Introduction to Clash of Clans Builder Base Guard Post Guide

The Guard Post is a defensive building in the Builder Base that houses defensive troops, similar to the Clan Castle in the Home Village of Clash of Clans. However, unlike the Clan Castle, the troops from the Guard Post are already deployed on the battlefield before the attack begins.

It becomes available at Builder Hall level 4 and initially contains one Raged Barbarian and one Sneaky Archer. These troops act as an extra layer of defense, engaging enemy troops as they approach.

The stationed troops in the Guard Post are permanent, meaning they automatically reappear at full health in the next battle, even if they are defeated in the previous one. Upgrading the Guard Post enhances the troops inside, making them stronger and more effective against attackers.

Since it spawns defensive troops and contributes to base protection, the Guard Post is classified as a defensive building. Proper placement of the Guard Post can influence enemy troop pathing and slow down an attack, making it a valuable part of Builder Base defense.

LevelTroop LevelHitpointsBuild CostBuild TimeExperience GainedBuilder Hall Level Required12300200,0004h120424350240,0008h169436400280,00012h207448460320,0001d29345105501,000,0002d41556126501,400,0004d58767147502,300,0006d72078168503,200,0008d83189181,0004,100,00010d929910201,1505,100,00012d1,01810

Defending Troops in the Guard Post

TroopNumber of TroopsRaged Barbarian1Sneaky Archer1

Offensive Strategies

Troops that do not have a preferred target will automatically engage Guard Post troops when they come within range. This can be useful for distracting enemy troops but also creates vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.

Air units like Baby Dragons can quickly eliminate ground-based Guard Post troops, such as the Raged Barbarian. Since air troops are immune to melee attacks, they can take out these defenders with ease.

Bombers, with their splash damage, are effective at eliminating Guard Post troops grouped together. Their explosive attacks can clear out both the defending units and nearby structures, making them a strong counter.

Sneaky Archers should avoid direct encounters with Guard Post troops. Instead, clear out the defenders first or attack from a safe distance using their Cloak ability to stay hidden.

Raged Barbarians are effective at quickly finishing off Guard Post troops due to their increased damage upon deployment. They can be used to overwhelm defending units before moving on to other targets.

Beta Minions can use their Long Shot ability to snipe Guard Post troops from a distance without taking damage. This allows them to clear the area safely before engaging other defenses.

Eliminating Guard Post troops early in a raid can be crucial for high-damage troops like Power P.E.K.K.As. Clearing the defenders first ensures that heavy hitters can focus on breaking through the base without being distracted.

Defensive Strategies

The Guard Post can be positioned near defensive buildings to distract attacking troops. Since enemy troops without a preferred target will engage Guard Post defenders, placing it strategically can buy time for other defenses to deal damage.

It can also serve as protection for outer buildings that are out of range of other defenses. The defending troops can slow down enemy attackers, preventing them from quickly destroying resource buildings or outer structures.

A well-placed Guard Post can help funnel enemy troops into the range of high-damage defenses like the Crusher. By luring attackers into deadly zones, you can maximize the effectiveness of your defenses and disrupt enemy strategies.

The Sneaky Archer from the Guard Post can be used to force enemy troops to attack walls, especially if placed near key compartments. This can delay their advance and give defensive structures more time to eliminate them before they reach important buildings.

Comparison to Home Village Clan Castle

At first glance, the Guard Post in the Builder Base may seem similar to the Clan Castle in the Home Village, as both spawn defending troops during an attack. However, there are significant differences in how they function.

Troop Deployment

Unlike the Clan Castle, which requires reinforcements from clanmates, the Guard Post automatically provides defending troops without any external input. The troops stationed in the Guard Post are preset based on the building’s level and are always available for every battle, ensuring a consistent defensive presence.

Troop Activation

In the Home Village, Clan Castle troops remain inside until enemy forces enter their trigger radius, only emerging when the attacker reaches a certain range. In contrast, Guard Post troops are deployed immediately at the start of a battle and actively move toward enemy troops as soon as they come within range. This makes them a proactive defensive element rather than a reactive one.

Troop Recovery

Clan Castle troops must be manually replenished by clanmates after each defense, requiring coordination and resource management. Guard Post troops, however, are permanent and automatically reappear at full health in every battle, making them a reliable and self-sustaining defensive asset.

Strategic Value

The Guard Post serves a passive but consistent role in defense, mainly disrupting troop pathing and slowing down enemy attacks. While it lacks customization, it provides a dependable defensive presence in every battle. The Clan Castle, on the other hand, offers more adaptability, allowing players to request specific reinforcements based on their defensive strategy. This flexibility can make the Clan Castle a stronger defensive tool, but it also requires more planning and maintenance.

