Introduction to Clash of Clans Archer Puppet Guide

In Clash of Clans, the Archer Puppet is a Hero Equipment exclusive to the Archer Queen, enhancing her abilities in battle. It is one of the two starting pieces of equipment for the Archer Queen, alongside the Invisibility Vial. This means players can begin using it as soon as they unlock Hero Equipment.

The main function of the Archer Puppet is to allow the Archer Queen to summon additional Archers when she activates her ability. These summoned Archers provide extra firepower, helping to clear defenses or distract enemy troops and buildings. This makes the Archer Puppet particularly useful in situations where additional support is needed to keep the Archer Queen safe or deal more damage.

How the Archer Puppet Works

When the Archer Queen activates her ability while equipped with the Archer Puppet, she summons a group of Archers to aid her in battle. These summoned Archers gain temporary invisibility upon being deployed, allowing them to attack freely without being targeted by enemy defenses.

However, the invisibility effect only applies to the summoned Archers. The Archer Queen herself remains visible unless she is using another piece of Hero Equipment, such as the Invisibility Vial, which grants her the ability to vanish from enemy sight.

The level of the spawned Archers matches the highest level of Archers the player has upgraded in the Laboratory. This means that upgrading regular Archers not only strengthens them in regular battles but also improves the effectiveness of the Archer Puppet.

Beyond summoning extra troops, the Archer Puppet also provides direct benefits to the Archer Queen. It increases her damage per second, allowing her to deal more damage overall. Additionally, it enhances the amount of health she recovers when using her ability, making her more durable during battles.

    Offensive Strategies Using the Archer Puppet

    Strategic Uses of the Archer Puppet

    The Archer Puppet provides several tactical advantages when used correctly in battle.

    One of its primary benefits is the additional damage output from the summoned Archers. These extra troops can help the Archer Queen take down defenses and enemy units more efficiently.

    The summoned Archers also serve as a distraction. Once their temporary invisibility wears off, they can absorb hits from defenses, potentially drawing fire away from the Archer Queen. This can be especially useful when dealing with high-damage defenses like X-Bows or Single-Target Inferno Towers. However, without invisibility-granting equipment, the Queen remains exposed until the Archers become visible.

    Synergy with Invisibility

    To protect the Archer Queen during her ability activation, players can equip her with the Invisibility Vial or Magic Mirror. These items allow her to remain unseen, reducing the risk of being targeted while her summoned Archers are still invisible.

    Spells like Freeze and Invisibility can also be used strategically. A well-timed Freeze Spell can temporarily disable key defenses, giving the summoned Archers time to become visible and take the focus off the Queen. An Invisibility Spell can further extend her safety by preventing defenses from locking onto her immediately.

    Tactical Considerations

    The summoned Archers can also act as a shield for the Queen. Since their invisibility duration is shorter than that of the Queen when she uses the Invisibility Vial, they will become visible first and attract enemy fire. This can help protect the Queen as she continues dealing damage.

    Additionally, the Archer Puppet can be an effective counter to Multi-Archer Towers. By summoning multiple Archers, the damage from the tower is spread across several targets instead of focusing solely on the Queen. However, for this to work, the Archers need to be visible so they can draw fire.

    One key concern when using the ability is the presence of traps. If activated near open spaces, the summoned Archers may trigger Bombs or Giant Bombs, which can instantly eliminate them before they provide any value. This makes it important to consider trap placements and avoid activating the ability in risky areas.

    Defensive Considerations Regarding the Archer Puppet

    Vulnerabilities of the Summoned Archers

    While the Archer Puppet provides useful support for the Archer Queen, the summoned Archers are not invincible and have key vulnerabilities that players should be aware of.

    Weakness to Splash Damage

    Even though the summoned Archers gain temporary invisibility upon being deployed, they can still take damage from splash defenses if they are caught within the blast radius. This is because splash defenses like Mortars, Bomb Towers, and Scattershots typically target the Queen first. If she is hit by a splash attack, any Archers near her may also suffer damage, reducing their effectiveness before they even become visible.

    Risk from Traps

    Traps also pose a significant threat to the summoned Archers. If the Queen is close to an untriggered Bomb or Giant Bomb when her ability is activated, the explosion can wipe out the Archers before they get a chance to contribute to the battle. This makes it important to consider possible trap locations and avoid activating the ability near empty spaces that could conceal hidden threats.

    By being mindful of these vulnerabilities, players can maximize the effectiveness of the Archer Puppet while minimizing potential risks in battle.

    Advanced Attack Strategies

    Using the Archer Puppet in Queen Charge Strategies

    The Queen Charge strategy relies on the Archer Queen surviving for as long as possible while clearing key defenses and creating a path for the main attack. In strategies like Queen Charge Hybrid (Queen Charge + Miners + Hog Riders) or Queen Charge Lalo, keeping the Queen alive is the top priority, but the Archer Puppet can still provide useful benefits.

