Supercell has announced October balance changes for Clash of Clans, including nerfs to Fire Heart and Ruin Knights and buffs to several troops and pieces of equipment. The October 17 announcement does not give an activation time. Check the in-game news before judging an attack as a test of the new balance.

Check your equipment before spending ore

If you have been saving ore for Dragon Duke, compare the actual equipment descriptions after the changes arrive. An upgrade decision based on an old screenshot can leave you buying a different benefit from the one you expected. That matters most when you are choosing between improving something you already use and starting another piece of equipment from a low level.

The balance announcement removes Fire Heart's damage bonus, reduces its bonus health by about 8% across levels, and lowers maximum healing from 150 to 140 per second. Frozen Arrow gains five percentage points of slow at every level, with higher-level damage increases. Portal Pendant gains bonus health, reaching 1,200 at maximum level.

When comparing equipment, look at where your Hero takes damage and whether it survives long enough to do its job. If your attack depends on slowing a defense, check how the new slow affects that encounter. Equipment that suits one army can still be awkward in another. A buff alone is a poor reason to spend a limited ore supply.

Ruin Knights need a different trap check

Ruin Knights move from 20 to 18 housing space so Spring Traps can launch them. They also receive reductions to movement speed, health and damage. Supercell is increasing health for Hog Rider, Super Hog Rider, higher-level Miner and Super Miner, and Meteor Golem; P.E.K.K.A gets more damage.

For a Ruin Witch army, pay attention to where the spawned units meet traps. A replay that previously looked safe may need a different deployment or support plan once that interaction changes. Try a friendly challenge with a familiar layout and watch what happens at the first trapped approach. Changing the entire army at the same time makes it harder to tell which adjustment helped.

Supercell's performance figures describe Town Hall 18 attacks against Town Hall 18 bases in Clan Wars and Clan War Leagues over four weeks. They are not a prediction for every Town Hall or an individual player's next attack. Use your own replays to decide whether a change addresses the problem you actually have.

Portal Panic has separate earning and spending deadlines

The Portal Panic event notice sets October 25 at 08:00 UTC as the end of the event. Its Trader Event tab and Event Building remain accessible until October 27 at 08:00 UTC. Town Hall 6 and above can participate, collecting Sour Elixir in Home Village battles and earning Rift Medals through the track.

Portal Pendant's maximum-level boost runs from October 20 at 08:00 UTC to October 25 at 08:00 UTC. That offers an opportunity to try its boosted behavior before the event ends. Treat the boost as temporary when deciding what you want to upgrade afterward. An attack during the boost will not necessarily represent your own equipment level once it finishes.

Our Portal Panic rewards guide covers the event separately. Keep the collection cutoff and the later shop cutoff in mind when planning your remaining battles.

Keep your daily streak separate from balance testing

The October season schedule lists Cosmic Streak for October 16-31. It asks for an attack each day for seven consecutive days, with rewards to claim by November 1. Home Village and Builder Base attacks count. Check the event panel for your own streak before leaving the game.

Finish your daily event action before testing equipment. That keeps a failed test attack from distracting you from a reward deadline. Save a replay of the army you normally use so you have something familiar to compare when trying a different setup.

The balance notice does not establish a new best army. Check the live stats and use a few controlled tests before committing your saved resources.

Frequently asked questions

Are the October Clash of Clans balance changes already live?

Supercell announced them on October 17 but did not give an activation time in the notice. Check in-game news and equipment stats for rollout status.

What happens to Fire Heart?

Its damage bonus is removed, bonus health falls by about 8%, and maximum healing falls from 150 to 140 per second.

When does the Portal Pendant boost end?

The maximum-level event boost ends October 25, 2026, at 08:00 UTC. The Trader Event tab remains open until October 27 at 08:00 UTC.