Clash of Clans: All Dark Elixir Troops

Dark Elixir Troops bring some of the most powerful and game-changing strategies in Clash of Clans. Unlike regular Elixir Troops, these units are fueled by Dark Elixir, giving them unique strengths and abilities that can completely shift the outcome of battles. They become available once you unlock the Dark Barracks at Town Hall 7, opening the door to a whole new layer of strategic gameplay. From fast and fragile swarms like Minions to durable tanks like Golems and Ice Golems, each Dark Elixir Troop serves a specific purpose. Others, such as the Witch or Headhunter, provide support mechanics that add variety and depth to your attacks. Whether you want raw power, speed, or tactical versatility, mastering these troops is essential for success. In this guide, we’ll break down every Dark Elixir Troop in Clash of Clans and highlight what makes each one so important on the battlefield.

#12: Druid

Unlocked at Dark Barracks level 11, the Druid is one of the most versatile troops in Clash of Clans thanks to his dual-form ability. He enters the battlefield in human form, casting bouncing healing projectiles that restore health to both ground and air allies, making him an excellent support unit in the early stages of an attack. After about 25 seconds—or when his health depletes—he transforms into his Bear form, shifting roles into a heavy-hitting tank that goes straight for defenses. This transformation allows him to adapt mid-battle, first sustaining your army and then leading the charge with raw strength. Because of this unique mechanic, timing his placement can make the difference between a failed push and a successful three-star raid.

#11: Furnace

The Furnace is unlocked at Dark Barracks level 10 and brings a fiery twist to your army. This troop lumbers onto the battlefield carrying a blazing forge, slowly chipping away at enemy buildings while leaving behind pools of fire that deal damage over time. While its movement and attack speed are slow, the Furnace’s burning effect makes it dangerous against clustered defenses and tightly packed bases. Its durability allows it to soak up hits while continuously spreading flames, softening up structures for your other troops to finish. The Furnace works best when paired with faster, high-damage units that can capitalize on the burning ground it leaves behind.

#10: Headhunter

Unlocked at Dark Barracks level 9, the Headhunter is a specialized assassin designed to counter enemy Heroes. Unlike most troops, she prioritizes Heroes first, dealing bonus damage to them while also applying a slowing poison effect that reduces their attack speed and movement. Though her health is low, her ability to quickly take down enemy Heroes makes her an essential support unit in higher-level strategies. She can also attack both ground and air targets, giving her added versatility. Best used behind tanks or in carefully timed deployments, the Headhunter is a game-changer when you need to neutralize strong defensive Heroes early in a raid.

#9: Apprentice Warden

The Apprentice Warden is unlocked at Dark Barracks level 9 and serves as a lighter version of the Grand Warden. Unlike his elder counterpart, he doesn’t provide massive buffs but instead supports your army with a smaller aura that boosts nearby troops’ hitpoints. Armed with a magical staff, he deals ranged damage while staying behind the main frontline. His real value lies in his support role, keeping your troops alive longer during tough pushes. While not as strong as the Grand Warden, the Apprentice Warden is a cost-effective option for mid-level strategies where you want both damage and a bit of extra survivability for your army.

#8: Bowler

Unlocked at Dark Barracks level 7, the Bowler is a heavy-hitting troop that attacks by hurling massive boulders which roll through multiple buildings in a straight line. This unique mechanic allows him to damage two structures at once, making him one of the most efficient splash attackers for ground strategies. Bowlers shine when paired with tanks like Golems or Ice Golems that soak up damage, allowing them to stay alive long enough to deal consistent destruction. They are often used in “Bowler-Witch” armies or combined with Healers to keep them moving through a base. However, their medium hitpoints make them vulnerable if left unprotected, so careful funneling and spell support are key to maximizing their power.

#7: Ice Golem

The Ice Golem is unlocked at Dark Barracks level 8 and is a strong defensive-style tank that plays a crucial role in freezing enemy defenses. While his damage output is low, his true strength lies in his ability to soak up massive amounts of hits and then explode on death, freezing everything in range for several seconds. This death-freeze effect can shut down powerful defenses like Inferno Towers or X-Bows, buying time for supporting troops to clean up. Ice Golems are often used alongside ground pushes with Witches, Bowlers, or Pekkas, acting as shields while freezing defenses to keep the main damage dealers alive. However, they move slowly, so timing their deployment is key to getting the most out of their utility.

