Mass dragon Guide (Clan Wars) w/ pictures TH 7-8

:UPDATE:
I am heading to town hall 9 now, so I will update this thread with what I learn during my whole th8 time

SO yeah the air sweeper is out so, hogs are dominating again, but it can still be used, i have to go now, so I'll finish the rest l8r in the day :)

Not complete yet.
To do:
Detailed pictures




Hey guys, I have checked all the listed threads about how to use mass dragons in CW:
http://i.imgur.com/UGAJaN8.png
Yes, these are great method guides, but won't guarantee 3 stars on any TH8.

So, I will be going over the basics and the more advanced tactics

Part 1 - Intro:

I have been using mass dragons since TH7, and I honestly thought (and still think) that it can 3-star ANY town hall 8 in clan wars if done right. BUT, doing it right will take LOTS of practice, and I'm not joking.

Pros and Cons:
+High Health
+Decent damage
+Strong in groups
-Slow
-Expensive

Part 2 - Spells

So, spells. Honestly, the only combos you will need are 2 rage 1 heal and 3 lightning. However, opinions may vary. if there is nothing trapping my drags between ADs, I will use 3 rages

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lunaticfringe

To be honest, however, I pretty much checked out as soon as I read the comment(s) above. I was loosely in the camp of 2 rage, 1 heal, but not only did Wryhorn make me significantly pause with that approach (he often prefers 2 heal, 1 rage---at least, that is my understanding), but I proved it out that his comment is often spot on...2 heal, 1 rage is sometimes far, FAR superior than 2 rage, 1 heal. A textbook example might be a vanilla 105 where you are NOT rushing your loons to the core. Two wars ago, I just executed one of my best attacks ever (against AD665 and a fairly mature TH8) using 2 heals, 1 rage and it really wasn't even close.

The correct answer is, it totally depends on the strategy being deployed, which will then dictate which spells to bring with you. I do NOT believe there is a one-size, fits all playbook that works all the time & 2 heal, 1 rage is not only a very common, but it often--make that VERY OFTEN---is definitely the right spells to bring to the party.

---

Now when to use them, Lightning should be used in a situation with spread you air defences, in kind of a triangle, like this:

http://i.imgur.com/UPhCChf.jpg

So, you would ONLY deploy drags after funnel is created, ONLY deploy loons when drags are under fire.

Rage and heal would be used on something like this:
http://i.imgur.com/cjzdGaB.jpg
(Ataraxia)
You will use the rage to get through the moat (propel the loons) and then cover the air defences with the other rage, and t the heal once they are attacking any high-hp structures, in this case the town hall


Part 3 - Army comp & CC.

105.XX=

Pretty simple. Heres what to use.
-10 dragons+King
-Any of the recommended spell combos

In your clan castle you definitely want level 6 balloons!! <--- Important!

Having dragons in CC can work, but is not effective on some bases.

Max hogs can work but. YOU ARE EXPOSED TO THE SPRING TRAPS, DGB, AND OTHER GROUND TRAPS.


99.XX=

A bit more tanks- 9 Dragons
- 4 Level 5 balloons
- Any spell combo, this is mostly used with lightning
- 5 MAX CC loons
Part 4 - Deployment

Method one_Lightning:

1. Use 3 Lightning spells, to zap one air defence (Highest level or farthest from attacking side) to make the remaining 2 form a line parallel to your line of dragons
2. 2 dragons if there are outside buildings that might drag the wingers over the corners
3. drop all but 2 dragons in a line destroy most of the first layer
4. Drop rest of drags
5. Drop balloons when you are sure the air defence will be their 1st/2nd target
6. Drop king if needed for clean up, or you can do it WITH step 1

Method 2_Angry Heal

1. Funnel with drags, or with king if AD covers desired area
2. Drop your dragons in a line
3. Drop loons
4. Make sure the loons get the rage
5. Heal while drags are hitting a town hall/storage and is under fire from AD
6. Use the rage to get rid of the last AD

http://i.imgur.com/nWX2Sdv.png

So, this would be a typical, but wrong approach to tackle this base, due to the buffers., as shown:

http://i.imgur.com/jiFXsrA.png

Combined with the point defences,

http://i.imgur.com/XudcXUa.png

That's 720 dps! Which means even having balloons will be pointless, as the drags will be dead within 30-40 secs!




