GoHo: Common Traps and How to Avoid Them

Introduction

Imagine launching a perfectly planned GoHo attack—your Golems tank, Wizards clear, and Hog Riders surge ahead. But suddenly, your Hogs vanish into a sea of spring traps and giant bombs, leaving your attack in ruins. Why does this happen, even to experienced players? The answer lies in the clever placement of traps and how attackers respond. In this article, we’ll uncover the most common traps that sabotage GoHo attacks and, more importantly, how you can outsmart them to deliver flawless three-star raids.

Understanding GoHo: The Basics

GoHo stands for Golems and Hog Riders, a legendary strategy—especially at Town Hall 8 and 9—that combines the tankiness of Golems with the surgical precision of Hog Riders. The typical attack involves:

• Golems: Soak up initial damage and distract defenses.
• Wizards: Create a funnel and clear trash buildings.
• Hog Riders: Sweep through the base, targeting defenses.
• Spells: Heals to keep Hogs alive, Poison for enemy Clan Castle troops.

While GoHo is devastating when executed well, its biggest weakness is hidden traps. Let’s break down the most dangerous ones and how to avoid them.

Common Traps That Threaten GoHo Attacks

1. Giant Bombs: The Hog Killer

Why They’re Deadly: Giant Bombs deal massive splash damage, enough to wipe out a tightly packed group of Hog Riders instantly, especially if they’re not under Heal.

How Defenders Use Them: Skilled base designers often place double Giant Bombs (Double GB) between defenses, especially in high-traffic Hog paths or near the core.

How to Avoid:

• Scout for Gaps: Look for 2x4 tile spaces between defenses—classic double Giant Bomb spots.
• Trigger with Few Hogs: Send 1-2 Hogs ahead to trip bombs before the main wave.
• Heal Timing: Pre-drop Heal spells as Hogs approach suspicious areas.
• Queen Kill: Eliminate the defending Queen early, as she often guards critical bomb spots.

Example: In a recent Clan War, a TH9 base had double Giant Bombs between the Wizard Tower and Archer Tower. The attacker used 2 Hogs to trigger one bomb, then deployed the main group with a pre-dropped Heal, saving the raid.

2. Spring Traps: The Silent Assassin

Why They’re Deadly: Spring Traps instantly remove up to three Hogs from battle, no matter their health.

How Defenders Use Them: Placed between defenses along common Hog paths, especially tight corridors or between cannons and archer towers.

How to Avoid:

• Pathing Awareness: Analyze the base to predict Hog movement and likely spring trap locations.
• Spread Out Deployments: Deploy Hogs in smaller groups or surgical fashion, rather than clumping.
• Funnel Creation: Use Golems and Wizards to create clear paths, forcing Hogs away from trap-heavy zones.

Example: On anti-Hog bases, spring traps often sit between outer defenses. Surgical deployment (sending small groups to each defense) can drastically reduce spring trap losses.

3. Skeleton Traps: Death by a Thousand Cuts

Why They’re Deadly: Skeleton Traps, especially set to ground, can distract and whittle down Hogs while defenses keep firing.

How Defenders Use Them: Placed in the core or near high-value targets, triggering as Hogs approach.

How to Avoid:

• Poison Spell: Always bring at least one Poison spell. Drop it on Skeletons as soon as they appear.
• Wizard Support: Leave a few Wizards or Minions behind to clean up stray Skellies.

Example: In competitive wars, attackers often wait until the first wave of Hogs triggers Skelly Traps, then immediately drop Poison, keeping Hogs focused on defenses.

4. Tesla Farms: The Hidden Threat

Why They’re Deadly: Multiple Teslas popping up together (Tesla Farm) can melt Hogs rapidly, especially if combined with traps.

How Defenders Use Them: Hidden in corners or the core, often near high-value targets or Giant Bombs.

How to Avoid:

• Base Scouting: Look for suspicious empty spaces or symmetrical gaps.
• Heal Coverage: Save a Heal spell if you suspect a Tesla Farm, and be ready to drop it as soon as Teslas appear.
• Split Deployment: Don’t send all Hogs in one wave—stagger deployment to avoid mass casualties.

Example: A TH9 base with a Tesla Farm in the 12 o’clock compartment wiped out a group of Hogs. The next attacker split his Hogs and pre-dropped Heal, clearing the area with minimal losses.

5. Clan Castle Troops: The Defensive Wildcard

Why They’re Deadly: High-damage troops like Valkyries, Wizards, or even a Baby Dragon can decimate Hogs if not dealt with.

How Defenders Use Them: Lure-resistant Clan Castle placement, with a mix of air and ground units.

How to Avoid:

• Lure and Kill: Use a few Hogs or a Giant to pull out CC troops early, then eliminate them with Poison and Wizards.
• Queen Walk or Kill Squad: Use your Kill Squad (Golems, Heroes, Wizards) to take out CC troops before releasing Hogs.

Example: In a war, a GoHo attacker failed to lure a Baby Dragon, resulting in Hog Rider annihilation. A follow-up attack used a Queen Walk to handle the CC, leading to a three-star.

Pro Tips for Outsmarting Traps

1. Plan Your Pathing

Study the base’s layout before attacking. Predict Hog routes, identify likely trap spots, and plan Heal spell placements accordingly. Use base-building logic: if a spot looks suspiciously empty or is hard to reach, it probably hides a trap.

2. Use Scouting Attacks

If your clan is allowed to scout (friendly challenges, or lower-level attacks in war), use them to trigger traps and reveal hidden threats. This information is invaluable for the main GoHo attack.

3. Adapt on the Fly

Not every attack goes as planned. Watch for unexpected trap triggers and be ready to adjust—deploy extra Hogs, drop Heal spells early, or use Heroes to finish off stubborn compartments.

4. Learn from the Pros

Watch replays from top players. Notice how they deploy Hogs in waves, time their spells, and always anticipate traps. Emulate these habits in your own attacks.

Conclusion

GoHo remains one of the most reliable and satisfying strategies in Clash of Clans—if you respect the traps. By understanding how and why defenders use Giant Bombs, Spring Traps, Skeleton Traps, Tesla Farms, and tricky Clan Castle troops, you can plan smarter, react faster, and secure more three-star victories. Next time you prepare a GoHo attack, remember: every trap is a puzzle. With careful planning and sharp execution, you’ll be the one setting traps for your enemies, not falling into theirs.

Ready to take your GoHo skills to the next level? Start analyzing your clan’s war bases, practice surgical deployments, and never underestimate the power of a well-timed Heal. Victory is in the details—master the traps, and you’ll master the war.