Ideal Placement Based on Base Design

The positioning of the Guard Post can greatly influence how effective it is in disrupting enemy attacks. Different base layouts require different placement strategies:

Centralized Placement

Placing the Guard Post near the core of the base ensures that its defending troops engage enemies only after they have broken through the outer layers. This strategy is especially useful in anti-2-star base designs, where the primary goal is to protect the Builder Hall. The Guard Post troops can slow down attackers as they push toward the center, giving defenses more time to eliminate them.

Perimeter Placement

Positioning the Guard Post closer to the edge of the base can help disrupt the initial phase of an attack. The defending troops will distract enemy units before they reach key defenses, making this an effective strategy for anti-3-star bases. This delay allows high-damage defenses more time to weaken enemy forces before they progress deeper into the base.

Near High-Damage Defenses

Placing the Guard Post next to powerful defenses like Crushers or Roasters can significantly increase their effectiveness. The Guard Post troops lure enemy units into these high-damage structures, ensuring that attackers take heavy losses before they can advance further.

Adjacent to Traps

A well-placed Guard Post can guide enemy troops toward traps such as Mega Mines, Push Traps, or Spring Traps. The distraction caused by defending troops can make it harder for attackers to predict and avoid these traps, leading to more efficient base defenses. By combining the Guard Post with well-placed traps, you can create a defensive setup that punishes careless troop deployment.

Best Troop Combinations for Defense

At higher levels, the Guard Post unlocks stronger and more varied defensive troops. The best troop combination depends on your overall base design and the types of attacks you frequently face.

Sneaky Archer + Raged Barbarian (Default Setup)

This setup provides a well-rounded defense by combining the aggressive melee attack of the Raged Barbarian with the precise ranged damage of the Sneaky Archer. The Raged Barbarian immediately engages enemy ground troops, dealing quick bursts of damage while absorbing initial attacks. Meanwhile, the Sneaky Archer remains at a distance, chipping away at enemy troops over time. This balance ensures that both melee attackers and air units are contested, making it a reliable defensive option against a variety of attack strategies. Since both troops attack quickly, they can slow down enemies attempting to break through the base’s defenses.

Boxer Giant + Sneaky Archer

The Boxer Giant acts as a mini-tank, absorbing enemy damage while the Sneaky Archer provides consistent ranged support. This setup works particularly well for bases that rely on defensive structures to deal most of the damage, as the Guard Post troops primarily serve as distractions rather than major damage dealers. The Boxer Giant’s high health makes it difficult for enemy troops to eliminate quickly, which can buy valuable time for defenses like the Crusher, Roaster, or Cannon to weaken the attack. This setup is especially effective against ground-based swarms, as the Boxer Giant can withstand multiple hits while defenses focus on clearing enemy troops.

Beta Minion + Sneaky Archer

A fully aerial defensive setup can be highly effective against ground-heavy attack strategies. The Beta Minion hovers above the battlefield, making it immune to melee attacks while targeting ground troops with its Long Shot ability. Meanwhile, the Sneaky Archer provides additional ranged support, adding another layer of disruption to the enemy’s attack. This combination is ideal against opponents who rely heavily on ground troops without strong anti-air capabilities. If attackers do not bring sufficient air-targeting troops, the Beta Minion can survive for a long time, continuously picking off enemy units while defenses do the rest of the work.

Raged Barbarian + Beta Minion

This combination excels in fast-paced defensive engagements. The Raged Barbarian immediately rushes toward enemy troops upon deployment, disrupting their attack formation and dealing rapid damage to frontline units. Meanwhile, the Beta Minion targets backline attackers with its Long Shot ability, eliminating ranged threats before they can deal too much damage. This setup works well against opponents who rely on a mix of melee and support troops, as it pressures both frontline and backline forces. The synergy between these troops forces attackers to adjust their strategy, making it harder for them to maintain a steady push through the base.

Each of these troop setups has strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on the attacker’s strategy. Adapting troop compositions based on the most common threats in your trophy range can help optimize your base’s defensive performance.

How Guard Post Troops Interact with Other Defenses

The Guard Post doesn’t work in isolation—it plays a vital role in base synergy by complementing traps and defensive buildings.

With the Crusher

Placing the Guard Post near a Crusher can be an effective way to lure melee troops, such as Raged Barbarians and Power P.E.K.K.As, into its powerful attack range. Since these troops naturally target defending units, they may get drawn toward the Guard Post troops and end up taking heavy damage from the Crusher before they can advance further.

With Air Bombs and Roasters

If the Guard Post primarily spawns ground troops, placing it near Air Bombs or the Roaster helps prevent air attackers like Beta Minions and Baby Dragons from eliminating the defending troops too easily. This setup ensures that air units take damage while trying to clear the Guard Post, making it harder for attackers to gain an advantage.

