Introduction to Clash of Clans Builder Base Cannon Guide

In Clash of Clans, Cannons serve as the first line of defense in the Builder Base, becoming available at Builder Hall level 2. Unlike some defensive structures, they are repaired from their ruined state rather than being newly constructed, making them an integral part of the base from the start. Their affordability and quick upgrade times make them easy to strengthen early on, ensuring your defenses improve alongside your progression.

Cannons are dedicated ground-targeting defenses, meaning they are particularly effective against ground-based troops like Raged Barbarians. However, they are completely ineffective against aerial threats such as Beta Minions and Baby Dragons. This limitation means they must be paired with air-targeting defenses to maintain a balanced defense against all types of attacks.

LevelDamage per SecondDamage per ShotHitpointsBuild CostBuild TimeExperience GainedBuilder Hall Level Required1705650010,0001m712776257520,0005m1733856866050,0002h84349374760200,0008h1694510282875600,0001d29356112901,0501,000,0002d41567123981,2501,800,0004d587781361091,4502,500,0006d720891501201,6503,300,0008d8319101651321,8504,500,0009d88110

Range: 8.5

Attack Speed: 0.8s

Damage Type: Single Target

Unit Type Targeted: Ground

Defensive Strategies

Cannons feature a high rate of fire and a respectable range, making them reliable point defenses against ground troops. Their rapid shots allow them to chip away at enemy units effectively, particularly against high-hitpoint ground tanks like Boxer Giants. However, they are most effective when positioned alongside splash damage defenses such as Multi Mortars, Crushers, and Roasters. This combination ensures that Cannons focus on eliminating tougher targets while splash defenses handle swarms of smaller units.

Since Cannons are unable to engage air units, they must be protected by air-targeting defenses like Firecrackers, Archer Towers, or Air Bombs. Placing them within the coverage of these defenses ensures they remain operational against hybrid or air-heavy attacks. Upgrading Cannons early in the game is a practical approach, as they are affordable and readily available. Strengthening them early on bolsters a base’s ability to withstand ground-based assaults, making them a key component of Builder Base defenses.

Offensive Strategies

When attacking a base, it is essential to recognize that Cannons are strictly ground-targeting defenses. This makes them highly susceptible to air assaults, particularly from troops like Beta Minions and Baby Dragons. If Cannons are left unprotected by air-targeting defenses, experienced attackers can take advantage of this weakness. Beta Minions, for instance, can leverage their Long Shot ability to strike from a safe distance, eliminating Cannons without taking damage if positioned correctly and deployed in sufficient numbers.

Another key limitation of Cannons is their single-target nature. Since they can only fire at one enemy at a time, they struggle against swarm tactics. Large groups of troops like Sneaky Archers or Raged Barbarians can quickly overwhelm them, rendering them ineffective in high-density battles. In some cases, as few as three Sneaky Archers of a similar level can take down an unguarded Cannon without the need for any additional support, highlighting the importance of balancing defensive structures to counter different attack strategies.

Base Design Tips

Proper Cannon placement plays a crucial role in Builder Base defense. While Cannons provide consistent single-target damage, their effectiveness depends on their positioning within the base. There are two primary placement strategies: centralized positioning and perimeter placement, each with its own advantages.

Centralized Placement:

One advantage of centralizing Cannons is that they remain shielded by surrounding structures, preventing them from being easily sniped by ranged units like Cannon Carts or Beta Minions. This placement ensures that enemy ground troops must break through multiple layers of defenses before reaching the Cannons, giving them more time to deal damage.

Cannons positioned near the core also benefit from overlapping defensive coverage. When placed alongside splash-damage defenses like Multi Mortars and Roasters, they work together to eliminate both tanky units and swarms of smaller troops. Crushers positioned nearby add another layer of protection, particularly against mass Boxer Giant attacks, as they can deal devastating area damage while Cannons weaken the giants’ health.

Additionally, Cannons placed centrally help slow down Battle Machine attacks. Since the Battle Machine often moves toward the nearest defense, properly positioned Cannons can help funnel it into a path where it takes maximum damage from other defenses before reaching high-value structures. This setup forces attackers to spend more time breaking through, increasing the likelihood that the attack will fail before achieving full destruction.

Perimeter Placement:

Placing Cannons along the perimeter of a base allows them to deal early damage to incoming ground troops, softening them up before they reach the core defenses. This strategy is particularly useful for slowing down initial waves of Raged Barbarians or Boxer Giants, reducing their effectiveness before they engage more critical defenses like Crushers or Multi Mortars.