Dos and Don't s:
:DRemember spells and all that
:DGet CC Loons
:DMake your balloons take the shortest path and while dragons are tanking
:facepalm:Spam your dragons
:facepalm:Attack anti dragon bases that have 3 level 6 air defences with level 2 dragons.

I will get pictures in ASAP

I will also show my dragon raids ASAP

Part 5 - Tips:

So, you have all the deployment and all that ready, but, timing is absolutely ESSENTIAL. Watch out for high-hp structures, time your loon drop, start practising rage and heal, as that will be VERY useful as it helps you practise spell drops.



Conclusion:
Dragons are the best way to 3 star Town hall 8s and 7s. I have not gone into detail for TH9 because hybrid armies like LoGoWipe/HoGoWipe are MUCH stronger there.

MASSIVE THANK YOU TO KNIGHTLYGAMING (T1Grr) FOR SHARING HIS RAIDS ON YT, AND MASSIVE THANKS TO MY CLAN FOR PUTTING ME IN WARS AND EVEN HAVING THEM :p

Good Luck.

-Gab Mako

WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I THINKING WHEN I DROPPED MY KING AT THE START.
Note. Do not drop your king at the start if the outside is thin.
http://i.imgur.com/uBAjA0J.jpg

Dragon deployment for specific bases.

Request below :)

2 stars in both attacks :( One was unlucky, the other was my fingers. Hope I can show you some good attacks next time.
(95% + 81%) :facepalm:

At th 8 going against 3 lv6 ads you need two heals or a snipe team and 3 lighting. Some bases you have to do multi faceted attacks where your forces are deployed separately but come back together along your designated attack line. 10 drags are for simple bases. max or near max th8s you almost always need a more diverse troop mix then the 105.21 or 105.3. I use 10 different drag troop combinations for attacks on a regular bases and will be adding more when I get my hogs up. The point is an attacker needs to have options with attacks and one troop combo is not options just because you change up the spells. I have no doubt that it gets you three stars some of the time but when going for consistency you need to change it up based on your target and personal capabilities. If you want to have a real drag guide then add attacks like 11 or 99 or 813 or 717 with the different spell combinations and multiple attack lines. Go in-depth into the role of the drag with the different attacks. And then you will have a dragon guide.

99 is good when your clan doesn't have lv 6 loons. The extra loons really help to bring down the defences faster and if placed right last until just point damage is possible. There are countless base designs so attacking needs to be just as diverse.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kelderon

At th 8 going against 3 lv6 ads you need two heals or a snipe team and 3 lighting. Some bases you have to do multi faceted attacks where your forces are deployed separately but come back together along your designated attack line. 10 drags are for simple bases. max or near max th8s you almost always need a more diverse troop mix then the 105.21 or 105.3. I use 10 different drag troop combinations for attacks on a regular bases and will be adding more when I get my hogs up. The point is an attacker needs to have options with attacks and one troop combo is not options just because you change up the spells. I have no doubt that it gets you three stars some of the time but when going for consistency you need to change it up based on your target and personal capabilities. If you want to have a real drag guide then add attacks like 11 or 99 or 813 or 717 with the different spell combinations and multiple attack lines. Go in-depth into the role of the drag with the different attacks. And then you will have a dragon guide.

99 is good when your clan doesn't have lv 6 loons. The extra loons really help to bring down the defences faster and if placed right last until just point damage is possible. There are countless base designs so attacking needs to be just as diverse.

---

I understand that bro. But honestly if deployed right 3 stars is commonplace on any th8, maxed or rushed. When I get one raid on those Ill post it. Thanks, I'll add the role of the drag tmmrw. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gub

Part 2 - Spells

So, spells. Some say 2 rage 1 heal, some say 3 lightning, some say all rage, some say 2 heal 1 rage. Honestly, the only combos you will need are 2 rage 1 heal and 3 lightning.

