Ever stared at that pesky decoration in your Clash of Clans village, wondering how on earth you’re supposed to snag it? We’ve all been there, meticulously clearing obstacles, upgrading defenses, and then… the Shovel of Obstacles. It feels like a mythical item, whispered about in hushed tones by veteran players. But fear not, aspiring Chief! Getting your hands on this elusive tool is absolutely achievable, and this guide is here to break down exactly how you can do it.
This isn’t just about decoration; the Shovel of Obstacles is a strategic asset that can significantly impact your base’s layout and your resource management. Understanding its acquisition and use is a mark of a truly seasoned Clash of Clans player. So, let’s dig in and uncover the secrets to obtaining this coveted item.
The Elusive Shovel of Obstacles: Your Key to Base Customization
The Shovel of Obstacles is one of the most sought-after magical items in Clash of Clans. Unlike troops or spells that you train or brew, the Shovel isn’t something you can buy directly from the shop at any time. It’s a special item that allows you to move any obstacle in your village, even those that have been permanently placed or are normally unmovable. This includes event decorations, special holiday trees, and even those stubborn stumps that have been cluttering your space for ages.
Why is this so important? Imagine this: you’ve got a fantastic new base layout idea, but a permanent decoration is smack-dab in the middle of your perfect wall design. Or perhaps a holiday tree from years ago is preventing you from optimizing your defensive placement. The Shovel of Obstacles solves these problems instantly, giving you unparalleled control over your village’s aesthetics and functionality. It’s a game-changer for players who pride themselves on a perfectly optimized and visually appealing base.
Understanding Obstacles in Clash of Clans
Before we delve into how to get the Shovel, let’s quickly recap the types of obstacles you’ll encounter in your village:
- Regular Obstacles: These are your everyday bushes, rocks, and trees that spawn periodically. They can be removed for Elixir and sometimes grant Gems.
- Special Obstacles: These are unique decorations that appear during special events, holidays, or as rewards for achieving certain milestones. They often cannot be removed by normal means and are usually unmovable. Examples include the various Holiday Trees (Halloween, Christmas, Lunar New Year), Tombstones, and special event decorations.
- Permanent Decorations: These are items that are placed in your village and cannot be removed or moved through normal gameplay. They are often acquired through special promotions or as significant achievements.
The Shovel of Obstacles is specifically designed to handle the latter two categories, allowing you to relocate these normally fixed elements of your village.
How to Obtain the Shovel of Obstacles: The Primary Methods
Getting your hands on the Shovel of Obstacles isn’t a matter of grinding for a specific resource or waiting for a particular in-game timer. It’s primarily tied to special offers and events. Here are the most common ways you can acquire it:
1. The Gold Pass: Your Most Consistent Option
The Gold Pass is arguably the most reliable way to obtain the Shovel of Obstacles on a regular basis. Supercell releases a new Gold Pass every month, and each pass contains a tiered reward system that players can progress through by earning Season XP. At a certain tier on the reward track, you will find the Shovel of Obstacles as a prize.
Here’s how it works with the Gold Pass: (See Also: how to get shovel knight spirit)
- Purchase the Gold Pass: You’ll need to spend real money to buy the Gold Pass each season.
- Complete Season Challenges: These are daily and weekly tasks that award Season XP. Completing them is crucial for advancing through the reward tiers.
- Earn Season XP: The more challenges you complete, the more Season XP you accumulate.
- Reach the Shovel Tier: The Shovel of Obstacles is typically located on the free track of the Gold Pass rewards at a mid-to-high tier, meaning you can get it even without buying the Silver Pass. However, purchasing the Gold Pass often provides additional perks and faster progression. The exact tier can vary slightly from season to season, but it’s consistently available.
Key points about the Gold Pass Shovel:
- It’s usually a one-time acquisition per season.
- It allows you to move one specific obstacle. Once used, you’ll need to wait for another Shovel to become available.
