Games That Don’t Suck: Clash of Clans
There’s a part of me that hesitates to recommend any game that is number 1 on iTune’s “Top Grossing Apps” list, especially a “free” one, as you can assume that there is likely going to be a fairly intense push for you to buy in-game currency in order to enjoy the game. Clash of Clans (free: iTunes) does indeed follow your standard “freemium” model where the game is perfectly playable for free, assuming you are patient, but as you progress you will find more and more temptation to drop real money for the Clash of Clans’ in-game Gem currency.
That being said, this game is a total blast, and if you are into world building, social gaming, and killing strangers you should definitely check it out. The basics of the game are fairly straightforward for anyone who has ever payed any other similar game, such as The Settlers. Basically, you slowly build up your town, defenses, resources, and defenses. Then, it’s off to battle. A nice tutorial upon launch will get you up and running, although seeing as Gems are so precious in the game, I would recommend waiting the tutorial out every time it asks you to rush something by plunking down a few gems.
The artwork in Clash of Clans is simply adorable, and reminds me a bit of Fieldrunner’s graphics and battlefields, which is a very big compliment. There is some very nice attention to detail here, and it’s worth taking a second to zoom in on each structure and see what it going on.
One of the best features of Clash of Clans is the way battles are handled. The game comes with a number of pre-built enemy villages you can cut your teeth on before making the move to online battles against other flesh and blood players. When you’re ready to make the jump, you can simply hit the “Find a Match” button and you will be paired up against a (hopefully) similarly ranked player to see if your army has what it takes to smash their village to pieces. Even if you don’t quite have what it takes to break through the enemy’s defenses, you may still make off with some of their gold and resources.
The flip side here is that your village is ALSO open to attack at any time. Actually, not “any” time – your village can only be attacked when you are offline. When you relaunch the game, you’ll be notified if, and how many times you were attacked, and how bad the damage was. You can replay the battles and see how the enemy was able to break your defenses, and then adjust your buildings and troops accordingly. You shouldn’t worry too much about your town being destroyed, however, as all structures will quickly regenerate, and you will not lose anything you have built. However, you can lose gold and resources just as easily as you can grab them from other players.
One nice touch Clash of Clans has that other similar games lack is a social feature where you can join, or even create Clans of up to 50 people comprised of your Game Center or Facebook friends (my Clan is Clan “Macenstein”, feel free to join me!). While your clan-members can’t directly join you in battle against a foe, they CAN send you some of their troops to help you win, or defend your village. You can also chat with your fellow clan members, or the entire Clash of Clans populous if you’d like.
Anyway, as I mentioned up front, this game is hardly a sleeper hit at this point, but I feel it is worth giving a shout out as I have been playing it non-stop for most of a week, and while the costs of upgrading have started ramping up quite a bit, I still highly recommend this game for anyone looking for a nice 3 minute-bathroom-break type game to add to their “arse”enal.
Awesome, Doc.
I gave up my position as clan elder to join yours. I had to jump at the chance!
Doc, it says your clan is invite only. i would love to join you. my name is danbarlinmar. my armies are yours if you will have me.
mac, i left my clan and have spent the last few hours trying to get up to 800 trophies so i can join you. i am at 681. its the middle of the night where i am and i need to go to sleep. will you please save me a spot?
i’ll lower it to 500. Hope to see you.
– The Doc
Epic game !! The best game online app iPad ever…. A lot player play this game. Never regret it.. This game got game aster who keep this game protected from bug, bad talk and etc.
Mac what is ur clan name and what is ur Game Center name for dragonvale?
Hey Mac, could you add me to your clan. I’ve been a big fan of your on DV for month. What’s your clan name? I am juju. Game Center name -juju666-
I have been playing this game for a while and it does in fact suck. I thought it didn’t and kept trying to convince myself it didn’t after all the tie I put into building up my village, but it is time I am honest with myself. This game is no good.
Maybe if Supercell actually worked on the myriad of bugs and game play issues, or actually got back to paying customers emails…ever…still waiting, but they don’t. Clearly the game blew up and is now at the point where it is too much for Supercell to handle. If you have an update that says you fixed the crash, and than another, and then another clearly you have not fixed it. Do expect to get random new units though, cuz those are easy add ons to distract players from the lack of their ability to actually fix any of the more complex gameplay issues.
Dont waste your time on this game.
Everybody join my clan! Anyone can join we are not trying to get into rankings we just wanna have fun! You don’t even need any trophies to join. We like to donate troops and have a great time. We are respectful and will listen to suggestions. The clan name is COCWL it stands for clash if clans war lords. Please join you wound regret it.
why is that every single f***ing time when I’m attacked, they take away 2-300k gold and elixir, but when I attack I only see people with 150k max. never ever seen anybody with 200k or over
Yeah you have to click next fight 30-50 times
Attack players of a high trophy level. You will get more resources then.
Hi Dr Mac.