---

Excellent effort here. I respect the time you have put into this in an effort to help others---Very cool.

To be honest, however, I pretty much checked out as soon as I read the comment(s) above. I was loosely in the camp of 2 rage, 1 heal, but not only did Wryhorn make me significantly pause with that approach (he often prefers 2 heal, 1 rage---at least, that is my understanding), but I proved it out that his comment is often spot on...2 heal, 1 rage is sometimes far, FAR superior than 2 rage, 1 heal. A textbook example might be a vanilla 105 where you are NOT rushing your loons to the core. Two wars ago, I just executed one of my best attacks ever (against AD665 and a fairly mature TH8) using 2 heals, 1 rage and it really wasn't even close.

On the flip side, if I see an opportunity to rush my loons to the core (for example, a vanilla 105 base, where I don't have to drift my loon seemingly 1/2 way across the screen to get to the core!) and I have little risk of them pathing out, yeah, I'll bring 2 rage, 1 heal to the party, for I'll likely wipe the core of ADs out so quickly, 1 heal is all I need.

The correct answer is, it totally depends on the strategy being deployed, which will then dictate which spells to bring with you. I do NOT believe there is a one-size, fits all playbook that works all the time & 2 heal, 1 rage is not only a very common, but it often--make that VERY OFTEN---is definitely the right spells to bring to the party.

Wryhorn, & his clan, are seemingly working on an extremely systematic approach to raiding and he can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he's constantly updating his guide for dragon attacks as he/they collect more and more information.

I hate to say it again, for it isn't very useful, but the right answer is, IT DEPENDS. I believe a better way to say it might be, "I prefer" or something like that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gub

WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I THINKING WHEN I DROPPED MY KING AT THE START.
Note. Do not drop your king at the start if the outside is thin.

---

Once again, I'd strongly caution you to be careful with what you are insinuating. At times, dropping your King at the start is a brilliant thing to do. I literally just executed this strategy in the war my clan just completed (using 105 Light) and the B king not only helped with cuts (a critical aspect on this particular attack), but also drew fire from the ATs in the areas, giving my CC loons a clear path to the AD6 that got torched (this was an attack against AD 666)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gub

Rage and heal would be used on something like this:
http://i.imgur.com/cjzdGaB.jpg
(Ataraxia)
You will use the rage to get through the moat and then cover the air defences with the other rage, and t the heal once some of your dragons are below 50%

---

With all due respect, that's far from what I would do. Not saying that your strategy wouldn't work, but I'd definitely bring 2 heal, 1 rage to the party and likely smoke that base.

In my humble opinion, there's absolutely no need whatsoever to rush through the moat. Attacking from, say, 11:00, those high HP storage units are way outside the range of the ADs. This means you can just plant dragons on them with no fear whatsoever of them taking long-term damage from an AD (this is murder on an attack). The cuts on this base look extremely easy as well to get a solid funnel into the core.

As such, once those storage units are down, there are no high HP structures in the way of your dragons and the core. This means your dragons won't take too long to get there, which is what you want.

Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, if you rage too early and you're executing a 105, your dragons will often torch the hell out of those defensive structures in the front of the core. This often results in bad loon pathing, as the nearest defensive structure might be something outside the core. In this case, take a look at the tesla and those archer towers. If you blow those front defensive structures too quickly, you run the risk of your loons going to those structures instead of where you want them, which is the core. Umm, don't ask me how I know this! haha

The hardest part on this raid will be timing the loon drop, as you want to drop them before the wiz tower/archer tower go down, but not too fast such that they pass the dragons attacking the storage units. This should result in your loons going fairly straight. Then, when those do fall, the closest defensive structure is the mortar/AD in the core. As Wryhorn teaches, drop a heal bisecting the front two ADs, then a heal and a rage in the core. You'll likely be the toast of your clan... :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lunaticfringe

With all due respect, that's far from what I would do. Not saying that your strategy wouldn't work, but I'd definitely bring 2 heal, 1 rage to the party and likely smoke that base.