#6: Witch

Unlocked at Dark Barracks level 5, the Witch is a ranged unit best known for summoning endless waves of Skeletons to fight at her side. These Skeletons act as distractions, soaking up damage while your main army pushes forward. In addition to her summoning ability, the Witch attacks from a distance with dark magic, adding steady DPS to your raids. When supported by Healers or tanky troops like Golems, she can overwhelm defenses in strategies such as Witch Slap or mass Witch armies. However, splash-damage defenses like Mortars and Wizard Towers are her biggest weakness, as they can wipe out Skeleton swarms quickly. Despite this, her ability to spawn troops continuously makes her one of the most valuable and versatile Dark Elixir units in Clash of Clans.

#5: Hog Rider

The Hog Rider, unlocked at Dark Barracks level 2, is one of the most recognizable Dark Elixir troops in Clash of Clans. Riding his massive hog, he can leap over Walls with ease, ignoring one of the biggest obstacles most ground troops face. His main focus is on defenses, making him perfect for surgical strikes and quick base takedowns. With high speed and decent health, Hog Riders can devastate defenses when paired with Healing Spells to keep them alive against splash damage. Their biggest threats are Giant Bombs and Bomb Towers, which can quickly eliminate groups if not countered properly. Known for their flexibility and efficiency, Hog Riders are a staple in many popular attack strategies, especially the Hog Rider + Healing Spell combo.

#4: Golem

The Golem, available at Dark Barracks level 4, is one of the strongest tanks in Clash of Clans. With an enormous health pool and low attack power, his main role is to soak up defensive fire while your damage-dealing troops safely destroy buildings behind him. When defeated, the Golem splits into smaller Golemites, which continue to fight and absorb hits, making him valuable even after being taken down. Since he targets defenses first, he is especially effective at shielding Wizards, Bowlers, and Witches, who can unleash heavy damage under his protection. Though slow and costly, the Golem remains a cornerstone of ground-based attack strategies for his unmatched durability.

#3: Valkyrie

The Valkyrie, unlocked at Dark Barracks level 3, is a fierce melee fighter known for her spinning axe attack that deals splash damage to all nearby targets. With her high damage output and ability to strike multiple buildings or troops at once, she thrives when funneled into the core of a base where structures are tightly packed. Valkyries are especially effective in groups, tearing through clustered defenses and enemy troops with ease. However, when deployed alone or poorly supported, they can be vulnerable due to their reliance on their spin attack. Paired with Rage or Heal spells, Valkyries become devastating forces capable of wiping out bases in seconds.

#2: Lava Hound

Unlocked at Dark Barracks level 6, the Lava Hound is a flying tank designed to shield your air units. With extremely high hitpoints but very low damage, its role is to soak up fire from Air Defenses while Balloons, Minions, or Dragons deal the real destruction. When the Lava Hound is defeated, it bursts into several smaller Lava Pups that continue to attack nearby targets, adding chip damage and distraction value. Though expensive in Dark Elixir, Lava Hounds are essential in popular air strategies like LavaLoon, where their ability to absorb punishment allows the rest of the army to thrive. Their only downside is their reliance on support troops, as they cannot deal much damage on their own.

#1: Minion

The Minion is the very first Dark Elixir troop you unlock once the Dark Barracks are built, making it a key entry point into the Dark Elixir army lineup. These small, winged demons are fast, cheap to train, and surprisingly effective when deployed in large numbers. Despite having low hitpoints, Minions deal steady damage and excel at cleaning up leftover buildings after tanks like Lava Hounds or Golems absorb the heavy fire.

They are immune to Seeking Air Mines, which gives them an advantage over other flying units, but splash damage from Wizard Towers or Air Bombs can take them out quickly. Because of their speed and ability to avoid ground defenses, Minions are often included in air-heavy attack strategies like “LavaLoonion,” where they serve as the perfect cleanup crew to secure the last few stars.

Conclusion

Dark Elixir troops in Clash of Clans bring some of the most exciting and game-changing strategies to the battlefield. From low-cost swarms like Minions to heavy tanks like the Golem or hybrid units such as the Druid, each troop adds its own unique strengths and challenges. Learning how and when to use them can completely transform your attacks, whether you’re pushing trophies, farming resources, or competing in wars. By mastering these specialized troops, you’ll not only diversify your strategies but also gain a major edge over opponents who rely only on regular Elixir armies. If you want to climb higher and dominate in Clash, understanding Dark Elixir troops is the key to unlocking your full attacking potential.