To be honest, like I've said, the level of investment for which I have for this website is purely dependent on my motivation level, my interest and how much energy I have to write everything.  It's a physical disability, which sometimes it's productive, but sometimes it's not. But  I do have alot of ideas in mind, and I have many projects/series in mind so this website will probably bloom even more in the future if I stay invested into this.

When it comes to what is going to come, of course my main focus is Top Tier War Bases and trying to catch up and explain them, but I enjoy branching out to other areas of interest.

To be honest, I have not tried to touch Farm Bases for a long time because of the fact that I know I'm taking too much for me to swallow, but right now I enjoy the fact that if there are topic of interest, my levels of wanting to do work spikes.

As for how my "Series" are going on, I know I have been putting it off the back burner, but actually I came up with a few more topics to try out in the future XD....

Right now I'm working on what I've stated before, I'm working on my "Advanced Guidance" series aimed at the Advanced war base builders. Still happening, but had a slight hiccup.

Have another idea of a type of "Cat and Mouse" Series where I play catch up with how much Base Design is changing (read more in the Horoaki section).

Also another Series idea would be for example taking old bases from Scrimmages that are months ago and examining why they don't work anymore in today's standards.

Farm Base Talk Series will definitely come so look forward to it :).

​Also proud to say that I'm going to release/work on my next generation of "Bases" soon, and help you guys learn for when it comes to base designing.  But I'm going to preface this and say the fact that, this series is NOT a "Base Show Case" and me bragging about how it works at all.  It's the opposite, where I showcase you an  base design that I have built but no longer works in today's meta, I will show the intention of what I have brought into building it, how it worked in real life, and now why it no longer works due to meta shifting.  For any of the Elite/TWC/Scrimmage level of Base Designs that see these bases I'm going to show case, I'm betting they will scorn at the fact that it's bad.  Well there is a reason why it's bad, it's because I'm showing it off after the meta has changed.

This is a ​Reflection Series, meaning looking back and discussing why it didn't or doesn't work anymore.

​Here is the Intro for Horoaki:

Here is my first step into another area :P.  I have been holding off doing farm bases because of the fact that I know it'll be too much on my plate.  For now I'm going to do this article and then Farm Base Talk Series in the (short) future.  To be honest, I am NOT a farm base builders, nor do I claim to be one.  I won't be one in the near future either (can't really say never), and I'll leave it to the expertise in building :P.  But when it comes to finding patterns and identifying key aspects of base design, I feel like my approach with this article will be insightful. Nothing much to say now, but enjoy the Guide/article :D. (It's placed under Base Review Categories).

Now when it comes to base design, I have described how TWC clans have the most well developed bases while FPC play concept catch up game.  I'm not part of the TWC and as I have explained in my [Base Designer's Vicious Cycle] Page (I think I've accidentally hidden it), and it's hard to explain how a well a base in today's standard is if I steal the base and show case it and then ruin the base.  So I try my best to explain things that I've seen but can't show which sucks. 

I have tried to be respectful but that is really restricting me from doing work on base design.  For example if someone from Clan A scrimmaged Clan B and screen shot all of their bases and shown me Clan B's bases, of course the information is excellent but at the same time I don't have permission to use Clan B's bases.  What happens if these bases are going to be used for another match but now since I've shown off everything, they now have to dump those bases?  That is what I don't want to happen and it's unfair to Clan B.  But the show must go on.

 So what I'm going to do is if I see a base that has been featured in any scrimmages on Youtube that is 1 month old (or 2 depending on the base) I'll say it's fair grabs to use in my guides.  I won't claim that I made the base, and I apologize if I show off your secrets, but I just don't have enough bases from others to show off. 

If there are any bases that are 2-3 months old I believe that it's fair for me to use it freely.  This is more of a controversial decision that I'm making, but the base will be used to serve and educate the public.   Base designs get flushed out so quickly and the growth rate of Base Designs now is at an all time high, so 2 months design I believe is already considered outdated.

Hopefully that solves a problem for me, and clarifies my views and my -unethical- use of other people's bases, which I am NOT claiming that I have built, but sucks that I have to expose them for the sake of research....

Click the -read-more- if you are actually interested in my backstory :P

Pre-website akiyume, as a (short-term)Member of 2210
My first clan was called 2210.  It was family oriented clan that aimed for war.  There was a co-leader who was super invested in War, Whmdan, and we both had a passion to win the wars.  We set it up by match making person to base (back then, clash caller or attacking your mirror wasn't even thought of, it was just attack who ever you can), and we set up ways to improve the clan.  Problem was, this clan had children, but wanted to win wars, there was no such thing as opting out, so there was the clash there.  The improvements such as recruitment requirements, or use both attacks for war did not work for the clan, so in the end, me and this co-leader parted with this clan. They are a lovely bunch though,  thank you LadyA.

