Introduction to Clash of Clans Stone Slammer

The Stone Slammer is a formidable Siege Machine in Clash of Clans that can be a game-changer in battles. It is primarily designed to target defenses and offer substantial support during an attack, thanks to its heavy damage and wall-breaking capabilities. Understanding the Stone Slammer’s stats and abilities is crucial to using it effectively in different scenarios.

Strengths

High Durability:

The Stone Slammer has one of the highest health pools among all Siege Machines. This allows it to absorb a lot of damage and last longer during an attack, especially when tanking for Balloons or Dragons in air-heavy armies.

Strong Damage vs. Defenses:

It deals massive damage to defensive buildings, which makes it extremely effective at clearing out key threats like Air Defenses, X-Bows, and Archer Towers. Its damage is concentrated on structures, which helps with base dismantling.

Air-Based Siege Machine:

Being an air unit, it avoids most ground traps and cannot be targeted by most ground-only defenses. This makes it ideal for air raids such as LavaLoon, Dragon, or Electro Dragon strategies, especially when pathing through core compartments.

Weaknesses

Vulnerable to Air Defenses and Infernos:

Despite its high HP, the Stone Slammer can be quickly brought down by Air Defenses, multi-target Inferno Towers, and Seeking Air Mines if not properly supported or if pathing isn’t well-planned.

Limited Use on Ground-Based Armies:

Since it targets only defensive buildings and flies, it’s not suitable for ground-based attacks like hybrid or miner-based compositions. It doesn’t help funnel troops through walls or create ground pathing like the Wall Wrecker.

Slow Attack Speed and Movement:

The Stone Slammer is slow in both travel and attack rate, which can lead to time failures if not managed properly. Its delay in moving and striking can also reduce momentum in fast-paced attack strategies.

Overview of the Stone Slammer

The Stone Slammer becomes available once you upgrade your Workshop to level 3, which is unlocked at Town Hall 12. As the third Siege Machine in the game, it offers a unique combination of high hitpoints and significant damage output, making it a valuable asset in both offense and defense strategies. While its movement speed is slower compared to many other units, the Stone Slammer’s capabilities make it an essential tool for breaching enemy defenses.

The Stone Slammer shares several key characteristics with the Balloon, including a high damage output and defense-targeting behavior. Like the Balloon, it focuses its attacks on enemy defenses, dealing massive damage to structures that can cripple your opponent’s base. However, the Stone Slammer is notably tougher, with significantly higher hitpoints, allowing it to withstand more damage before being destroyed.

One of the main differences between the Stone Slammer and the Balloon is their movement speed. Although the Stone Slammer’s movement is still considered slow, it is faster than the Balloon, enabling it to reach target locations more quickly and take on more defensive structures in less time. This increased speed makes it a more reliable Siege Machine for targeting specific defensive buildings without being easily distracted or slowed down by obstacles.

Stone Slammer’s Special Abilities

When deployed, the Stone Slammer targets defensive structures first and foremost, disregarding any non-defense buildings or enemy troops, such as Clan Castle units, heroes, or Skeleton Trap skeletons, as long as defenses remain on the battlefield. This makes the Stone Slammer a focused Siege Machine, designed to clear paths by destroying key defensive structures. Although it ignores Clan Castle troops, it will prioritize and attack activated Town Hall weapons if they are present, adding another layer of strategic value.

Once all enemy defenses are destroyed, the Stone Slammer shifts its focus to the nearest building, which can include enemy units capable of defending themselves. This ability makes the Stone Slammer versatile, allowing it to serve a dual purpose—first, as a tool to breach defenses and, second, to target any remaining buildings, including enemy troops, after defenses are eliminated. Additionally, much like the Balloon, the Stone Slammer deals damage when destroyed, offering extra utility by damaging enemies as it’s eliminated.

The Stone Slammer’s attack mechanics are unique and contribute to its versatility. Its main attack consists of a high-damage hitbox that targets the building in front of it. However, it also features a secondary low-damage hitbox that targets walls within a 3-tile radius, dealing splash damage. This secondary hitbox makes the Stone Slammer especially effective in challenges that require breaking through walls, even surpassing the Wall Wrecker in efficiency. Its ability to clear obstacles like walls while targeting enemy defenses makes it a powerful tool in both Clan Wars and multiplayer battles.

