Clash of Clans Goblins Detailed Guide

Introduction to Clash of Clans Goblins Detailed Guide

The Goblin is a fast, ground-based troop that becomes available once the Barracks is upgraded to level 4 in Clash of Clans. Known for their grotesque appearance, Goblins stand out for their unique ability to prioritize and target resource buildings such as Gold Mines, Elixir Collectors, and Dark Elixir Drills. They deal double damage to these structures, which makes them incredibly valuable for resource raids and farming strategies.

Despite their offensive capabilities, Goblins have several weaknesses. Their low hitpoints make them highly susceptible to splash damage from Mortars, Wizard Towers, and Bombs, meaning they can be eliminated quickly if not deployed carefully. Because of their speed, they may rush ahead and ignore defensive structures, often finding themselves vulnerable to being wiped out by traps or defending troops.

Goblins are commonly used in farming strategies, where they are deployed in large groups to gather resources quickly from unprotected buildings. They are often paired with other troops, such as Giants or Archers, which can distract defenses while the Goblins focus on looting. While they are an essential troop for efficient resource collection, proper timing and deployment are crucial to ensure they don’t fall victim to splash damage or other defensive structures.

In addition to their effectiveness in farming, Goblins also have uses in strategic base attacks where they can be employed to quickly clear resource buildings, weakening the enemy’s economy before launching a main assault. Understanding the strengths and vulnerabilities of Goblins is key to utilizing them effectively in various strategies in Clash of Clans.

General Information

Unlocking:

The Goblin is the fourth Elixir Troop unlocked in Clash of Clans, becoming available once the Barracks reaches level 4. Known for their speed and resource-targeting ability, Goblins play a crucial role in looting strategies, making them an essential troop for early and mid-game farming. Their unique ability to prioritize resource buildings and deal double damage to them allows players to efficiently steal loot while minimizing battle costs. As a result, Goblins are often used in large numbers to quickly strip a base of its resources before defenses can react.

Speed:

Goblins are among the fastest ground troops in Clash of Clans, boasting a movement speed of 32. Their exceptional speed allows them to swiftly reach and attack resource buildings before defenses can eliminate them. This agility also helps them evade certain traps, such as Spring Traps, as long as they don’t pause on top of them. However, their lack of durability makes them highly vulnerable to splash damage defenses like Wizard Towers and Mortars. To maximize their effectiveness, Goblins should be deployed strategically, often with tanking troops like Giants or Barbarians to absorb damage while they focus on looting.

Prioritization:

Goblins are programmed to prioritize resource buildings above all else, making them highly effective for farming raids. They specifically target Gold Mines, Elixir Collectors, Dark Elixir Drills, storages, and even the Town Hall and Clan Castle, as these buildings contain valuable resources. Their ability to deal double damage to these structures allows them to loot efficiently, quickly depleting enemy resources. However, this targeting behavior also means that Goblins will ignore defensive buildings and enemy troops unless all resource buildings have been destroyed. This can leave them vulnerable if not supported by tanking units or properly deployed in battle.

Damage:

Goblins deal double damage to resource buildings, making them one of the most efficient troops for farming. Their attack power against these structures far surpasses that of Barbarians and Archers, allowing them to deplete Gold Mines, Elixir Collectors, Dark Elixir Drills, and storages at an incredible rate. This high damage output makes them ideal for quick resource raids, especially when paired with tanking units. However, their damage against defensive structures and enemy troops is relatively low, meaning they struggle in direct combat. To maximize their effectiveness, Goblins should be deployed strategically, ensuring defenses are distracted or neutralized before they rush in to loot.

Health:

The Goblin’s health is higher than an Archer’s but lower than a Barbarian’s, making them one of the more fragile troops in Clash of Clans. Their low durability means they can be easily eliminated by splash damage defenses such as Mortars and Wizard Towers, as well as traps like Bombs. Because of this vulnerability, Goblins are most effective when used alongside tanking units like Giants or Barbarians, which can absorb damage and allow them to focus on resource collection. Deploying them strategically, in small groups rather than all at once, can also help reduce losses and ensure they reach their targets safely.

Appearance:

Goblins are small, grotesque creatures that fit the monster archetype commonly found in European folklore. Their green skin, hunched posture, and mischievous grin emphasize their role as cunning, treasure-seeking scavengers. This design makes them instantly recognizable in Clash of Clans, reinforcing their purpose as fast-moving looters who prioritize resource buildings. Their distinct appearance and behavior align with their in-game function, where they excel at raiding enemy bases for Gold, Elixir, and Dark Elixir while relying on speed to evade defenses.