I took your advice and had a go at clash of clans. After dragonvale this is a hoot! 🙂 I read a post a few days ago that said we needed 800 trophies to join. I’ve got 924 now, but upon checking it says 1100 by invite only. Can I join your clan? I’ve had a few kickings and I don’t want to put off being in a clan any longer. Ta Del
I think everyone trying to get into his clan by now is having this problem. I read an earlier post saying it was 800 trophies to get in, but now 1800? That’s so many! I myself only have 1150 or so, and I’d like to join the clan, but that’s a ridiculous amount and I like my current clan. If it was lower I’d jump at the chance to get in, I have been a huge fan of your DragonVale work for quite some time now. Oh well.
join us Forever Gods
Join my clan boondock saints. Just opened new clan will promote anyone who makes it into top ten. Must donate 75 troops a week. I’m the clan with the red fire shield.
Join our merry clan! We welcome anyone over 400 trophy
Search for
B.E.G.
Which stands for bored easily group!
I have to say while this game is cool in the beginning it sucks after level 60. You can’t save up resources since the business model is after 1.5 mil gold you have to use gems since players will steal it faster than you can make it. So So my minimum upgrade is 3 mil at a cost of 5 bucks an upgrade.
The mechanics in the game are flawed, they don’t buffer rewards, the troops run like chickens in the base, there are no aggro meters, and town defense is elementary at best. Since they don’t buffer rewards it take forever to find a base (30,000 gold minimum) and they few that are saving are raped continuously without buffering. They violate every point Chris Crawford makes about what really makes a game rewarding. Obviously the writer doesn’t understand that either.
This game takes time and patience. You say it is impossible to save up any resources, so I’ll ask; how much loot do you look for in a raid? Personally, I don’t search all day for the bases with full collectors and 300k of each type of resource. You’ll spend as much money looking for these bases as you will get from raiding them. I go for the easy bases with 125k to 150k of each. My current troop layout with a 200-troop capacity: 60 archers, 50 goblins, 14 giants, and 10 wallbreakers. This layout can be made in 24 minutes with about 90k elixir. If you were to go for these seemingly low-level raids, it would add up quickly. Using this method, I was able to save up enough gold in 1 day for TH 9 and 2 lvl 6 “golden” mortars. Try it, or don’t it’s your call. Anyone reading this post, feel free to check out a really awesome clan called “the angels” with the blue-and-white striped shield.
I am at level 44 and addicted like anything. This game rocks, simply. The best part is that you can interact with other players playing the game! And then the game itself is cool.
It’s really a good game,. but the most recent update has,… added some frustration.
Before,. I could go afk for hours and not be attacked.
Now, If i barely go offline for a few minutes I find that my town was attacked again,..
Something changed and it’s not for the better.
Dr. M
I have been following ur websites for a long time now and have wanted to join your clan. I have spent gems trying to upgrade things but trophies evaded me at every turn. I have longed to join but i would appreciate it if you would lower the trophies for me. 1200 would be good. I will donate and keep the chat clean. I beg you to lower the trophies for me
Your fellow clasher,
James_hensley
ok, go!
– The Doc
Sorry doc tried to join but its full
Hey doc can u lower the trophies again I can join because I got my phone back
If someone needs Gems , I use this -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F98hCawC5Dw Hope I helped
Hey guys is this game good?well sup!idk you answer i have been playing for3 years i finally have a lot of trophies yea! My clan is called worldwide just saying ! I hate when they join then leave(hopper)boohoo mean !!!!!!!!!!! Dod did u join ?
Hi Doc,
I am so tempted to try to join your clan. I bet it is great! I am also in a pretty terrific clan, aptly named “Dragonvalers”. Our shield is blue and yellow. Most of us love you and Dragonvale so much our leader created the clan after the game. We sometimes trophy push, sometimes drop for a little extra money, but most of us have been together for over a year too. Anyone who plays, donates well, and likes to chat (clean, semi-international,many ages) feel free to request to join us too. How great it is that our favorite guy (you) and 2 of our favorite games are now more closely tied together! I wish you well on the field and thanks so much for your great advice!
Just another loyal fan, Courtney 🙂
Can u lower the trophie count down to 1200 so that I can join
Clash of Clans is a really good game, I’ve been addicted to it for a long time. There’s a new game coming out though that’s also similar to CoC, called Zombie Company Crusade. It’s also going to be a great game and I’m really excited for it. You should also check that out at http://www.zombiecompanycrusade.com.
Hi Mac, did you actually ban me from the clan?
U can send me an email on Julien.g9@hotmail.com
Hi, how long is it expected to take to max out th7?
Hey Doc,
Am on kik but cldnt find u know what..so can u find me and get me in??
Regards
Rahul
we use GroupMe
– The Doc
I have no friends in clash of clans. Only two who don’t play anymore. I would love to have a friend to donate troops to me & visa versa. Particularly if you have the flying dragon on level 5. I have one myself. Hope there is someone interested.