TH9 Mass Dragon Attack Guide 2026 -- Lightning and Dragon Execution

Mass Dragon is the most beginner-friendly attack at TH9 that still performs at a competitive level. Ten Dragons with Lightning Spell pre-destruction of one Air Defense creates an air attack that three-stars most TH9 bases without requiring precise troop control. The only skill requirements are correct Air Defense targeting with Lightning Spells and proper Dragon funnel direction based on remaining AD positions.

Army Composition and Spells

Standard TH9 Mass Dragon (220 housing): 10 Dragons (200), 4 Balloons or Minions as filler (20). Spells: 3 Lightning Spells (to destroy one Air Defense -- requires all three on the same target), 1 Earthquake Spell (weakens one AD to make it destroyable by Lightning), 1 Rage Spell (for Dragon push mid-base). At TH9, two Lightning Spells plus one Earthquake Spell destroys one Air Defense. This is the mandatory opener. Clan Castle: Dragon (additional air tank and DPS). The Barbarian King and Archer Queen can participate as ground units after Dragons have cleared a side, but most Mass Dragon attacks win through air power alone.

Step-by-Step Execution

Step 1 -- Target the AD: Identify the Air Defense most isolated from the other AD and from the Air Sweeper. Drop 2 Lightning Spells and 1 Earthquake Spell on it to destroy it. Step 2 -- Funnel direction: Deploy Dragons toward the side of the base farthest from the remaining AD. Dragons target the nearest building, so deploying on the opposite side from the surviving AD forces them to fly through the base rather than along the edge. Step 3 -- Dragon deployment: Drop Dragons in a tight line along one base edge -- about 5 tiles apart. Tight lines create a wall of Dragons that covers the full width of the approach direction. Step 4 -- CC Dragon: Drop Clan Castle Dragon behind your main line to add a trailing tank. Step 5 -- Rage Spell: Drop Rage at the point where Dragons engage the inner ring defenses, typically when they are above the third or fourth layer of buildings. Step 6 -- Hero deployment: Deploy King and Queen on the edges to clean up any outside buildings that Dragons ignore.

Air Sweeper and Air Defense Priority

The Air Sweeper pushes Dragons back and slows their advance toward the surviving AD. Always check the Air Sweeper direction before choosing your approach angle. Attack from the direction opposite to where the Air Sweeper faces -- this means your Dragons approach from behind it and take no pushback. The surviving AD should be the last defense your Dragons reach, not the first.

Find TH9 war bases vulnerable to Mass Dragon at our TH9 war base collection.