Lore:

According to Clash of Clans lore, Goblins are said to be quite intelligent when they are babies, but as they grow older, they lose much of that intelligence. This quirky backstory adds a humorous layer to their character, emphasizing that while they are clever enough to plunder valuable resources with impressive efficiency, they lack the strategic depth to participate in more complex plans. Their single-minded focus on looting fits perfectly with this lore, as they are adept at raiding but not at executing sophisticated battle strategies.

Offensive Tactics

Resource Raiding:

Goblins excel in resource raiding due to their prioritization of resource buildings and their ability to deal double damage to them. This makes them a great option for farming, as they quickly target Gold Mines, Elixir Collectors, Dark Elixir Drills, and storage buildings, allowing players to collect resources efficiently.

Meat Shield:

Because of their low health, Goblins should be deployed alongside high-health units like Giants or Barbarians, which act as “meat shields.” These tanking units absorb the damage from defensive structures, allowing the Goblins to focus on looting resources without being eliminated too early.

Wall Breakers and Spells:

To help Goblins reach their target, Wall Breakers or spells like Jump or Earthquake can be used to bypass walls. This ensures that the Goblins can access the resource buildings inside the base without being delayed by walls, allowing them to complete their objective quickly.

Splash Damage Counter:

Goblins are highly vulnerable to splash damage defenses, such as Wizard Towers and Mortars. To minimize losses, deploy them in small waves rather than all at once. Alternatively, use tanking units to distract these splash damage defenses, allowing the Goblins to move in and gather resources safely.

Cleanup:

Goblins are ideal for cleanup in raids, as they can quickly target remaining resource buildings. Their speed allows them to efficiently finish off any leftover structures, potentially securing the 50% mark for an extra star or contributing to the final stages of an attack.

Trap Usage:

Goblins are excellent at triggering traps, especially Bombs, due to their speed. Deploying small groups of Goblins can clear a path for other troops to safely move forward. Goblins can also trigger Spring Traps without dying, provided they don’t stop directly on top of them, which can help mitigate trap damage for other troops.

Strategic Deployment:

Goblins can be used strategically to clear paths to resource buildings, guiding other troops toward the center of a base. They can also target the Town Hall while defenses are distracted, helping to achieve a higher percentage of damage during the raid.

War Attacks:

In war attacks for Town Hall 8-9 players, Goblins are highly effective as cleanup troops. Since many of the remaining buildings will be resource-based, Goblins can quickly finish off the final structures, ensuring the attack is successful.

Avoiding Traps:

When targeting resources, be mindful of potential traps. Deploy small groups of Goblins first to trigger traps like Bombs or Spring Traps before sending in the rest of the Goblins. This reduces the risk of losing too many Goblins to traps while maximizing their efficiency in raiding.

Defensive Tactics

Clan Castle Troops:

Goblins can be utilized effectively as defensive Clan Castle troops. Their speed allows them to quickly engage enemy units, especially when no resource buildings are present. Due to their high damage output for low-health troops, Goblins can take down small groups of Giants and other low-health units with ease. This makes them useful for quickly eliminating enemies that attempt to raid your base.

Tanking:

At higher Town Halls, Goblins can also serve as tanking units for other important troops, such as Headhunters. Their speed and ability to draw fire from defenses make them effective at protecting more fragile, high-damage units. This tactic allows other troops to focus on damaging enemy structures while Goblins absorb some of the incoming damage.

Base Design:

To effectively defend against Goblins, it’s important to place your defenses strategically. Ensuring that your resource buildings are well-protected by splash damage defenses like Wizard Towers and Mortars is essential. Additionally, strategically placed Bombs and Double Bombs near Gold Mines or Elixir Collectors can severely damage or wipe out Goblins, preventing them from efficiently looting your resources.

Synergies

With Wall Breakers:

Wall Breakers are essential when using Goblins in attacks, as they create openings in walls that would otherwise slow down the Goblins’ ability to reach resource buildings. Since Goblins ignore all other structures in favor of resource-based targets, breaking through walls efficiently ensures they can quickly get to storages and collectors. Deploying Wall Breakers ahead of Goblins allows for a seamless entry into the base, preventing Goblins from clustering around walls and becoming easy targets for splash damage defenses.

With Giants and Barbarians:

Giants and Barbarians are useful as front-line tanks to absorb damage while Goblins focus on looting. Giants specifically target defensive buildings, making them ideal for drawing fire away from Goblins, while Barbarians serve as additional distractions. This strategy is especially effective in early and mid-game attacks when Goblins are vulnerable to splash damage from Mortars and Wizard Towers. By deploying Giants or Barbarians first, defenses lock onto them, allowing Goblins to rush past safely and take resources without immediate threat.

