Lava Hound
. The Lava Hound
- Definition
- Lava Hound is like a flying fiery Golem, except its favorite target is specifically Air Defenses.
- The Lava Hound is a pyrotechnic (volcanic) hound-like creature with wings.
- Its like the Golem, the Lava Hound deals additional splash damage when it dies, before splitting into Lava Pups.
- When the Lava Hound attacks buildings, it bounces up and down slightly while shooting little fireballs at it like a Minion.
- The Lava Hounds prioritize Air Defenses above all other targets, and will bypass all other enemy buildings and troops while any Air Defenses remain on the battlefield. This is true even if they are under attack by enemy Clan Castle troops, heroes orSkeleton Trap skeletons. Once all Air Defenses are destroyed, they will continue to attack any other remaining defenses. Note that like all troops that prioritize defenses, Lava Hounds do not consider the Clan Castle to be a defense regardless of whether or not it contains enemy troops, but do consider the defending Grand Warden to be a defensive building.
Once all remaining defenses are destroyed, Lava Hounds become like any other troop with no preferred target; they will attack the nearest building to them regardless of type, and will turn and attack enemy units if they become aware of any nearby.
- Offensive Tips
- The Lava Hounds have a large amount of hitpoints. Much like Golems, they're useful as an attack tank, but for air units. They protect Dragons, Minions, Healers and Balloons, much like Golems protect a group of Wizards or Witches.
- They can distract Air Defenses, which prevents the Air Defenses from destroying a group of Dragons, Balloons or Minions.
- Make sure to keep it away from a single targeting Inferno Tower which can kill it with ease.
- It is a good idea to send Lava Hounds in pairs so it can soak up twice the amount of damage and to longer distract defenses from other air troops. However, don't use too many, as they are extremely weak offensive units and will be destroyed before they do too much damage to your enemy, even given their prodigious hitpoints.
- The Lava Hounds may make high-level Giant-Healer strategies more viable, as one of the major reasons it previously failed at high levels was Air Defense damage. A Lava Hound may be able to keep the Healer alive substantially longer, giving the Giants enough time to clear a path for the damage dealers.
- Defensive Tips
- Spreading your Air Defenses out is a good idea. This forces attackers to keep their air troops near the Lava Hounds for protection, making Air Bombs and Wizard Towers more effective. Also have Seeking Air Mines and Air Bombs close by yourAir Defenses so it will be more likely to be triggered by Lava. Hounds.
- Their weaknesses include Seeking Air Mines, which do significant damage against air troops.
- Make sure to use at least one single-targeting Inferno Tower, which will destroy a Lava Hound with ease.
- The Lava Hounds are not very good Clan Castle troops considering they require a level 5 Clan Castle. They also do very little damage. However, they can be used to keep the attackers at bay as they can soak up a lot of damage.
- Upgrade By Level
- For level 1 and 2, the Lava Hound looks like an overweight dog like creature, with a round head and lumpy body, made of rock with cracks filled with Lava. A row of scales made of rocks are on its back.
- And level 3, the spikes on its back turn into lava. Its eyes also become larger and more red. The lava under the skin of the forearms also disappear, and its wings grow in size. It's glow changes a bit.