Complete TH16 upgrade priority guide for 2026. Ricochet Cannon and Multi-Archer Tower built immediately, heroes to 100, max Monolith. The optimal TH16 upgrade path for war.
TH16 adds two new defenses -- the Ricochet Cannon and Multi-Archer Tower -- and pushes hero caps to 100 for BK and AQ. Both new defenses should be built immediately and are top-priority upgrades because they represent the highest DPS additions to your base since the Monolith. Heroes to 100 is a long journey -- budget 10 to 12 months of DE farming to complete both BK and AQ at this level.
Build the Ricochet Cannon and Multi-Archer Tower the day you reach TH16. Both start at level 1 and are immediately competitive with upgraded existing defenses. The Ricochet Cannon in the primary approach corridor and Multi-Archer Tower centrally placed are the standard placements for war base optimization. Upgrade Ricochet Cannon to level 5 and Multi-Archer Tower to level 5 within the first two months -- each level provides significant DPS increases that translate directly to better war defense outcomes.
BK and AQ cap at 100 at TH16, Warden at 75, RC at 50. Forty additional levels of hero upgrades (from TH15 max) require continuous DE investment. Farm DE raids between every war. The Monolith from TH15 continues upgrading to its TH16 max level -- max Monolith at TH16 eliminates Dragon Riders in three ticks and Root Riders before they can surface mid-burrow. The combination of max Monolith and max Ricochet Cannon on approach corridors creates the defensive backbone of a top-tier TH16 war base.
Lab priorities at TH16: Root Rider continues to TH16 max (faster burrowing, higher HP), Super Witch continues to max, Rocket Balloon (new troop at higher TH levels -- upgrade for versatility). Both Scattershots upgrade to level 9 at TH16. Three Infernos maintain single mode at TH16 max level. Walls upgrade to level 16 as filler -- the standard is full level 16 walls before considering TH17.
Find TH16 base layouts at our TH16 base collection.
What should I build first at TH16?
Ricochet Cannon and Multi-Archer Tower immediately -- both on Day 1. Then start leveling both toward level 5. These are the highest-priority TH16 defensive additions alongside continuing Monolith upgrades.
How long does it take to reach level 100 heroes at TH16?
From level 90 (TH15 max): roughly 10 to 12 months with Gold Pass and daily DE farming. Ten levels per hero across four heroes is a significant time investment.
Should I upgrade Ricochet Cannon or Multi-Archer Tower first?
Ricochet Cannon first. Its chain damage on clustered troops in approach corridors is more directly impactful for war defense than Multi-Archer Tower multi-target fire, especially against Root Rider and Super Witch attack combinations.
What lab upgrades matter at TH16?
Root Rider to TH16 max (burrowing speed improvements are significant at higher levels) and Super Witch to max (Skeleton count per Witch increases). These maintain the two dominant TH16 war attack strategies.
Ready to find your base?
Browse community-tested layouts with one-click copy links.
Best TH9 War Bases 2026 -- Anti 3 Star Layouts
Top TH9 war base layouts for 2026. What makes a strong Town Hall 9 defense, which attacks dominate at this level, and where to find the best anti-3-star layouts for clan wars.
Best TH9 CWL Bases 2026 -- Clan War League Layouts
TH9 CWL base layouts for 2026 Clan War League. What makes a TH9 base CWL-ready and how to find layouts that hold experienced attackers to 2 stars in competitive league play.