In my humble opinion, there's absolutely no need whatsoever to rush through the moat. Attacking from, say, 11:00, those high HP storage units are way outside the range of the ADs. This means you can just plant dragons on them with no fear whatsoever of them taking long-term damage from an AD (this is murder on an attack). The cuts on this base look extremely easy as well to get a solid funnel into the core.

As such, once those storage units are down, there are no high HP structures in the way of your dragons and the core. This means your dragons won't take too long to get there, which is what you want.

Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, if you rage too early and you're executing a 105, your dragons will often torch the hell out of those defensive structures in the front of the core. This often results in bad loon pathing, as the nearest defensive structure might be something outside the core. In this case, take a look at the tesla and those archer towers. If you blow those front defensive structures too quickly, you run the risk of your loons going to those structures instead of where you want them, which is the core. Umm, don't ask me how I know this! haha

The hardest part on this raid will be timing the loon drop, as you want to drop them before the wiz tower/archer tower go down, but not too fast such that they pass the dragons attacking the storage units. This should result in your loons going fairly straight. Then, when those do fall, the closest defensive structure is the mortar/AD in the core. As Wryhorn teaches, drop a heal bisecting the front two ADs, then a heal and a rage in the core. You'll likely be the toast of your clan... :)

---

Your strategy is a fairly safe strategy which would definitely clear out the core. But if you can time your cc placement then you can use that one heal with the rage.

Quote:

---

To be honest, however, I pretty much checked out as soon as I read the comment(s) above. I was loosely in the camp of 2 rage, 1 heal, but not only did Wryhorn make me significantly pause with that approach (he often prefers 2 heal, 1 rage---at least, that is my understanding), but I proved it out that his comment is often spot on...2 heal, 1 rage is sometimes far, FAR superior than 2 rage, 1 heal. A textbook example might be a vanilla 105 where you are NOT rushing your loons to the core. Two wars ago, I just executed one of my best attacks ever (against AD665 and a fairly mature TH8) using 2 heals, 1 rage and it really wasn't even close.

---

Btw, I rarely use rage. Most of the time I use lightning, and that is very effective, because your dragons only have to take down one air defence, and the balloons can take out the other.
+
AD666 is not hard to 3 star, but balloon placement is very important.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gub

Btw, I rarely use rage. Most of the time I use lightning, and that is very effective, because your dragons only have to take down one air defence, and the balloons can take out the other.
+
AD666 is not hard to 3 star, but balloon placement is very important.

---

The biggest drawback to lightning attack is that your drags are now on their own to absorb all the damage coming from the rest of the base, including up to 2 ADs, and don't forget mines, which quickly torch dragons as well. See comment above about high HP structures in front of ADs and how to counter that (e.g. heal spell). When you use all your spells on lightning, you can't perform that counter. This can cause significantly challenges.

And, at times, loon pathing isn't easy to an AD, even when there are only 2 left. I'm very confused how you can say the loons will, "get the other." Sometimes, that's a royal pain in the ♥♥♥♥.

I do not agree that AD666 is, "not hard" to 3-star with a dragon attack. Yes, lame bases are easy to 3-star, but even a decent base with AD 666 presents significant challenges to a dragon attack.

I'd love to know what your criteria is for it being, "not hard."

What is your success rate on AD666?

If you say something like, "in excess of 90%" or, even worse, "100%," & we're talking about a dragon attack, I will first raise an eyebrow, then probably laugh.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lunaticfringe

The biggest drawback to lightning attack is that your drags are now on their own to absorb all the damage coming from the rest of the base, including up to 2 ADs, and don't forget mines, which quickly torch dragons as well. See comment above about high HP structures in front of ADs and how to counter that (e.g. heal spell). When you use all your spells on lightning, you can't perform that counter. This can cause significantly challenges.

And, at times, loon pathing isn't easy to an AD, even when there are only 2 left. I'm very confused how you can say the loons will, "get the other." Sometimes, that's a royal pain in the ♥♥♥♥.

