LaLoon Tips and help? Plz, I'm dying here...

Quick note, I'm a level 100 that went to th9 not too long ago. I went the Loon lvl6, minions lvl5, and lavas lvl2 route. Camps are at 220 & aq @ lvl 5. That said, I'll get into my issue.

So I've literally scoured the interwebs watching videos and reading strategies on this LaLoon attack strategy. Sometimes it works wonders, sometimes it fails miserably. I think the real issue I run into are bases with AQ's that are higher then level 8-12 and xbows that are level 2+. I generally attempt to put 2-3 level 2 Lava's near her (the aq's) direction and a wall of loons behind, generally 3-4 per archer tower to follow the lava's and catch the rage I set for the pups. The issue comes when none of the pups ever really go after the AQ so the rage is useless for them but catches the following loons so not senseless. I then use 1-2 lava's on the opposite air defense and flow loons in behind, I try to save a handful of loons for opposite end of the base depending on the layout.

My question, and I'm aware this is different with every layout, but where exactly is that strategy going wrong and why is it so inconsistent? I'm usually hitting the core with only 1-2 lava's left and the aq is still pounding away and severely lowering the loon count to the point that the attack fails and I want to lob my phone across the room.

Sometimes I lure the CC, sometimes I don't, I try to spread the lava's regardless to soak up as many traps and overlapping AD's as possible.

I've looked into Cold Blooded and Penta versions of the LaLoon, being the top in my clan and unable to get high level golem's (or lava'a for that matter) so the Cold Blooded tends to take the back seat. Most of my "casual" clan has gone the ground route (gowipe/gowiwi/hogos) so I will eventually get this when they catch up a little more.

So with all that said (go ahead, bash away with your "noob" comments) where am I going wrong with this? What are some of the core concepts to take note of? Should loons be grouped in pairs of 3-4 on arch towers? Or should I just drop a line behind the lavas? Is there any benefit to sending in lava's late behind loons? Should I lure or not? Save a group of 5 loons for the far side of the base or flank? I'm really trying to be more consistent with this attack, going this route early in TH9 has really created a drift between clash and I... I'm trying to get back into it.

I may just scrap air entirely and go the "casual 2*" gowipe route as that seems to return better results then this glass jaw laloon strategy. I know I'm missing something.

Any help is appreciated, Thanks in advance.

I am right there by your side. After getting tired of 2 starring gowipe (it is almost sure u will get the 2 stars, but it is almost sure u will never 3 star a TH 9 with gowipe) I went down the lava road.

I have watched tons of videos and it only made me more confused.

Some states u must draw the CC. Others states u dont have to worry about the CC. Some are done with 4 rages, others with 3 rages and 1 lightning.

I used to curse (no really, just n my mind) the members of my clan that fail to execute a simple gowipe attack. And now I am feeling that I am stepping their shoes. The videos make the laloon attacks looks very simple, even on maxed out bases. But for some reason, I can´t 3 star even weak TH9 bases with the same strategy.

BTW, I also have doubts about surgically dropping or spamming baloons. Maybe I just suck with the "two fingers" style.

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Originally Posted by lrbs1980

I am right there by your side. After getting tired of 2 starring gowipe (it is almost sure u will get the 2 stars, but it is almost sure u will never 3 star a TH 9 with gowipe) I went down the lava road.

I have watched tons of videos and it only made me more confused.

Some states u must draw the CC. Others states u dont have to worry about the CC. Some are done with 4 rages, others with 3 rages and 1 lightning.

I used to curse (no really, just n my mind) the members of my clan that fail to execute a simple gowipe attack. And now I am feeling that I am stepping their shoes. The videos make the laloon attacks looks very simple, even on maxed out bases. But for some reason, I can´t 3 star even weak TH9 bases with the same strategy.

BTW, I also have doubts about surgically dropping or spamming baloons. Maybe I just suck with the "two fingers" style.

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I think the real pain comes from being able to 3* pretty much at will at th8 with hogowipe or hogs and even drags, to struggling at th9 with an attack strategy that seems to do very well for many. So yeah, I feel ya. There has to be something I just haven't grasped yet. I'm really kicking myself in the ♥♥♥♥ for going this upgrade route right now. My clan was 75W - 3L - 3D until we all started hitting TH9. (We max before going, only a handful of 8.5's), To now 84 - 10 - 3. So I know I'm not the only one feeling the pain in our group.

