tricks, and soon you’ll be the player others wonder about: “How did they make it look so easy?”

Ready to take your attacks to the next level? Start practicing advanced pathing today and watch your three-star rate soar!