The Great Barracks Purge: Understanding the Building Removal in Clash of Clans

In the ever-evolving world of Clash of Clans, Supercell occasionally makes significant changes to the core gameplay. One of the most impactful decisions was the removal of extra Barracks and Dark Barracks. This meant players were reduced to having only one Barracks and one Dark Barracks, impacting troop training strategies and base design considerations. This article delves into the reasons behind this change and explores its ramifications on the Clash of Clans experience.

Why the Barracks Reduction?

The primary reason for removing the extra Barracks was to streamline the game and free up building slots. As Town Halls progressed, the sheer number of buildings was approaching a point where it limited future content updates. At Town Hall 14, villages could have a maximum of 100 buildings. To ensure Supercell could introduce new defenses, offensive structures, or resource collectors at Town Hall 15 and beyond without exceeding this limit, some pruning was necessary.

Specifically, the extra Barracks and Dark Barracks occupied four valuable building slots. Removing them freed up these spaces, allowing for greater flexibility in future updates. This change aligned with Supercell’s vision of continuously evolving the game while maintaining balance and strategic depth. The article you provided confirms this, stating, “As it currently stands, Town Hall 14 features 100 maximum buildings. Assuming Supercell wants to stay at this number for Town Hall 15, removing the extra Barracks and Dark Barracks will free up four building slots.”

How Did the Removal Work?

When the update went live, players who had multiple Barracks and Dark Barracks were affected in a specific way:

• Highest Level Kept: The game automatically retained the highest-level Barracks and highest-level Dark Barracks. This ensured players didn’t lose their progress on troop training speed.
• Under Construction Priority: If all the highest-level Barracks (or Dark Barracks) were under construction, the game kept the one with the shortest remaining upgrade time.
• No Resource Refund: Players did not receive any resource refunds for the Barracks or Dark Barracks that were removed. This sparked some controversy among the player base, but Supercell maintained that the overall benefits of the update outweighed this cost.

Impact on Gameplay

The removal of extra Barracks had several significant impacts on Clash of Clans gameplay:

• Troop Training Strategies: Players had to adapt their troop training strategies. With fewer Barracks, the emphasis shifted towards maximizing boost efficiency and using training potions effectively. The introduction of zero training costs helped mitigate the impact of fewer Barracks but players need to carefully manage their army compositions and training queues.
• Base Design: The removal of Barracks allowed players to redesign their bases, incorporating new defenses or strategically placing existing buildings. It provided an opportunity to optimize layouts for both offense and defense.
• Reduced Complexity: For newer players, having fewer buildings to manage simplified the game. It reduced the initial learning curve and made the game more accessible.

FAQs: The Barracks Removal and Its Aftermath

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity and insight into the Barracks removal in Clash of Clans:

1. Why did Supercell choose to remove Barracks instead of other buildings? Supercell likely chose Barracks because they were considered redundant once players reached higher Town Hall levels. Having multiple Barracks offered diminishing returns compared to investing in new defenses or resource buildings.

2. Did this change affect the balance of the game? Initially, there were concerns that it would negatively impact offensive strategies. However, the concurrent removal of training costs helped to maintain balance, encouraging players to experiment with different army compositions.

3. What strategies can players use to compensate for the reduced Barracks? Boosts (using gems or training potions) become even more crucial. Optimizing training queues, using quick training features, and coordinating attacks with clanmates are also helpful strategies.

4. Did the community react positively to this change? The reaction was mixed. Some players appreciated the simplified gameplay and the new building slots. Others were frustrated by the loss of flexibility in troop training and the lack of resource refunds.

5. Has Supercell considered reverting this change? There’s been no indication that Supercell plans to revert this change. They seem committed to the current building limits and the strategic adjustments players have made.

6. How does this affect new players joining Clash of Clans? It simplifies the early game experience, reducing the number of buildings that new players need to understand and manage.

7. Does the single Barracks and Dark Barracks train troops faster now? No, the individual training speed of the remaining Barracks and Dark Barracks wasn’t increased to compensate. The total training time is effectively the same, just condensed into fewer buildings.

8. Are there any future plans to add more Barracks-like buildings with different functions? Supercell hasn’t announced any plans to add more Barracks-like buildings. Their focus seems to be on introducing entirely new structures with unique mechanics.

9. How has this change impacted clan wars? The need for efficient troop training strategies became even more important in clan wars. Players need to plan their attacks carefully and coordinate with their clanmates to maximize their offensive potential.

10. Did the removal of training cost play a major role in players adapting to the Barracks Removal? Yes, it reduced the burden of experimenting with different troop combinations, which somewhat made the training time less of a concern.

11. Are heroes the most important offensive buildings to upgrade due to the removal of the barracks? Upgrading heroes certainly became even more important, as they offer significant offensive power and can compensate for slightly longer troop training times.

12. Are there any long-term strategic implications of this change? This change demonstrates Supercell’s commitment to long-term game design and their willingness to make significant adjustments to maintain balance and strategic depth. The game is always being worked on and is constantly being updated and improved.

13. How do training potions influence troop production now? Training potions became essential tools for boosting troop production speed, effectively multiplying the output of the single barracks and dark barracks. Players who strategically use training potions can maintain a steady flow of troops despite the reduction in the number of barracks.

14. Has the removal of Barracks affected the overall engagement of players with Clash of Clans? The impact on player engagement is difficult to quantify precisely. While some players initially expressed frustration, many adapted to the changes and continued to enjoy the game. The continuous stream of updates and events also helped keep players engaged.

15. Is there a Games Learning Society website where I can learn more about the game design concepts behind changes like this? Yes! To delve deeper into the fascinating world of game design and understand the strategic decisions behind changes like the Barracks removal, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org. Here, you can explore articles, research, and discussions about how games are designed to engage, challenge, and educate players.

The Verdict

The removal of extra Barracks from Clash of Clans was a significant change that aimed to streamline the game and pave the way for future content updates. While it sparked some debate within the community, players have largely adapted to the new reality, optimizing their troop training strategies and redesigning their bases. The change underscores Supercell’s commitment to continuously evolving the game while maintaining balance and strategic depth.