However, perimeter-placed Cannons come with risks. Since they are exposed, they are more susceptible to being sniped by long-range attackers such as Cannon Carts and Beta Minions. To counteract this weakness, placing Archer Towers, Firecrackers, or Air Bombs nearby ensures they have some level of protection against air units. Additionally, splash-damage defenses like Roasters or Guard Post troops can help cover the Cannons against mass ground assaults.

Another consideration when placing Cannons along the perimeter is their role in troop pathing. By positioning them strategically, they can influence the movement of enemy units, helping direct them toward traps or into the range of stronger defenses. When combined with Spring Traps or Mega Mines, this tactic can eliminate a portion of the attacking force before it reaches the core of the base.

Funneling Strategy:

Cannons play an essential role in base design by influencing troop pathing and directing enemies into kill zones. When placed strategically near openings or pathways, they can guide attacking troops toward high-damage defenses such as Crushers or Multi Mortars. This tactic is particularly effective against ground-based attacks that rely on tanky units like Boxer Giants or swarms of Raged Barbarians.

By forcing enemy troops through narrow paths lined with splash-damage defenses, Cannons help maximize the damage output of those structures. For example, a well-placed Cannon can bait Boxer Giants toward a Crusher, ensuring they take significant damage before they can break through. Similarly, leading Raged Barbarians into an area covered by a Roaster can quickly reduce their numbers, making the attack less effective.

To enhance this strategy, pairing Cannons with traps such as Spring Traps or Mega Mines can further punish attackers who follow the intended path. By carefully designing the base layout, Cannons not only contribute direct damage but also help funnel troops into the most dangerous areas of the base, increasing overall defensive efficiency.

Comparison with Double Cannon

The standard Cannon and the Double Cannon serve similar roles in ground defense but have distinct differences in performance and usability.

Damage Output:

Double Cannons offer a distinct advantage over standard Cannons due to their burst-fire mechanic, which allows them to deal a high amount of damage in a short period. This makes them particularly effective against high-hitpoint ground units like Boxer Giants and the Battle Machine, as they can quickly wear down their health before they advance too far into the base.

In contrast, standard Cannons have a steady rate of fire, dealing lower damage per shot but maintaining consistent output over time. While they may not match the raw burst damage of Double Cannons, their reliability allows them to chip away at enemy troops without the delay between bursts. This makes standard Cannons more effective against swarms of smaller troops, as they do not suffer from gaps in their firing pattern.

When designing a base, it’s important to consider the differences between these two defenses. Double Cannons excel at taking down tough frontline units but may struggle against groups of Raged Barbarians due to their slower firing intervals. Standard Cannons, while less powerful per shot, can help weaken enemy forces before they reach core defenses. Using both effectively in a base layout ensures balanced protection against a variety of attack strategies.

Range and Attack Speed:

Standard Cannons excel in their ability to target fast-moving troops due to their higher attack speed and longer range. This makes them particularly effective against swarms of Raged Barbarians, as they can fire rapidly and pick off multiple enemies before they close in on key defenses. Their extended reach also allows them to provide supporting fire from a safer distance, making them more adaptable in various base layouts.

On the other hand, Double Cannons compensate for their shorter range with devastating burst damage. Their concentrated firepower makes them ideal for countering tanky units like Boxer Giants and the Battle Machine, which rely on their high hitpoints to absorb damage while advancing. However, due to their slower firing intervals and reduced range, Double Cannons must be placed strategically, often near chokepoints or high-impact defenses like Crushers. This ensures that attacking troops are forced into their firing zone, allowing them to deal maximum damage before the enemy can break through.

When incorporating these defenses into a base, it’s important to balance their strengths. Standard Cannons provide consistent, wide-reaching coverage, while Double Cannons serve as high-damage deterrents against tougher enemies. Combining them effectively ensures that both swarm attacks and tank-heavy assaults are adequately countered, reinforcing the overall defense of the Builder Base.

Vulnerability to Swarm Attacks:

Standard Cannons can rapidly fire at approaching enemies, making them effective against individual targets. However, their inability to hit multiple units at once makes them vulnerable to being overrun by large groups of Raged Barbarians or Sneaky Archers. If an attacker deploys a swarm of troops, a single Cannon may not eliminate them quickly enough, allowing the enemy forces to advance deeper into the base.

