Hey everyone,
So after the good reaction from the giant method, I thought I would write the next step up from that attack. GoWiVa stands for Golems, Wizards, and Valkyries. The strategy follows many of the same principles as the Giant Method and as such you should definitely read through that article first.
While many people think this strategy is second rate, the valkyrie has received upgrades in 8 of the last 13 updates since being released in march of 2013 including: higher damage, lower training time, better AI path targeting, and a whirlwind attack that causes her to maximize efficiency by attacking up to 4 buildings at once! Also, it's rumored she will be upgraded again in the christmas update. Here is an in-depth look at the valkyrie:
The valkyrie is the most efficient unit, dealing 169.2 damage per attack (level 1) and usually attacks two buildings at once for a total potential of 338.4 total damage per attack. A valkyrie uses 8 slots so [338.4 per attack/8 slots=42.3] is her damage per slot per attack. Whereas a level 1 dragon does only 10.5 damage per slot per attack [210 per attack/20 slots=10.5]. A PEKKA level 1 does only 24 damage per slot per attack [600 per attack/25 slots=24]. The valkyrie has 24 movement speed, making her tied for third with archers--only minions and goblins are faster. Finally, valkyries have 900 base health, making her almost as tough as a level 6 giant who has 750 health.
Advantages:
1) effective trophy pushing strategy in crystal, since the bigger league bonus gives extra dark elixir. giants + valkyries is a very mathematically efficient strategy, similar to many war strategies. While the giants keep pushing forward, the valkyries attack multiple buildings at once, and the wizards clean up very nicely behind both tanking units.
2) This is a strong attack for any town hall level 8 base, even with level 1 valkyries
3) This is most likely the best use for valkyries and will finally give you guys a use for them instead of them just being a step before golems
4) this attack becomes even stronger when you do have golems
Disadvantages:
1) If you aren't in a crystal league, the dark elixir cost will most likely be more than it's worth and should stick with regular giant strategies.
2)mostly the reason to not pick this strategy is because you want to gain dark elixir faster at a higher percentage gain per raid
So after the good reaction from the giant method, I thought I would write the next step up from that attack. GoWiVa stands for Golems, Wizards, and Valkyries. The strategy follows many of the same principles as the Giant Method and as such you should definitely read through that article first.
While many people think this strategy is second rate, the valkyrie has received upgrades in 8 of the last 13 updates since being released in march of 2013 including: higher damage, lower training time, better AI path targeting, and a whirlwind attack that causes her to maximize efficiency by attacking up to 4 buildings at once! Also, it's rumored she will be upgraded again in the christmas update. Here is an in-depth look at the valkyrie:
The valkyrie is the most efficient unit, dealing 169.2 damage per attack (level 1) and usually attacks two buildings at once for a total potential of 338.4 total damage per attack. A valkyrie uses 8 slots so [338.4 per attack/8 slots=42.3] is her damage per slot per attack. Whereas a level 1 dragon does only 10.5 damage per slot per attack [210 per attack/20 slots=10.5]. A PEKKA level 1 does only 24 damage per slot per attack [600 per attack/25 slots=24]. The valkyrie has 24 movement speed, making her tied for third with archers--only minions and goblins are faster. Finally, valkyries have 900 base health, making her almost as tough as a level 6 giant who has 750 health.
- fast
- tough
- efficient
Advantages:
1) effective trophy pushing strategy in crystal, since the bigger league bonus gives extra dark elixir. giants + valkyries is a very mathematically efficient strategy, similar to many war strategies. While the giants keep pushing forward, the valkyries attack multiple buildings at once, and the wizards clean up very nicely behind both tanking units.
2) This is a strong attack for any town hall level 8 base, even with level 1 valkyries
3) This is most likely the best use for valkyries and will finally give you guys a use for them instead of them just being a step before golems
4) this attack becomes even stronger when you do have golems
Disadvantages:
1) If you aren't in a crystal league, the dark elixir cost will most likely be more than it's worth and should stick with regular giant strategies.
2)mostly the reason to not pick this strategy is because you want to gain dark elixir faster at a higher percentage gain per raid
Video Demonstration
Here's the Breakdown: Army Compositions
Town Hall 10
+Golems: 2
+Wizards: 15
+Valkyries: 13-15
+Wall Breakers: 8
+Clan Castle: Golem, Giant
--->If you are using earthquake spells, use 15 valkyries.
