Introduction to Clash of Clans Cannon Cart Detailed Guide

The Cannon Cart is a versatile ground troop in Clash of Clans‘ Builder Base that plays a key role in clearing enemy defenses. It is the fifth troop unlocked, available once the Builder Barracks reaches level 7 and the Builder Hall is at level 5. This mobile cannon mounted on wheels functions with unique targeting mechanics.

As a ground unit, the Cannon Cart has no preferred target and will attack the nearest building. However, its behavior changes when it detects enemy troops from the Guard Post or Zappies. When the Cannon Cart detects these threats, it will shift its focus and attack the enemy troops instead of buildings. After eliminating the threat, the Cannon Cart will return to its original target, resuming its mission of destroying buildings. This dynamic targeting behavior can make the Cannon Cart an unpredictable and effective asset for taking down both defenses and troops.

Its mobility, combined with its strong cannon fire, allows it to adapt to various situations, making it a valuable addition to any attack strategy in the Builder Base.

LevelDamage per SecondDamage per AttackHitpointsResearch CostResearch TimeStar Laboratory Level Required7115138666n/an/an/a81151386661,000,0001d591301567321,100,0001d 12h5101301567321,200,0002d5111501808051,400,0002d6121501808051,600,0002d 12h6131702048862,400,0003d 12h7141702048862,600,0004d 12h7151902289743,400,0005d 12h8161902289743,600,0005d 12h8172152581,0724,100,0006d9182152581,0724,300,0006d9192402881,1795,300,0006d 12h10202402881,1795,700,0006d 12h10

Change Mode Ability

The Cannon Cart in Clash of Clans’ Builder Base features a unique Change Mode ability, which allows it to toggle between two different modes: Cannon Mode and Mortar Mode. This flexibility makes the Cannon Cart highly adaptable to various attack scenarios, providing both versatility and strategic depth.

Cannon Mode:

In Cannon Mode, the Cannon Cart is a mobile unit that deals damage from a moderate range. It focuses on attacking the nearest building and moves across the battlefield, providing continuous pressure on enemy defenses. This mode allows for more mobility and quick positioning, making it effective for attacking buildings that are spread out or in difficult-to-reach locations.

A green ring will appear, showing the range of Mortar Mode if you decide to switch.

While in Cannon Mode, the Cannon Cart remains active, attacking and moving freely.

Mortar Mode:

When switching to Mortar Mode, the Cannon Cart transforms into a stationary artillery piece that fires area damage at a longer range. This mode offers the ability to deal splash damage, which is especially effective against clustered defenses or buildings. However, in this mode, the Cannon Cart loses its mobility and has a slower rate of fire.

It will target anything within range, excluding Walls. However, it can still damage Walls if a building near them is targeted.

If no valid targets are within range, a red question mark (“?”) appears, indicating that the Cannon Cart is unable to fire until a new target is found.

By switching between these two modes, the Cannon Cart can both move swiftly across the battlefield in Cannon Mode and deal heavy area damage in Mortar Mode, providing flexible support for ground-based attacks.

Offensive Strategies

Wall Clearance:

The Cannon Cart in Mortar Mode is particularly effective for clearing gaps between walls and buildings. When there are gaps that are two tiles wide, the Cannon Cart can shoot over them, bypassing certain defenses. This feature allows it to target structures that may be difficult to reach with other troops, offering strategic advantages for navigating complex base layouts.

Targeting:

When deploying the Cannon Cart, it’s crucial to prioritize key defensive structures to ensure a successful attack. Defenses like Crushers pose a significant threat to your troops, so targeting and destroying them early in the attack can clear a path for your ground units, such as Raged Barbarians or Boxer Giants. By clearing these obstacles, the Cannon Cart helps other troops reach more vulnerable buildings, leading to a more effective overall strategy.

Mortar Mode Usage:

Mortar Mode can provide a distinct advantage by outranging certain defenses that are typically difficult to reach. For example, it can target and deal damage to Double Cannons, Roasters, and Mega Teslas, which can be crucial in dealing with defensive structures that may otherwise thwart your attack. However, Mortar Mode requires careful micro-management to ensure the Cannon Cart remains efficient. Since its damage per second (DPS) is lower in this mode, failing to use it strategically could lead to time failures, especially on time-sensitive bases.

Strategic Mortar Mode:

Using Mortar Mode strategically can give you an edge, especially in the early stages of an attack. By having the Cannon Cart target more impactful structures and avoid less important buildings, you can maximize its effectiveness. Mortar Mode also prevents the Cannon Cart from wandering into traps or attacking irrelevant structures, which could otherwise waste time and resources.

