Clash of Clans Defense: What to Upgrade First

Introduction

Imagine logging into Clash of Clans after a long day, only to find your base decimated—resources stolen, trophies lost, and your hard-earned progress set back. What if upgrading just one building could have changed everything? In the world of Clash of Clans, the order in which you upgrade your defenses can make the difference between a thriving stronghold and a loot piñata. So, which defenses truly deserve your attention first—and why?

Understanding the Importance of Upgrade Order

Upgrading defenses isn’t just about making your base look intimidating. Each upgrade influences how well you fend off attackers, protect resources, and progress through leagues. A strategic upgrade path maximizes your defensive potential, making your base a tough nut to crack at every Town Hall level.

Why Upgrade Order Matters

• Resource Protection: Smart upgrades keep more loot safe from raiders.
• Trophy Pushing: Strong defenses help you climb and maintain higher leagues.
• War Performance: Upgrading the right defenses boosts your Clan War Base, earning more stars for your team.
• Progression Efficiency: Prioritizing key buildings ensures you get the most value for your builders and time.

Key Principles for Defense Upgrades

Before diving into specifics, consider these guiding principles:

• Balance is Key: Don’t max out one defense while ignoring others. A balanced defense thwarts a wider range of attack strategies.
• Adapt to Meta: Upgrade buildings that counter prevalent attack trends (e.g., air attacks, spam armies).
• Builder Management: Always keep your builders busy, focusing on high-impact upgrades first.
• Town Hall Considerations: Each Town Hall level shifts the defensive landscape—what’s crucial at TH8 isn’t always top priority at TH12.

The Upgrade Priority List: What to Upgrade First (and Why)

1. Clan Castle

Why: While not a direct defense, the Clan Castle is the heart of your defensive strategy. Upgrading it increases troop capacity, allowing stronger defensive donations from your clanmates. Max-level Clan Castle troops can single-handedly thwart attacks—especially when paired with clever base designs.

Example: At TH9, a maxed Clan Castle can house a Lava Hound or multiple high-level Balloons, dramatically improving your base’s air defense.

2. Key Splash Damage Defenses

A. Mortars

Why: Mortars devastate swarm armies like BARCH (Barbarians and Archers), Goblins, and low-level spam attacks. Early upgrades to Mortars reduce the risk of mass ground troop raids.

Data: A single Mortar shot can wipe out a wave of Archers if not upgraded, leaving your storages exposed.

B. Wizard Towers

Why: Wizard Towers combine splash damage with fast attack speed. They are critical for defending clustered resources and countering Hog Riders, Minions, and Balloons.

Player Insight: Many experienced players prioritize Wizard Towers over Mortars at higher Town Halls due to their versatility and ability to target both air and ground.

3. Air Defenses

Why: As you climb in Town Hall levels, air attacks become increasingly common—think Balloons, Dragons, and LavaLoon strategies. Upgrading Air Defenses early is essential to avoid being easy prey for air raiders.

Comparison: At TH8, an upgraded Air Defense can turn a would-be 3-star Dragon attack into a failed raid.

4. Archer Towers and Cannons

Archer Towers:

• Why: Archer Towers have excellent range and can target both air and ground units. Upgrading them provides all-round coverage, especially against sneaky air units like Minions.

Cannons:

• Why: Cannons are cheap and quick to upgrade, offering strong ground defense. While they don’t hit air, their high DPS is valuable against ground assaults.

Tip: Upgrade Archer Towers before Cannons if air attacks are frequent in your trophy range.

5. X-Bows, Inferno Towers, and Eagle Artillery (Higher Town Halls)

X-Bows

• Why: X-Bows provide rapid-fire, long-range support. Set to ground and air, they deter a wide range of attackers.
• Upgrade Priority: Upgrade early at TH9+ to anchor your core defenses.

Inferno Towers

• Why: Infernos are game-changers, especially in single-target mode against high-HP units like Golems, Heroes, and Bowlers.
• Upgrade Priority: At TH10+, prioritize at least one Inferno Tower to max for a psychological and tactical advantage.

Eagle Artillery

• Why: The Eagle’s devastating strikes punish mass troop deployments. At TH11+, upgrading it increases damage and survivability, making your base a tough target for endgame attackers.

6. Scattershot (TH13+)

Why: Scattershots deliver splash damage to both air and ground, countering mass attacks and siege machines. Upgrading them early at TH13+ is essential for keeping up with the evolving meta.

7. Bomb Towers and Traps

Bomb Towers:

• Why: Their death damage punishes Hog Riders and other melee units. Upgrade them to disrupt hybrid and ground-heavy attacks.

Traps:

• Why: While not as glamorous, upgrading traps (Bombs, Giant Bombs, Seeking Air Mines) can surprise attackers and tip close battles in your favor.

Special Considerations by Player Type

For Resource Farmers

• Focus on splash defenses (Mortars, Wizard Towers) and storages. Protecting loot is paramount.

For Trophy Pushers

• Upgrade high-DPS defenses (X-Bows, Infernos, Eagle Artillery) and Clan Castle for maximum deterrence.

For War Players

• Prioritize defenses that counter popular war strategies at your Town Hall level. Analyze war attack logs to spot weaknesses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting Air Defenses: Many players focus too much on ground defenses, leaving their base open to air attacks.
• Overcommitting to Walls: While walls are important, they shouldn’t delay critical defense upgrades.
• Ignoring Builder Management: Idle builders slow your progress. Plan upgrades to minimize downtime.
• Upgrading Too Many at Once: Spreading upgrades too thin weakens your base during the upgrade period.

Sample Upgrade Path by Town Hall Level

TH7 Example:

1. Clan Castle
2. Air Defenses
3. Mortars/Wizard Towers
4. Archer Towers
5. Cannons
6. Traps

TH10 Example:

1. Clan Castle
2. Inferno Towers
3. X-Bows
4. Air Defenses
5. Wizard Towers
6. Archer Towers

TH13+ Example:

1. Clan Castle
2. Scattershot
3. Eagle Artillery
4. Inferno Towers
5. X-Bows
6. Air Defenses

Conclusion

Upgrading defenses in Clash of Clans isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. The smartest path depends on your Town Hall level, playstyle, and the ever-evolving attack meta. However, prioritizing Clan Castle, splash damage defenses, and air-targeting buildings will fortify your base against most threats. Remember: a balanced, strategic approach not only protects your hard-earned loot but also turns your base into a fortress that attackers will think twice about raiding.

Ready to take your base to the next level? Reevaluate your upgrade plan today, and watch your defenses stand tall against any challenger!