th9upgrade-guide
TH9 Upgrade Order 2026 -- What to Upgrade First at Town Hall 9
Complete TH9 upgrade priority guide for 2026. Heroes first, then X-Bows and Air Defenses, then lab troops. Maximize war performance and farming efficiency at Town Hall 9.
TH9 is the first major progression checkpoint in Clash of Clans. Two heroes to max, two X-Bows unlocked, and a fully upgraded laboratory full of war troops -- getting the upgrade order right here determines whether you contribute in wars or get three-starred by TH8 attackers. Follow this priority order and you will be fully competitive within four to six months of reaching TH9.
Priority 1: Archer Queen and Barbarian King
Heroes are the single highest-priority upgrade at TH9. Target Barbarian King level 30 and Archer Queen level 30 before focusing on any other major upgrade. The Archer Queen at TH9 enables Queen Walk -- the setup attack that powers GoHo, LaLoon, and hybrid strategies. A level 25 to 30 Archer Queen with four Healers can strip an entire side of most TH9 bases, creating a clean deployment lane for your main army. Heroes regenerate between attacks and never die permanently -- they are the best investment per Dark Elixir spent at this level. Farm DE raids daily and funnel DE into hero levels exclusively until both heroes hit 30.
Priority 2: X-Bows and Air Defenses
After heroes, X-Bows (both to max level 4) and Air Defenses (both to max level 7) are the next priority. X-Bows on ground mode stop GoWiPe and GoHo attacks that otherwise three-star underdeveloped TH9 bases in war. Air Defenses at max level counter Mass Dragon attacks -- without max ADs, Dragon attacks will three-star your base regardless of layout. Upgrade both X-Bows and both Air Defenses in parallel with hero upgrades whenever you have builder availability.
Priority 3: Laboratory -- Hog Riders, Dragons, and Lava Hounds
Lab upgrades run continuously alongside hero and defense upgrades. Priority lab order at TH9: Hog Riders (enables GoHo attacks), Dragons (enables Mass Dragon and LaLoon), Lava Hound (enables LaLoon), Balloons (directly improves LaLoon), Witches (improves GoWitch). Barbarian King ability upgrades (Iron Fist) come from the Dark Elixir lab -- prioritize these alongside wall upgrades. Walls: upgrade to level 9 (pink) as a secondary filler project using Gold when heroes and other upgrades are running.
Find the right base for your TH9 progress at our TH9 base collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I upgrade first when I reach TH9?
Archer Queen immediately -- she is the most impactful new unit at TH9. Then Barbarian King to 30, while simultaneously upgrading X-Bows and Air Defenses with spare builders.
Should I rush to TH10 or max TH9 first?
Get heroes to at least level 20 and key defenses (X-Bows, Air Defenses) upgraded before moving to TH10. A rushed TH10 with level 5 heroes contributes less in war than a solid TH9 with level 25+ heroes.
Which lab upgrades matter most at TH9?
Hog Riders first (enables GoHo war attacks), then Dragons (Mass Dragon and LaLoon), then Lava Hound (completes LaLoon). These three lab priorities unlock the top three war attacks at TH9.
How long does it realistically take to max TH9?
With active farming and Gold Pass: 4 to 6 months. Without Gold Pass: 7 to 10 months. Hero upgrades are the longest commitment -- budget 6 to 8 weeks for each hero to reach level 30 from level 1.
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