TH9 Upgrade Order: Maximize Progression Without Wasting Resources

Introduction

Imagine unlocking Town Hall 9 for the first time. Excitement surges, but so does anxiety: where do you start? One wrong upgrade can stall your progress for weeks, waste precious resources, or even make you a liability in clan wars. Did you know that many players end up with maxed walls but under-leveled heroes, or vice versa, simply because of poor upgrade choices? If you want to transform your TH9 journey from chaotic to calculated, this guide is your blueprint for maximizing progression without squandering a single elixir or gold coin.

Why Upgrade Order Matters at TH9

TH9 is a pivotal stage in Clash of Clans. It’s the first Town Hall where strategic choices become crucial, thanks to the introduction of the Archer Queen and a broader array of defenses, traps, and laboratory upgrades. Here’s why your upgrade order at TH9 can make or break your Clash career:

• Resource Efficiency: Builders and lab time are limited. Prioritizing upgrades ensures no downtime and avoids overflow.
• War Performance: Properly timed upgrades can make you a star attacker and a tough defender in clan wars.
• Farming Success: The right upgrades speed up resource collection, making future upgrades easier.
• Avoiding Burnout: A logical, rewarding progression path keeps you motivated to keep clashing.

Step 1: Unlock Key Offense—Laboratory, Spell Factory, and Camps

Laboratory First: The Heart of Progress

Your laboratory is your single most important building at TH9. Upgrading it immediately unlocks new troop and spell levels. Every upgrade you make in the lab increases your attack potential, both for farming and wars.

Example: Upgrading your laboratory early lets you start working on Hog Riders, Balloons, or your favorite war troops right away—saving weeks in the long run.

Spell Factory and Dark Spell Factory

The jump to TH9 brings new spells, including the all-important Jump Spell and the Witch in the Dark Barracks. Upgrade these early to access new strategies and maximize your offensive options.

Army Camps

Each additional camp space is a direct boost to your army’s power. Upgrade all camps as soon as possible, ideally keeping at least one builder dedicated to this task.

Step 2: Heroes—The Queen Takes Priority

Archer Queen: Your Game-Changer

The Archer Queen is arguably the most impactful upgrade at TH9. Unlock her immediately, and prioritize her upgrades over the Barbarian King. Why?

• War Attacks: The Queen Walk is a staple TH9 war strategy.
• Farming: A higher-level Queen tears through bases and collects loot faster.

Pro Tip: Always keep your Queen upgrading unless you need her for a crucial war. Use builder potions or plan around war schedules to minimize downtime.

Barbarian King

Don’t neglect the King! Alternate upgrades between the Queen and King when possible, but always favor the Queen if you’re forced to choose.

Step 3: Clan Castle and Resource Buildings

Clan Castle

Upgrade your Clan Castle early for increased troop capacity. This not only strengthens your war attacks (with higher-level reinforcements) but also boosts your defensive potential.

Resource Storage and Collectors

Efficient resource management is key. Upgrade storages to ensure you can hold enough loot for expensive upgrades (especially heroes and walls). Upgrading collectors is less urgent at TH9 but can provide a steady trickle of resources over time.

Step 4: Unlock and Upgrade New Defenses—But Don’t Rush!

Add New Defenses Gradually

TH9 unlocks a new X-Bow, Archer Tower, Air Defense, and more. Add these to your base, but don’t rush them all at once. Spreading out new defenses avoids making your base a bigger target in war matchmaking (engineered bases can be penalized).

Prioritize Splash and Air Defenses

Upgrade Wizard Towers and Air Defenses first. These are crucial against mass attacks like Barch, Balloons, or LavaLoon. Next, focus on X-Bows for their versatility and intimidation factor.

Example: Many top war clans recommend upgrading Air Defenses before Cannons or Archer Towers, as air attacks are prevalent at TH9.

Traps and Walls

Upgrade Giant Bombs and Air Bombs early to counter popular war strategies like Hog Riders and LavaLoon. Walls should be upgraded steadily using excess resources, especially when builders are tied up.

Step 5: Laboratory—Troop and Spell Priorities

Key War Troops

Focus on upgrading core war troops first:

• Hog Riders (for GoHo attacks)
• Balloons (for LavaLoon)
• Witches (for GoWiWi)
• Healers (for Queen Walk)

Spells

Upgrade Heal, Rage, and Poison Spells early, as they’re central to both farming and war attacks.

Farming Troops

If you’re a heavy farmer, prioritize Barch (Barbarians and Archers) or Goblins for efficient loot runs.

Step 6: Builder Management—No Idle Time

Always Keep Builders Busy

Plan upgrades so that at least one builder is available for walls or short upgrades, while others tackle longer projects (heroes, lab, camps).

Juggling Hero Upgrades and War

If your clan is war-focused, coordinate hero upgrades around war schedules. Use builder potions or gems to finish upgrades in time for war attacks.

Example: Many top players keep their Queen upgrading during farming, then use a potion to finish her before important wars.

Step 7: Wall Upgrades—A Marathon, Not a Sprint

Walls are expensive at TH9, but they’re also a great sink for excess gold and elixir. Upgrade them steadily, especially when you have maxed storages and no immediate building upgrades available.

Pro Tip: Use elixir for walls once your key elixir upgrades (camps, lab, spell factory) are done. This avoids wasting loot from raids.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting Heroes: Don’t leave your Queen or King at low levels. Their power scales dramatically with each upgrade.
• Rushing Defenses: Adding all new defenses at once can increase your war weight and hurt your clan’s matchmaking.
• Ignoring Lab: Idle lab time is wasted progress. Always have something upgrading.
• Overcommitting to Walls Early: Balance wall upgrades with essential buildings and heroes.

Conclusion: Your Path to a Maxed, Efficient TH9

Mastering the TH9 upgrade order is about smart planning, not just grinding. By focusing on offensive power (lab, camps, heroes), supporting it with timely defensive upgrades, and managing your resources with discipline, you’ll not only max out your base faster but also enjoy every step of the journey. Whether you’re a war enthusiast or a farming fanatic, following this strategic upgrade path will ensure you never waste a builder, a potion, or a single drop of loot.

Ready to build the TH9 base of your dreams? Start with the lab, trust in your Queen, and never let your builders sleep. The climb to TH10—and beyond—starts here!