If you would have created a multiple choice poll, I would have ticked them all
From the point of view of a TH8:
I am assuming Barbarians, archers, goblins, giants at level 5 and Minions at level 1.
Barbarian, Archers and Goblins (BAG): Good for collector raids, can hit TH7 and below storages at the core with BK level 5. Once the core is open send the BK to tank and drop goblins and all the storages will go down very quickly. Good for Gold 3 and Below.
BArch: Good for storage raids. During collector raids, you may have to spend more, when compared to BAG attack. Basically, I need 20 - 30 percent less troops during collector raids using BAG then BArch. Good for Gold 3 and below
Giants + Barch: Awesome for raiding TH7+ bases. Good for storage raids. This is what you need when trophy pushing from Gold 1 and above since bases get better.
BAM: I don't use this though. Since I am saving DE. But I can see it's advantages since Mortars and cannons don't affect them and most top level bases centralized AD's. I always keep 4 minions with me all the time just in case, even when I am usng BAG, GiBarch or Barch. They do help in getting to 50 percent.
The armies that I use,
60 Barbs, 60 Archers, 40 Goblins, 8 WB's, 4 minions, 2 Hogs
80 Barbs, 80 Archers, 8 WB's, 4 Minions, 2 Hogs
50 Barbs, 50 Archers, 12 Giants, 8 WB's, 4 Minions, 2 Hogs. (You can vary the amount of Giants, I use this many to try for two stars)
The hogs are awesome for luring centralized Clan castles. This can make or break your raid.