    Extra Damage to Speed Up the Charge

    One of the key advantages of the Archer Puppet in Queen Charge strategies is the additional firepower it provides. The summoned Archers can help the Queen take down defenses more quickly, reducing the time she spends under fire. This can be particularly useful when dealing with high-hitpoint structures like Eagle Artilleries or Town Halls, allowing the Queen to progress faster and reduce the risk of time failing an attack.

    Distraction Against Defending Heroes

    Another benefit of the Archer Puppet is its ability to distract enemy heroes. When the Queen encounters defending heroes such as the Barbarian King or Royal Champion, these enemies can deal significant damage to her. The summoned Archers can help absorb some of their attacks, buying time for the Queen to take them down without losing too much health.

    When to Use the Archer Puppet in Queen Charge Attacks

    While the Archer Puppet offers extra damage and distraction, it does not provide direct protection for the Queen like the Invisibility Vial or Healing Tome. If the main concern is keeping the Queen alive, those alternatives may be more effective. However, in situations where speed and additional support are needed, the Archer Puppet can be a great option to enhance a Queen Charge.

    Understanding when to incorporate the Archer Puppet in Queen Charge attacks can help players optimize their strategies, balancing survivability with offensive pressure.

    How to Use the Archer Puppet with Siege Machines

    The Archer Puppet can work well alongside different Siege Machines, adding extra firepower and distraction to improve attack effectiveness. By understanding how to pair it with specific Siege Machines, players can maximize the Archer Queen’s impact on the battlefield.

    Using the Archer Puppet with the Battle Blimp

    When deploying a Battle Blimp, the main goal is often to take down the Town Hall or other core defenses with a powerful payload, such as Balloons, Yeti Bombs, or Sneaky Goblins. Once the Queen has cleared the central area of the base, the summoned Archers from the Archer Puppet can help finish off the remaining defenses nearby.

    This can be especially useful when the Battle Blimp does not fully destroy surrounding defenses, allowing the Queen and her summoned Archers to clean up any remaining threats before moving forward.

    Using the Archer Puppet with the Flame Flinger

    A Flame Flinger is a long-range Siege Machine that targets defenses while staying at a safe distance. However, if the enemy Clan Castle troops are triggered, they can pose a serious threat to the Queen and the Flame Flinger.

    The Archer Puppet can help deal with these defensive troops by summoning extra Archers to attack them. This is particularly effective when dealing with weaker Clan Castle troops like Witches or Archers, as the additional firepower helps clear them out quickly before they overwhelm the Queen.

    When to Use the Archer Puppet with Siege Machines

    If using the Battle Blimp, the Archer Puppet can assist in clearing defenses around the core after the Queen destroys key targets.

    When attacking with a Flame Flinger, the Archer Puppet can help eliminate defending Clan Castle troops before they become a threat.

    The Archer Puppet’s distraction ability can also be useful in attacks where Siege Machines need extra protection, allowing them to deal more damage before being destroyed.

    By coordinating the Archer Puppet with the right Siege Machine, players can improve their attack efficiency and ensure a smoother path to victory.

    Dealing with High-Damage Defenses Using the Archer Puppet

    The Archer Queen is often the primary target of powerful defenses like X-Bows, Inferno Towers, and Archer Towers, which can quickly deplete her health. The Archer Puppet can provide some relief in these situations by acting as a temporary shield and adding extra firepower.

    Absorbing Damage from Defenses

    When the Queen is targeted by multiple X-Bows or a Multi-Target Inferno Tower, the summoned Archers from the Archer Puppet can help by temporarily drawing some of the fire away. Once their invisibility wears off, these Archers become valid targets for defenses, reducing the number of hits directed at the Queen. This can buy the Queen extra time to eliminate key defenses before they deal too much damage to her.

    Helping Against Inferno Towers

    Multi-Target Inferno Towers can quickly melt through the Queen’s health, but if the summoned Archers become visible first, they can help spread out the damage.

    Single-Target Inferno Towers, however, are more dangerous since they ramp up their damage over time. In this case, the Archer Puppet is less useful because the Inferno Tower will still remain locked onto the Queen unless she becomes invisible or the attack is reset with a Freeze Spell.

    Using the Archer Puppet to Support the Queen

    The Archer Puppet is most effective when the Queen is engaging multiple defenses at once, as the summoned Archers can take some of the hits meant for her. However, against bases with strong splash damage, such as Bomb Towers, Wizard Towers, or Multi-Target Infernos, the Archers may not last long enough to be effective.

    To maximize its usefulness:

    Deploy the Queen away from heavy splash damage defenses if planning to use the Archer Puppet.

    Consider pairing it with Freeze Spells to stop high-damage defenses from targeting the Queen while the summoned Archers provide support.

    Be mindful of trap placement, as Bombs and Giant Bombs can instantly wipe out the summoned Archers, negating their distraction value.

    By using the Archer Puppet strategically, players can help their Queen survive longer against concentrated firepower, making it easier to clear key defenses before she goes down.

    Base-Specific Considerations for Using the Archer Puppet

    Different base layouts require different attack approaches, and the Archer Puppet’s effectiveness varies depending on the base design. Understanding how to adjust its use can help maximize its impact and prevent wasted opportunities.