--->If you aren't use 13 valkyries and 8 wall breakers
+Spells:
1) 2 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Freeze, 1 Poison, CC Poison
2) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 1 Freeze, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
3) 1 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Freeze, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
4) 3 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
5) 2 Heal, 3 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
6) 2 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Jump, 1 Poison, CC Poison
Town Hall 9
+Golems: 2
+Wizards: 15
+Valkyries: 10
+Wall Breakers: 10
+Clan Castle: Golem
+Spells:
1) 2 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
2) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
3) 1 Heal, 2 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
4) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 1 Jump, 1 Poison, CC Poison
Town Hall 8
+Golems: 2
+Wizards: 15
+Valkyries: 8
+Wall Breakers: 10
+Clan Castle: [3 Valkyries, 1 Barbarian] or [2 Witches, 1 Barbarian]
+Spells:
1) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
2) 1 Heal, 1 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
3) 1 Heal, 2 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
The Attack Strategy
1) Drop Earthquakes and/or Draw out Clan Troops
-use your earthquakes to open up the base
-make sure to open up the core as your primary target
-use wall breakers on the outside if you need to
-if possible, quake open from the core to the outer walls of the base
Town Hall 10
+Golems: 2
+Wizards: 15
+Valkyries: 13-15
+Wall Breakers: 8
+Clan Castle: Golem, Giant
--->If you are using earthquake spells, use 15 valkyries.
--->If you aren't use 13 valkyries and 8 wall breakers
+Spells:
1) 2 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Freeze, 1 Poison, CC Poison
2) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 1 Freeze, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
3) 1 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Freeze, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
4) 3 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
5) 2 Heal, 3 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
6) 2 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Jump, 1 Poison, CC Poison
Town Hall 9
+Golems: 2
+Wizards: 15
+Valkyries: 10
+Wall Breakers: 10
+Clan Castle: Golem
+Spells:
1) 2 Heal, 2 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
2) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
3) 1 Heal, 2 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
4) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 1 Jump, 1 Poison, CC Poison
Town Hall 8
+Golems: 2
+Wizards: 15
+Valkyries: 8
+Wall Breakers: 10
+Clan Castle: [3 Valkyries, 1 Barbarian] or [2 Witches, 1 Barbarian]
+Spells:
1) 2 Heal, 1 Rage, 1 Poison, CC Poison
2) 1 Heal, 1 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
3) 1 Heal, 2 Rage, 3 Earthquake, CC Earthquake
The Attack Strategy
1) Drop Earthquakes and/or Draw out Clan Troops
-use your earthquakes to open up the base
-make sure to open up the core as your primary target
-use wall breakers on the outside if you need to
-if possible, quake open from the core to the outer walls of the base
2) Drop the Golems
-drop them far enough apart to draw fire from every turret in range
-make sure the golems have a pretty direct path of defenses that will lead them across the base
-DO NOT drop the golems too close together
-drop them far enough apart to draw fire from every turret in range
-make sure the golems have a pretty direct path of defenses that will lead them across the base
-DO NOT drop the golems too close together
3) Clear the path
-if not using quakes, use wall breakers to open up the walls
-it's also common that your quakes don't reach all the way outside from the core, just use wall breakers to bust into the now wide open inner part of the base.
-make sure to drop them one at a time. Never hold down your finger
-be cautious of mortars! wait until the mortar shell hits and then quickly drop 2-3 wall breakers at the back of each golem
-if your initial wall breakers don't bust open the outer wall, drop more IMMEDIATELY! Your attack is paramount to those golems breaking the wall
-as a general rule of thumb for all attacks using golems--the better your golems move through a base, the higher the success rate of your attack will be. Same for giants
-try to save wall breakers for inner walls if at all possible
4) Send in the cavalry
-wizards should be deployed in two waves
--->wave #1: drop about 1/3 of your wizards (behind golems) to destroy outer buildings.
-these are funneling wizards to direct your valkyries
-they will will spread out and destroy other nearby outer buildings
-if not using quakes, use wall breakers to open up the walls
-it's also common that your quakes don't reach all the way outside from the core, just use wall breakers to bust into the now wide open inner part of the base.
-make sure to drop them one at a time. Never hold down your finger
-be cautious of mortars! wait until the mortar shell hits and then quickly drop 2-3 wall breakers at the back of each golem
-if your initial wall breakers don't bust open the outer wall, drop more IMMEDIATELY! Your attack is paramount to those golems breaking the wall
-as a general rule of thumb for all attacks using golems--the better your golems move through a base, the higher the success rate of your attack will be. Same for giants
-try to save wall breakers for inner walls if at all possible
4) Send in the cavalry
-wizards should be deployed in two waves
--->wave #1: drop about 1/3 of your wizards (behind golems) to destroy outer buildings.
-these are funneling wizards to direct your valkyries
-they will will spread out and destroy other nearby outer buildings
--->wave #2: drop the rest of your wizards in the same place as wave #1.
-if done correctly, these wizards will now target inner layer buildings and quickly catch up to and follow the golems
-drop any remaining wizards with your heroes
-if done correctly, these wizards will now target inner layer buildings and quickly catch up to and follow the golems
-drop any remaining wizards with your heroes
5) Release the Valkyries!