As with all Siege Machines, the Stone Slammer is immune to player-cast spells, offering protection from spells like Lightning or Freeze. However, it can still be affected by the Grand Warden’s Life Gem and Eternal Tome, which can provide healing or invincibility to the Stone Slammer during crucial moments of the battle. This combination of durability, focused damage, and strategic immunity makes the Stone Slammer a highly effective Siege Machine in a wide range of scenarios.

Best Troops to Pair with the Stone Slammer

Lava-Loon:

The Stone Slammer can be part of several effective strategies, particularly when used in combination with other units that complement its strengths. One such strategy is the Lava-Loon combination. In this setup, Lava Hounds act as tankers, absorbing damage from air defenses and providing a shield for the Stone Slammer. This allows the Slammer to focus on enemy defenses while the Balloons, which deal significant damage, target key structures. This synergy works exceptionally well against defense-heavy bases, where the Stone Slammer can clear a path for the Balloons to deal damage without being hindered by air defenses.

Queen Walk:

Another effective strategy involving the Stone Slammer is the Queen Walk. The Stone Slammer’s ability to destroy walls can create a clear path for the Archer Queen to safely target enemy buildings, while the Queen takes care of cleanup or targets buildings that the Slammer and Balloons do not focus on. The Stone Slammer’s wall-breaking ability allows the Queen to move more freely through the base and take out crucial buildings that might otherwise hinder the attack. This combination of the Stone Slammer’s utility and the Queen’s precision can be a powerful way to dismantle a base from multiple angles.

Balloon-Based Armies:

For Balloon-based armies, the Stone Slammer can serve as a valuable tank. With its high hitpoints, it absorbs damage from air defenses, allowing the Balloons to target and destroy critical defensive structures. This strategy is effective in targeting defenses that may otherwise be difficult to break through, as the Stone Slammer takes the brunt of the damage, giving the Balloons a chance to do what they do best—deal high damage to enemy defenses. Using the Stone Slammer as a tank for Balloons provides a solid foundation for a potent air assault, making it an effective strategy for attacking well-defended bases.

The Stone Slammer, while powerful, does have its vulnerabilities, particularly against single-target Inferno Towers and Monoliths. These defenses deal high sustained damage to the Slammer, potentially destroying it before it can fulfill its role in the attack. To counter these threats, one effective strategy is to use Haste Spells. By casting Haste Spells on Balloons, you can speed them up, allowing them to reach and destroy these dangerous defenses before the Stone Slammer is taken out. This creates a more balanced and effective attack, where the Balloons can take down high-damage defenses, supporting the Slammer in clearing the path.

Alternatively, Freeze Spells offers another solution to neutralize these threats. By freezing the Inferno Towers or Monoliths at the right moment, you can temporarily disable their ability to target and damage the Stone Slammer. This allows the Slammer to reach its target and clear the defenses without being overwhelmed by the single-target damage. Freeze Spells are especially useful when timed well, allowing your other units to take down key structures while the Stone Slammer remains unharmed.

Strategy for Using the Stone Slammer

Targeting Defenses:

When deploying the Stone Slammer, it is essential to prioritize the most critical defensive structures to maximize its effectiveness. Key targets include high-damage defenses such as Eagle Artillery, Inferno Towers, and other powerful structures that can pose a significant threat to your attack. By focusing on these defenses first, the Stone Slammer clears a path for your other troops to advance without being hindered by strong defensive units.

The Eagle Artillery, in particular, is a top priority due to its ability to deal devastating damage across the battlefield. Inferno Towers, with their single-target damage, can quickly eliminate high-hitpoint units like the Stone Slammer if not dealt with early. By targeting these structures first, you prevent them from overwhelming your attack and ensure that your supporting troops have a better chance of success.

Once these high-priority defenses are destroyed, the Stone Slammer will have cleared a path for the rest of your army to move through more easily. This strategic deployment allows your troops to target other buildings and defenses that might not have been initially in range. By using the Stone Slammer to remove the most dangerous defenses, you increase the likelihood of a successful attack and make way for your other units to contribute to the battle effectively.