Double Cannons, despite their higher damage per shot, share a similar weakness. Their burst-fire attack can severely wound or eliminate a single target, but their slower firing speed means they cannot keep up with mass troop deployments. If overwhelmed, they may not be able to eliminate enough enemies before they reach critical defenses.

To mitigate these weaknesses, it is essential to pair both Cannon types with splash-damage defenses such as Multi Mortars, Roasters, or even Crushers. Multi Mortars provide consistent area damage against ranged troops, while Roasters effectively counter swarms of lower-hitpoint units with their fire-based attacks. Crushers, though slow, can deal devastating blows to tightly grouped enemies. By strategically placing Cannons near these defenses, their effectiveness is greatly enhanced, ensuring that both single-target and swarm threats are adequately handled.

Best Use Cases:

Standard Cannons provide steady, continuous fire, making them a versatile defensive option against a variety of ground-based threats. Their longer range and faster attack speed allow them to gradually wear down enemies over time, making them effective when placed in both centralized and perimeter positions. When positioned along the perimeter, they act as an initial line of defense, softening up enemy troops before they reach the core of the base. However, if left unprotected, they can be easily sniped by long-range attackers like Cannon Carts or Beta Minions.

Double Cannons, by contrast, are designed for high burst damage, making them particularly effective against tanky units such as Boxer Giants and the Battle Machine. Due to their shorter range and slower firing rate, they are best positioned near the core of the base, where they can deal massive damage before key defenses are overrun. Placing Double Cannons near Crushers or Guard Post troops can maximize their effectiveness by ensuring enemy troops are stalled within their attack range for longer.

A well-balanced base often includes a mix of both Cannon types, leveraging their strengths in different defensive scenarios. Standard Cannons help sustain damage output across a wider area, while Double Cannons serve as a heavy-hitting deterrent against high-hitpoint threats.

When designing a Builder Base layout, a combination of standard Cannons and Double Cannons ensures balanced ground defense. Using them strategically alongside splash damage defenses and air-targeting structures will maximize the overall effectiveness of the base’s defensive setup.

Interaction with Battle Machine and Hero Abilities

The Battle Machine is one of the most formidable offensive units in Builder Base attacks, and Cannons serve as a key defense against it. Since Cannons deliver steady single-target damage, they can gradually wear down the Battle Machine, but their effectiveness is limited by its high durability. This becomes especially apparent when the Battle Machine activates its Electric Hammer ability, which not only delivers a powerful strike but also heals a portion of its health.

At higher levels, this healing can outpace the damage dealt by a single Cannon, allowing the Battle Machine to push through defenses with ease. However, when multiple Cannons are positioned effectively and supported by splash-damage defenses like Crushers or Multi Mortars, they can collectively reduce the Battle Machine’s health and prevent it from advancing too far into the base.

Because the Battle Machine exclusively targets ground defenses, Cannons will always engage it when it enters their range. While placing Cannons behind walls can provide slight protection, this is only a temporary measure, as the Battle Machine will eventually break through. Additionally, Cannons remain vulnerable to long-range distractions from Cannon Carts, which can draw their fire away from the Battle Machine, making it more difficult to eliminate the threat efficiently.

To strengthen a base against Battle Machine-led attacks, placing Cannons near high-damage defenses such as Crushers or Guard Posts can help slow its progress. Bases that force the Battle Machine into paths where multiple Cannons can fire at it simultaneously have a much higher chance of neutralizing it before it can deal substantial damage. Strategic funneling, combined with proper Cannon placement, can significantly improve defenses against this powerful hero unit.

Synergies with Other Defenses

While Cannons provide steady single-target damage, their effectiveness is greatly enhanced when paired with other defensive structures. Their high rate of fire allows them to steadily chip away at tanky troops, making them excellent support for splash-damage defenses such as Multi Mortars, Roasters, and Crushers. These defenses are particularly effective against groups of smaller troops, while Cannons focus on eliminating high-hitpoint units like Boxer Giants and the Battle Machine. By working together, these defenses create a well-rounded defensive system capable of handling both massed attacks and durable front-line units.

Strategically placing Cannons near Guard Post troops can further improve their effectiveness. Guard Post units act as a distraction, forcing attacking troops to split their focus while Cannons continue to fire without interruption. This can be particularly useful against units like Raged Barbarians and Sneaky Archers, as the distraction forces them to take more damage before reaching their intended targets.

