wreon's guide to 10,000 Dark Elixir (and dragon raiding)
Hi everyone, wreon here. True to my gaming credo, I refuse to gem for it, despite having the gems for it. It is more exciting this way (I like the goal setting) and I want my forth builder without spending for it. If you intend to spend gems for your Barbarian King, feel free to ignore this guide.
This guide is for:
- TH7
- People who want to get a barbarian king without gemming
- People who want to learn about dragon raids
When I hit TH7, which is the most entertaining TH level to be at, I contemplated whether or not I should bother with the Dark Elixir storage + Dark Barracks + Barbarian King Altar set... Ultimately, I ruled in favour of putting off my Dark Elixir battles till I was ready.
When I finally got my dark elixir storage, I felt like I was entering a new world of raiding which I had no experience of. I spent a bit of dark elixir for minions, on a side note, I will say that minions are generally unnecessary, counter-productive (to our 10k DE goal), on hindsight, I may not have built one at all.
Ready with:
- Minimum of 1 barracks @ lvl9
- Dragons upgraded to level 2
- Spell Factory at level 3 (lightning spell upgraded to level 4)
- Decently well upgraded defense (all mortars, WT maxed, pink walls and both air defenses at level 3 minimum)
- Trophy count above 1.3k
With my resources at hand, I had two strategies which were running simultaneously:
Lightning steal
This one isn't rocket science or original, but essentially it is spending 3x lightning spells on the opponent's Dark Elixir Storage. The ground rules I set on when to do this were:
- Minimum 1.2k< Dark Elixir available for stealing
- I am unable to raid his base
With this strategy, and the lightning cooldown currently at half an hour, you can easily get ~600 Dark elixir every 1 and a half hours.
WARNING
Lightning is expensive at 20,000 gold per shot. As a result, this method should only be used IF you can afford it. If you have many walls to upgrade, your basic defensive structures (maxed mortar, Wizard tower & minimum level 3 air defense) are not ready, do not use this method.
Regardless, use this method at your own risk, you are responsible for how you use your own gold.
Here's an optimal lightning shot (gold storages are in range too), pity I had one lightning on cooldown when I found this base.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/...ps78304004.png
Dragon Rush
- Minimum of 5 dragons
- Optional support crew like:
- 13 giants + 1 healer
- 5/10 balloons
- giant/barb/archer mix
- 3x lvl4 Lightning spells ready
The goal of the dragon rush is simple, either
- Kill the air defences
- Get everything you want from the opponent before air defences are in range
So obviously, familiarize yourself with air defense ranges if you are employing the second strategy. It is approximately the range of a mortar, which is quite ridiculously far.
The various types of air defence positions you will meet, and the methods of handling them:
- Extremely exposed Air Defence (no walls)
Single dragon - When the air defence is low, at lvl 3 or below, just placing a dragon smack beside it will work. The dragon will eliminate air defence before the air defence damages it much.
Optional Crew cleanup-drop giants/barbs/archers to kill it quickly. Hopefully the air defence is out of range of other defences, but this should be simple enough - 1 -2 layer deep Air Defence (behind 2 layers of walls +)
Classic Raid - This style should be the one you're already familiar with, deploy your lure (barb/giant), follow up with 1-3 WB, spam giants/barb/archer.
Balloon attack - Apply this style when it is possible find a deployment spot which allows the balloons to reach the air defence first.
This usually means that the defences are in a straight line like this:
[archer][cannon][air defense][cannon]
-------------------------------------
----------------[deployment]
As you can see, by deploying the balloons at that spot, the balloons will go for the air defense straight.
Once the deployment position is available, always cast a dragon at that exact deployment spot as cover. This will draw fire from all air defences, air bombs, seeking air mines in the area. Immediately follow up with the deployment of 5 balloons. If any get destroyed along the way, feel free to lightning once to finish off the air defence. - Extremely guarded Air Defence
Triple lightning the fool - self explanatory, no?
Once the AD has been taken out, the base is GENERALLY for your picking. Certain ridiculously well upgraded TH9 bases will be able to take down one or two dragons, so its better to use at least 7-8 dragons to finish them off.
Dragon Basics
Dragon ai is simple: I will attack the nearest building, with no preference whatsoever. The probability of them running off wild is likely and hilarious (for the defender). More often than not, dragons run wild around the base killing redundant buildings before entering the base.
To prevent this, I will clear off the redundant buildings on the left and right of my intended path for them. With no buildings at the side, they will go deeper into the base, and kill off key defences at top speed.
To kill of the sides, I deploy 2 by 2 on both left and right, and follow up with the remainder in the middle.
Dragons are remarkable powerful, and have the a higher HP count than 20 archers put together, so essentially, they are giant flying tanks with decent damage. Thus, apart from what I've written above, dragon raiding is remarkable simple and may feel cheap at times (as Mr T says, I pity the fool).
Your Base
I recommend that you do not aim bases with high gold/elixir intake intentionally (make Dark Elixir your priority). Keep your gold count low with a free worker, upgrade walls, keep them coffers low. You do not want to be a good target for TH7< who are also hunting for DE. Also, DO NOT place mortars beside your dark elixir storage, any double lightning will kill it along with the stolen DE. I also advise you to adopt a farming strategy (do not defend TH too well), and get the free 12 hour shield as many times as possible.
Summary
To put both strategies together, you will be spending a lot of time every 1 1/2 hours searching for a base to zap. Note that when you have your dragon army ready, you need those lightning too if you want to the additional air defense destruction support, so time your stuff accordingly.
It took me approximately 4-5 days to get my Barbarian King, I hope to hear stories from you guys who can get it even faster! Good luck, and happy raiding.