Additionally, using Mortar Mode early in an attack can stall the end of the stage, giving your Hero more time to charge up their rechargeable abilities. This is a particularly useful tactic to maximize health regeneration for the next stage of the attack, ensuring your troops and heroes are in optimal condition as they advance.

In summary, Cannon Carts are highly versatile units, and understanding how to use their Cannon Mode and Mortar Mode effectively can significantly impact the success of your Builder Base attacks. Proper targeting, micro-management, and strategic use of their abilities can lead to a more efficient and effective raid.

Defensive Strategies

Crusher Placement:

To counter the Cannon Cart, avoid placing Crushers near areas where they are likely to be deployed. Cannon Carts in Mortar Mode can outrange defenses, so placing a Crusher close to the deployment zone may not have the desired effect. Instead, place Crushers in locations where Cannon Carts are less likely to target or where the Cannon Cart’s mobility won’t let it get too close to the Crusher.

Prioritize Destruction:

The Cannon Cart is a highly damaging unit, and its Mortar Mode can be devastating when left unchecked. To mitigate the damage, focus on eliminating Cannon Carts quickly before they can wreak havoc. Targeting Cannon Carts early in the battle, especially while they’re in Cannon Mode, can prevent them from using Mortar Mode and dealing splash damage to your defenses.

Target Support Troops:

If Cannon Carts are being protected by other support troops, like Boxer Giants, Raged Barbarians, or Baby Dragons, it’s crucial to eliminate these support troops first. Without protection, Cannon Carts become more vulnerable and can be destroyed more easily. Targeting and removing these tanks or distractions ensures that the Cannon Cart can be dealt with more effectively.

Trap Usage:

Using Crushers, Spring Traps, and other defensive traps strategically can thwart Cannon Cart attacks, especially when paired with Boxer Giants or other ground tanks. By placing Crushers in areas where Cannon Carts are likely to pass through, you can destroy or disable them, limiting the effectiveness of the Cannon Cart in the attack. Spring Traps can be particularly effective for knocking out tanks, creating an opening for your defenses to target the Cannon Cart.

Double Cannon:

A Double Cannon is an excellent counter to Cannon Carts due to its fast attack speed and high damage per second (DPS). A well-positioned Double Cannon can quickly destroy a Cannon Cart before it has the chance to deploy its full potential. Ensure that the Double Cannon is placed where it has clear line of sight to the Cannon Cart’s potential deployment path, allowing it to hit the Cannon Cart as it moves in for an attack.

Splash Damage:

Splash damage defenses, such as the Multi Mortar and Lava Launcher, are highly effective against Cannon Carts and their tanking units. Multi Mortars deal substantial area damage and can hit Cannon Carts even if they’re in Mortar Mode, while Lava Launchers target both Cannon Carts and the ground troops supporting them. Placing these splash-damaging defenses in strategic locations can help neutralize a Cannon Cart attack before it causes too much damage.

Funneling Prevention:

Prevent funneling by arranging buildings in such a way that attackers cannot easily direct their Cannon Carts toward the heart of your base. If the attacker is forced to commit multiple Cannon Carts, this can disrupt their strategy and reduce their overall effectiveness. By creating dense building clusters, you make it difficult for the attacking player to funnel their troops into a narrow path, forcing them to deal with more obstacles in the attack.

Hidden Tesla:

The Hidden Tesla can be a surprise counter to the Cannon Cart, especially if it is placed near common deployment areas. Cannon Carts that rely on Mortar Mode to target structures from a distance may be caught off guard when the Hidden Tesla activates, targeting them directly and dealing high damage. To maximize this counter, ensure that Hidden Teslas are placed near important targets or places where the Cannon Cart is likely to move, making them more effective in disrupting the attack.

By leveraging these counterstrategies, you can effectively minimize the impact of Cannon Carts in Builder Base attacks, safeguarding your defenses and ensuring a stronger defense overall.

Synergies

Tanking with Boxer Giants and Battle Machine

To maximize the Cannon Cart’s effectiveness in your attack strategy, pairing it with tank units such as Boxer Giants and the Battle Machine is crucial. Here’s how each of these tanking units can protect the Cannon Cart:

Boxer Giants

High Hitpoints

Boxer Giants are known for their impressive hitpoints, making them incredibly effective at absorbing damage from powerful defensive structures such as Crushers or Double Cannons. With their durability, they can shield more fragile units like the Cannon Cart, allowing it to stay safe behind them while continuing to deal damage to enemy structures.

