Introduction to Clash of Clans Home Village Ricochet Cannon Guide

In Clash of Clans, the Ricochet Cannon is a powerful defensive structure introduced at Town Hall 16. This advanced defense is created by merging two level 21 Cannons into a single unit. The merging process is irreversible, meaning the individual Cannons cannot be separated again once merged. Additionally, any Cannon that has been geared up cannot be selected for merging. To progress to the next Town Hall level, all available Cannons must be merged into Ricochet Cannons, similar to how all available buildings must be placed before upgrading.

Super Charge Stats

Defensive Strategies

The Ricochet Cannon is particularly effective against ground-based Heroes and their Pets. When engaging a Hero, it will target them first, then bounce its shot to the Pet behind them, dealing damage to both. This makes it highly effective against Hero-Pet pairings where both units stay close together.

The Ricochet Cannon also counters the classic tank-damage dealer combination, provided the tanking unit and the supporting damage dealer are positioned near each other. Its high-damage ricochet shot can quickly wear down both units simultaneously, making it a valuable defensive tool against such strategies.

However, it is less effective when the targeted Hero is paired with Pets like the Phoenix (in egg form), Electro Owl, or Angry Jelly. The Phoenix remains untargetable while in its revival phase, and both the Electro Owl and Angry Jelly are air-based units, which the Ricochet Cannon cannot hit.

With greater durability than a single Cannon and more than double the damage per shot, the Ricochet Cannon is an excellent counter to medium-health ground troops. It can also devastate small clusters of troops, making it particularly dangerous against swarm-based attacks. When paired with a Rage Spell Tower, the Ricochet Cannon’s already high damage output becomes even more destructive, further increasing its effectiveness against ground units.

Because it cannot target air troops, it should be placed alongside anti-air defenses to avoid leaving gaps in your base’s aerial protection. Surrounding it with buildings can also help distract enemy units, allowing the Cannon to fire more shots.

Given its durability and high damage, the Ricochet Cannon is best positioned in the center or core of your base. Its ricochet ability extends its reach, ensuring it remains a threat even to troops beyond its standard attack range.

Offensive Strategies

Air troops, such as Balloons and Dragons, can effectively counter the Ricochet Cannon, as it is unable to target them. Deploying a strong air attack can bypass this defense entirely, making it a non-factor in certain strategies.

To protect air units from ground-based defenses, ensure that Wizard Towers and Air Bombs are positioned to clear out swarms, while Air Defenses and Seeking Air Mines handle high-hitpoint air troops like Dragons and Electro Dragons. This will prevent your air attack from being stalled by other defensive structures.

Single, high-hitpoint ground units like the P.E.K.K.A and Root Rider can efficiently counter the Ricochet Cannon, as they can withstand its high damage output. However, it is crucial to manage the placement of support troops carefully. If placed too close, the ricochet shot may still deal damage to them, reducing their effectiveness.

Spells can be used to neutralize the Ricochet Cannon temporarily. The Freeze Spell can stop it from firing, giving your troops time to push forward without taking damage. The Invisibility Spell can make critical units untargetable while passing through its range. The Overgrowth Spell can disable it for a longer period, preventing it from dealing damage at a crucial stage of the attack.

Comparison with Other Defenses

The Ricochet Cannon stands out from other single-target defenses due to its unique ability to damage two ground troops in a single shot. However, it has distinct strengths and weaknesses compared to other defenses:

Ricochet Cannon vs. Regular Cannon

The Ricochet Cannon offers a significant increase in damage per shot compared to a regular Cannon, making it much more effective against high-hitpoint units. This increased damage output allows it to deal with stronger troops that a regular Cannon might struggle with, such as tanks or heroes with substantial health.

One of the key features of the Ricochet Cannon is its unique ability to hit two units at once, provided they are positioned correctly. This feature makes it especially powerful when dealing with clustered ground units. By hitting multiple targets with a single shot, it can quickly eliminate groups of enemies, offering a strategic advantage in certain battle scenarios.

In terms of health and durability, the Ricochet Cannon is tougher than a regular Cannon but not as resilient as two Cannons placed side by side. It can survive a few hits, allowing it to contribute more to defense, but it is still vulnerable to high-damage spells, such as Lightning or Earthquake, which can significantly reduce its effectiveness. While it offers better durability than a single Cannon, its vulnerability to heavy spells should be considered when incorporating it into defensive layouts.