Pre-website akiyume, as a Co-leader/War Manager of RazeInfinity
 I joined as a TH7, and this clan was just a Farm Clan but wanted to go into the War scene.  Looking at my recruitment page on the supercell forum, I knew my goal, was to develop a clan into war. It was April of 2014 so things like clashcaller, calling your base to attack, or even attacking your mirror didn't exist, and everyone was just attacking randomly.   I came into the clan, and brought along my plan for attacks as well.

http://razeinfinity.weebly.com/blog-of-war/war-8-a-strategy-by-akiyume
You can read even more of how this system developed in the Razeinfinity.weebly.com blog's history, it still exists XD, and the months afterwards if you find my history for war planning fun.

This way of planning for attacks, developed into a better system later on (I posted this in the other section of my website):
http://forum.supercell.net/showthread.php/621560-Rough-Plan-on-How-to-Organize-Your-Clan-War

The clan was turned from a farm clan, into a strong Hybrid War/Farm Clan.   It was one war a week, and for a few months the clan's growth started to go from TH7-8, to entering TH9. Things were going great, good clan members, great management, good leaders.  But that is where problems began as TH9 3 star were becoming the norm (and Onehive just started to become THE channel for watching).

Back then, Holowiwi had been out for just about 3 months or so, and 3 star strategies are becoming a thing.  As our clan continue to get more TH9s by the week, I noticed how hard it was to get 3 stars for the clan.  We used to get 3 stars from #4-45, now we were getting 3 stars at #11/18 - 45 and continues to drop.  That's uphill battle was noticed by me, but it was already getting too late to start teaching new attack strategies as we are comfortable as we were.  There were different factions, in the leadership, me part of the 'wanting to change with a few sacrifices' for the clan, and 'let it go with the flow slowly' faction.  But the problem was going with the flow is that we had winning streaks, and if we tried to learn how to Hog, we would lose stars and no one wants that.  In the end, our winning streak stopped and we lost one war, barely winning the remaining wars.  By December of 2014, I wanted to make a guide to help people learn how to backend hog in the weebly website, (now it's my Layer Scouting Guide), but I couldn't do it at all because the other faction co-leader, Mtnbkr (all in the past now bro, respect for you, and what we have been through :) ), said no because I had failed to provide results for that base used as the example.  

In the end, I was conflicted because I wanted to make guides for the clan, but at the same time I wanted to opened up for the public so a) it can spread my fame :P, and b) help the clan attract more people.  Between the private and public knowledge, that again was being shot down and wanted my guides to be only for RazeInfinity.  But with the problem of how Raze was going on the uphill battle, my proposal for change were not well received, and in the end, I've lost and had decided to leave the clan.

I still was on good terms with everyone (although I haven't talked to them much recently), shoutouts to Eddie, Mtnbkr, JD, Jon, Duke, Mealy, and all the other members (sorry if I didn't write you ; ^;), for having me, and thank you Eddie for talking me into making a separate website for myself. 

Now RazeInfinity still survives (and surprisingly most of those that tried to recruit me back then no longer exists), and is part of the RWCS, 100% fairplay.  Don't know how they managed to change the clan, it must have been hard struggle, but I'm proud of them, and I definitely recommend you guys if you want a Farm/War Clan to join them.

Birth of akiyume Website, ex-War Whales Elder
Now this is where my website begans, I started my website, and joined War Whales.  By February I have released my Metaki Series, and have actively been part of the BD101 of the supercell forums. And have actively been on and off for my website, but mostly towards developing ideas about base design.  From the beginning though, I had wanted to make it so that I learn how to manage a clan, and base design, as my focus since I had experience in both managing a clan and   To be honest, my history before my birth of my website is more interesting :P.  You can see the timeline of my guides being posted in the All information thread. Nothing much to say about my website to be honest.... (insert random person ranting about worse history ever).

I have helped War Whales with their problems as a side-task, but I have stated from the VERY beginning when I joined War Whales, that I'm only there for my website, I am there for myself, and only for material. But now I'm going to say this,  I am sorry Digit, but I was truly worn out from RazeInfinity drama, and stated I didn't want to be part of the War Whale Drama (which is why I stayed elder instead of co).  War Whales had also different factions (in a sense), not going to describe the drama here, but I just started to tune things out, when things got heated and the direction of the Clan was being decided.  I had a 3 month haitus, which is where War Whales started to boom and now be on par with other top FP Clans (which they kicked out my dead body that was camping there :P).  

