However, one of the most fatal deck-building errors is neglecting to include a robust, reliable suite of anti-air defenses.
If you enter a match without sufficient air defense, a single Balloon or Lava Hound will completely dismantle your towers while your ground army watches helplessly.
The Aerial Behemoths: Lava Hound and Balloon
Because the Lava Hound has an absurdly high hitpoint pool, it demands the immediate attention of all your air-targeting defenders.
To survive this assault, you must have at least two reliable anti-air units in your deck, along with a defensive building that targets air (like the Tesla or Inferno Tower).
- Never place your anti-air troops too close together.
- Activating the King Tower early provides massive extra defensive damage against air decks.
- If they play a Lava Hound in the back, immediately pressure the opposite lane with a ground attack.
Building the Perfect Air Defense
The Musketeer is the gold standard of versatile defense; she boasts incredible range, high single-target DPS, and survives a standard Fireball.
The Mega Minion, in particular, is the ultimate anti-air assassin, dealing massive melee damage to Balloons while surviving heavy spells easily.
| Unit Type | Best Example | Why it Works |
|---|---|---|
| The Shooter | Musketeer / Dart Goblin | Can hit air units from far away while remaining protected behind your Princess tower or ground tanks |
| Flying Melee | Mega Minion / Phoenix | Flies directly to the enemy air threat and shreds it without being distracted by ground swarms |
Total Coverage
You must respect the Z-axis and prepare your arsenal accordingly.

If your towers fall to the Balloon every time, you must redesign your support structure.
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