What Happens After 90 Days of Inactivity in Clash of Clans? A Deep Dive
After 90 days of inactivity in Clash of Clans (COC), several key things happen that are designed to help returning players and maintain the health of the game. The most significant is the Auto Upgrade feature, which automatically upgrades certain structures within your village. This is intended to ease returning players back into the game and allow them to catch up more quickly with active players. Additionally, if you are the Leader of a Clan, the game will begin the process of potentially reassigning that leadership role to a more active member. This ensures that Clans remain active and well-managed, even if the original leader is no longer playing.
The Auto Upgrade Feature: A Welcome Return
How Auto Upgrade Works
The Auto Upgrade feature is a key component of Clash of Clans’ commitment to player retention. After 90 days of inactivity, the game initiates an automated process that upgrades some of your buildings, troops, and heroes. The specifics of what gets upgraded are determined by your current Town Hall level and what buildings are lagging behind in development. The goal is to bring your base closer to its potential strength for your Town Hall level, making it easier to defend and attack effectively upon your return.
Think of it as the game giving you a helping hand to get back on your feet. Resources aren’t simply added to your storage; instead, they are used to improve your base strategically. This means less time grinding for upgrades and more time getting back into the fun of raiding, warring, and building your village.
Benefits of Auto Upgrade
- Faster Progress: The most obvious benefit is the boost to your progress. Upgrading buildings and troops takes time, and Auto Upgrade significantly reduces that waiting period.
- Improved Defense: Upgrading defensive structures means your village is better protected from attacks, crucial for resource preservation.
- Stronger Offense: Upgraded troops and heroes mean you can participate more effectively in battles, clan wars and events.
- Reduced Frustration: Returning to a significantly outdated base can be discouraging. Auto Upgrade alleviates this feeling by leveling the playing field.
Clan Leadership and Inactivity
Clan Leader Status
Being the leader of a Clan is a position of responsibility. It requires consistent activity and engagement with the clan members. If a Clan Leader is inactive for an extended period, the Clan can suffer. Clash of Clans addresses this with a system to reassign leadership.
Reassigning Leadership
After 90 days of inactivity, the game will begin to notify the leader with reminders to log in and manage the Clan. If the leader remains inactive beyond a certain point (often longer than 90 days, allowing for a grace period), the game may automatically transfer leadership to the most active Co-Leader or Elder in the Clan. The exact criteria for determining the new leader can vary, but generally, it’s based on activity level and tenure within the Clan. This process ensures that the Clan continues to function effectively even without the original leader’s involvement.
Other Consequences of Inactivity
Base Condition
After a long period of inactivity, your base will appear neglected. Your resource collectors (Gold Mines, Elixir Collectors, and Dark Elixir Drills) will be full, and your treasury will be empty. The base will also be covered with various obstacles (trees, bushes, and rocks) that need to be cleared to make room for buildings. These are cosmetic changes, but they visually represent the time that has passed since you last played.
League Demotion
Depending on your league standing when you became inactive, you might be demoted in rank. The extent of the demotion typically isn’t drastic (usually a couple of leagues), but it reflects the reduced activity in attacking and defending.
The Allure of “Dead Bases”
Inactive bases, often referred to as “dead bases,” become attractive targets for active players. These bases are characterized by full collectors, easily accessible loot, and often, weak defenses. They provide a valuable source of resources for players looking to upgrade their own villages. While your base might become a target for others while you’re inactive, this also means you’ll have access to similar “dead bases” when you return, providing a quick way to replenish your resources.
Supercell’s Account Termination Policy
While the Auto Upgrade feature and leadership reassignment are designed to help returning players, there is a limit to how long an account can remain inactive before it’s at risk. Supercell reserves the right to terminate accounts that have been inactive for 180 days (6 months). This is primarily done to free up server space and resources. However, it’s important to note that this is a right Supercell reserves, not a guaranteed action. They may choose not to delete an account even after it has been inactive for this long.
Staying Active: Tips and Tricks
If you want to avoid the consequences of inactivity but can’t dedicate a lot of time to the game, here are a few tips:
- Log in Briefly: Even a quick daily login to collect resources and initiate a building upgrade can reset the inactivity timer.
- Participate in Clan Wars: Participating in Clan Wars is a great way to stay engaged and contribute to your clan’s success.
- Use a Second Account: If you have limited time, consider creating a second, lower-level account to manage while you’re busy. This way, you can still enjoy the game without feeling pressured to keep up with your main account.
The Games Learning Society offers insights into how games like Clash of Clans engage and motivate players. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will I lose all my progress after 90 days of inactivity?
No, you will not lose all your progress. The Auto Upgrade feature is designed to help you catch up, and your account will still retain its overall progress. You might be demoted in league ranking, but your buildings, troops, and heroes will still be there.
2. Does Auto Upgrade use my resources?
No, Auto Upgrade does not use your existing resources. It automatically upgrades certain structures without deducting from your current gold, elixir, or dark elixir reserves.
3. What determines which buildings are upgraded during Auto Upgrade?
The game prioritizes upgrades based on your Town Hall level and what structures are most underdeveloped. It aims to balance your base and bring it closer to its potential strength.
4. How do I know if my base has been Auto Upgraded?
When you log back into the game after a period of inactivity, you will receive notifications about the buildings that have been automatically upgraded.
5. Can I prevent Auto Upgrade from happening?
No, you cannot prevent Auto Upgrade once you’ve been inactive for the required period.
6. How often does Auto Upgrade happen?
The Auto Upgrade feature can only be triggered once per year.
7. What happens if I’m the Clan Leader and become inactive?
After 90 days, the game will prompt you to log in. If you remain inactive, leadership may be transferred to a more active Co-Leader or Elder.
8. How is the new Clan Leader chosen?
The game typically selects the most active and long-standing Co-Leader or Elder to become the new leader.
9. Will my Clan be deleted if I’m inactive?
No, your Clan will not be deleted as long as there is at least one active member.
10. Can I get my Clan Leader status back if I return after it’s been reassigned?
Potentially, yes. You can contact Supercell support to explain your situation. They may be able to reinstate you as the leader, but this isn’t guaranteed.
11. Are “dead bases” only found at low Town Hall levels?
No, while they might be more common at certain trophy ranges, you can find “dead bases” at all Town Hall levels.
12. How can I find more “dead bases”?
Experiment with different trophy ranges and play during times when overall player activity is lower.
13. Does Supercell delete inactive accounts?
Supercell reserves the right to terminate accounts inactive for 180 days, but it’s not a guaranteed action.
14. Can I transfer my Clash of Clans account to a new email address?
Yes, you can contact Supercell support through the game to request an email address change.
15. Is Clash of Clans still worth playing in 2024?
Absolutely! Clash of Clans remains a popular and engaging game with a large player base and frequent updates.