Spring Traps can also be used in conjunction with Cannons to increase their defensive impact. Placing Cannons near narrow pathways where Spring Traps are positioned can catch enemy troops off guard. When attackers send in large groups of Raged Barbarians or Sneaky Archers, the traps can instantly remove a portion of the force, making it easier for the Cannons to finish off the remaining units.

Because Cannons cannot engage air units, it is essential to pair them with air-targeting defenses such as Firecrackers, Air Bombs, and Archer Towers. Positioning Cannons near these defenses ensures that the base remains balanced and does not develop a weakness against air-based strategies. By carefully coordinating their placement with other defensive structures, Cannons can serve as a valuable component of a well-rounded base defense.

Effectiveness Against Popular Attack Strategies

Cannons perform well against some Builder Base attack strategies but struggle against others. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses helps in both designing defenses and planning attacks.

Strong Against:

Boxer Giant + Cannon Cart

Boxer Giants and Cannon Carts create a powerful combination in Builder Base attacks, and Cannons play a key role in countering them. Cannons steadily chip away at Boxer Giants, reducing their health before they reach high-value defenses. This is particularly useful in weakening the front line, making it easier for splash-damage defenses like Crushers and Multi Mortars to finish them off. However, Cannons must be positioned carefully, as Cannon Carts can outrange them and take them down with minimal resistance. If left unprotected, Cannons can be eliminated before they can contribute meaningfully to the base’s defense.

Raged Barbarians

Against Raged Barbarians, Cannons prove to be a reliable defense due to their high rate of fire. They can quickly eliminate small groups of Barbarians before they cause too much damage. This makes them effective in thinning out initial waves of attackers, especially when placed in the path of an advancing army. However, if Raged Barbarians are deployed in large numbers and supported by a Battle Machine, a single Cannon can be easily overrun. The Battle Machine can soak up damage while the Barbarians quickly destroy the Cannon, making proper base design and defensive layering essential to prevent a complete breakdown of defenses.

Weak Against:

Mass Sneaky Archers

Mass Sneaky Archers pose a significant threat to Cannons due to their cloak ability, which grants them an initial attack without being targeted. This allows them to destroy Cannons before they can retaliate, especially when deployed in groups. Since Cannons are single-target defenses, they struggle to eliminate Sneaky Archers quickly enough when faced with a swarm. If not properly supported by splash damage defenses or Guard Post troops, Cannons can be quickly overwhelmed, weakening the base’s ground defense.

Baby Dragon Spam

Baby Dragon spam is another major weakness for Cannons, as they are entirely unable to target air units. If a base lacks sufficient air defenses like Firecrackers or Air Bombs, Baby Dragons can easily take out Cannons and other ground-based defenses without resistance. This can leave the base vulnerable to a full-scale aerial attack, making it essential to balance defenses with enough air-targeting structures

Beta Minions

Beta Minions also exploit Cannons’ inability to fight back against air units. Using their Long Shot ability, Beta Minions can attack Cannons from beyond their range, gradually wearing them down without taking damage. If no air-targeting defenses are nearby, Beta Minions can systematically eliminate Cannons, weakening the base’s ability to handle ground troops in the later stages of the attack. Proper placement of air defenses is crucial to countering this strategy.

Fun Facts & Trivia

The Cannon is one of the first defenses available in the Builder Base, as it is restored from ruins rather than requiring construction. This makes it an immediate part of your defensive setup from the moment you unlock Builder Hall level 2, providing an early layer of protection against ground attacks.

Unlike its Home Village counterpart, which can be upgraded into a Double Cannon, the Builder Base Cannon remains a single-barreled defense throughout all levels. However, players can unlock a separate Double Cannon later in progression, offering a more powerful alternative with higher damage output.

Cannons boast one of the fastest attack speeds among point defenses, making them particularly effective against fast-moving ground troops such as Raged Barbarians. Their rapid rate of fire ensures that they can continuously chip away at incoming enemies, preventing them from dealing unchecked damage to the base.

In terms of appearance, Builder Base Cannons share similarities with those in the Home Village but have a bulkier, more rugged design. This aesthetic aligns with the mechanical theme of the Builder Base, distinguishing them from their sleeker counterparts in the main village.

Unlike Archer Towers, which feature two attack modes that allow for tactical flexibility, Cannons have only a single firing mode. They cannot be adjusted to accommodate different attack strategies, which means their effectiveness depends entirely on placement and support from other defensive structures.