Pathing:

Stone Slammers are particularly effective at clearing defensive compartments, making them a valuable asset in your attack strategy. Their primary focus is to target and destroy enemy defenses, such as defensive buildings, traps, and hero units. As long as there are defenses remaining on the battlefield, the Stone Slammer will continue to prioritize these targets, clearing the way for your other troops to advance with fewer obstacles in their path.

Once all of the enemy defenses are destroyed, the Stone Slammer will transition into its secondary role. At this point, it will begin acting like any other troop, shifting its focus to the nearest building or structure. This allows the Stone Slammer to continue contributing to the attack, mopping up any remaining structures that haven’t already been destroyed by your other troops. This versatility makes the Stone Slammer not only a powerful tool for breaching enemy defenses but also a reliable cleanup troop once the initial defense has been cleared.

By effectively using the Stone Slammer to target and clear key defensive structures, you ensure that your other troops can focus on dealing damage to non-defense buildings and achieving a higher percentage of destruction. This makes the Stone Slammer an essential component in attacks, especially in bases with multiple defensive compartments. Its ability to act both as a breach mechanism and a cleanup troop makes it a versatile Siege Machine that enhances the overall effectiveness of your army.

Wall Destruction:

The Stone Slammer is an excellent tool for breaking through walls and creating clear paths for your other troops. Its high wall damage, coupled with its ability to target defenses, makes it one of the best Siege Machines for completing challenges that require wall-breaking. As it moves through enemy bases, the Stone Slammer’s secondary splash damage targets walls within a 3-tile radius, efficiently clearing obstacles and creating openings for your ground and air troops to follow.

Using the Stone Slammer to break walls is particularly effective in bases that feature well-guarded or compartmentalized layouts. By destroying walls, the Slammer helps dismantle these defensive barriers, allowing your troops to move more freely through the base without getting stuck or diverted by obstacles. This opens up crucial pathways for your other units, ensuring that they can focus on targeting key defensive structures or buildings.

The Stone Slammer’s wall-breaking ability also makes it a strategic choice for certain challenges in the game, where wall destruction is a primary objective. Since the Slammer deals significant damage to walls, it is often more efficient than other Siege Machines, such as the Wall Wrecker, in terms of speed and overall damage. By deploying the Stone Slammer strategically to target walls, you can clear paths quickly, making it an invaluable tool for achieving wall-breaking objectives and improving the effectiveness of your attack.

Use as a Tank:

The Stone Slammer can serve as an effective tank for other troops, such as Balloons or Dragons, due to its high hitpoints and ability to absorb damage from enemy defenses. By deploying the Stone Slammer in front of your offensive troops, you can shield them from incoming fire, allowing them to focus on targeting and eliminating critical defenses without being distracted or destroyed by enemy attacks.

With its durable structure, the Stone Slammer can withstand significant damage from high-damage defenses, such as air defenses, mortars, or splash damage units. This allows your Balloons or Dragons to deal their devastating damage to enemy buildings, while the Stone Slammer takes the brunt of the defensive fire. This strategic use of the Slammer helps protect your more vulnerable units and ensures that they can continue their assault on key structures without being overwhelmed.

In addition to its role as a tank, the Stone Slammer’s ability to deal damage to enemy defenses makes it a valuable part of the overall offensive strategy. By using the Slammer to clear a path for your other troops, you improve the chances of your Balloons or Dragons reaching their targets and dealing maximum damage. Its combination of high hitpoints and wall-breaking capabilities further enhances its effectiveness as a tank, allowing you to tailor your attack to suit different base layouts.

Defensive Countermeasures

Inferno Towers:

When set to single-target mode, Inferno Towers can deal devastating damage to the Stone Slammer, quickly overwhelming it with their sustained fire. These towers are particularly dangerous to high-hitpoint units like the Stone Slammer, and without proper protection, they can destroy it before it reaches its target. To mitigate this threat, it’s essential to protect the Stone Slammer from the Inferno Towers by using Wizard Towers strategically.