With Traps

Guard Post troops can delay enemy advances, forcing attackers into traps they might otherwise avoid. Push Traps can redirect enemy troops into high-damage defenses, while Mega Mines can eliminate groups of distracted attackers. This synergy helps disrupt enemy troop pathing and increases the overall effectiveness of your base’s defenses.

With Walls

Sneaky Archers from the Guard Post can sometimes force enemy melee troops to attack walls instead of immediately targeting defenses. This delay can slow down an enemy’s push, giving defensive structures more time to deal damage. Properly placing the Guard Post near key compartments can further stall attacks and create an extra layer of defense.

Common Mistakes in Placement

Many players misuse the Guard Post by placing it in inefficient or vulnerable locations. Some common placement mistakes include:

Too Close to the Edge of the Base

Placing the Guard Post near the perimeter can be risky, as defending troops may be eliminated before they provide meaningful resistance. Attackers using Beta Minions or Sneaky Archers can pick them off safely from a distance, preventing them from slowing down the attack. A better placement ensures the Guard Post troops survive long enough to disrupt enemy plans.

Isolated from Other Defenses

A Guard Post that is too far from defensive structures won’t maximize its potential. Defending troops should work alongside other defenses to create a layered defense system. Without backup from defenses like the Crusher or Roaster, the Guard Post troops may get overwhelmed too quickly, making them less effective.

Not Considering Air and Ground Attackers

If the Guard Post only spawns ground troops, placing it in an area exposed to air attacks without nearby Air Bombs or a Roaster makes it an easy target for Beta Minions and Baby Dragons. Similarly, relying solely on air-based Guard Post troops without ground defenses can leave the base vulnerable to Raged Barbarians and Power P.E.K.K.As. A balanced placement accounts for both air and ground threats.

Making It Easy to Trigger Traps Ineffectively

If the Guard Post is positioned in a way that allows attackers to trigger traps without taking significant damage, it can become a liability instead of an asset. Skilled attackers may use Guard Post troops to activate traps prematurely, wasting their effectiveness. Placing the Guard Post strategically ensures that traps remain a genuine threat to enemy troops rather than being easily triggered for minimal damage.

Avoiding these mistakes ensures that your Guard Post remains a useful part of your base’s defensive strategy.

Advanced Tactics for High-Level Players

For experienced players in high Builder Hall levels, the Guard Post becomes a critical component of advanced base designs. Some pro-level tactics include:

Multi-Layered Distraction

A well-placed Guard Post can force enemy troops to engage defending units multiple times, significantly delaying their progress. By positioning it near the outer walls, attackers must first deal with the defending troops before advancing further into the base. If they survive and push deeper, they will have to engage another wave of defenses and potentially more Guard Post troops if they respawn. This layered approach disrupts enemy attack plans, buys time for defenses to deal damage, and increases the chances of forcing a failed attack.

Guard Post + Roaster Setup Against Air Attacks

If Beta Minions and Baby Dragons are common threats in your trophy range, pairing the Guard Post with a Roaster can be an effective countermeasure. By placing the Guard Post in a location where its defending troops distract enemy attackers, the Roaster can continuously deal area damage over time. Since the Roaster excels at eliminating grouped air troops, this setup ensures that air-heavy attacks are significantly weakened before they can deal major damage to your base. This placement is especially useful in stopping early-stage air spam strategies.

Using Guard Post for Funneling

A strategically placed Guard Post can manipulate troop pathing, redirecting enemy forces away from their intended target and into high-damage zones. This is particularly effective against key attacking units like Power P.E.K.K.As or Cannon Carts, which are strong but vulnerable to distraction. If placed correctly, the Guard Post can pull these troops away from their preferred attack route, exposing them to defenses such as Crushers, Roasters, or Mega Mines. This tactic can make a huge difference in defending against strong offensive strategies by ensuring that enemy troops take a longer, more dangerous path through the base.

Adapting Troop Composition

At higher levels, the best Guard Post troop setup may change depending on the evolving meta. Some strategies may be more effective against ground attacks, while others may counter air-heavy compositions better. Regularly adjusting the Guard Post’s troop combination to match the most common attack strategies in your trophy range ensures maximum defensive effectiveness. For example, if ground-based spam attacks like Raged Barbarian swarms become popular, a setup with Boxer Giants can help soak up damage. If aerial attacks are dominant, Beta Minions can provide better coverage. Staying flexible and adapting troop compositions based on recent trends can keep your base defenses strong over time.

By mastering these tactics, high-level players can make the Guard Post an essential part of their Builder Base defense strategy.