Introduction
Efficient resource farming is the key to fast progress in Clash of Clans, especially in the early game. Many new players struggle because they attack the wrong bases, use expensive armies, or waste resources on unnecessary upgrades.
This guide explains how to farm gold, elixir, and dark elixir efficiently in the early game for Android players, covering the best leagues, army choices, and attack strategies from Town Hall 2 to Town Hall 7.
What “Early Game” Means in Clash of Clans
Early game generally includes:
- Town Hall 2 to Town Hall 7
- Limited troop and spell options
- Focus on resource accumulation rather than war optimization
Your main objective is to maximize loot while minimizing training time and cost.
1. Use Cheap, Fast-Training Armies
Early farming is about efficiency, not power.
Best Farming Troops
- Barbarians
- Archers
- Giants (in small numbers)
- Wall Breakers (sparingly)
Best Farming Army
Barch (Barbarians + Archers)
- Extremely low cost
- Fast training time
- Ideal for repeated attacks
Use Giants only when you need tanks to access storages.
2. Attack the Right Types of Bases
Not all bases are worth attacking.
Best Bases to Farm
- Dead bases (abandoned villages)
- Collectors outside the walls
- Low-level defenses
- Full resource collectors
Signs of a Dead Base
- Full-looking collectors
- No active clan castle troops
- Low-level or idle defenses
Avoid active bases with empty collectors.
3. Farm in the Right League
Trophy count directly affects loot availability.
Best Early-Game Farming Leagues
- Silver League
- Gold League (early Gold)
These leagues provide the best balance of loot and easy opponents for Town Hall 3–7.
Do not push trophies aggressively early unless required.
4. Snipe Collectors First
You do not need to destroy the entire base to profit.
Collector Sniping Tips
- Deploy Archers around the base edges
- Use Barbarians as distractions
- Target exposed gold mines and elixir collectors
- Retreat once collectors are emptied
This minimizes troop usage and maximizes profit per attack.
5. Avoid Using Spells While Farming
Spells are expensive early and should be saved.
When to Use Spells
- Only when attacking high-value bases
- During war or critical upgrades
Skipping spells reduces elixir waste and increases net gain.
6. Upgrade Resource Buildings First
Strong resource production reduces reliance on constant farming.
Upgrade Priority
- Gold Mines and Elixir Collectors
- Storages
- Army Camps
- Barracks
Higher-level collectors generate passive income even when offline.
7. Protect Your Resources
Good defense saves resources you already earned.
Early Defense Tips
- Use farming base layouts
- Keep storages protected
- Accept that some loot loss is unavoidable
Do not over-invest in defenses early; offense is more important.
8. Time Your Attacks Wisely
Resource availability changes throughout the day.
Best Times to Farm
- Late night
- Early morning
- During work or school hours (local time)
More dead bases appear when players are offline.
9. Spend Resources Before Logging Off
Unspent resources attract attackers.
Best Uses Before Logging Off
- Start upgrades
- Train troops
- Research spells or troops
Empty storages are less appealing to attackers.
10. Do Not Rush Town Hall Too Fast
Rushing hurts farming efficiency.
Balanced Progress Strategy
- Upgrade key farming troops
- Upgrade army camps
- Unlock new collectors before advancing
A balanced base farms faster and loses less loot.
Common Early-Game Farming Mistakes
- Attacking active bases
- Using expensive armies
- Farming too high in trophies
- Ignoring collectors
- Letting builders sit idle
Avoiding these mistakes speeds up progress significantly.
Final Thoughts
Early-game farming in Clash of Clans is about smart choices, not constant grinding. By using cheap armies, targeting dead bases, staying in the right league, and managing resources carefully, Android players can progress quickly without frustration.
Efficient farming builds the foundation for mid- and late-game success.