For medium to heavy TH8-TH9 bases you really need a good mix of troops to get anywhere. Tier 1 troops alone won't really get you anywhere if their base is relatively advanced and the only time I use Tier 1 troops alone is if i'm chasing quick elixir because it limits the bases you can raid from successfully. Combined with other units like Giants though, they can work great as the Giants are a distraction their defence focuses on while the other troops clean everything up untouched. I carry 20 barbarians for cleaning up CC troops.

