Introduction to Clash of Clans Builder Base Crusher Guide

The Crusher is a powerful splash damage defense in the Builder Base of Clash of Clans, designed to deal devastating blows to ground troops. It becomes available at Builder Hall level 3 and plays a crucial role in stopping ground-based attacks.

This defense functions by slamming down onto enemy units every few seconds, delivering a high burst of damage in its immediate area. Its attack pattern makes it particularly effective against swarms of low-health troops, instantly crushing them upon impact. However, even high-hitpoint units can take significant damage if caught under its strike.

Due to its ability to deal area damage, the Crusher is best placed in locations where enemy troops are likely to group up. Proper positioning can help ensure that attacking forces are funneled into its range, maximizing its effectiveness in defense.

LevelDamage per SecondDamage per HitHitpointsCostBuild TimeExperience GainedBuilder Hall Level Required11254381,000120,0002h84321384831,100180,0005h134331525321,250220,00012h207341675851,400350,0001d293451846441,6001,200,0002d415562027071,8501,500,0004d581672227772,1002,400,0006d720782448542,3503,400,0008d831892699422,6004,400,00010d9299102961,0362,9005,400,00012d1,01810

Range: 2.3 tiles

Attack Speed: 3.5s

Damage Type: Area Splash – 2.8 tiles*

Unit Type Targeted: Ground

Defensive Strategy

The Crusher has several strengths that make it an essential part of any Builder Base defense. It is highly effective against short-range ground troops such as Raged Barbarians and Boxer Giants. These units rely on getting close to deal damage, making them vulnerable to the Crusher’s powerful slam attack. A well-placed Crusher can quickly eliminate groups of these troops before they can cause significant damage to a base.

Despite its strength against melee units, the Crusher has some weaknesses. It is outranged by long-range troops like Sneaky Archers and Cannon Carts, which can safely attack it from a distance. Additionally, the Crusher is unable to target air units, making it ineffective against aerial assaults. Because of these limitations, it should be positioned carefully to minimize its vulnerabilities.

When placing the Crusher, centering it in the Builder Base helps protect it from long-range troops. This positioning makes it more difficult for Sneaky Archers or Cannon Carts to reach it without first dealing with other defenses. Crushers should also be kept away from walls, as attackers may use these barriers as protection while their ranged troops take it down from a safe distance.

The Crusher works best when paired with other defensive structures. Push Traps can be used to redirect enemy troops into its range, ensuring that they take maximum damage. Creating intentional openings in the base layout with Walls can also lure enemy ground troops directly toward the Crusher, forcing them into its strike zone.

Placing the Crusher near defenses that can attack both ground and air units improves overall base defense. A Guard Post can be used to lure enemy troops into the Crusher’s radius, keeping them within its range long enough to be taken down. Additionally, short-range defenses like Double Cannons and Mega Teslas can be positioned behind the Crusher to provide extra firepower while remaining protected from direct attacks.

For additional support, placing the Crusher near Firecrackers and Air Bombs can help counter Drop Ship skeletons. Since the Crusher does not target air troops, these defenses are crucial for handling airborne threats while the Crusher focuses on ground-based attackers. Combining these strategies ensures that the Crusher remains an effective and reliable part of Builder Base defense.

    Offensive Strategy

    Crushers can be challenging obstacles in Builder Base attacks, but with the right strategy, they can be taken down efficiently. Aerial troops are a reliable way to eliminate Crushers that are not well-protected. However, attackers must be cautious of supporting defenses such as Firecrackers, Air Bombs, and Guard Post Archers, which can quickly eliminate air units before they reach their target. Scouting the base layout beforehand helps in identifying the safest approach.

    The Battle Machine is another effective option for taking down Crushers, especially with its Electric Hammer ability. However, while the Battle Machine can withstand significant damage, it remains vulnerable to other defenses, particularly high-damage single-target structures like the Mega Tesla or Double Cannon. Supporting the Battle Machine with additional troops can help ensure its survival.

    Boxer Giants with their Power Punch ability can also break through Crushers when deployed in large numbers. If the Crusher is exposed or placed near the edge of a base, multiple Boxer Giants can overwhelm it before it deals too much damage. However, if the Crusher is well-protected, additional support from Bombers or ranged units may be needed to soften the defenses first.

