In Clash of Clans, the term "Star Level" isn't used for cosmetic changes like it is in its sister game, Clash Royale. Instead, when players talk about "stars" in Clash of Clans, they're usually referring to the stars earned in battles, and "levels" refer to the power upgrades for your troops, spells, and heroes.

What are Star Levels in Clash Royale?

If you've heard about "Star Levels" and the shiny, golden look they give your units, you're likely thinking about Clash Royale. In Clash Royale, Star Levels are purely cosmetic upgrades. They make your cards look fancier with golden effects, special borders, or new animations, but they don't make your troops stronger or change how they perform in battle. You earn Star Points by getting extra copies of cards you've already maxed out, donating cards, or upgrading your cards once you reach a certain King Level.

For example, I remember when I first saw an opponent's Golden Knight in Clash Royale. I thought, "Wow, that must be a super powerful version of the Knight!" But after a quick search, I learned it was just a cool skin. It didn't make his Knight hit harder or have more health, it just looked awesome. It's like putting a cool paint job on your car - it doesn't make it faster, but it definitely turns heads.

What Do "Stars" and "Levels" Mean in Clash of Clans?

In Clash of Clans, "stars" and "levels" have different, more functional meanings related to gameplay and progression.

Stars in Battles

When you attack an opponent's village in Clash of Clans, your goal is to earn stars. These stars show how well you did in the attack.

• 1 Star: Awarded for destroying the Town Hall.
• 2 Stars: Awarded for destroying at least 50% of the base *and* destroying the Town Hall.
• 3 Stars: Awarded for destroying 100% of the entire base.

These stars are super important for multiplayer battles and Clan Wars! In multiplayer, earning stars helps you get loot and progress through trophy leagues. In Clan Wars, getting more stars for your clan helps you win battles against other clans.

I can't tell you how many times I've been in a Clan War and watched the timer tick down, hoping my last Archer would get that final building for the crucial third star. There's nothing quite like the relief when it happens, or the heartbreak when it doesn't!

Levels for Troops, Spells, and Heroes

"Levels" in Clash of Clans directly refer to how strong your units are. Every troop, spell, and hero in the game can be upgraded to higher levels in the Laboratory or by upgrading your Hero Hall.

• Troop Levels: When you upgrade a Barbarian, Archer, or Dragon, they get stronger. They'll have more health, deal more damage, and sometimes even get a new appearance that shows their increased power.
• Spell Levels: Upgrading spells makes them more effective. A higher-level Healing Spell, for instance, will heal your troops for more health, and a higher-level Rage Spell will boost their damage and speed even further.
• Hero Levels: Your heroes – like the Barbarian King, Archer Queen, Grand Warden, Royal Champion, and Minion Prince – gain significant power with each level up. This means more health, more damage, and stronger abilities. Upgrading heroes is a huge part of getting stronger in Clash of Clans. It takes a lot of resources (Dark Elixir or Elixir) and time, but it's worth it for how much stronger your army becomes.

These upgrades are not just for show; they directly affect how well your army performs in attacks and how well your base defends itself. Higher-level units are essential for beating stronger opponents and taking on higher Town Hall levels.

In summary, while Clash Royale uses "Star Levels" for cool looks, Clash of Clans uses "stars" to measure battle success and "levels" to measure the actual power of your troops, spells, and heroes. Both games have their own ways to show off progress, but it's important to know the difference!

If you're looking to upgrade your heroes, troops, or purchase Gold Pass in Clash of Clans, you can use Playstorm to earn towards Google Play or Apple App Store gift cards to help you get those in-app purchases.