Draw Fire

Boxer Giants prioritize defensive buildings due to their targeting behavior, which makes them perfect for drawing fire away from the Cannon Cart. Since the Cannon Cart is more vulnerable to attacks from splash damage defenses or single-target towers, the Boxer Giants act as a distraction, ensuring that the Cannon Cart remains focused on its targets without being interrupted by enemy defenses.

Tanking for Multiple Units

Beyond protecting the Cannon Cart, Boxer Giants provide tanking support for additional support troops like Raged Barbarians or Baby Dragons. These troops benefit from the protection offered by the Boxer Giants, allowing them to stay alive long enough to deal damage. Raged Barbarians, for example, can clear out additional buildings or enemy troops, while Baby Dragons can target key air defenses without fear of being attacked.

Battle Machine

Durability

The Battle Machine is a durable hero with a high hitpoint pool, making it an excellent tank for the Cannon Cart. It can withstand damage from multiple defensive structures such as Crushers, Double Cannons, and Mega Teslas, allowing the Cannon Cart to safely remain behind and continue targeting enemy buildings. By soaking up damage, the Battle Machine ensures that the Cannon Cart can perform its role without being destroyed prematurely.

Electric Hammer Ability

The Battle Machine’s Electric Hammer is a key ability that can significantly improve the survivability of both itself and nearby troops, including the Cannon Cart. When deployed early in the attack, the Electric Hammer provides healing over time, helping to keep the Battle Machine and the Cannon Cart alive longer while they take on heavy defensive fire. This ability is crucial for maintaining the momentum of the attack, especially when facing high-damage defenses.

Targeting Defenses

Similar to the Boxer Giant, the Battle Machine prioritizes attacking defensive structures, which makes it an effective lead unit for clearing a path for the Cannon Cart. As the Battle Machine engages and eliminates high-priority defenses, the Cannon Cart is free to deal with the remaining buildings. This allows for a more coordinated and effective push, ensuring that your Cannon Cart can maximize its damage output while staying protected.

Tanking Strategy

Deploy Tank Units First

Start the attack by deploying Boxer Giants or the Battle Machine ahead of the Cannon Cart. These tank units will prioritize defensive structures, such as Crushers and Mega Teslas, drawing fire away from the Cannon Cart. This positioning ensures that the Cannon Cart can operate without being destroyed by high-damage defenses while dealing significant damage to buildings in the base.

Maintain Distance

Keep the Cannon Cart positioned behind your tank units at all times. Since the Cannon Cart in Cannon Mode or Mortar Mode is vulnerable to enemy attacks, it’s important that it remains protected. This placement allows the Cannon Cart to focus on attacking from a safe distance, maximizing its effectiveness without risk of being destroyed prematurely.

Timing Mortar Mode

When using the Cannon Cart’s Mortar Mode, timing is key. Since Mortar Mode turns the Cannon Cart into a stationary unit with a slower rate of fire, your tanking units will need to keep the defenses distracted while the Cannon Cart deals damage. Proper timing ensures that the Cannon Cart is able to strike at key targets like defensive structures or high-value buildings without interference from enemy defenses. The Battle Machine or Boxer Giants can clear the path for the Cannon Cart to operate without distractions.

By coordinating the Cannon Cart with Boxer Giants or the Battle Machine, you can create a powerful combination that allows the Cannon Cart to deal substantial damage while staying protected from the enemy’s most dangerous defenses. This strategy maximizes the effectiveness of your attack and increases your chances of success in the Builder Base.

Army Composition for Effective Attacks

Balanced Approach

A well-rounded army composition combines Boxer Giants and Cannon Carts for both tanking and damage dealing. Use 2-3 Army Camps filled with Boxer Giants to act as your front-line tanks. The remaining Army Camps should be dedicated to Cannon Carts to provide long-range damage. This composition ensures that your Cannon Carts can deal damage while being protected by the Boxer Giants.

With the Battle Machine

If the Battle Machine is available, consider using 2 Army Camps filled with Boxer Giants and 4 Army Camps for Cannon Carts. The Battle Machine will serve as an additional tank, giving the Cannon Carts even more protection, especially against high-damage defenses. The Battle Machine’s Electric Hammer ability can also help heal troops, including the Cannon Carts, keeping them alive longer during the attack.

When the Battle Machine is Upgrading

If the Battle Machine is upgrading or unavailable, use 3 Army Camps for Boxer Giants and 3 Army Camps for Cannon Carts. With more Boxer Giants in the army, the front line will be stronger, allowing the Cannon Carts to focus on destroying key defensive structures without being interrupted.

This flexible army composition allows you to adapt to different situations and maximize your attack potential in the Builder Base. Whether you have the Battle Machine available or not, you can adjust the number of troops in each Army Camp to maintain a balanced offensive force.