During this time for developing my website though, I was in art school, but I had zero passion towards art and it's history, I only had a good visual/skills in art, but I was more into the processes of developing the artwork than art itself.  Through one exchange in my Metaki Series thread, it really brought me back and was a changing point in my career. I would like to say thank you to RictheGreat where ever you are (your account got banned :( ).   I'm into the developmental career field, and this website is now one of my projects of development which I'm proud of.  Thank you guys :)

Hi there fellow readers, aki here :D

I have just recently set up my Twitter account for my website (I know I'm late :P), and hopefully this serves as a better way of communicating and updating you fellows with regards to any new guides I've publish or just general thoughts when it comes to Clash of Clans.  I have never used Twitter before (I know... I'm behind), and I'll try not to spam it with stuff, but it'll serve as another way of communication. Follow me if you wish :D  So now I have both the RSS Feed, and the Twitter set up.
​

It's late at night, and I had a moment of clarity/feeling like a moment of 'Dao' so I'm posting some more comments.

This post will be alittle more 'serious'/philosophical post. Call me a 'nerd' or 'it's just a game bro," I get it, but I have my own enjoyment of what Base building and base designing's intricate complexity when it comes to design a good War Base. I would like to consider myself a "mad scientist"/historian/educator when it comes to base design, and I just find it too fascinating under my microscope.  Just going to disclaim, no, this isn't taking over my life, but it's one of my enjoyments :P. What I'm going to describe for you is what I had planned for my [Developmental Chart of Clan War Bases], but I'm going to touch base first with some background story and my stance on it.

When it comes to base designs, there is no right or wrong, just like how technology can be developed for "evil" or used for the "good".  My belief for base design, is that is a level of respect needed (as a player), but also the fact there is a 'strength speaks for itself', type of thinking when it comes to base designs which is separate.
--------

There is the separation between the Drama, think of it as the Light Sect, and the Dark Sect, and base design (technology). 

 I'm going to first say is the fact that I don't care about the drama between FPC (fair-play), and non-FPC (although I like the community of FPC better) and so does bases themselves.  When it comes to base designs, there is so much grey zones which just cannot be truly divided between "right or wrong".. there are those and clans that claim 100% Fair Play, but use stolen bases from youtube videos (which is fine, if the base works) would that be still FPC?  If you don't know the source of the base, but that base was perfected, laboratory tweaked, and went through rigorous changes due to these testings, would you still use this base as an 100% Fair play clan/player?  There is a disagree and there will be those that are against it, and those that are opposed using it, but the fact is Base Design doesn't give a sheet about it.  Of course that sense of 'dignity of being clean' is something people like, but that's just based on the drama for those that want to be 'clean' (Light Sect) and base design isn't like that.  (Allegory)When it comes to building a fortress, if your castle is built with 100% sustainable wood, hiring fair trade with good wage workers, but If your castle can't stand the beating of a small siege, then respect is only secondary. A fortress doesn't care if the siege is an ally, a battleship or a small army.  A fortress's only job is to defend.

​When it comes to war, how many fair play users would be able to answer with complete confidence this statement or even thought of this: "Although we lost the scrimmage, our base designs were made respectability".  When it comes to base design, defending speaks alot, and there are threshold.  If your bases were the "Typical Anti-3 Star" designs that I have described before, and not even up to the standards of 3 star level of today's standards of defending, then no one would say "but it was built and use respectably," if all those bases get 3 starred 95% of the time on first attack.  Results of a base speak for themselves.  Of course if a base is good, and developed fairly, then by all means, it's a respectable base, and well deserve respect.  But if a base was built with forbidden arts, but still defended well, would you selfishly say "screw this base" due to it's origins or would you equally praise this base for being able to defend well as well?  Both had the same job to do, both have the same amount of buildings, traps, and walls, but the origin and the fundamental development is what is different.

For example, did you know that Empty Core was developed as an experiment through bunnies? Now if you use any bases that have empty core, would you claim "no, that was developed by evil, so we must not use it?"  There is a grey zone here as well, and what I am trying to get at is, Base Design, and the Drama is a separate thing. Base Design will advance regardless.

What's my point in all this?

My point is, Base Design is a technology, there is no black, white or grey, that's just subjective to who is using it.  Technology is technology. When it comes to base Designs it is divided into certain levels (which I will explain ALOT in a future post/in my teaser for [Developmental Chart] page, and this new release [Grades and Categories].  