    Baiting a Crusher can be a useful tactic to minimize its impact. Deploying a few Raged Barbarians to trigger its attack before sending in the rest of the troops can help avoid unnecessary losses. Since the Crusher has a cooldown between each slam, timing the second wave of troops correctly can maximize their effectiveness and allow them to take down the Crusher before it can strike again.

    Funneling is another key consideration when planning an attack. Bombers can be used to break Walls and create alternative paths that steer troops away from Crushers, ensuring they do not walk directly into their devastating attack. Proper funneling can help troops bypass Crushers entirely or at least approach them in a way that reduces losses.

    Attackers should also be aware of a unique Crusher mechanic. If its attack animation is canceled at the last moment—meaning the stone drops but no shockwave or sound occurs—the Crusher can attack again sooner than expected. This can catch attackers off guard, so players should always be prepared for the possibility of an unexpectedly quick follow-up strike. Understanding and anticipating these mechanics will improve attack efficiency and reduce unnecessary troop losses.

    Best Base Layouts Featuring Crushers

    Crusher placement plays a critical role in Builder Base 2.0, where the new split-base design and two-stage attacks require careful positioning of defenses. Since attackers now deploy troops in waves and progress through multiple stages, Crushers must be placed to disrupt key phases of an enemy’s attack.

    Effective Crusher Placement Strategies:

    Core Placement in the First Stage

    Positioning the Crusher near key defenses in the first stage of a Builder Base attack can significantly slow down enemy ground troops. Since the Crusher delivers powerful splash damage, placing it strategically ensures that swarms of Raged Barbarians and groups of Boxer Giants take heavy losses before they can deal substantial damage. This makes it a crucial defensive structure against ground-heavy attack strategies.

    One of the Crusher’s biggest advantages is its ability to disrupt enemy troop movement. When placed near essential defenses like the Double Cannon or Mega Tesla, it forces attackers to carefully plan their approach. This positioning can cause troops to get stuck in a high-damage area, reducing their effectiveness before they can move deeper into the base.

    Additionally, the Crusher plays a key role in preventing attackers from transitioning easily to the second stage of a Builder Hall 10 attack. By placing it near access points or core defenses, players can slow down the enemy’s momentum, forcing them to use more troops and resources in the first stage. This can weaken their ability to clear the second stage effectively, leading to a lower overall destruction percentage.

    High-Value Pathway Coverage

    Positioning Crushers along common attack routes forces opponents to take significant damage before they can reach key structures. Since Crushers deal devastating splash damage to ground units, placing them in areas where attackers are likely to deploy their troops ensures that swarms of Raged Barbarians and groups of Boxer Giants are weakened or eliminated early in the battle.

    A well-placed Crusher can also disrupt the attacker’s strategy by forcing them to deploy an initial wave of troops just to trigger its attack. This often results in wasted troop capacity, as those units take heavy losses before making any real progress. Attackers may also have to use Bombers or other support troops earlier than intended to break through walls and avoid the Crusher, limiting their options for the later stages of the attack.

    By predicting and reinforcing common entry points with Crushers, defenders can create high-damage zones that make it difficult for attackers to advance without sustaining major losses. Proper placement ensures that Crushers remain a significant threat throughout the battle, forcing opponents to adapt their strategies and potentially weakening their overall attack.

    Double Crusher Setup in the Second Stage

    When a Builder Base has two Crushers, spacing them apart in the second stage is crucial to maintaining strong defense. Placing them too close together makes it easier for attackers to eliminate both at once using splash damage troops or the Battle Machine’s Electric Hammer ability. By keeping them separated, defenders ensure that at least one Crusher remains active to deal with high-hitpoint ground units like the Battle Machine, Boxer Giants, or groups of Raged Barbarians.

    Proper spacing also forces attackers to adapt their strategy, as they cannot rely on a single attack to clear both Crushers. This placement can make it difficult for ground-heavy armies to push through, especially when paired with other defenses like Push Traps or Guard Post troops. Additionally, if one Crusher falls, the second one remains a significant obstacle, helping slow down and weaken any remaining ground units before they can reach key structures.

