Builder Hall 5 Guide: Battle Machine and Multi Mortar

What changes at Builder Hall 5

The Battle Machine can be repaired for 900,000 Builder Elixir. He is a melee Hero who smashes buildings with his hammer, and at level 5, the BH5 cap, he unlocks the Electric Hammer: he heals and his next three hits deal extra damage. The ability charges in three levels, so waiting before using it again makes it stronger. He attacks only; the Battle Machine never defends your base.

The Multi Mortar fires bursts of shells with splash damage at ground troops from long range, but cannot hit troops right next to it. You also get a second Double Cannon, a second Firecrackers, more traps and 100 Walls. The Builder Barracks reaches level 7, unlocking the Cannon Cart, which can switch between a mobile cannon and a long-range Mortar Mode.

The upgrade to BH5 costs 400,000 Builder Gold and takes 2 days. The Builder Hall now holds 900,000 Builder Gold and Builder Elixir, and the Elixir Cart up to 600,000.

Upgrade priority

The Battle Machine is upgraded with Builder Elixir and a builder, like a building. His levels carry into every later Builder Hall, so treat him as a permanent part of the upgrade plan rather than a one-off.

1. Repair the Battle Machine and take him to level 5 for the Electric Hammer.
2. Star Laboratory to level 5, then your main troops.
3. Multi Mortar. It covers most of the base and punishes Sneaky Archers and Drop Ship Skeletons later.
4. Builder Barracks to level 7 for Cannon Carts.
5. Second Double Cannon and Firecrackers, then Crusher and Air Bombs levels.
6. Clock Tower to level 5, which lengthens each boost to 22 minutes.
7. Storages for the 1,200,000 Builder Gold BH6 costs, then traps and Walls.

How to choose a base at BH5

Up to BH5 the Builder Base is one stage, and a win gives at most three stars. Put the Multi Mortar near the center so it covers as much of the base as possible, and cover its blind spot with a Crusher or Double Cannon. Its shells are strong against groups of Sneaky Archers and Raged Barbarians, but it can be distracted by a single tank.

Cannon Carts in Mortar Mode outrange most of your ground defenses, but not the Multi Mortar. Place the Multi Mortar where it can reach the edges Cannon Carts would sit on, and keep Double Cannons close to the core where Cannon Carts and the Battle Machine end up.

Use this level to learn which defenses work for you. At BH6 the base splits into two stages, each with a cap on defenses, so a layout that wins here becomes the template for your first stage.

The Battle Machine is immune to Push Traps and Spring Traps, so those traps only matter against the troops around him. Use Mines and Mega Mines on his likely path instead, and keep a Crusher and Double Cannon close together: he is a single-target melee Hero, and concentrated ground damage is what stops him.

Common attack strategies at BH5

Battle Machine with Boxer Giants and Cannon Carts is the classic BH5 army. Send Boxer Giants first to tank, then the Battle Machine, and switch Cannon Carts to Mortar Mode when they can hit Cannons, Double Cannons or Crushers from out of range.

Use the Electric Hammer when the Battle Machine is next to a high hit point target such as a Crusher or Double Cannon, not on a Wall or empty building. Letting it charge to a higher level before using it again gives more damage and healing.

Baby Dragons are still a strong choice against bases with weak air defense, and Bombers help ground armies through Walls. With only three stars available, a clean three-star matters more than a high percentage.

Trophies follow the same logic. Up to BH5 a three-star win is worth 40 Builder trophies, while partial results pay far less, so pick armies that finish bases rather than ones that only reach the Builder Hall.

Farming and resources at BH5

Builder Gold comes from stars on attack and Builder Elixir from defenses through the Elixir Cart. The Battle Machine now competes with the Star Laboratory and Barracks for Builder Elixir, so check that your defenses are giving up few stars: fewer stars conceded means more Builder Elixir per defense.

Collect the Elixir Cart often, since it stops filling when it reaches its cap. Use the Clock Tower boost during long upgrades, and remember that it speeds up the Gem Mine and collectors as well.

Mistakes to avoid

• Expecting the Battle Machine to defend. He never does.
• Leaving the Battle Machine at level 1. Electric Hammer needs level 5.
• Using Electric Hammer at the start of the battle instead of on a key building.
• Placing the Multi Mortar on the edge, where its blind spot is easy to reach.
• Rushing to BH6 with a weak army. Stage two needs troops that survive the first stage.