Clash of Clans Celebrates 9th Anniversary with New Challenge: Complete Guide to 3-Star Victory

As Clash of Clans marks its ninth anniversary in 2026, the beloved mobile strategy game continues to demonstrate its enduring popularity and developer Supercell's commitment to engaging its global player base. The recently launched 9th Clashiversary Challenge offers players not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but also a fresh tactical puzzle to solve for valuable rewards. How does this latest challenge reflect the evolution of Clash of Clans over nearly a decade, and what strategies will ensure players emerge victorious with the coveted three-star rating?

Understanding the Challenge Layout

The anniversary challenge presents players with a specially designed base that incorporates celebratory elements alongside formidable defenses. Key obstacles and structures are strategically placed to test players' tactical understanding:

Primary Obstacles to Neutralize:

• Pink Obstacle (Northwest)

• 8th-Anniversary Cake (Northeast)

• Gift Obstacle (Opposite side of cake)

• Chocolate Cake (South)

Critical Defensive Structures:

• Eastern Archer Tower

• Southern Archer Tower

• Western Archer Tower

• Scatter Shot

• Town Hall with defensive lasers

Step-by-Step Strategy for Three Stars

Phase 1: Trap Neutralization

Destroying Northwest Traps

Begin by deploying ordinary wizards near the pink obstacle in the northwest section. The key here is strategic placement: position each wizard on different sides of the obstacle to ensure all surrounding traps are triggered. This careful approach prevents unexpected troop losses that could jeopardize the entire attack.

Handling Northeast Defenses

Move to the 8th-Anniversary Cake obstacle in the northeast. Here, deploy two to three wizards adjacent to the cake to disable the hidden traps. Why is this step crucial? These traps, if left active, could decimate your main attacking force later in the battle.

Phase 2: Troop Management and Distraction

Drawing Enemy Forces

Proceed to the Gift obstacle located opposite the anniversary cake. Deploy one or two wizards here with a specific purpose: to attract the attention of defending troops and lure them away from their protective positions. This creates openings for your main assault force.

Activating Skeleton Traps

At the southern chocolate cake obstacle, deploy a single troop unit. This minimal deployment serves a critical function: triggering skeleton traps without committing significant resources. The skeletons that emerge will become a key element in your subsequent strategy.

Phase 3: Defensive Structure Elimination

Eastern Archer Tower Assault

Deploy three Party Wizards adjacent to the Eastern Archer Tower. These specialized units will not only destroy the tower but also serve as effective bait for the recently spawned skeletons. This dual-purpose action demonstrates the importance of multi-tasking in Clash of Clans combat.

Southern Archer Tower Takedown

While skeletons are distracted by your Party Wizards, immediately deploy an equivalent force against the Southern Archer Tower. This simultaneous pressure on multiple fronts prevents defensive forces from consolidating their response.

Phase 4: Main Assault Execution

Troop Concentration Strategy

Deploy one or two wizards at the southeastern village entrance. This maneuver serves to gather skeletons and other defending troops into a concentrated area. What makes this tactic so effective? It creates the perfect conditions for area-of-effect attacks and spell efficiency.

Hero Deployment and Spell Management

Once enemy forces are clustered, freeze them in place and deploy your full arsenal:

• All Super Wizards

• Barbarian King

• Archer Queen

• Grand Warden

As your troops advance toward the clan center, maintain vigilant spell management:

Phase 5: Final Cleanup

Center Structure Destruction

Once major central structures are eliminated, deploy your Royal Champion to handle remaining threats:

1. Western Archer Tower

2. Scatter Shot (use Freeze spell if necessary)

Why This Sequence Matters:

The Royal Champion's ability to jump over walls makes her ideal for reaching these often-isolated defenses, while her shield provides survivability against counterattacks.

Advanced Tips for Success

Timing and Precision

• Spell Synchronization: Coordinate freeze spells with Town Hall laser activation patterns

• Troop Deployment Intervals: Space wizard deployments to maintain constant pressure

• Hero Ability Activation: Time hero abilities to maximize defensive structure destruction

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. ❌ Premature Main Force Deployment: Wait until traps are neutralized

2. ❌ Spell Mismanagement: Save freeze spells for critical moments

3. ❌ Poor Troop Placement: Always consider defensive range and splash damage

4. ❌ Ignoring Skeleton Management: Control skeletons before they overwhelm your forces

The Evolution of Clashiversary Challenges

Comparing the 9th Clashiversary Challenge to previous anniversary events reveals Supercell's evolving design philosophy:

Increased Complexity: Earlier challenges focused more on brute force, while current challenges require sophisticated multi-phase strategies.

Interactive Elements: The inclusion of anniversary-themed obstacles that interact with game mechanics shows creative development.

Balanced Difficulty: The challenge remains accessible to experienced players while providing learning opportunities for newcomers.

Community Impact and Reception

Since its release, the 9th Clashiversary Challenge has generated significant discussion within the Clash of Clans community. Content creators like JudoSloth, whose original strategy inspired this guide, continue to provide valuable insights through detailed video tutorials. The challenge's balanced difficulty—challenging enough to be engaging but not frustrating—has been particularly praised.

Looking Forward: Clash of Clans in 2026

As Clash of Clans enters its tenth year, what can players expect? The game's continued success suggests several possibilities:

• Enhanced Anniversary Events: More interactive and community-focused celebrations

• Advanced Challenge Design: Increasingly sophisticated puzzle elements

• New Game Mechanics: Innovative features that build on nine years of development

• Community Integration: Greater player involvement in content creation

Conclusion: Mastering the Anniversary Challenge

The 9th Clashiversary Challenge represents more than just another base to conquer—it's a celebration of Clash of Clans' journey and a testament to the game's enduring appeal. By following this strategic approach, players can not only secure their three-star victory but also gain deeper appreciation for the tactical depth that has kept millions engaged for nearly a decade.

Remember: Success in Clash of Clans challenges comes from understanding not just what to do, but why each action matters. The 9th Clashiversary Challenge perfectly encapsulates this principle, offering both nostalgic celebration and forward-looking gameplay innovation.

Clash of Clans remains available for free download on Android and iOS platforms, continuing to build on its legacy as one of mobile gaming's most enduring successes.

Information is adapted from Eurogamer, reflecting how modern Clash of Clans events have evolved from straightforward “anniversary freebies” into skill-check challenges that reward clean execution—trap scouting, controlled funneling, and tight spell timing. Applied to the 9th Clashiversary Challenge, the path to three stars is to treat each themed obstacle as a planning cue: safely trigger traps with small wizard drops, manipulate skeleton spawns to protect your damage dealers, then commit heroes and Super Wizards only when Freeze/Heal/Invisibility can be chained through the Town Hall and splash defenses for an uninterrupted push.