7 starting tips for Clash of Clans beginners

As of today, Clash of Clans remains one of the world’s biggest games, and for a good reason. Hinged on hefty strategy and an active community, this global phenomenon is one powerhouse of a game, but don’t worry – it’s absolutely not too late to join in on the action. For those of you just dipping your toes into the world of raiding, we’ve put together seven beginner tips to help you thrive in Clash of Clans.

Gems are the in-game premium currency used to buy resources and skip wait times. As tempting as it may be to spend gems in the early game for speedy upgrades, you’ll really need them later on to set up more Builder’s Huts, allowing you to upgrade multiple of your defenses simultaneously. Hold onto them and thank yourself later!

It’s normal to be a little hesitant about attacking when you’re still a beginner. Luckily, practice mode (which unlocks at Town Hall Level 4) allows you to try out different strategies without penalties or wait times – make the most out of experimenting with your troops before going in guns blazing.

Your Laboratory is responsible for upgrading your machines, spells, and troops. Spending your Elixir here will make your spells last longer, your troops hit harder, and even change their appearance once they become powerful enough. It can take a while to churn out upgrades, so it’s wise to optimize by always making sure your Laboratory has a research project going at any given time.

The single-player campaign is helpful for a beginner to learn the basics of attacking. Not only does it give you the opportunity to sharpen your offensive strategies, but clearing the Goblin maps will earn you a steady source of Gold and Elixir to help you progress throughout the early game.

Rather than spread yourself thin, take some time to think about what you want to upgrade. A popular strategy for both beginners and seasoned players is to upgrade your offense first, storage, then defense. As you gain more experience, you’ll be able to switch between different strategies when starting off a new game.

Repairing your Clan Castle will let you join a clan, participate in wars, and unlock your Treasury. The Treasury holds resources from Clan Wars, Star Bonuses, and is one of the fastest ways for a new player to acquire Elixir and Gold. Once you’re in a Clan, other players can donate powerful troops to your Clan Castle that can help you in battle or even defend your village from raids.

When you’re just starting out, it can be overwhelming to try and identify the best attack strategies. Wizards? Balloons? A horde of ruthless Barbarians? Take the time you need to study which troops are most effective against certain base layouts, the strengths and weaknesses of each troop, and your heroes’ unique abilities.

It’s helpful to know what each form of currency is used for so that you know what to grind for. Gold is used to build and upgrade your defenses, and serves as a small fee to find a match in multiplayer. Elixir is used to build and upgrade Army buildings, upgrade your troops in the Laboratory, and for placing decorations. Dark Elixir is similar, but instead upgrades your dark troops and unlocks Heroes to fight for your village.