Goblin: Mastering the Goblin Troop in Clash of Clans

The Goblin, the Barracks’ fourth troop unlock, possesses unique characteristics that set it apart in Clash of Clans. In this guide, we delve into the Goblin’s behavior, strengths, and strategies for both offense and defense.

Goblin Behavior

1. Resource Prioritization

Goblins prioritize resource buildings over other targets, including Clan Castle troops and heroes. Even the Town Hall and Clan Castle are considered resource buildings, despite potential lack of loot.

2. Double Damage to Resources

The Goblin deals double damage to various resource buildings, making it a formidable force against Gold Mines, Elixir Collectors, Dark Elixir Drills, Clan Castles, and Town Halls.

3. Vulnerability and Speed

While Goblins are swift ground units, their low health makes them vulnerable. Careful deployment with meat shields, such as Giants or Barbarians, is crucial.

Strategies

Offensive Strategy

1. Resource Raiding: Use Goblins strategically with Wall Breakers to access Storages and Mines/Collectors.
2. Splash Damage Defense: Beware of structures like Wizard Towers and Mortars; consider sending in Goblins in waves for better survivability.

Defensive Strategy

1. Clan Castle Defense: Goblins serve well as Clan Castle troops, swiftly engaging enemy units due to their high damage and movement speed.
2. Base Design: Strategically position defenses, especially Wizard Towers and Mortars, to protect resource buildings.

Upgrade Differences

The Goblin undergoes a remarkable transformation in appearance throughout its leveling process, showcasing distinctive changes at every level, excluding levels 2 and 4.

Level 1

At the initial stage, the Goblin presents itself as a small, green creature with notable features such as large pointy ears, red eyes featuring green pupils, and a red-tipped nose. The attire includes red suspenders, brown pants, and shoes. The Goblin carries a large sack designed for hauling resources stolen from the enemy.

Level 3

Upon reaching level 3, the Goblin’s sack gains light brown stripes on its sides, adding a subtle yet noticeable detail to its appearance.

Level 5

Advancing to level 5, the Goblin’s sack transforms entirely into a light brown shade, accompanied by the addition of a striking red mohawk, enhancing its distinctive look.

Level 6

At level 6, the Goblin’s evolution continues with the acquisition of a red leather cape and a golden necklace. Additionally, golden bands adorn its wrists, contributing to a more refined and accessorized appearance.

Level 7

Progressing to level 7, the Goblin undergoes a vibrant change as its mohawk turns bright orange, featuring a squared-off style at the back. Simultaneously, its sack expands in size.

Level 8

Level 8 introduces further alterations as the Goblin’s mohawk slightly increases in size. The sack undergoes a transformation, turning black and gaining a distinctive white skull symbol.

Level 9

Reaching the pinnacle at level 9, the Goblin experiences a nuanced transformation. The mohawk decreases in size slightly, while both the leather cape and mohawk adopt a charming pink hue. The golden bands reappear on its arms, completing the Goblin’s visual evolution.

Witness the Goblin’s journey through various levels, each stage bringing forth unique and eye-catching changes to its appearance.

Goblin Statistics

Preferred Target	Attack Type	Housing Space	Movement Speed	Attack Speed	Barracks Level Required	Range
Resources (Damage x2)	Melee (Ground Only)	1	32	1s	4	0.4 tiles

Level	Damage per Second	Damage per Attack	DPS on Resource Buildings	Hitpoints	Research Cost	Research Time	Laboratory Level Required
1	11	11	22	25	N/A	N/A	N/A
2	14	14	28	30	45,000	5h	1
3	19	19	38	36	175,000	9h	3
4	24	24	48	50	500,000	12h	5
5	32	32	64	65	1,200,000	1d	6
6	42	42	84	80	2,000,000	1d 12h	7
7	52	52	104	105	3,000,000	3d 12h	8
8	62	62	124	126	5,600,000	7d	10
9	72	72	144	146	16,000,000	17d	13

