Complete TH13 upgrade priority guide for 2026. Root Rider lab first, heroes to 75, Scattershots and Eagle Artillery upgraded. The optimal TH13 upgrade path for war and CWL.
TH13 is the level where Root Riders and Super Witch Blizzard become available as war attack strategies. The most impactful upgrade path at TH13 focuses on unlocking these two attacks via lab upgrades while simultaneously pushing heroes to 75 and upgrading Scattershots to max level. Get the attack strategy working first -- then optimize defense second.
TH13 increases the hero cap to 75 for BK and AQ, 50 for the Grand Warden, and adds five new Royal Champion levels. Hero upgrades are always the highest DE priority at any TH level -- four heroes at 75/75/50/25 enables every top-tier attack strategy at TH13. The Royal Champion at 25 unlocks the Seeking Shield ability at full power. Warden at 50 ability duration is the benchmark for reliable Super Witch Blizzard execution. Farm DE aggressively between wars and keep four heroes upgrading in rotation.
TH13 lab priorities: Root Rider (new troop -- upgrade from level 1 immediately), Super Witch upgrade (Witch must already be level 5 from TH12), Yeti (enables Yeti Smash attacks), Skeleton Spell (critical for Blizzard). Root Rider at level 5 is the threshold where it can burrow through multiple wall layers without surfacing mid-burrow. Level 9 Root Riders carry TH13 war attacks at their peak. Parallel lab work on Golem and Hog Rider maintains GoHo backup attack capability while Root Rider upgrades are running.
Both Scattershots upgrade to max level (level 6 at TH13). Eagle Artillery to level 3 -- each level adds significant DPS. Three Infernos all on single mode at max level. These four defenses form the war base core at TH13. Air Defenses upgrade to level 10 at TH13 -- four ADs at max level maintain anti-air coverage against Dragon Rider attacks. Walls: upgrade to level 13. Full level 13 walls before moving to TH14 is the standard recommendation for competitive war players.
Browse TH13 base layouts at our TH13 base collection.
What lab upgrades matter most at TH13?
Root Rider first -- upgrade from level 1 the day you unlock it. Then Super Witch prereqs (Witch to 5 if not done at TH12), then Yeti. These unlock the three dominant TH13 war attacks.
How high should all four heroes be at TH13?
Target 75/75/50/25 (BK/AQ/GW/RC). Warden at 50 is the threshold for reliable Blizzard execution. RC at 25 unlocks full Seeking Shield ability power.
Should I upgrade Scattershots or defenses first at TH13?
Scattershots first -- they gain the most DPS per level upgrade at TH13. Eagle Artillery second. Three Infernos stay on single mode and benefit from leveling in parallel with Scattershots.
Is it worth staying at TH13 to max before moving to TH14?
Get heroes to 75 and Root Riders to at least level 5 before moving. Full max TH13 takes 8 to 12 months -- most competitive war players move to TH14 at the 4 to 5 month mark with heroes at 60+ and key defenses at max.
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