Ricochet Cannon vs. Archer Tower

When comparing the Ricochet Cannon and the Archer Tower, the most noticeable difference is their targeting capabilities. Archer Towers can target both ground and air units, which makes them a versatile option for defending against a variety of threats. In contrast, the Ricochet Cannon is limited to targeting only ground units, which can restrict its usefulness in some situations where air units are a concern.

In terms of damage potential, the Archer Tower typically deals lower damage per shot but compensates with a faster attack speed. This higher attack speed allows the Archer Tower to deal with swarms of smaller troops more effectively, as it can hit multiple targets in quick succession. The Ricochet Cannon, however, is more suited to dealing with medium-health ground troops due to its higher damage per shot. It excels in situations where it can hit a high-hitpoint ground unit or multiple clustered units at once thanks to its bounce effect.

The range of the Archer Tower is another key factor in its favor. It has a longer standard attack range, which allows it to engage enemies from a greater distance. However, the Ricochet Cannon has its own advantage in range under certain conditions. While its standard attack range is shorter, the Ricochet Cannon’s ability to bounce its shots allows it to hit units beyond its normal range, provided the units are positioned correctly. This can give the Ricochet Cannon a surprise advantage, especially against tightly packed enemy units.

Ricochet Cannon vs. X-Bow

When comparing the Ricochet Cannon to the X-Bow, one of the most significant differences lies in their firing modes. X-Bows offer flexibility by allowing players to set them to target either ground troops or both air and ground units. This gives them an edge in terms of adaptability, as they can handle a wider range of enemy threats. The Ricochet Cannon, on the other hand, is limited to only targeting ground units, which can restrict its versatility in certain situations, especially when air units are a major threat.

In terms of damage per shot, the Ricochet Cannon stands out with a much higher damage output compared to the X-Bow. This makes the Ricochet Cannon more effective against high-hitpoint units, as its shots can inflict significant damage in a short amount of time. However, X-Bows compensate for their lower damage per shot with a faster attack speed, enabling them to fire more frequently. This rapid-fire capability allows the X-Bow to quickly eliminate weaker troops that might overwhelm a slower-firing defense like the Ricochet Cannon.

Another important factor to consider is the difference between sustained damage and burst damage. X-Bows are better suited for sustained DPS (damage per second), consistently applying pressure over time to wear down enemy troops. Their rapid-fire nature makes them ideal for dealing with swarms or waves of enemies. On the other hand, the Ricochet Cannon delivers high burst damage in fewer shots, making it more effective in situations where taking out a few high-health or clustered ground units quickly is crucial. Each defense has its strengths, depending on the type of enemy forces and strategy you are facing.

Ricochet Cannon vs. Mortar

When comparing the Ricochet Cannon to the Mortar, one of the main differences is their splash damage capabilities. While both have splash-like effects, the Ricochet Cannon can only hit two units with a single shot if they are positioned correctly. This makes it effective against small clusters of ground troops, but its splash effect is limited compared to the Mortar. The Mortar, on the other hand, has a much wider area of effect, allowing it to damage multiple units within a larger radius. This makes the Mortar more effective against large groups of enemies or tightly packed units, offering more crowd control potential.

Another key distinction between the two defenses is their projectile speed. The Ricochet Cannon fires instantly, meaning it can hit targets as soon as they are within range. This makes it particularly reliable in fast-paced battles where timing is crucial. The Mortar, however, has a noticeable delay before its shot lands, which can make it less reliable in certain situations. The delay can be an issue if enemies are moving quickly or if you need to hit a target before it reaches a critical point. In fast-paced encounters, the Ricochet Cannon’s instant firing makes it a more dependable option in terms of reacting to threats.

Each defense has its strengths and is suited for different types of enemy formations and strategies. The Ricochet Cannon excels in quick, high-damage bursts against smaller clusters of units, while the Mortar provides greater splash damage coverage over a larger area, making it effective against swarms.

Base Placement Strategies

Proper placement of the Ricochet Cannon is key to maximizing its effectiveness. Its positioning should take advantage of its high-damage ricochet shots while being protected from easy destruction.

