Pairing the massive hitpoints of the Lava Hound with the devastating burst damage of the Balloon creates an aerial synergy that has dominated the competitive meta for years.
This guide dissects the mechanics, timing, and defensive sacrifices required to master the ultimate air attack.
The core execution of the LavaLoon strategy is deceptively simple: you deploy the Lava Hound in the back corner of the arena to absorb all incoming anti-air fire.
Furthermore, when the Lava Hound finally dies, it 'pops' into a swarm of six fiery Lava Pups.
You must rely entirely on cheap 'distraction' units, like the Tombstone or Guards, to kite and stall enemy ground threats.
While the enemy is busy fighting the skeletons spawned by the Tombstone, your Mega Minion can safely kill them from the air.
| The Game Plan | What to Do | The Danger |
|---|---|---|
| Single Elixir (First 2 Mins) | Play Tombstone defensively, use Mega Minion to defend, only play Lava Hound if you have a massive elixir advantage | Playing the Hound first, instantly losing the opposite tower to a fast rush, and having no elixir to support the Hound |
| Double Elixir (Final Minute) | Drop the Hound in the back, support it with Balloon and spells, completely ignore minor damage to your own towers | Panicking and using your Lightning spell defensively instead of saving it to destroy their anti-air |
When you perfectly execute the combo and watch the opponent's anti-air defenses completely fail, you will understand the true power of the archetype.
The air belongs to the Hound.