- The Gold Pass is a subscription service, so you’ll need to renew it each month if you want to consistently aim for the Shovel.
2. Special Offers and Bundles
Occasionally, Supercell will offer special in-game bundles that include the Shovel of Obstacles. These are often tied to real-world holidays, game anniversaries, or significant game updates. These offers are usually time-limited and can vary in price and content.
When to look out for these:
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday
- Christmas/Holiday Seasons
- Clash of Clans Anniversary
- Major Game Updates (e.g., Town Hall releases)
These bundles can sometimes be quite valuable, offering a Shovel along with other resources like Gems, Magic Items, or even exclusive decorations. Keep an eye on the in-game shop and official Clash of Clans announcements for these limited-time opportunities.
3. Clan Games Rewards
Clan Games are a fantastic way for your clan to earn rewards by completing various challenges. While not as frequent or guaranteed as the Gold Pass, the Shovel of Obstacles can sometimes appear as a reward option during Clan Games.
How Clan Games work for Shovel acquisition:
- Participate in Clan Games: Ensure your clan is active and participating in Clan Games.
- Complete Challenges: Work with your clanmates to complete as many challenges as possible to earn points.
- Unlock Reward Tiers: As the clan earns points, higher reward tiers are unlocked for everyone.
- Choose Your Reward: At certain reward tiers, you’ll be presented with a choice of Magic Items. The Shovel of Obstacles might be one of the options.
Important Considerations for Clan Games:
- The Shovel is not always available as a Clan Games reward. It depends on Supercell’s selection for that particular Clan Games event.
- If it is available, you usually have to choose between the Shovel and other valuable Magic Items like Books or Runes. Weigh your options carefully based on your current needs.
- You can only claim the reward once per Clan Games event.
4. Trader Deals (rare)
The Trader, who visits your village periodically, offers various Magic Items for Gems. While the Shovel of Obstacles is extremely rare to see in the Trader’s inventory, it’s not entirely impossible. The Trader’s stock is somewhat randomized, and the Shovel is a high-value item, making its appearance infrequent. (See Also: how do you spell shovel)
If you spot it:
- Be prepared to spend Gems: The Trader will likely ask for a significant amount of Gems, often in the thousands.
- Assess the value: Consider if the Gem cost is worth it compared to other ways of obtaining the Shovel or other items the Trader offers.
It’s generally not advisable to rely on the Trader for the Shovel, but if you have a surplus of Gems and happen to see it, it’s an option.
How to Use the Shovel of Obstacles
Once you’ve managed to acquire the Shovel of Obstacles, using it is straightforward but requires careful consideration. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Tap on the Shovel: In your Magic Items inventory, tap on the Shovel of Obstacles.
- Select the Obstacle: A prompt will appear, allowing you to select the obstacle you wish to move. Tap on the specific obstacle you want to relocate. This could be a holiday tree, a tombstone, a special event decoration, or any other item that is normally unmovable.
- Confirm the Move: A confirmation screen will appear, showing you the obstacle and the proposed new location. You’ll then be able to choose where you want to place it within your village’s buildable area.
- Place the Obstacle: Tap on the desired empty spot in your village. The Shovel will be consumed, and the obstacle will be instantly moved to your chosen location.
Important Usage Tips:
- One-Time Use: Remember, each Shovel is a single-use item. Once you use it, it’s gone.
- Strategic Placement: Think carefully about where you want to place the obstacle. Do you want it to enhance your base’s aesthetics, or perhaps use it strategically to block certain attack paths (though this is less common for permanent decorations)?
- No Cooldown on Obstacles: Moving an obstacle with the Shovel does not reset its spawning timer if it’s a regularly spawning obstacle (though the Shovel is primarily for unmovable ones).
- Event Decorations: The Shovel is perfect for moving event decorations. For instance, if you got a special Christmas tree in one spot and now want it to be a centerpiece of your base, the Shovel is your go-to tool.
Is the Shovel of Obstacles Worth It?
