At Town Hall 9, Clash of Clans players encounter powerful attack strategies that test defensive design skills. The TH9 base must withstand advanced aerial threats like LavaLoon, DragLoon, and Queen Walks with Balloons, while still defending against hybrid ground attacks. Designing a base with the Town Hall centralized is one of the most effective ways to secure trophies and resources. This guide explains proven strategies, layouts, and defensive tips to help you create a strong anti-air TH9 base.

Table of Contents
Why Building a Strong TH9 Base Matters
At TH9, attack strategies evolve with the introduction of Lava Hounds, stronger Balloons, and the Archer Queen’s ability. Players often face air-heavy lineups in wars and trophy pushes because they are fast and destructive. That’s why your TH9 base needs to:
- Neutralize air troops with strong Air Defense placement.
- Protect the Town Hall with layered defenses.
- Force attackers to commit extra spells and troops to reach the core.
A centralized Town Hall with well-balanced defenses offers durability against both air and ground armies.
Core Principles of a Powerful TH9 Base
When creating your base, keep these essentials in mind:
1. Centralized Air Defenses
Your TH9 base has four Air Defenses. Place them in a diamond or square around the Town Hall to make them difficult to snipe. Cover each with an Archer Tower and Wizard Tower to create overlapping firepower.
2. Layered Compartment Design
Use multiple walls and compartments to slow enemy troops. This delays Balloons and gives defenses more time to deal damage.
3. Smart Trap Placement
- Seeking Air Mines: Target Lava Hounds and Dragons.
- Air Bombs: Scatter them to weaken Balloons and Minions.
4. Storages as Shields
Place high-hitpoint storages near Air Defenses. They act as buffers, forcing Balloons and Dragons to waste time.
5. Clan Castle & Heroes
- Keep the Clan Castle centralized and filled with air-defensive troops (Dragon, Baby Dragon, Wizards).
- Position the Archer Queen near Air Defenses, while the Barbarian King distracts ground support units.
Defensive Building Placements for TH9 Base
- Air Defenses: Deep inside, slightly offset to avoid Lightning + Earthquake spell value.
- Archer Towers: Spread around the base for wide air coverage.
- Wizard Towers: Near storages to handle Balloon groups.
- X-Bows: Set both to “Air & Ground” mode and place near the core.
- Hidden Teslas: Position them near entry points or the Town Hall to surprise Balloons.
- Traps: Place Air Bombs near storages and Seeking Air Mines near Air Defenses.
Example Anti-Air TH9 Base Layout
Imagine your TH9 base on a grid:
- Core: Town Hall, Clan Castle, Dark Elixir Storage.
- Inner Ring: Air Defenses in a diamond, protected by Wizard Towers and X-Bows.
- Second Layer: Archer Towers, storages, and Teslas spread evenly.
- Outer Ring: Cannons, Mortars, and traps forming distractions for funneling.
This forces attackers to commit spells early and reduces the chance of a three-star attack.
How the TH9 Base Counters Popular Attacks
- LavaLoon: Air Defenses + Air Mines weaken Lava Hounds, while splash defenses shred Balloons.
- DragLoon: Dragons take heavy damage before reaching the core thanks to layered Air Defenses.
- Queen Walk Air Support: High-hitpoint storages and Teslas disrupt the Archer Queen’s pathing.
Maintenance & Upgrade Tips for TH9 Base
- Upgrade Air Defenses first – they’re your strongest air counters.
- Focus on walls around the Town Hall and Air Defenses.
- Use friendly challenges to test your design against LavaLoon and Dragon attacks.
- Keep Clan Castle filled with anti-air troops at all times.
FAQ
How do I defend against LavaLoon at TH9?
To counter LavaLoon, place Air Defenses deep inside your TH9 base, use Seeking Air Mines near them, and back them up with Wizard Towers for splash damage.
Should I place my X-Bows on air or ground at TH9?
At TH9, it’s best to set both X-Bows to Air & Ground mode. This setup helps your base defend against Dragons, Balloons, and ground units at the same time.
What Clan Castle troops are best for a TH9 base defense?
The most effective Clan Castle troops for a TH9 base are Dragons, Baby Dragons, or a mix of Wizards and Archers. These provide reliable defense against air attacks.
Conclusion
Building a strong Town Hall 9 base requires more than just walls and defenses—it’s about smart placement, layered compartments, and anticipating air strategies. By centralizing the Town Hall, protecting Air Defenses, and using traps effectively, you’ll create a layout that defends trophies and resources while frustrating attackers. With proper upgrades and occasional tweaks, your Town Hall 9 base will remain competitive throughout this stage of Clash of Clans. Fell free to copy this base layout to your game,