Clash of Clans’ latest balance changes hand the Root Rider its greatest nerfs ever, effectively removing its status as the dominant troop, a title it has held since its release.
The Root Rider has long been a solution and an issue for late-game Clash of Clans players. While it seemed like an easy fix for attack strategy when you’re Town Hall 15 and above, many players still can’t make a viable defense against it.
Supercell has long been trying to balance out the immense power of the troop, which has received two major nerfs since its release in December 2023. But these power deductions have never been enough, as the Root Rider continued to enjoy nearly an 80% pick rating in some seasons.
However, things are about to change in the higher-ranked tiers of Clash of Clans, as the June 2024 balance changes bring what could be the worst blow of nerfs for the Root Rider – which cuts its DPS in half. You may refer to the table below for the exact balance changes for the Root Rider:
| Root Rider Level | Former DPS | New DPS |
| Level 1 | 190 | 95 |
| Level 2 | 210 | 105 |
| Level 3 | 230 | 115 |
While these changes may seem absurd, many Clash of Clans players would say it’s necessary. The “meta” of the attack strategies for players with Townhalls 15 and above has long been an issue since the introduction of the Root Rider.
Aside from the Root Rider “mega nerfs,” some balancing adjustments include improving the damage of some defensive towers and units. Significant changes include buffs to the Bowler, a slight increase in DPS for early-level Hog Rider, and subtle buffs to the Valkyrie and Witch.
Regarding defensive tower changes, Supercell has decided to reduce the hitpoints of the Wizard Tower and nerf the damage of the Eagle Artillery and Inferno Tower (both in single-target and multi-target).
Meanwhile, The Archer Tower, Xbow, Cannon, and Weaponized Town Halls all get subtle damage nerfs.
Considering Clash of Clans’ growing Esports community, these changes may be geared to foster a more strategy-focused and usher in a new meta of unit combinations and attack formats to the game.
Some prominent Clash of Clans Esports figures notably voiced their concerns earlier this year about how “brain dead” and effortless attacking in official events had become since the power creep of some units.