The Goblin in Clash of Clans is one of the game’s most famous little thieves. Fast, greedy, and focused, Goblins exist mainly to steal resources. If you are new to the game or want to improve your farming (collecting gold, elixir, and dark elixir), learning how Goblins work will help you get more loot in less time.
What is the Goblin? (Short and sweet)
Goblins are a low-cost ground troop unlocked early in the game. They move quickly and always try to attack resource buildings first — like Gold Mines, Elixir Collectors, Storages, and sometimes the Town Hall when it contains loot. Because they focus on resources and get a damage bonus against resource buildings, they are perfect for farming runs where your main goal is to collect loot rather than destroy everything. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
Why players use Goblins
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Speed — Goblins move faster than many other ground troops. That means they reach resource buildings quickly and can grab loot before defenses finish them off. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
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Damage to resource buildings — Goblins deal more damage to collectors and storages compared to other buildings, so a small group of Goblins can clear a storage faster than a group of archers. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
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Cheap cost — Goblins cost little elixir to train, so they are a low-risk, high-reward choice for farming. (clashcodes.com)
Types and special Goblins (quick overview)
Over time, Supercell has added variants and related goblin characters across their games and events (and sometimes there are limited-time or special variants in other Supercell titles). Examples include the Sneaky Goblin in certain event modes and other goblin-themed units in crossover content or seasonal events. These variants often change how Goblins behave (invisibility, extra damage, etc.), so keep an eye on event notes when they appear. (RoyaleAPI)
How to use Goblins effectively — simple tactics
Here are easy tactics you can start using right away:
1. Scout for exposed collectors and storages
If a collector or storage is outside the main defensive ring or poorly protected, drop Goblins directly on it. You’ll get quick loot before defenses can finish them. (clashcodes.com)
2. Use a funnel
If resources are behind walls, use a few cheap troops (like Barbarians or Archers) to remove outer buildings and create a clear path. Then send your Goblins directly into the base toward the storages. This prevents Goblins from being distracted and wasting time on non-resource buildings. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
3. Watch for traps and splash defenses
Goblins die fast to splash damage (like Mortars or Wizard Towers) and traps. Don’t send all Goblins at once into a zone with big splash defenses. Instead, scout the base and clear or distract the splash defenses first if possible. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
4. Combine Goblins with a tank
Put a few slow but tough troops (Giants, Golems) to draw fire while Goblins run past defenses directly to storages. This classic “tank + goblins” approach keeps Goblins alive longer. (clashcodes.com)
Base types where Goblins shine (and where they don’t)
Good for Goblins
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Bases with collectors outside the walls (loose farming bases).
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Bases where storages are poorly protected or grouped together without splash defenses.
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Single-target defenses that can be distracted by a tank while Goblins reach storages.
Bad for Goblins
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Well-designed farming bases with storages inside the main defense ring and protected by Wizard Towers or Mortars.
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Bases with Town Hall snipes that are empty (if your goal is trophies, Goblins aren’t the best choice).
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Any base with heavy trap placement at likely Goblin entry points. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
Upgrading Goblins — is it worth it?
Upgrading Goblins raises their HP and damage, which helps them survive longer and steal more loot. If you farm a lot, leveling your Goblins is a good long-term investment because each level makes them better at one task: destroying resource buildings quickly. However, because Goblins are cheap and easy to train, many players focus on upgrading a variety of troops for flexible attack strategies rather than only prioritizing Goblins. (clashcodes.com)
Common beginner mistakes (and how to avoid them)
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Dropping Goblins randomly: Don’t scatter Goblins all over. Always aim them for resource clusters.
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Ignoring splash defenses: One Wizard Tower can wipe a pack of Goblins — remove splash or bait it first.
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Using Goblins for 100% destruction: They are best for loot. If you need stars or total destruction, mix Goblins with other troops or choose a different army. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
Fun tips and quick combos
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Goblin Knife (advanced farming move): Use a few units to open walls or remove defenses, then send a pile of Goblins straight to storages. This is fast and works great versus poorly designed bases. (clashcodes.com)
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Barbarian + Goblin push: Use Barbarians as a meat shield to soak up damage while Goblins run behind to steal the loot.
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Watch replay speed: After an attack, watch your replay at higher speed to learn how Goblins moved. It helps you see where they got stuck or trapped so you can adjust your next attack.
Final thoughts — is the Goblin for you?
If you enjoy fast, cheap, and effective farming, Goblins are a must-have in your army camp. They are simple to use, fun to watch as they dash for loot, and extremely efficient when used with basic tactics like funneling and tanking. For players who want trophies or full-destruction raids, Goblins are a supporting troop rather than the main star. Overall, they are one of the simplest and most satisfying troops for quick resource runs. (Clash of Clans Wiki)
Sources & further reading
I used official game pages and community wikis to gather facts about Goblin behavior, upgrades, and tactics. If you want links to specific guides or upgrade tables, I can pull detailed upgrade costs and level-by-level stats next — or make a step-by-step Goblin farming checklist for your Town Hall level.