-at this point, the wizards should've taken out the outer defenses
-you should be about one more layer away from the core
-drop your valkyries one at a time with quick tapping
-this is to ensure the valkyries go right for the center
-note: you NEED your valkyries to attack the core. this is crucial
-if your first valkyrie doesn't go inside the base, adjust so that the next one does!
-at this point, the wizards should've taken out the outer defenses
-you should be about one more layer away from the core
-drop your valkyries one at a time with quick tapping
-this is to ensure the valkyries go right for the center
-note: you NEED your valkyries to attack the core. this is crucial
-if your first valkyrie doesn't go inside the base, adjust so that the next one does!
6) Heroes
-closely follow up your valkyries with your heroes
-make sure to drop your barb king first so he is targeted first
-wait a few second, then drop your archer queen
-just like the valkyries, your heroes should target inside the base
-closely follow up your valkyries with your heroes
-make sure to drop your barb king first so he is targeted first
-wait a few second, then drop your archer queen
-just like the valkyries, your heroes should target inside the base
7) Drop the RAGE!
-the rage should be used to kill clan castle troops and enemy heroes
-the spell should be mostly inside the outer wall to increase effectiveness
-make sure to lead your troops with the rage
-the rage should stretch from just inside the outer wall all the way the core
-drop the spell where your troops WILL BE, not where they are currently
-the more rage you can put in the core, the better
-the rage should be used to kill clan castle troops and enemy heroes
-the spell should be mostly inside the outer wall to increase effectiveness
-make sure to lead your troops with the rage
-the rage should stretch from just inside the outer wall all the way the core
-drop the spell where your troops WILL BE, not where they are currently
-the more rage you can put in the core, the better
8) In the Core
-Once your valkyries are in the core, drop a heal spell
-your heal spell should cover the whole core, if possible
-if you cover the whole core, you won't miss your troops
-if attacking infernos, this is when you would use them
--->remember to do what you can to target infernos quickly
--->use a rage against them if you need to
-Once your valkyries are in the core, drop a heal spell
-your heal spell should cover the whole core, if possible
-if you cover the whole core, you won't miss your troops
-if attacking infernos, this is when you would use them
--->remember to do what you can to target infernos quickly
--->use a rage against them if you need to
-the valkyries should have caught the tail end of that rage and are now attacking either the buildings just outside the core of the base, or the actual walls to get to the core
-it's important to get this rage spell as close to the Town Hall as possible and just enough on the troops to help them bust through the wall
-if everything has gone to plan up until now you should have anywhere from 40-60%
-it's important to get this rage spell as close to the Town Hall as possible and just enough on the troops to help them bust through the wall
-if everything has gone to plan up until now you should have anywhere from 40-60%
8) Leaving the Core
-after the town hall is taken out, consider using your remaining heal or rage spell
-make sure to wait until your troops choose a direction before dropping your next spell
-if you drop your spell too early, you risk missing your troops altogether if they change direction
-use spells sooner rather than later
-remember, more troops enraged means faster destruction which keeps more troops alive for longer
-if you can save your hero abilities
-after the town hall is taken out, consider using your remaining heal or rage spell
-make sure to wait until your troops choose a direction before dropping your next spell
-if you drop your spell too early, you risk missing your troops altogether if they change direction
-use spells sooner rather than later
-remember, more troops enraged means faster destruction which keeps more troops alive for longer
-if you can save your hero abilities
9) Ending the Attack
-At this point you just gotta rely on proper execution to let your troops clean up
-save your hero abilities for the "critical point"
--->meaning you're almost out of troops and they're all attacking a storage or wall, etc.
--->using your hero abilities, one or both, will push through this critical point
-At this point you just gotta rely on proper execution to let your troops clean up
-save your hero abilities for the "critical point"
--->meaning you're almost out of troops and they're all attacking a storage or wall, etc.
--->using your hero abilities, one or both, will push through this critical point
I hope you guys like that article. I have been using it myself and have gotten great success. Along with costing less Dark Elixir than GoWiWi, it's also a very different from most types of attacks (valkyries are very unique) and if for no other reason it's a very fun attack to try out and even master. Just keep in mind, Supercell has been upgrading valkyries to get more people to use them so there's a high chance we'll see some more upgrades coming her way in the near future.
October 2016 Update: I totally called the upgrade guys. Now valkyries are undisputed the best attack at TH9, and one of the best options at TH10. Check out the GoWiVa Manifesto on the youtube channel for more in depth commentary on live attacks.
Stay spooky, skeletons
-J
October 2016 Update: I totally called the upgrade guys. Now valkyries are undisputed the best attack at TH9, and one of the best options at TH10. Check out the GoWiVa Manifesto on the youtube channel for more in depth commentary on live attacks.
Stay spooky, skeletons
-J