Super Troop Boost

Super Troop	Boost Cost	Goblin Level Required
Sneaky Goblin	25,000	7

Goblin History

Patch	Type	Description
August 2, 2012		The Goblin was in the original release of the game, with 5 levels.
September 18, 2012	Update	The upgraded Goblin shows pink asterisks that represents the level.
November 6, 2013	Update	Added the level 6 Goblin.
December 11, 2014	Update	Rearranged the Goblin to be the fourth troop unlocked in the Barracks, with the Giant being the third troop unlocked.Prior to this update, the Goblin was the third troop unlocked and the Giant was the fourth.
December 10, 2015	Update	Goblins now target the Town Hall and Clan Castle with 2x damage.
March 21, 2016	“The Bowler” Update	Added the level 7 Goblin for Town Hall 10. Moved the level 6 Goblin to Town Hall 9.
December 19, 2016	Update	Gave the Goblin a significant change in his icon and info.
June 26, 2018	Update	Reduced upgrade times for the Goblin at levels 2-5.Level 2 reduced up to 25%.Level 3 reduced up to 33%.Level 4 reduced up to 30%.Level 5 reduced up to 19%.
February 22, 2019	Update	Increased the Goblin’s HP for level 4 onwards.
April 2, 2019	Update	Reduced upgrade times for the Goblin at levels 5-7.
March 30, 2020	Update	Added the level 8 Goblin for Town Hall 12.Reduced the upgrade cost for level 5-7 Goblins.
December 9, 2021	Update	Reduced upgrade costs and times for the Goblin at all levels.Increased the Goblin’s hitpoints at levels 4-7:Level 4: 46 -> 50 Level 5: 56 -> 65 Level 6: 76 -> 80 Level 7: 101 -> 105
June 12, 2023	Update	Added the level 9 Goblin.Reduced upgrade time for level 8 from 8d to 7d Reduced upgrade cost for level 8 from 6,300,000 to 5,600,000

Goblin Gallery

Trivia: Unveiling the Enigmatic Goblins

Folklore Roots

Goblins, originating from the folklore of diverse European cultures, have been a subject of tales since the Middle Ages. Their characteristics, abilities, and temperaments vary across stories, depicting them as mischievous household spirits or malicious, thieving creatures with magical capabilities such as shapeshifting. Similar entities in other cultures include duendes and kobolds.

In-Game Translations

In the German version of the game, the Goblin is referred to as “Kobold,” highlighting the linguistic nuances that add cultural depth to Clash of Clans.

Single Player Campaign Quirk

Despite being trainable for your army, Goblins play the role of main antagonists in the Single Player Campaign. Interestingly, the tutorial showcases CPU Goblins with peculiar behavior, focusing on defense and being one-hit wonders compared to player-trained Goblins.

Army Camp Animation

When tapping on the Army Camp, stationed Goblins momentarily turn and look to their left, a quirky animation detail adding a touch of character to these mythical troops.

Quantity Dynamics

The maximum number of Goblins in a fully upgraded set of Army Camps is 320, extending to 370 when considering a fully upgraded Clan Castle. Through Clone Spells, an additional 168 Goblins can be summoned, resulting in a formidable total of 538 Goblins on the battlefield.

Evolution in Damage

Goblins, once boasting the second-highest damage-per-second per housing space after Wizards, ceded this position to their super version, the Sneaky Goblin, showcasing the dynamic nature of troop effectiveness.

Clash Royale Distinctions

In Clash Royale, Goblins undergo changes, attacking with daggers instead of hands and no longer prioritizing resource buildings. The level 6 Goblins share a resemblance with their Star Level counterparts in Clash Royale.

Curiosities and Peculiarities

From unusual damage dynamics compared to Barbarians to their peculiar disinterest in Builder’s Huts, Goblins present intriguing quirks and behaviors that keep players guessing.

Comparisons: Goblins Across Clash Titles

Clash Royale and Home Village

Goblins are among the 14 troops shared between the Home Village and Clash Royale, joining the ranks of Barbarians, Archers, Giants, and others, each bridging the two Clash universes.

Clash Quest Inclusion

In Clash Quest, Goblins stand among the seven troops originating from Clash of Clans, establishing their presence across multiple Clash games.

Speed Prowess

Goblins, Sneaky Goblins, Minions, Headhunters, and Miners claim the title of the fastest-moving units in the Home Village, boasting a speed of 32. This places them in a league of their own, outpacing many other troops.

Hero Skin Honors

As one of four troops featured as a Hero skin, the Goblin stands unique, inspiring skins for all Home Village Heroes, a distinction not shared by the P.E.K.K.A, Golem, or Valkyrie. Each of the latter has only a single Hero Skin based on them, showcasing the Goblin’s broad influence in Clash of Clans.

Conclusion

Mastering the Goblin troop involves understanding its priorities, deploying it strategically, and leveraging its strengths. Whether for raiding resources or defending the Clan Castle, the Goblin plays a unique role in Clash of Clans. Implement these strategies to maximize the potential of this swift and resource-focused troop.