Best TH9 Anti-Air Base 2026 -- Stop Mass Dragon and LaLoon

At TH9, the dominant air attacks are Mass Dragon and LaLoon (Lava Hounds plus Balloons). Both attacks can three-star a poorly designed base effortlessly, but they have exploitable weaknesses. Mass Dragon dies to spread Air Defenses and Air Sweepers; LaLoon collapses when the Lava Hound takes too much damage before Balloons can funnel safely. An anti-air base at TH9 addresses both attack types with two Air Defenses in a triangle and Air Sweeper placement that maximizes pushback on Lava Hound entry.

Triangle Air Defense Spread

Both Air Defenses at TH9 should be spread as far apart as possible while staying inside the inner compartment ring. A triangle formation with the two ADs and the Town Hall at the three vertices of a roughly equilateral triangle ensures that no single Lightning Spell pair can eliminate both ADs simultaneously. Dragons that try to funnel through one side of the base face one AD immediately; reaching the second AD requires crossing the full base width under continuous fire. Mass Dragon attacks that cluster on one side of the base hit maximum AD damage before reaching the Town Hall.

Air Sweeper Placement Against Lava Hound

The Air Sweeper pushes air troops back, slowing their advance and reducing the damage Balloons can deal to your Air Defenses. LaLoon attacks deploy the Lava Hound directly at the Air Defense they intend to tank -- the Hound absorbs AD fire while Balloons funnel behind it. Place your Air Sweeper facing the most open approach direction to your most exposed AD. The Sweeper pushes the Lava Hound back before it reaches the AD, breaking the Balloon funnel and causing Balloons to spread into Air Mine range.

Seeking Air Mines and Air Bombs

Seeking Air Mines deal high burst damage to the Lava Hound and large Balloons at TH9. Place two Seeking Air Mines directly adjacent to each Air Defense so they trigger the moment a Lava Hound approaches. Air Bombs placed between the outer ring and the first AD serve as a Balloon swarm defense -- Balloons spreading after the Lava Hound pop trigger Air Bombs and take significant damage before reaching their target defenses.

Find TH9 anti-air layouts at our TH9 war base collection.