A game created by Supercell, called Clash Of Clans, is popping up on devices everywhere.

Clash Of Clans is one of the most popular games out, right now, trending at the top of the charts in the iTunes store. Clash Of Clans is all about building up your base to the best that it can be and fighting against, and winning against, anyone who tries to take you down. Let me break down what makes this game so addictive.

1. Gold, elixir and gems. In order to buy walls and cannons and other defenses for your base, you need to have gold, elixir and, sometimes, even gems. These magical currencies allow you to upgrade both your defenses and your troops, allowing you to create an army and a base as strong as you wish. Gems are more difficult to obtain simply because you do not have a resource that allows you get them; unlike gold --  you can buy gold mines, or elixir, which you can purchase from elixir collectors -- gems are found or must be purchased with real money.     

2. Troops. These little animated guys are your lifesavers and life takers in this game. What do I mean by that? Well, your troops are the ones that you use in order to attack other people to gain trophies and resources (i.e. gold and elixir). There is a large variety of troops for you to choose from: giants, goblins, witches, golems -- the list goes on and on. These troops can be upgraded so they can take more hits from your enemy’s defenses and so they can destroy bases in a more timely manner.     

3. Clan wars. This is what Clash Of Clans is all about: clan wars. If you are part of a clan, you have the ability to be in a clan war, which is self-explanatory. In a clan war, you can fight other clans that have about the same amount of troops as you; for example, if my clan has 22 troops, I will be in a clan war with another clan that has 20 to 24 troops. Who you battle depends on how many clan members you have, in increments of five.

Your clan is placed in rankings, which are determined by a combination of your level, your number of trophies, and the level of your town hall. Your clan leader will begin a clan search and the game will match you with another clan; both clans will then have what is called a “preparation day” in which they prepare for the war, which comes the following day. Both bases obtain stars depending on how much of the opposing team’s bases they destroy. The amount of destruction is recorded on three stars and the more stars you receive, the more “war loot” you get and the better your chances are of winning.     

Clash Of Clans is definitely a favorite of mine. As I type, I’m collecting my resources and preparing for another clan war with my clan members. Don’t knock the game until you try it. It’s a lot more addictive than you think.