Introduction
In Clash of Clans, early-game success depends heavily on choosing the right troops and building simple but effective army compositions.
Many new players struggle because they unlock troops but do not understand how to combine them efficiently.
This guide covers the best early-game troops and proven army compositions for Android players, focusing on farming, trophy pushing, and war attacks from Town Hall 2 to Town Hall 7.
What Counts as Early Game in Clash of Clans
Early game generally includes:
- Town Hall 2 to Town Hall 7
- Limited spell and troop variety
- Focus on resource farming and basic attacks
- Learning fundamentals like funneling and troop deployment
The goal at this stage is consistency, not complex strategies.
Best Early-Game Troops (Ranked)
1. Barbarians
Why they are strong
- Cheap to train
- Fast movement
- Excellent for clearing outer buildings
Best use
- Farming weak bases
- Creating funnels
- Supporting archers
2. Archers
Why they are essential
- Ranged attacks
- Very low housing space
- High damage per cost
Best use
- Resource sniping
- Cleaning up after tanks
- Farming dead bases
3. Giants
Why they matter
- Target defenses
- High hitpoints
- Core tank unit early on
Best use
- Soaking damage
- Leading armies into the base
- Protecting damage dealers
4. Wall Breakers
Why they are critical
- Open compartments early
- Enable deeper base access
Best use
- Breaking outer walls
- Supporting Giant-based armies
5. Balloons (TH4+)
Why they are powerful
- Target defenses
- High burst damage
Best use
- Paired with tanks
- Early air attacks
- Destroying key defenses quickly
6. Wizards (TH5+)
Why they are strong
- High splash damage
- Excellent for cleanup
Best use
- Behind Giants
- Clearing grouped buildings
- Supporting war attacks
7. Dragons (TH7)
Why they dominate
- Very high damage and health
- Simple to use
- Strong against low-level air defenses
Best use
- Town Hall 7 war attacks
- Easy three-star potential early on
Best Early-Game Army Compositions
Army 1: Barch (Barbarians + Archers)
Best for: Farming Town Hall: 2–6
Composition
- 50% Barbarians
- 50% Archers
Why it works
- Extremely cheap
- Fast training
- Excellent for dead bases
Army 2: Giant–Archer
Best for: Farming and trophies Town Hall: 3–5
Composition
- Giants
- Archers
- A few Wall Breakers
Why it works
- Giants tank defenses
- Archers deal safe damage
- Easy to execute
Army 3: Giant–Wizard
Best for: War and stronger bases Town Hall: 5–6
Composition
- Giants
- Wizards
- Wall Breakers
- Optional Archers for cleanup
Why it works
- High damage output
- Good against compact bases
- Reliable early war strategy
Army 4: Balloon–Giant
Best for: Early air attacks Town Hall: 4–6
Composition
- Giants
- Balloons
- Archers
Why it works
- Giants distract air defenses
- Balloons eliminate defenses quickly
Army 5: Dragon Spam
Best for: War attacks Town Hall: 7
Composition
- All Dragons
- Optional Balloons for support
Why it works
- Very simple execution
- Strong against most TH7 bases
- High success rate for beginners
Best Army by Town Hall
Town Hall 2–3
- Barbarians + Archers
Town Hall 4
- Giants + Archers
- Balloons + Giants
Town Hall 5–6
- Giants + Wizards
- Giant–Archer with Wall Breakers
Town Hall 7
- Dragon spam
- Dragons + Balloons
Early-Game Attack Tips
- Always create a funnel before deploying main troops
- Do not rush all troops at once
- Save Wall Breakers until defenses are distracted
- Use spells only when necessary
- Practice troop deployment timing
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Ignoring troop synergy
- Attacking fully active bases while farming
- Overusing expensive troops early
- Not upgrading core troops first
- Spreading upgrades too thin
Final Thoughts
Early-game success in Clash of Clans comes from mastering simple, efficient troops and army compositions.
Android players who focus on Giants, Archers, Wizards, and Dragons will progress faster, win more attacks, and build a strong foundation for mid-game strategies.
Complex strategies can wait. Consistency wins early.