So here we are almost 3 years and 8 months since the release of the game back on August 2, 2012. There's already been plenty of fantastic content added in that time period such as clan wars, clan perks, etc. However, IMO there has been a major lacking in the troop creation department, which I'm sure many active players would agree.
Here is the troop timeline as I noted from the 'Clash of Clans Wikia - Version History' page found at http://clashofclans.wikia.com/wiki/Version_History:
Version 1.0, August 2, 2012 (The game release):
-Barbarian
-Archer
-Giant
-Goblin
-Wall Breaker
-Balloon
-Wizard
-Healer
-Dragon
-Pekka
Version 3.54, March 12, 2013 (Added the Dark Barracks):
-Minions
-Hog Riders
-Valkyries
Version 3.124, April 17, 2013 (Added Dark Barracks Level 4):
-Golem
Version 4.74, July 29, 2013, (Added Dark Barracks Level 5):
-Witch
Version 6.253.4, September 12, 2014 (Added Dark Barracks Level 6):
-Lava Hound
As it stands now, there are 4 spots remaining to be filled in the Dark Barracks with new troops. The last troop that was added, the Lava Hound, was added 1 year and 2 months after the last troop, the Witch, was added in 2013. That is waaaay too long a time to wait on new troops. Now we're already almost 6 months from when the Lava Hound was added and there is still no hint as to whether or not a new troop will be added. Something could be in development but I'm not sure if we'll see it any time soon.
I can guess as to why that is. Supercell does not want to upset the already very delicate balance of the game. The way the current types of troops work together is what makes the game both fun and challenging and this can easily be ruined if a troop gets added to the mix that is too OP or complicated to integrate. That is what I see with most of the ideas that get requested for implementation. The troop is either too OP or complicated that would require very difficult coding for the development team to create and risk upsetting the balance.
If you look at the Lava Hound and the mechanics alone, you will see that there was nothing majorly ground breaking there. It was generated from an idea a forumer had when he/she suggested the idea of a flying golem to protect your air troops from air defenses. Just this simple idea spawned a unit that took care of a problem in the game and brought air attacks back on the market. It also exposed those colossal TH10s with their level 11 walls to the pain of a 3 star.
There was nothing particularly special about this unit. It just had to have a high amount of HP, distract the air defenses, and survive just long enough to bring balloons deep enough into the enemy base to really do some damage to the defenses. It explodes just as a regular golem would and spawns mini-minions with very low HP. Nothing very spectacular at all. Just a troop created to solve a problem and bring air attacks back in the game.
Now there is a void in ground attacks that stems from the effectiveness of high level walls, which more and more players are upgrading. Ground attacks are no longer as effective because, if a wall breaker(s) fails, those troops can be stuck on those walls for quite some time. This effect becomes exponentially painful if you take into account the low HP of the dps'ing ground units especially when they are separated from their meat shields. Even a jump spell doesn't allow enough leeway to sustain the troops long enough to achieve the 3 star victory on a ground based attack against high level walls.
With all that being said, below is what I think about those last few troops should be but please note: I am ignoring defensive building, traps, spells, troop level increases, secondary troops (golemites, witches skeletons, lava pups, etc.), and heroes here as I am happy with what has been put out and don't think these need any modification or additions. I also wanted to note that these are not particularly groundbreaking or game changing units but just merely modifications of already pre-existing troops in the game. I am also going to use the 4 point criteria that Anoushka had given in his new troop posting sticky found at http://forum.supercell.net/showthrea...ls-suggestions. They are the Dark Barbarian, the Dark Archer, the Dark Giant, and the Dark Wizard and their caption would be "The Alchemists have been experimenting with the long term effects of Dark Elixir exposure to some of our normal troops. They were very delighted with the results of their efforts."
1. The Dark Barbarian
- What makes this unit/spell unique compared to the other units/spells in the game
This unit will be a modification of the already existing barbarian unit but with some enhanced attributes and definitely a different look. I'd suggest maybe adding some splash damage to his attack like the valkyrie but without the spinning action. Its just from his sword swipe. Increase the units HP a little bit but just enough that the point defenses would not be able to 2 shot him. It would take more like 4-6 shots to fully down him ignoring any trap damage. He would have more of a dps bump, so, in that instant that a wall breaker fails to break through a level 9 wall or higher but does a little damage to it, the Dark Barbarian will be alive long enough to get a few more shots on that wall to open it up for the remaining troops to get in. And lastly, of course, the troop space requirement should increase from 1 to 2 spaces or whatever is needed to justify it.
- What kind of strategies this new unit would enable (concrete examples are best)
The Dark Barbarian would help to make ground army compositions more effective by surviving longer and doing more damage. It can also help farming strategies by acting as more of a mini-tanking unit to go with something like GiBarch. I'd say make levels 1-3 available at TH7. Right now a TH7's & early 8's attack strategies are mainly dragon based attacks, but adding more ground based attack troops could open up some more ground based attack combinations that can be used in war. You can grant levels 4, 5, and 6 at TH8, 9, and 10, respectively, or however you choose but the upgrade should be enough to make them effective against those TH levels.
