Can I Use Archer Queen in War When Upgrading? The Definitive Answer

The short, sharp answer is: No, you cannot use your Archer Queen in war attacks or defenses when she is undergoing an upgrade. Once you initiate an upgrade for your Archer Queen (or any hero, for that matter), she becomes unavailable for both attacking in war and defending your war base. This is a core mechanic in Clash of Clans that impacts war strategy significantly. Managing hero upgrade schedules is crucial for successful war participation.

Why Hero Upgrades Impact War

The inability to use upgrading heroes in war is a design decision by Supercell to create a strategic balance between progress and war participation. It forces players to make choices: prioritize immediate progression by upgrading heroes constantly or strategically time upgrades to maximize war strength. This creates interesting decisions around resource management and clan strategy.

Understanding the Consequences

Knowing that your Archer Queen (or any hero) will be absent during an upgrade is crucial for war planning. Here’s a breakdown of the consequences:

• Offensive Absence: You cannot use the upgrading hero in your attack strategies. This means adjusting your army compositions and attack plans accordingly. Relying heavily on an Archer Queen for funneling or hero kills? You’ll need to adapt!
• Defensive Weakness: Your war base will be less formidable without the upgrading hero defending it. Opponents will likely target your base knowing it’s weaker, potentially leading to more stars conceded.
• Strategic Implications: Clans need to communicate and coordinate hero upgrade schedules. If too many key heroes are upgrading at once, the clan’s war power is significantly diminished.

Strategic Timing of Upgrades

The key to mitigating the impact of hero upgrades on war is strategic timing. Consider these factors:

• War Schedule: Upgrade heroes during the clan’s off-time from wars, if possible. If your clan wars back-to-back, this may require careful planning.
• Clan Activity: Gauge the general war activity of your clan. If only a few members are actively participating in wars, the impact of a missing hero might be less significant than if the entire clan relies on war for resources and progression.
• Hero Dependency: Evaluate how reliant your attack strategies are on a particular hero. Upgrading a less crucial hero might be preferable to upgrading the Archer Queen if she’s essential for your war attacks.
• Book of Heroes/Hammer of Heroes: Utilize Books of Heroes or Hammers of Heroes from Clan Games or events to instantly complete hero upgrades and avoid downtime. These are invaluable resources for serious war clans.

Alternative Strategies

Even with careful planning, hero upgrades will sometimes coincide with war. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Adjust Attack Strategies: Adapt your attack plans to compensate for the missing hero. Focus on strategies that rely less on hero power, such as mass dragon or GoWiPe variations.
• Request Specific Donations: Request specific troop donations from clanmates to fill the void left by the missing hero. Strong defensive troops in the Clan Castle can compensate for a weaker base.
• Communicate with Clanmates: Clearly communicate your hero upgrade status to your clan. This allows for better coordination and strategic planning.
• Consider Sitting Out: If your absence significantly weakens the clan, consider opting out of war until your hero is upgraded. This is a selfless act that prioritizes the clan’s overall success.
• Practice New Strategies: Use the absence of your primary heroes as an opportunity to experiment with different attack strategies and army compositions. You might discover a new favorite!

The Importance of Clan Communication

Effective communication is paramount when dealing with hero upgrades and war participation. Discuss upgrade schedules, potential impacts on war, and alternative strategies with your clanmates. A well-coordinated clan can overcome the challenges posed by hero upgrades and maintain a competitive edge. Learning effective communication is critical, as described by research done by the Games Learning Society and found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

FAQs: Archer Queen and War Upgrades

Here are some frequently asked questions about using the Archer Queen in war while she’s upgrading:

1. Can I use my Archer Queen in war attacks if she’s upgrading?

No. Once an upgrade is initiated, the hero becomes unavailable for both attack and defense in war.

2. Can I use a Book of Heroes to instantly finish an Archer Queen upgrade during war preparation day and then use her?

Yes! Using a Book of Heroes or Hammer of Heroes will instantly complete the upgrade, making your Archer Queen available for both preparation day and war day attacks and defense.

3. If I start an Archer Queen upgrade right before war day, will she be available for defense on war day?

No. The upgrade needs to be completed before war day begins for her to be available for defense. Starting the upgrade right before war day means she will be unavailable.

4. What happens if I forget my Archer Queen is upgrading and try to attack in war?

The game will prevent you from starting the attack. You’ll receive a notification that your hero is unavailable due to the upgrade.

5. Does the Archer Queen’s skin affect whether or not I can use her in war when upgrading?

No, the skin has no impact. If the Archer Queen is upgrading, regardless of the skin equipped, she is unavailable.

6. If I use a Power Potion, will it make my upgrading Archer Queen available for war?

No, Power Potions only boost the level of heroes that are already available. They do not bypass the upgrade unavailability.

7. Can I request an Archer Queen in my Clan Castle for war defense if my own is upgrading?

No. You cannot request an Archer Queen (or any hero) in your Clan Castle. Clan Castles can only hold troops.

8. If I upgrade my Archer Queen’s ability, does that put her out of commission for war?

No. Upgrading an ability does not make the Archer Queen unavailable for war. Only a hero level upgrade does that.

9. Is there any way to bypass the hero upgrade unavailability for war, other than using a Book of Heroes or Hammer of Heroes?

No. Those are the only two methods to instantly complete an upgrade and make the hero available.

10. If my Archer Queen is upgrading and I gem the remaining time, can I use her in war?

Yes, gemming the remaining time will instantly complete the upgrade, making her available. However, using a Book of Heroes or Hammer of Heroes is generally more resource-efficient.

11. Does the amount of time left on the upgrade affect whether or not she’s available?

No. As long as the upgrade is in progress, regardless of whether it’s one second or several days, the Archer Queen is unavailable.

12. If the war ends before my Archer Queen upgrade finishes, will I get her back?

No. The Archer Queen will remain unavailable until the upgrade is fully completed. The end of the war does not interrupt the upgrade process.

13. Does the Archer Queen’s level affect whether or not she’s available for war while upgrading?

No. Whether she is level 1 or max level, if she’s upgrading, she’s unavailable.

14. What is the best strategy to minimize the impact of Archer Queen upgrades on war?

Strategic timing of upgrades, using Books/Hammers, adjusting attack strategies, and communicating with your clan are all crucial.

15. Does the same rule apply to all heroes (Barbarian King, Grand Warden, Royal Champion)?

Yes, the rule is the same for all heroes. If any hero is undergoing an upgrade, they are unavailable for both attack and defense in war.