    Anti-3-Star Bases (Spread-Out Defenses)

    Anti-3-star bases are designed to slow down attacks by spreading defenses apart, making it harder to achieve full destruction. Since defenses are not clumped together, the Archer Puppet can be useful in these layouts.

    When the Queen is locked onto a high-value defense, the summoned Archers can assist by taking down surrounding structures without being instantly wiped out by splash damage.

    The additional damage output can speed up the Queen’s progress, reducing the chances of a time fail.

    Compact Bases (High Splash Damage)

    Some bases group splash damage defenses together, such as Multi-Target Inferno Towers, Wizard Towers, and Bomb Towers, making it dangerous for low-health troops like the summoned Archers.

    In these cases, the Archer Puppet is less effective since the summoned Archers can be wiped out instantly before providing any meaningful value.

    The Invisibility Vial may be a better option in these situations, as it ensures the Queen can stay alive without relying on the summoned Archers for support.

    If the Archer Puppet is used, it should be in an area where splash damage is minimal, allowing the Archers to contribute without being eliminated too quickly.

    Bases with Strong Core Defenses

    Some bases concentrate powerful defenses in the core, such as Monoliths, Eagle Artilleries, and Inferno Towers, making it difficult for the Queen to survive while engaging them.

    The Archer Puppet can help reduce the Queen’s vulnerability by summoning Archers to absorb some of the incoming damage while she continues attacking.

    If the Queen is taking on a Single-Target Inferno Tower, the summoned Archers will not reset the Inferno Tower’s charge, but they can serve as distractions for other defenses.

    Against a Multi-Target Inferno Tower, the summoned Archers may take some of the heat off the Queen, depending on their position when they become visible.

    Choosing the Right Approach

    Use the Archer Puppet on bases where defenses are spread out to maximize its effectiveness.

    Avoid relying on the Archer Puppet against bases with heavy splash damage, as it may be ineffective.

    If dealing with high-damage core defenses, the Archer Puppet can provide temporary relief but should be combined with spells like Freeze or Invisibility for better survivability.

    By analyzing the base layout before attacking, players can determine whether the Archer Puppet is the right choice or if another Hero Equipment would be more effective.

    Defensive Counterplay Against the Archer Puppet

    Defending against the Archer Puppet requires strategic placement of defenses, traps, and Clan Castle troops to minimize its effectiveness. Since the Archer Puppet summons multiple Archers, it can be countered by high-splash defenses, well-placed traps, and defensive troops that can stall or eliminate the Queen and her reinforcements.

    Placing High-Splash Defenses Near Key Areas

    One of the best ways to counter the Archer Puppet is by positioning splash damage defenses near important targets. Since the summoned Archers have low health, they can be easily wiped out if they are in range of:

    Wizard Towers – Their area splash attack can instantly destroy multiple Archers at once.

    Bomb Towers – Their death explosion can eliminate Archers if they are nearby when the tower is destroyed.

    Multi-Target Inferno Towers – These towers can burn through multiple Archers simultaneously, reducing their effectiveness as distractions.

    By placing these defenses around critical structures like Inferno Towers, the Eagle Artillery, or the Monolith, defenders can neutralize the summoned Archers before they become a threat.

    Using Giant Bombs and Traps to Eliminate Summoned Archers

    Giant Bombs – If placed in areas where attackers commonly activate the Queen’s ability, Giant Bombs can wipe out all the summoned Archers instantly.

    Tornado Traps – These can delay the Queen and her Archers, allowing defenses to focus on her before she can take down key targets.

    Skeleton Traps – When set to ground mode, Skeleton Traps can distract the Queen, slowing her attack speed while other defenses deal damage.

    By predicting where the Queen is likely to activate her ability, defenders can place traps to eliminate the summoned Archers quickly, reducing their effectiveness in tanking or dealing additional damage.

    Defensive Clan Castle Troops to Counter the Queen and Summoned Archers

    Defensive Clan Castle troops can be used to stall the Queen, forcing her to waste time while other defenses target her. Some of the best options include:

    Lava Hound or Ice Golem – These troops are effective at stalling the Queen, buying time for defenses to take her down. The Ice Golem’s freeze effect can also disrupt the attack.

    Valkyries or Super Minions – These high-damage troops can quickly wipe out the summoned Archers before they become a problem.

    Baby Dragons – When rage-boosted (alone), they can deal strong damage to both the Queen and her Archers.

    Best Defensive Strategies Against the Archer Puppet

    Place splash damage defenses near high-value areas to wipe out the summoned Archers quickly.

    Use Giant Bombs in areas where the Queen is likely to use her ability to eliminate the Archers before they become effective.

    Deploy Clan Castle troops that slow down or damage the Queen, preventing her from making full use of the Archer Puppet’s abilities.

    Use Tornado Traps and Skeleton Traps to keep the Queen in place, forcing her to take more damage from defenses.

    By planning base layouts with these countermeasures, defenders can reduce the impact of the Archer Puppet and make it harder for attackers to get the most value from their Hero Equipment.