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Originally Posted by darcher

I think the real pain comes from being able to 3* pretty much at will at th8 with hogowipe or hogs and even drags, to struggling at th9 with an attack strategy that seems to do very well for many. So yeah, I feel ya. There has to be something I just haven't grasped yet. I'm really kicking myself in the ♥♥♥♥ for going this upgrade route right now. My clan was 75W - 3L - 3D until we all started hitting TH9. (We max before going, only a handful of 8.5's), To now 84 - 10 - 3. So I know I'm not the only one feeling the pain in our group.

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They changed it last update and the pups don't laser in on the AQ like they used to. I'm done using lavaloon and will only golavaloon if I can pull CC, Kill AQ, remove a AD. I fricking hate gowipe but now I guess I try it more with Loon/hog snipes.

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Originally Posted by powerbottom

They changed it last update and the pups don't laser in on the AQ like they used to. I'm done using lavaloon and will only golavaloon if I can pull CC, Kill AQ, remove a AD. I fricking hate gowipe but now I guess I try it more with Loon/hog snipes.

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That's troubling. I'd worry less if I had alternate attack strategies in place, meaning troop levels on par with what we're facing... but since only a handful of attack strategies actually work, and being new to TH9, it takes a good while to upgrade to a new attack strategy that will have the results I want. This basically means I have nothing to combat higher level archer queens unless I just go for a 2* with basically the same build I was using at th8. Troubling indeed. I basically waisted a good amount of time upgrading for something that no longer works. haha or works in ways that are inconsistent.

Same position as you here. I thought I was just terrible at LavaLoon, however I also noticed my higher level clan mate who used to get 6 stars almost every war with this strategy, has now started struggling ever since the update. Everyone feared the air sweeper would ruin LavaLoon, but I think the cc/queen targeting being slower is the real nerf here. I just tried GoLaLoon in war for the first time though, got 3 stars since it takes out AQ/CC. I don't have anyone in my clan with high level golems either, so I brought two level 2 golems. Try it, it may seem a little heavy on troop space for the golems, but it worked for me!

u seriously should use cold blooded/ shattered laloon. This is the strongest attack strategy for war in the game IMO.
For Shattered:

1 Golem (lv 3 and 4 will do fine, lv2 is not really ok)
3 Lava Hounds lv 2
14 Loons lv 6
2 WBs lv5
5 Wizards lv5
3 Minion (doesn't really matter)

CC:
Lv 5 Golem Preferred

Spells:
1 Lightning
2 Rage
1 Jump

King lv 10~30
Queen lv 20~30

For Cold Blooded:

3 Lava Hounds
18 Loons
6 Wiz
3 WBs
5 Minions

CC:
lv 5 Golem

Spells:
1 Lightning
2 Rage
1 Jump

King lv 10~30
Queen lv 15~30

(for both strategies u can take out the jump spell and add a rage. also im assuming ur attacking a maxed th9, other side of air sweeper)

First, drop ur golems, then ur wall breakers afterward. Drop wiz behind to funnel ur heroes into the base. then drop ur heroes. Activate king's ability when he startes to target the cc troops. Drop a lightning spell to help out. Jump spell can be used to help ur troops in the base. Once the queen and cc are destroyed, as well as 1 Air defense, drop a hound per each air defense. drop loons 2-3 at a time so they don't bunch up. drop rage spells to help ur loons and use minions for clean up.

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Originally Posted by Dohyun

u seriously should use cold blooded/ shattered laloon. This is the strongest attack strategy for war in the game IMO.
For Shattered:

1 Golem (lv 3 and 4 will do fine, lv2 is not really ok)
3 Lava Hounds lv 2
14 Loons lv 6
2 WBs lv5
5 Wizards lv5
3 Minion (doesn't really matter)

CC:
Lv 5 Golem Preferred

Spells:
1 Lightning
2 Rage
1 Jump

King lv 10~30
Queen lv 20~30

For Cold Blooded:

3 Lava Hounds
18 Loons
6 Wiz
3 WBs
5 Minions

CC:
lv 5 Golem

Spells:
1 Lightning
2 Rage
1 Jump

King lv 10~30
Queen lv 15~30

(for both strategies u can take out the jump spell and add a rage. also im assuming ur attacking a maxed th9, other side of air sweeper)

First, drop ur golems, then ur wall breakers afterward. Drop wiz behind to funnel ur heroes into the base. then drop ur heroes. Activate king's ability when he startes to target the cc troops. Drop a lightning spell to help out. Jump spell can be used to help ur troops in the base. Once the queen and cc are destroyed, as well as 1 Air defense, drop a hound per each air defense. drop loons 2-3 at a time so they don't bunch up. drop rage spells to help ur loons and use minions for clean up.

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the OP's problem was that the high lvl golems and heroes aren't available yet. so not to be a jerk, but saying "get a max golem" isn't super helpful.