- What kind of army composition includes this unit or, how it could combine with other units for more advanced strategies
This unit would be included in regular ground based attacks including but not limited to GoWiPe, GoWiWi, etc.
- How someone could redo their base to protect against attacks from this unit
No modifications to base structure is needed. The units attributes should not be modified so much that current defenses cannot protect against them. It would more or less be better for ground attacks against more higher upgraded bases. That's what I think makes the idea great as it should not be too OP.
2. The Dark Archer
- What makes this unit/spell unique compared to the other units/spells in the game
This unit will be a modification of the already existing archer unit but with some enhanced attributes and, again, a different look. Like the Dark Barbarian, a slight increase in HP would help this unit be more effective in battle. Again, nothing major but just enough to give them a little more fight in battle. Maybe do something with the range here? Increase it and lower their dps or decrease it and increase their dps. Maybe give then a longbow if you increase the range or a crossbow if you decide to decrease it. Again, of course, the troop space requirement should increase from 1 to 2 spaces or whatever is needed to justify it.
- What kind of strategies this new unit would enable (concrete examples are best)
The Dark Archer, again, would help to make ground army compositions more effective by surviving longer and doing more damage. It can also help farming strategies such as GiBarch. Again, make early levels available at TH7 to help out those ground based attacks. Give the higher levels to the high THs to make them effective against higher level walls.
- What kind of army composition includes this unit or, how it could combine with other units for more advanced strategies
This unit would be included in regular ground based attacks including but not limited to GoWiPe, GoWiWi, etc.
- How someone could redo their base to protect against attacks from this unit
Again, no modifications to base structure is needed. The units attributes should not be modified so much that current defenses cannot protect against them. It would more or less be better for ground attacks against more higher upgraded bases.
3. The Dark Giant
- What makes this unit/spell unique compared to the other units/spells in the game
I know, I know. You're sitting there saying, "But they just released level 7 Giants..." :facepalm::facepalm:. This troop is more of a stretch but I think it can add value if it is differentiated enough. AGAIN, this unit will be a modification of the already existing giant unit but with some enhanced attributes and, again, a different look. Maybe a little bit of an HP bump to survive those infernos a little longer and some splash damage for walls like the Dark Barbarian. Honestly, I'm sure there are things that can be done to make it be different, but it is more of a unit to fill that place holder and give players more options. I'm leaving that aspect purely up to Supercell's discretion. And , of course, the troop space requirement should increase from 5 to 8 spaces or whatever is needed to justify it.
- What kind of strategies this new unit would enable (concrete examples are best)
Enhancing Gibarch, GiWiWi, GiWiPe, etc. obviously. Make early levels available at TH7 and higher levels to the high THs to make them effective against higher level walls.
- What kind of army composition includes this unit or, how it could combine with other units for more advanced strategies
This unit would be included in regular ground based attacks including but not limited to GoWiPe, GoWiWi, etc. as mentioned above.
- How someone could redo their base to protect against attacks from this unit
Again, no modifications to base structure is needed. The units attributes should not be modified so much that current defenses cannot protect against them. It would more or less be better for ground attacks against more higher upgraded bases.
Annnnd finally...
4. The Dark Wizard!
- What makes this unit/spell unique compared to the other units/spells in the game
This is the coup de grace Dark troop! Besides the change in look of the regular wizard, the Dark Wizard would have MORE HP. I'm emphasizing this because the current HP of the regular wizards suck. A giant bomb can take 6-8 of them out instantaneously. The increased HP would not allow this to happen so easily, but it should still considerably weaken them so that it makes it slightly easier for point defenses to take them out after. Any dps increases might be hard to justify here as they are already strong dps wise. Maybe slow down their attack actions slightly to balance the HP gain. And again the troop space should be increased some. From 4-6 maybe?
- What kind of strategies this new unit would enable (concrete examples are best)
Enhancing Gibarch, GiWiWi, GiWiPe, etc., AND all war attacks, obviously. I think early levels should only be available at TH8 and higher and they only should need a few levels to keep them from being too OP.
- What kind of army composition includes this unit or, how it could combine with other units for more advanced strategies
This unit would be included in regular ground based attacks including but not limited to GoWiPe, GoWiWi, etc. as mentioned above.
- How someone could redo their base to protect against attacks from this unit
Again, no modifications to base structure is needed. The units attributes should not be modified so much that current defenses cannot protect against them. It would more or less be better for ground attacks against more higher upgraded bases.
All in all, these are not groundbreaking suggestions and they can be considered rather droll, but, let's face it, we need to start seeing some new Dark troops. All of the already existing troops have proven to be sufficient enough thus far. This is just making them better and trying to solve simple problems like the Lava Hound has done since its creation last year. There is nothing there that goes against the already ruled out ideas either.
Your feedback is much appreciated!