    Defenders can further enhance this strategy by placing other high-damage defenses, such as Double Cannons or Mega Teslas, near each Crusher to create a layered defense. This makes it even more challenging for attackers to deal with both Crushers while also handling supporting defenses. By carefully positioning Crushers, players can maintain a strong defense that disrupts and weakens ground-based attacks.

    Using Push Traps for Forced Engagement

    Push Traps can be a valuable tool for redirecting enemy troops directly into the Crusher’s range, maximizing its effectiveness against ground units. By strategically placing Push Traps along common attack routes, defenders can force troops like Boxer Giants and Raged Barbarians into the Crusher’s powerful slam attack before they reach other defenses.

    This tactic works especially well against swarm-based strategies that rely on overwhelming numbers, as it disrupts troop pathing and forces attackers to adjust their deployment. If multiple Push Traps are used effectively, they can funnel large groups of troops into a Crusher at once, dealing heavy damage and potentially wiping them out before they can cause significant destruction.

    Additionally, pairing Push Traps with other defenses like Guard Posts and Walls can further control troop movement. By guiding enemy units into tight spaces near the Crusher, defenders create a lethal trap that weakens or eliminates key attacking forces early in the battle.

      Proper Crusher placement ensures that ground-based attacks are heavily punished and forces attackers to adapt their strategies.

      Common Mistakes in Crusher Placement

      While Crushers are a powerful defensive structure, incorrect placement can reduce their effectiveness. Some common mistakes include:

      Leaving Crushers Too Exposed

      Placing Crushers near the edge of a base can leave them vulnerable to long-range ground troops like Sneaky Archers and Cannon Carts. These units can stay outside the Crusher’s attack radius and chip away at it from a safe distance, making it ineffective before ground-based troops even enter its range. To avoid this, Crushers should be positioned deeper within the base, where they are harder to reach without breaking through multiple layers of defenses.

      Aerial troops like Drop Ships and Beta Minions can also bypass Crushers entirely, as they only target ground units. If a base relies too heavily on Crushers for defense, it may struggle against air-based attacks. To counter this, pairing Crushers with anti-air defenses like Firecrackers and Air Bombs ensures that both ground and air threats are properly addressed.

      To further protect Crushers from long-range attacks, placing them near other defensive structures that target ground units—such as Double Cannons or Archer Towers—can help eliminate threats before they deal too much damage. This layered approach ensures that Crushers remain effective throughout a battle, providing solid defense against high-hitpoint ground troops.

      Placing Crushers Too Close to Walls

      Placing a Crusher directly against a wall can be a critical mistake, as it allows ranged troops like Sneaky Archers and Cannon Carts to target and destroy it without ever stepping into its attack range. Since the Crusher only damages ground units within its immediate radius, it becomes completely ineffective if attackers can eliminate it from a distance. To prevent this, it’s best to position Crushers slightly away from walls, forcing ranged troops to step closer and into its strike zone.

      Attackers who bring Bombers or Wall Breakers can create openings that provide safer access to the Crusher. Once walls are breached, troops can maneuver around the Crusher’s attack radius or target it from an advantageous position. This makes it crucial to support the Crusher with other defenses, such as Guard Posts or Push Traps, which can disrupt enemy troop movement and force them into less favorable attack angles.

      A good defensive strategy is to integrate Crushers into a layered base design, where walls guide enemy troops into choke points filled with splash-damage defenses. Positioning Crushers deeper within the base, rather than along the outer perimeter, ensures they remain a threat for longer and can deal maximum damage to swarms of ground units.

      Not Supporting the Crusher with Other Defenses

      A Crusher alone is not sufficient to stop a well-coordinated attack, as skilled attackers can find ways to bypass or neutralize it. While the Crusher is highly effective against swarms of ground units, its slow attack speed and single-target limitation per strike make it vulnerable to distraction and overwhelming numbers.

      To maximize its effectiveness, it should be placed near complementary defenses that cover its weaknesses. Guard Posts are particularly useful, as they spawn troops that can distract ranged attackers and force them into the Crusher’s range. Double Cannons and Mega Teslas provide additional firepower, helping to eliminate high-hitpoint threats like the Battle Machine before they can destroy the Crusher.

      A well-layered base design ensures that the Crusher is not the only line of defense against ground troops. Positioning it alongside Air Bombs and Firecrackers can further strengthen the base against aerial attacks, making it more difficult for opponents to dismantle the defense structure by structure. By integrating the Crusher into a balanced defense setup, attackers will struggle to overwhelm it without significant troop losses.

