TH13 Root Rider Attack Guide 2026 -- Burrowing Strategy and Execution

Root Riders are the defining attack troop at TH13. Their ability to burrow underground and bypass all walls makes compartment-heavy anti-ground bases significantly less effective -- a base that took months to build with ten compartments can be tunneled through by a well-deployed Root Rider stack in 60 seconds. TH13 Root Rider attacks combine a Queen Charge entry on one side with Root Riders burrowing from the other, forcing the defending base to face threats from two independent angles simultaneously.

Army Composition and Spells

Standard TH13 Root Rider hybrid (300 housing): 4 Healers (28), 14 to 16 Root Riders (56 to 64 housing -- super boost), 2 Super Witches (16), 2 Golems (60), Wall Breakers (6), filler Archers. Spells: 1 Rage (Queen Charge), 2 Rage (Root Rider wave), 2 Freeze (Infernos / Scattershots), 1 Earthquake. Clan Castle: Super Witch or Inferno Dragon. Royal Champion is deployed on the Root Rider side to assist in Scattershot or Eagle Artillery removal adjacent to the Root Rider burrowing corridor.

Step-by-Step Execution

Step 1 -- Pre-attack scout: Identify the primary burrowing corridor -- the most direct straight line from the base edge to the Town Hall. This is where Root Riders will naturally burrow. Confirm there are no double Giant Bomb clusters at 50 to 60% of this corridor (the most common Root Rider trap location). Step 2 -- Queen Charge opposite side: Deploy AQ + 4 Healers on the side opposite your planned Root Rider entry. This draws defensive fire to the opposite side. Step 3 -- Root Rider deployment: While the Queen Charge is drawing fire, deploy all Root Riders in a concentrated line at the primary burrowing entry point. Root Riders burrow immediately. Step 4 -- Royal Champion support: Deploy RC from the Root Rider side targeting wall-adjacent defenses (Scattershots, Eagle Artillery) near the burrowing corridor. She runs along the outside while Root Riders burrow inside. Step 5 -- Golem ground cover: Deploy Golems behind the Root Rider entry point as a surface-level tank line for outer defenses Root Riders bypass. Step 6 -- Rage on Root Riders: When Root Riders surface inside the second ring (typically mid-base), drop Rage on their cluster. Step 7 -- Freeze on Infernos or Scattershots that engage the Root Rider cluster after surfacing.

Giant Bomb Counter and Scouting

Double Giant Bomb clusters at 50 to 60% burrowing corridor depth are the primary Root Rider counter. Send one Root Rider ahead of the main group along the primary burrowing corridor as a scout. If the scout triggers a double Giant Bomb and survives, you have identified the trap location. If the scout dies instantly, adjust the main Root Rider deployment angle slightly to take a different corridor that avoids the confirmed cluster.

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