Wizard Towers offer splash damage, making them effective at dealing with Balloons or other support troops that may accompany the Stone Slammer. By positioning Wizard Towers in areas where they can target these air units, you prevent them from disrupting your attack and ensure that the Balloons are not able to take down your supporting units. This protection allows the Stone Slammer to focus on clearing out defenses without being overwhelmed by both single-target Inferno Towers and enemy air troops.

Monoliths:

Monoliths are a powerful defensive structure that can effectively counter the Stone Slammer due to their bonus percentage damage. Like Inferno Towers, Monoliths deal damage based on a percentage of the target’s hitpoints, which makes them particularly dangerous to high-hitpoint units such as the Stone Slammer. As the Stone Slammer takes damage, the Monolith’s attacks become increasingly devastating, potentially destroying the Slammer before it reaches its target.

The bonus percentage damage from Monoliths means that the Stone Slammer’s durability is less effective against these defenses, as they can scale their damage to match the Slammer’s hitpoints. This can create a significant challenge when trying to use the Stone Slammer to clear enemy defenses or structures, especially if the Monolith is located in a critical position within the base.

To counter Monoliths and protect the Stone Slammer, consider using supporting troops or spells. Deploying units that can distract the Monolith, such as tanks or other high-damage troops, can help reduce the focus on the Stone Slammer. Additionally, using Freeze Spells to temporarily disable the Monolith allows the Stone Slammer to continue its assault on the base without taking devastating damage. Timing and placement are key to ensuring that the Stone Slammer can bypass the Monolith and complete its mission, making it essential to plan your attack carefully when facing these powerful defenses.

Seeking Air Mines:

Seeking Air Mines are a significant threat to the Stone Slammer, as they can deal substantial damage to air units like the Slammer. These mines are designed to target and explode on air units, making the Stone Slammer vulnerable to early destruction, especially if it is deployed without proper consideration of their location.

To mitigate the risk, consider placing Seeking Air Mines near key defensive structures or high-priority targets that the Stone Slammer might focus on. This forces the Slammer to potentially trigger these mines early, causing significant damage before it can reach its intended target. Managing the placement of the Stone Slammer and planning its path to avoid these mines can help preserve its durability for the rest of the attack.

Inferno Dragons:

Inferno Dragons are another potent threat to the Stone Slammer. If available in the enemy Clan Castle, these units can be highly effective against the Slammer due to their high damage output, particularly in their single-target form. Inferno Dragons deal substantial damage over time, similar to Inferno Towers, and can quickly overwhelm the Stone Slammer’s hitpoints.

To protect the Slammer, you may need to neutralize the Inferno Dragons early on using spells like Freeze or Poison or deploy other troops to distract them. Ensuring that the Stone Slammer doesn’t face the full brunt of the Inferno Dragons’ attack is crucial to maintaining its effectiveness in the battle. Planning your attack around these threats ensures that your Stone Slammer can continue to break through enemy defenses without being destroyed prematurely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓What does the Stone Slammer do in Clash of Clans?

The Stone Slammer is a flying Siege Machine that targets defensive buildings only. It deals area damage with each drop and causes extra damage to defenses. Once destroyed or once all defenses are taken out, it releases the Clan Castle troops it was carrying.

❓Which troops work best with the Stone Slammer?

The Stone Slammer works best with air troops like Balloons, Dragons, Lava Hounds, or Electro Dragons. It’s often used in LavaLoon and DragLoon strategies because it clears defensive buildings while tanking for the air units behind it.

❓Can the Stone Slammer be used for funneling?

Yes, the Stone Slammer can be used to create air funnels by removing clusters of defenses on one side of the base. Its targeted damage to defenses helps carve out a path for air troops to go straight to the core of a base.

❓What happens when the Stone Slammer is destroyed?

When the Stone Slammer is destroyed, it releases the Clan Castle troops it was carrying. If it survives until all defenses are destroyed, it will land and break open automatically at the end of its path.

❓Is the Stone Slammer better than other Siege Machines?

The Stone Slammer is better for air-based strategies, especially when compared to ground Siege Machines like the Wall Wrecker or Siege Barracks. However, it’s not ideal for ground armies, as it doesn’t open walls or create ground funnels.