      Failing to Adapt to Builder Base 2.0 Mechanics

      With the introduction of wave-based troop deployment, a poorly positioned Crusher in the first stage can be wasted before the main attack force even arrives. If attackers trigger the Crusher too early with a small wave of troops, it may become ineffective when the real threat arrives later.

      To maximize its impact, the Crusher should be placed in a position where it remains relevant throughout multiple waves of the attack. Avoid placing it in exposed areas where early waves of Sneaky Archers or small groups of Raged Barbarians can easily take it out. Instead, position it deeper within the base, near key defenses and high-value structures, so it remains a threat during the later, more powerful attack waves.

      Placing the Crusher near Guard Posts, Push Traps, and splash damage defenses can further delay attackers, forcing them to commit more troops in the early waves before they even reach the Crusher. By ensuring it remains effective across multiple waves, the Crusher can help slow down and weaken attackers, increasing the overall defensive strength of the base.

      Countering Specific Attack Strategies

      With Builder Base 2.0 introducing new attack dynamics, Crushers need to be placed strategically to counter different types of attacks.

      Mass Raged Barbarians

      Crushers are highly effective against Raged Barbarians, instantly crushing groups of them.

      Pairing Crushers with Push Traps forces Barbarians into their range, maximizing damage.

      Cannon Carts and Sneaky Archers

      These long-range troops can attack Crushers without taking damage.

      Placing Crushers behind high-hitpoint buildings or other defenses makes them harder to snipe.

      Boxer Giants and Battle Machine

      These high-hitpoint units can withstand a Crusher’s attack.

      Supporting the Crusher with Mega Teslas and Double Cannons increases its effectiveness.

      Drop Ship + Beta Minions

      Since Crushers only target ground troops, they do nothing against airborne attacks.

      Positioning Firecrackers and Air Bombs near Crushers helps counter air-based attacks.

      Advanced Offensive Tactics Against Crushers

      Skilled attackers can use various techniques to neutralize Crushers more efficiently.

      Triggering the Crusher’s Attack Early

      Deploying a few Raged Barbarians to bait the Crusher’s slam before sending in the main force reduces losses.

      Proper troop spacing ensures that the Crusher’s attack only hits a few units at a time.

      Using Guard Post Distractions

      Guard Post troops can delay the Crusher’s attack, allowing attackers to push through.

      Deploying ranged troops strategically forces the Crusher to waste its attack on less valuable units.

      Drop Ship Skeleton Distraction

      Drop Ships summon skeletons upon destruction, which can distract Crushers momentarily.

      This gives ground troops more time to deal damage before the Crusher strikes again.

      Funneling Around the Crusher

      Bombers and Wall Breakers can be used to open paths that steer troops away from the Crusher.

      By breaking a key wall segment, attackers can redirect their forces to a safer entry point.

        These advanced techniques help minimize Crusher-related troop losses and improve overall attack efficiency.

        Crusher’s Role in Builder Hall 10 and Beyond

        In Builder Base 2.0, Crushers remain a key defense at higher Builder Hall levels, though their role evolves due to new attacking and defensive mechanics.

        At Builder Hall 6-7

        Crushers are highly effective against ground-heavy attack strategies.

        Push Traps and Guard Posts should be used to ensure troops stay in the Crusher’s range longer.

        At Builder Hall 8-9

        Aerial strategies like Drop Ships and Beta Minions become more popular, reducing the Crusher’s overall impact.

        Players must balance ground and air defenses by pairing Crushers with Firecrackers and Air Bombs.

        The Battle Machine becomes a bigger threat, requiring Crushers to be well-positioned with backup defenses.

        At Builder Hall 10+

        With stronger ranged troops and siege mechanics, Crushers alone are not enough to stop advanced attacks.

        Placement becomes more about delaying attackers rather than outright eliminating them.

        Crushers should be positioned where they disrupt the most troops, rather than as a last line of defense.

          Despite changes in attack strategies at higher Builder Hall levels, Crushers remain essential for defending against ground-based troops. Proper positioning and support from other defenses ensure they stay relevant in Builder Base 2.0.