That being said, you need to get golems upgraded as next priority. the shattered and cold-blooded attacks need those golems and the attacks are incredibly powerful.

Try it with your lvl 1 golems and see how it goes. practice and experience in wars are a tough learning environment but you'll get the feel for it. It is crucial to take out the queen before you drop your air troops. some bases will be really tough if the queen is completely centered with the CC, but that's how it goes. You might have to concede the casual 2* gowipe.

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Originally Posted by OGpriz

the OP's problem was that the high lvl golems and heroes aren't available yet. so not to be a jerk, but saying "get a max golem" isn't super helpful.

That being said, you need to get golems upgraded as next priority. the shattered and cold-blooded attacks need those golems and the attacks are incredibly powerful.

Try it with your lvl 1 golems and see how it goes. practice and experience in wars are a tough learning environment but you'll get the feel for it. It is crucial to take out the queen before you drop your air troops. some bases will be really tough if the queen is completely centered with the CC, but that's how it goes. You might have to concede the casual 2* gowipe.

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I have lvl 2 golems, as does most in my clan. So I may see how that goes for the time being, don't really have an option. I do think you're right though, I'll just have to see how it goes until I get the troop levels required.

Thanks for all the input guys. It's been helpful, I don't feel like a complete asshat now.

CB laloon isn't easy now. The aggro range is so small that you need a huge funnel to get your own heroes to move in towards enemy AQ. A typical 1-golem golaloon will only allow you to bring 20 unit spaces aside from the golem to help create the funnel - typically 3-4 wiz, 0-2 wb, 0-4 goblins (for cleanup).

Not easy creating a big enough funnel with 20 spaces now.

How detailed is your planning?

Lavaloon can still be extremely effective post-update, but the biggest thing overlooked (that I still struggle with) is the level of detail required to attack successfully and the need to execute exactly according to your plan. Are you counting the number of loons deployed on each defense? Are you placing spells exactly overlapping the appropriate defenses? Are you timing the loon & lava drops in a way that maximizes the time lava is shielding the loons and minimizes the fire the loons are taking? Are your lavas popping too early because the loon travel distance to AD is too far (may need to flip deployment order of lavas and loons)?

If just one of these steps are missed or executed inproperly, your raid will quickly change from 3stars to 0-1stars. For example, in my last lava attack, I let one of my wbs get killed by a mortar, which had a "butterfly effect " on the rest of my raid and changed it from a possible 3star to a 0star. This is because failing to open a compartment caused my AQ/AD snipe to fail, which caused the entire attack pathing to change.

Simply put, lavaloon is just such a technical attack that executing slightly outside of the plan will cause the raid to fail outright because the attack is so sensitive to the inputs. This is not the case with golem attacks, where there is a much larger margin of error and you can kind of just wing it on-the-fly. I find it helpful to physically write down all of the steps in my attack and glance at my list throughout the raid, as the number of execution-related details I need to get right often exceeds 8-9 items.

really, lv 1 golems die really quickly. off topic, have u tried hogs yet?

Agree that laloon is definitely harder, but it's more powerful than regular gowipe IMO. Watch more lava attacks here and you'll get better at it eventually.

Darcher, I read your detailed and eloquent post with some interest as I have also followed the path of the hound in my troop development. Pre-update I was happily bringing home an average of 5 stars per war, and feeling rather happy with myself too. Post-update I have found things much more challenging and in the current war I have found myself dropping down to secure stars rather than challenging my mirror head on. I am, of course, not overly happy with this but it seems that where we are at present is that the dominance of the hound has passed and we now have to really sharpen up to be successful.

In regards to approach I confirm that I follow the Chief Dart Penta attack and find this to be the most consistent structure to ensure that at least the one star is gained. Army is 4 hounds at lvl 2, with one in the CC, 16/17 max loons, 5 lvl 5 minions and either 2 hogs or 1 giant. The important thing that I have found is that you must lure the CC to be successful and all of my recent 1 stars have come where completing this has been difficult. The approach I tend to go with is to target the base where a giant can walk up to the wall, within range to trigger the CC and then I use the AQ to drag the troops to a distant corner, cloak her and launch a quickly enraged BK to clean them up. It's then two hounds to each of the prime AD's, drop the loons in a line behind, quick rage on each of the AD's (sufficient to pull the loons forward and assist the pups in taking out the AQ) and try to catch the right moment to launch hound 5 on the third target AD.

When it all works it's beautiful to watch and in the current war I failed to lure the cc with the giant on the first go and took a star, used hogs on the second, perfect lure and 3 stars achieved.