With Jump and Earthquake Spells:

Using Jump or Earthquake Spells can help Goblins reach their targets faster by providing direct access to storages and collectors inside walled-off sections of a base. Jump Spells allow Goblins to hop over walls without needing Wall Breakers, while Earthquake Spells completely remove wall segments, creating an entry point for a large group of Goblins. This tactic is particularly useful in bases with multiple layers of walls protecting storages, where Wall Breakers may not be sufficient for creating paths deep into the base.

With Clone Spell:

Clone Spells can significantly enhance a Goblin raid by multiplying their numbers instantly. This is an effective way to overwhelm bases with weak defenses, as a sudden swarm of cloned Goblins can wipe out storages in seconds. This strategy works well when combined with other spells like Rage, which boosts Goblin speed and damage, making them even more efficient at stealing resources before defenses can react. Using Clone Spells near high-value storage areas ensures that Goblins can deplete them quickly before getting taken out.

With Headhunter:

At higher Town Hall levels, Goblins can be surprisingly effective as support troops for Headhunters. While Goblins are primarily used for raiding resources, they can act as temporary tanks, distracting defenses long enough for Headhunters to eliminate enemy heroes and Clan Castle troops. Since Headhunters target heroes first, they can struggle against defensive fire without some level of support. Deploying Goblins alongside Headhunters allows for a more effective hero elimination strategy while still contributing to resource looting.

Additional Information

Max Goblins on the Battlefield

A fully upgraded set of Army Camps can house up to 320 Goblins, while a fully upgraded Clan Castle can carry an additional 55. When Clone Spells are used effectively, the total number of Goblins on the battlefield can be increased to a staggering 543. This makes for a potentially overwhelming force that can quickly strip a base of its resources if defenses are not properly set up.

Speed and Trap Interactions

Goblins are one of the fastest-moving ground units in Clash of Clans, with a movement speed of 32. Their speed allows them to outrun many defensive attacks and even bypass certain traps if deployed strategically. However, while they can trigger Spring Traps without dying unless they stop directly on top of them, they remain vulnerable to Bombs, Giant Bombs, and splash damage defenses such as Wizard Towers and Mortars. Deploying Goblins in small waves or with proper distractions can help mitigate these threats.

Historical Damage Output

In earlier versions of the game, Goblins held the second-highest damage-per-second (DPS) per housing space, making them incredibly effective for resource raiding. However, with the introduction of Sneaky Goblins, their status as the highest-damaging troop per housing space was surpassed. Sneaky Goblins, being a Super Troop variant, deal even more damage to resource buildings and benefit from invisibility, making them a superior choice for strategic looting at higher Town Hall levels.

Goblins in Clash of Clans Lore

Goblins have a strong presence in Clash of Clans beyond just being a playable troop. They play a major role in the Single Player Campaign, where they act as the main antagonists, defending their own Goblin villages from player attacks. Additionally, they have been featured as a Hero Skin for the Barbarian King, adding a fun thematic touch for players who enjoy Goblin-related content. Goblins are also prominently showcased in various in-game sceneries, such as the Jungle Scenery, Epic Jungle Scenery, and the 9th Clashiversary Scenery.

Goblins in Other Clash Games

Beyond Clash of Clans, Goblins appear in multiple Supercell games, reinforcing their iconic status in the Clash universe. In Clash Royale, they exist in multiple forms, including the standard Goblin, Spear Goblin, Goblin Gang, and Goblin Giant. In Clash Quest, they serve as a playable unit specializing in resource collection, keeping their signature role across the franchise.

Unusual Goblin Behaviors

Despite their love for loot, Goblins exhibit some odd behaviors in Clash of Clans. For example, they completely ignore Builder’s Huts, even though they are categorized as resource buildings. Additionally, once all resource structures are destroyed, Goblins will continue attacking other buildings using their distinctive “looting animation,” even though there is nothing left to steal. In the game’s tutorial, Goblins display unusual behavior by ignoring the Gold Mine and instead focusing on defensive structures.

The Goblin’s Contradiction

Despite their obsession with treasure, Goblins never actually keep any of the loot they steal. While they prioritize resource buildings and take double damage against them, the loot itself is deposited into the player’s storage rather than being carried away by the troops. This humorous contradiction adds to their mischievous nature in Clash of Clans.

Fun Animation Detail

When stationed in an Army Camp, Goblins have a unique animation. If you tap on the Army Camp, the Goblins will briefly turn to their left in unison, as if reacting to a sudden noise or looking for something. This small but amusing detail adds to their playful personality within the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)