War Bases

🔹Placing the Ricochet Cannon near the core of the base ensures that it remains protected for longer and can target enemy troops that make it past the outer defenses.

🔹Positioning it near high-value defenses such as Inferno Towers or Scattershots ensures that enemy troops clumping together will take significant damage from ricochet shots.

🔹Avoid placing it near walls where it can be easily distracted by Wall Breakers or Siege Machines.

Home Village Farming Bases

🔹The Ricochet Cannon can help protect resource storages by dealing high damage to ground troops attempting to steal the loot.

🔹It should be placed near storages that are often attacked with high-health troops like P.E.K.K.A or Giants, ensuring they take maximum damage.

🔹Avoid placing it too close to the outside of the base, as attackers may snipe it using long-range troops like Bowlers.

Trophy Pushing Bases

W🔹hen defending against high-level players in Legends League or Clan War Leagues, the Ricochet Cannon should be placed in positions where it can maximize damage output.

🔹Putting it near spell towers (like Rage Spell Towers) can significantly boost its damage output, making it even more deadly.

🔹Avoid putting it in easily accessible locations where it can be taken out early with a Queen Walk or Siege Machines.

Best Defensive Pairings

Rage Spell Tower

The Ricochet Cannon can benefit greatly from various defensive structures and spells when used strategically. One of the most notable synergies is with the Rage Spell Tower. Placing the Ricochet Cannon within the range of a Rage Spell Tower significantly enhances its damage per shot. This increased damage allows the Ricochet Cannon to take out high-health troops even faster, making it a more effective counter against tanks or other resilient units. The added damage from the Rage Spell Tower can help the Ricochet Cannon deal with tougher enemies more efficiently, reducing the need for additional support.

Poison Spell Tower

Another useful pairing for the Ricochet Cannon is with the Poison Spell Tower. Since the Ricochet Cannon doesn’t deal splash damage, it might struggle against groups of troops that can absorb its high-damage shots. By positioning the Ricochet Cannon near a Poison Spell Tower, the poison effect can weaken those grouped enemies, allowing the Ricochet Cannon to eliminate them more effectively. The Poison Spell Tower helps to soften up larger clusters of troops, making them more vulnerable to the Ricochet Cannon’s powerful shots.

Wall

When it comes to positioning, placing the Ricochet Cannon behind walls or funnel structures can create an effective defensive setup. The walls force enemy troops into predictable paths, making it more likely that they will be hit by the Ricochet Cannon’s bounce shots. This setup increases the chances of the cannon dealing maximum damage to clustered enemies as they follow the narrow paths, giving it more opportunities to land successful hits.

Inferno Towers

The Ricochet Cannon also works well in combination with Inferno Towers set to single-target mode. The Ricochet Cannon can help weaken high-hitpoint units, allowing the nearby Inferno Tower to finish them off. This pairing is particularly useful when dealing with tough enemy troops that would otherwise require more firepower to take down. The Ricochet Cannon’s burst damage can soften up the target, and the Inferno Tower’s continuous burn damage can quickly eliminate the weakened unit, creating a powerful one-two punch against high-health troops.

Weaknesses to Watch Out For

The Ricochet Cannon, while a powerful ground defense, has a significant limitation in that it cannot target air units. This makes it crucial to ensure that air defenses are placed nearby to cover this gap. Air defenses such as Archer Towers, Wizard Towers, or Scattershots can protect the Ricochet Cannon from aerial threats, preventing air units from easily bypassing it. Without these supporting defenses, air troops can freely target and destroy the Ricochet Cannon without fear of retaliation.

Additionally, some spells can disable the Ricochet Cannon or reduce its effectiveness. The Overgrowth Spell, when used strategically, can disable the Ricochet Cannon for an extended period. This can render it useless for a portion of the battle, allowing enemy troops to bypass it without taking significant damage. Similarly, the Freeze Spell can temporarily prevent the Ricochet Cannon from firing, effectively neutralizing its damage output for a short time. This can be particularly devastating in tight situations where timing is critical, and the Ricochet Cannon needs to be functioning at full capacity to deal with incoming forces.