My own view is that this is an attack that still has merit, it's just become a more difficult execution and as Apu would say you need the many arms of Vishnu to be successful everytime. I am however sticking with it and will simply use a more discerning approach to targeting, will upgrade my hogs to ensure the every time lure and will keep on practising.

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Originally Posted by mrl0902

How detailed is your planning?

Lavaloon can still be extremely effective post-update, but the biggest thing overlooked (that I still struggle with) is the level of detail required to attack successfully and the need to execute exactly according to your plan. Are you counting the number of loons deployed on each defense? Are you placing spells exactly overlapping the appropriate defenses? Are you timing the loon & lava drops in a way that maximizes the time lava is shielding the loons and minimizes the fire the loons are taking? Are your lavas popping too early because the loon travel distance to AD is too far (may need to flip deployment order of lavas and loons)?

If just one of these steps are missed or executed inproperly, your raid will quickly change from 3stars to 0-1stars. For example, in my last lava attack, I let one of my wbs get killed by a mortar, which had a "butterfly effect " on the rest of my raid and changed it from a possible 3star to a 0star. This is because failing to open a compartment caused my AQ/AD snipe to fail, which caused the entire attack pathing to change.

Simply put, lavaloon is just such a technical attack that executing slightly outside of the plan will cause the raid to fail outright because the attack is so sensitive to the inputs. This is not the case with golem attacks, where there is a much larger margin of error and you can kind of just wing it on-the-fly. I find it helpful to physically write down all of the steps in my attack and glance at my list throughout the raid, as the number of execution-related details I need to get right often exceeds 8-9 items.

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I do struggle with the timing of launching the hounds, I find them popping a little early most of the time, usually on the AQ side. I have started using 1 minion in front of my loon clusters (usually 3 loons with 1 minion leading on each tower on a side, to take first few shots from arch towers) and then dropping in the hounds behind the loons, then doing it on the opposite side (depending on base of course). But it's going to take time to get the timing right and even more time develop a strategy for planning out when to use this strategy and when not to. I think I'll try my hand an improving the 'cold blooded' LaLoon using 1 level 2 golem, handful of wiz and a jump spell to get into the aq & an AD or 2. Thanks for the advice, I'll put some of it in practice and hopefully see some improvement. I can't just toss the build, because it's the strongest I have, everything else I have is max-level for th8 except this strategy. So on beefy th9's I really have no option.

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Originally Posted by Badvoc

Darcher, I read your detailed and eloquent post with some interest as I have also followed the path of the hound in my troop development. Pre-update I was happily bringing home an average of 5 stars per war, and feeling rather happy with myself too. Post-update I have found things much more challenging and in the current war I have found myself dropping down to secure stars rather than challenging my mirror head on. I am, of course, not overly happy with this but it seems that where we are at present is that the dominance of the hound has passed and we now have to really sharpen up to be successful.

In regards to approach I confirm that I follow the Chief Dart Penta attack and find this to be the most consistent structure to ensure that at least the one star is gained. Army is 4 hounds at lvl 2, with one in the CC, 16/17 max loons, 5 lvl 5 minions and either 2 hogs or 1 giant. The important thing that I have found is that you must lure the CC to be successful and all of my recent 1 stars have come where completing this has been difficult. The approach I tend to go with is to target the base where a giant can walk up to the wall, within range to trigger the CC and then I use the AQ to drag the troops to a distant corner, cloak her and launch a quickly enraged BK to clean them up. It's then two hounds to each of the prime AD's, drop the loons in a line behind, quick rage on each of the AD's (sufficient to pull the loons forward and assist the pups in taking out the AQ) and try to catch the right moment to launch hound 5 on the third target AD.

When it all works it's beautiful to watch and in the current war I failed to lure the cc with the giant on the first go and took a star, used hogs on the second, perfect lure and 3 stars achieved.

My own view is that this is an attack that still has merit, it's just become a more difficult execution and as Apu would say you need the many arms of Vishnu to be successful everytime. I am however sticking with it and will simply use a more discerning approach to targeting, will upgrade my hogs to ensure the every time lure and will keep on practising.

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Yeah, I generally use 3 loons lead by a minion to kill an archer tower (improve the pathing I want) and draw the cc at the same time, then barbs, arch, or minions to pull the cc to the corner, more often then not I drop a loon to kill the troops, if it's air I'll use some tier 1 troops and the aq behind them to clean it up. Then 3 lava's at the aq and 1-2 on the far side. aq almost alwasy survives which reduces the attack to a 0-1*.