I do not agree that AD666 is, "not hard" to 3-star with a dragon attack. Yes, lame bases are easy to 3-star, but even a decent base with AD 666 presents significant challenges to a dragon attack.

I'd love to know what your criteria is for it being, "not hard."

What is your success rate on AD666?

If you say something like, "in excess of 90%" or, even worse, "100%," & we're talking about a dragon attack, I will first raise an eyebrow, then probably laugh.

---

Hm? Success rate on ad666? Well mate, depends. If I bring the right spell combo, deploy balloons at the right angle, correct hero placement, then probably 95%, and you can laugh, not that I care people laugh at 3 stars, but I guess its just a personal sense of humour.

The criteria? Triangulated-spread out placement.

Why I rarely use rage and heal? Because I rarely come across those bases.

Seriously, I am not a smart ♥♥♥ who thinks he is the best at using dragons, simply someone who CAN 3 star bases.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gub

Hm? Success rate on ad666? Well mate, depends. If I bring the right spell combo, deploy balloons at the right angle, correct hero placement, then probably 95%

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Well, of course. Those are mighty big, "If's" though.

What I mean is, if you looked at, say, the last 20 wars, and counted how many times you dragon-attacked an AD666 (or even AD665), how many times have you 3-starred those particular bases?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kelderon

At th 8 going against 3 lv6 ads you need two heals or a snipe team and 3 lighting. Some bases you have to do multi faceted attacks where your forces are deployed separately but come back together along your designated attack line. 10 drags are for simple bases. max or near max th8s you almost always need a more diverse troop mix then the 105.21 or 105.3. I use 10 different drag troop combinations for attacks on a regular bases and will be adding more when I get my hogs up. The point is an attacker needs to have options with attacks and one troop combo is not options just because you change up the spells. I have no doubt that it gets you three stars some of the time but when going for consistency you need to change it up based on your target and personal capabilities. If you want to have a real drag guide then add attacks like 11 or 99 or 813 or 717 with the different spell combinations and multiple attack lines. Go in-depth into the role of the drag with the different attacks. And then you will have a dragon guide.

99 is good when your clan doesn't have lv 6 loons. The extra loons really help to bring down the defences faster and if placed right last until just point damage is possible. There are countless base designs so attacking needs to be just as diverse.

---

maybe you need to funnel better? I can and have 3 starred max th 8 with 10 drag 5 loon 2 rage 1 heal. Spread ad, line ad, cored ad, burst dmg core ad setup. You funnel makes or breaks your attack.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lyleow

maybe you need to funnel better? I can and have 3 starred max th 8 with 10 drag 5 loon 2 rage 1 heal. Spread ad, line ad, cored ad, burst dmg core ad setup. You funnel makes or breaks your attack.

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Sorry but I don't remember saying you couldn't. Just that it doesn't always give you the best shot at getting 3stars. 105.21 is not always the best option especially on basses with soaks on both sides of ads and the drags sit and take a ton of damage as the get thru. Funnel, troop placement and composition all have equal effect on the outcome of attack. When I was new to drags I thought the 105.21 was the best and that I could use it all the time but time after time it was stopped against some layouts. Then I opened my mind and realized that I got more consistent 3stars from diversifying my attacks and using the right combo for the village I targeted. Its part of the learning curve that you will get past or stay at.

Ooh. I'm the one tackling this base in war. Might as well go to with 105.3
http://i.imgur.com/ToRVu98.jpg

Good luck I look forward to the replay.

i am doing a video compiation of most famous base getting 3 star th8 vs th8 link in my signature. Op please can you post a video on the first base ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RakeNoris

i am doing a video compiation of most famous base getting 3 star th8 vs th8 link in my signature. Op please can you post a video on the first base ?

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Sure... Are you talking about the one from the above posts, or the one in the OP.

Sad news. Miscommunication in my clan and I had to take a lower base with AD555. nm to see.

Updated with new info. :)

Gab is one of our most consistent th8s in 40sand9s. So i am glad youre sharing the knowledge for those learning. Now welcome to th9...where the real war starts

Okay guys, updated with more info, will finish in the afternoon NZT