The Ricochet Cannon is also vulnerable to long-range units that can deal damage from a distance without triggering its ricochet effect. Troops like the Bowler, whose boulders bounce across the battlefield, or the Super Archer, whose shots can travel a long distance, can damage the Ricochet Cannon without activating its splash effect. These units can hit it from afar, bypassing the intended ricochet mechanics and potentially destroying the cannon before it has a chance to react. It’s important to be aware of these threats when designing layouts and ensuring the Ricochet Cannon is adequately protected from ranged attackers.

How to Bait and Counter It in Attacks

While the Ricochet Cannon is a formidable defense, attackers can use certain strategies to reduce its impact.

Splitting Troops to Minimize Ricochet Damage

🔹Deploy troops in a spread-out formation to prevent the ricochet effect from hitting a secondary target.

🔹Use a tank troop like a Giant or P.E.K.K.A to absorb shots while keeping support troops at a safe distance.

🔹Deploy units at different angles so the Ricochet Cannon cannot hit multiple targets in a straight line.

Using Air Attacks to Bypass the Ricochet Cannon

🔹Balloon and Dragon Spam: Since the Ricochet Cannon cannot target air units, LavaLoon, Mass Dragons, or Electro Dragon attacks can completely ignore it.

🔹Queen Walk into Air Spam: A Queen Walk can take out key defenses, allowing air troops to sweep through the base without worrying about the Ricochet Cannon.

Spell Usage to Neutralize the Ricochet Cannon

🔹Freeze Spell: Temporarily disables the Ricochet Cannon, preventing it from dealing damage.

🔹Invisibility Spell: Can be used to make key troops untargetable while passing through its range.

🔹Overgrowth Spell: Completely disables the Ricochet Cannon for a longer period, making it an effective counter for ground-heavy attacks.

Siege Machines and High-HP Troops as Counters

🔹Log Launcher: Can deal significant damage to the Ricochet Cannon from a distance while opening up walls for ground troops.

🔹P.E.K.K.A and Root Rider: These troops can take heavy hits without dying quickly, making them ideal for soaking up Ricochet Cannon shots.

🔹Flame Flinger: Can outrange the Ricochet Cannon and take it out from a distance without taking damage.

By using smart attack strategies, players can neutralize the Ricochet Cannon and prevent it from disrupting their attack.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓What is the Ricochet Cannon in Clash of Clans, and how does it work?

The Ricochet Cannon is a powerful defensive building introduced in the Home Village starting at Town Hall 17. It functions similarly to the regular Cannon but with an added twist—its projectiles can bounce off their first target and hit a second enemy. This ricochet effect allows the Ricochet Cannon to deal damage to two troops in one shot if they are closely aligned, making it highly effective against groups of ground troops.

❓How is the Ricochet Cannon different from a regular Cannon?

Unlike regular Cannons that deal single-target damage to one troop at a time, the Ricochet Cannon can hit a second target if it is positioned behind the first. This makes it superior in dealing with compact ground troop formations, especially against units like Barbarians, Archers, and Bowlers. However, like Cannons, it still targets only ground units and cannot attack air troops.

❓At what Town Hall level is the Ricochet Cannon unlocked?

The Ricochet Cannon is unlocked at Town Hall 17, making it one of the newest additions to the Home Village’s defense roster. This aligns with the overall expansion of new content at TH17, which focuses on advanced defensive strategies and new mechanics to counter powerful end-game attacks.

❓What are the best troop types to counter the Ricochet Cannon?

Since the Ricochet Cannon only targets ground units and relies on troops being clustered to deal its secondary hit, it’s best countered by air troops like Electro Dragons, Balloons, and Dragons. Alternatively, spreading out ground troops like Witches or using high-health tanks such as Golems can absorb its shots while minimizing the ricochet damage.

❓Where should I place the Ricochet Cannon in my base layout?

To get the most value out of the Ricochet Cannon, place it in central or mid-range compartments where enemies tend to bunch up, such as near funnels or paths leading to key defenses. Avoid placing it on the very edges of your base, as it loses effectiveness if enemies don’t path closely enough for the ricochet effect to activate. Pairing it near splash damage defenses like Bomb Towers or Scattershots can further punish grouped attackers.