I'm a 1* wonder ladies and gents, went from the "go to" to the chump soup overnight. haha

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Originally Posted by mobigamer

Agree that laloon is definitely harder, but it's more powerful than regular gowipe IMO. Watch more lava attacks here and you'll get better at it eventually.

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Will do, thanks.

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Originally Posted by Dohyun

really, lv 1 golems die really quickly. off topic, have u tried hogs yet?

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They were my go to at TH8, HoGo, Hog spam, and HoGoWipe were my favorite attacks. Looks like I'll be bringing them back from the dead. Particularly the HoGo, but my hogs are only level 4 at the moment, so there is some cause for concern there.

holo is also a great 3 star strategy. Learn to use all variations of hogs!!!

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Originally Posted by Dohyun

holo is also a great 3 star strategy. Learn to use all variations of hogs!!!

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Yeah I'm going to give the surgical hog strat a go this war.

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Originally Posted by darcher

That's troubling. I'd worry less if I had alternate attack strategies in place, meaning troop levels on par with what we're facing... but since only a handful of attack strategies actually work, and being new to TH9, it takes a good while to upgrade to a new attack strategy that will have the results I want. This basically means I have nothing to combat higher level archer queens unless I just go for a 2* with basically the same build I was using at th8. Troubling indeed. I basically waisted a good amount of time upgrading for something that no longer works. haha or works in ways that are inconsistent.

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Im exactly the same mate. I managed to get two 3* attacks in, before they nerfed it. The worse part is I JUST started Lavas to lvl2, then the update occurred :facepalm:

Gone back to hogs till my golems are up to standard...I await golems to be nerfed next update lol

Always lure the cc. What if drag came out. U would be screwed. I use 4 lvl2 lavas and about 2; drags. I use a few arch and wiz and if needed a hero to kill cc. Jus practice an get better. Move up in to crystal 1. Lot of good bases.

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Originally Posted by Dohyun

u seriously should use cold blooded/ shattered laloon. This is the strongest attack strategy for war in the game IMO.
For Shattered:

1 Golem (lv 3 and 4 will do fine, lv2 is not really ok)
3 Lava Hounds lv 2
14 Loons lv 6
2 WBs lv5
5 Wizards lv5
3 Minion (doesn't really matter)

CC:
Lv 5 Golem Preferred

Spells:
1 Lightning
2 Rage
1 Jump

King lv 10~30
Queen lv 20~30

For Cold Blooded:

3 Lava Hounds
18 Loons
6 Wiz
3 WBs
5 Minions

CC:
lv 5 Golem

Spells:
1 Lightning
2 Rage
1 Jump

King lv 10~30
Queen lv 15~30

(for both strategies u can take out the jump spell and add a rage. also im assuming ur attacking a maxed th9, other side of air sweeper)

First, drop ur golems, then ur wall breakers afterward. Drop wiz behind to funnel ur heroes into the base. then drop ur heroes. Activate king's ability when he startes to target the cc troops. Drop a lightning spell to help out. Jump spell can be used to help ur troops in the base. Once the queen and cc are destroyed, as well as 1 Air defense, drop a hound per each air defense. drop loons 2-3 at a time so they don't bunch up. drop rage spells to help ur loons and use minions for clean up.

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What this guy said!

No wonder your having trouble if your spamming and hoping for the best... Kil Squad t remove AQ CC and x1 AD, then be surgical and precise with your loons. Drop clockwise or anti clockwise (according to pathing and new air sweeper), 2-3 loons per defense. NO SPAM

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Originally Posted by BillyFerrara

What this guy said!

No wonder your having trouble if your spamming and hoping for the best... Kil Squad t remove AQ CC and x1 AD, then be surgical and precise with your loons. Drop clockwise or anti clockwise (according to pathing and new air sweeper), 2-3 loons per defense. NO SPAM

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I certainly am not just spamming, But was debating doing so since half the videos I watch seem to be. I usually drop loons in similar fashion to how I use to drop drags, flanks first and then center up to channel the loons pathing toward core. I will attempt this clockwise/counter-clockwise method and start working on developing a better strategy with a kill squad.

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Originally Posted by Morningwood67801

Always lure the cc. What if drag came out. U would be screwed. I use 4 lvl2 lavas and about 2; drags. I use a few arch and wiz and if needed a hero to kill cc. Jus practice an get better. Move up in to crystal 1. Lot of good bases.

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Yeah, I generally do, use the AQ for drags. Was just curious as seeing some vids they don't. And I've been in Master/Crystal most of th8-9 but the play style/strategy on multiplayer is very different to that of a war, 30 seconds to prep and set builds not tailored to bases makes for unrealistic strategy testing.