This is a question many players ponder. The Shovel of Obstacles isn’t a resource booster or a defensive upgrade, so its value is more subjective. However, for players who are:
- Base Designers: If you spend a lot of time perfecting your village layout and want absolute control over every element, the Shovel is invaluable.
- Collectors of Decorations: For those who love to collect and display all the unique decorations from past events, the Shovel allows you to curate your collection perfectly.
- Competitive Players: While not directly impacting combat, an optimized base layout can sometimes provide a slight defensive edge. The Shovel can help achieve that perfect layout.
Given that the Gold Pass often includes it, and it can appear in Clan Games, the Shovel is generally considered a worthwhile acquisition, especially if you can get it for free or at a reduced cost (like with the Gold Pass). If you’re constantly rearranging your base or have a prized decoration that you want to showcase, then yes, the Shovel of Obstacles is definitely worth the effort to obtain.
Common Questions About the Shovel of Obstacles
Can I Move Any Obstacle with the Shovel?
You can move most obstacles that are normally unmovable, including special event decorations, holiday trees, and permanent decorations. You cannot move your existing Town Hall or other buildings that you can already move by tapping on them and selecting ‘Move’. The Shovel is specifically for those that are fixed and cannot be selected for movement through standard means.
How Many Times Can I Get the Shovel?
This depends on the method: (See Also: how to shovel car out of snow)
- Gold Pass: Once per season.
- Clan Games: Once per Clan Games event (if available as a reward).
- Special Offers: As many times as Supercell offers them and you purchase them.
- Trader: If it appears, once per Trader visit (if you choose to buy it).
What Happens If I Don’t Have the Shovel and an Obstacle Is in the Way?
If an obstacle is permanently placed or from a special event and you don’t have a Shovel, you are generally stuck with it in its current position. You cannot remove it or move it through any other means. This is why acquiring the Shovel is so important for base customization.
Can I Use the Shovel on Obstacles in the Clan Capital?
No, the Shovel of Obstacles is exclusively for your Home Village and your Builder Base. It does not apply to obstacles or decorations within the Clan Capital.
How Much Does the Gold Pass Cost?
The cost of the Gold Pass can vary slightly depending on your region and current promotions, but it is typically around $4.99 USD or equivalent. It’s a monthly subscription.
Are There Any Other Magic Items That Can Move Obstacles?
No, the Shovel of Obstacles is the only Magic Item that allows you to move obstacles that are normally unmovable. Other items like Books and Runes are for speeding up or completing upgrades.
Maximizing Your Shovel Usage
Since the Shovel is a limited resource, it’s wise to use it strategically. Here are some tips for maximizing its value:
- Prioritize Permanent Decorations: If you have very old, permanent decorations that are truly hindering your base layout or that you simply dislike the placement of, use the Shovel on those first.
- Event Decorations: When a new event decoration appears, and you’re not sure where you want to place it long-term, use the Shovel to position it perfectly before it becomes a permanent fixture you can’t move.
- Aesthetic Appeal: If you’re aiming for a visually stunning base, use the Shovel to create symmetry, highlight important areas, or simply make your village look more organized and appealing.
- Save for the Right Moment: Don’t feel pressured to use the Shovel immediately. If you’re not sure where to place an obstacle, hold onto it until you have a clear vision for your base.
The Shovel of Obstacles is a tool that empowers you to take your Clash of Clans village design to the next level. By understanding how to acquire it and how to use it effectively, you can ensure your base is not only strong defensively but also a masterpiece of strategic planning and aesthetic appeal.
Verdict on Acquiring the Shovel of Obstacles
the Shovel of Obstacles is an invaluable tool for any serious Clash of Clans player looking to fine-tune their village’s layout and aesthetics. While not directly impacting combat power, its ability to relocate unmovable decorations offers a unique level of base customization. The most consistent way to obtain it is through the monthly Gold Pass, with Clan Games and occasional special offers providing alternative, albeit less predictable, avenues.
Recommended Products
No products found.