People are angry at the fact that people that bunny are 'bad', but that's clearly just due to the fact that the community is different.  Of course it's unfair if people that are from the Dark Sect attack any Light Sect, since they have the advantage with the forbidden techniques and jutsu (:P), but Dark Sect vs Dark Sect, and no that is from there would complain, other than people from the Light Sect saying it's "immoral" or "unfair" People aren't ever really angry as base designs since they are eclipsed by attack strategy anyways, and attacking is what's more important to the drama. Base design is a small part of the overall drama, but it still plays a big role in the picture.

  So when it comes to the drama of this, I believe everyone has their own take on it, it's just different community and different believes.  It's unfair when the communities overlap, but the values of which each community has is different.

The Dark Sect value strength, winning, and raw facts.
The Light Sect value respect, well-being, and being fair.
Base Design speaks of keeping up to standard, and works or not.

As a player, you of course want to chose to join the Dark Side or the Light side. But for me, I don't belong to any side (although I like the Light side's community more :P), I am all for Base Designing and it's "Universal Truths".  A TH9 Base that is developed by forbidden arts, have the same amount of buildings as a TH9 Base that has been developed clean.  In the end, both would lay mark in my guides for their educational value.
 

Now with all that philosophy, I'm here to release an (unofficial) insight page for which I view base designs and their grades.  This is more of an information page, with regards to how good a base is depending on it's origin, and the categories refer to it's style of how it defends.  I'm calling this page unofficial because the fact that the categories are completely made up (like the rest of my guides :P), but this is more speculation and forcibly trying to categories bases without proof which I dislike.  So take the readings with a grain of salt and hopefully you people enjoy it :)

Just giving alittle shout-out for Mt. Dumplin and their feeder clan, which they are currently recruiting.  I have just recently left it (due to me looking for more information outside the clan for my website), but I would like to help them out with finding new members.

Mt. Dumplin is a fair play, Lv8 Clan, a part of the Reddit Alliance Clans, and are respectful as well as well managed. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a Fair play, Elite 3 Star War Clan, and would like a place to stay.  They do Bi-weekly scrimmage, which really help improve your attacking.  Although I have left the clan, I may rejoin it afterwards, who knows :P.  If you are accepted though, say it was from aki's advertisement so you get some bonus points (and so will I, muahaha).  Thanks for having me Mt. Dumplin and hope you guys that do apply, enjoy your stay there.

Air Sweeper Placement is under the [Buildings] Sub-topic, and the Considerations are placed in the [Base Creating] subheadings.   I'll probably add alittle more extra information later on to them as I feel like there are somethings that haven't been included.  Thanks for reading, and thanks for the support!
 
------

Additional Note on Matty's Plagiarized Farm Base, Arcanum, which was Entered into Clash with Ash's Contest
 
Alittle something that disturbed me when I was browsing my fun area (Base Design 101], is the fact that a fellow Base (farm) Base Builder, Mattyy has had his base, Arcanum TH9 Farm Base, plagiarized and submitted to the [Top 5 Farming Base] by Clash with Ash, and the base won first place, BUT was under another person's name.  In the comment section, clearly this person admits that he submitted a base that his clan member created which is still bad under that context as well. 
 
"o my gosh i got first place! "
"Actually my friend showed me the base, and does it really matter, I didn't even win anything! "
 

Yes it does matter when base designers although, when they post it for the public, they want the base to good for the people, but when it's under another person's name and no one would know, that just sucks.  If you have created a movie, and it has been acclaimed as "best of the year", but then some guy named Michael Bayle (:P) was credited, although you would be happy that your movie has done well, it doesn't sit well with the creator.
 
When it comes to base design, it's free to use of course, you can't stop people from copying, but when you take credit for something you didn't do and even entered it into a contest, that is wrong.  For when I write my guides, and although there are so many bases that people have shown me, I always go and ask the clan/the person for their permission to use (for example Monica) or if I published their base without telling them a)I'm revealing their secrets which they might not want that fame b)I am providing information like I was the one who made it, which does not sit well with me.  So for those that take bases from others, there is alot of grey zones which I admit, you can use it to explain things, or use it for your own personal private usage, but know your limits to how much you can take, because using it is fine, but spreading it under your name is wrong.
 
 Original Source of Base: http://forum.supercell.net/showthread.php/902642-%C2%95-Arcanum-%C2%95-A-TH9-Farming-Base-by-Matty which was Made On Nov 2015.
 
Contest It was Entered: https://youtu.be/rNYWPvp7E6k 
 

Although there really is nothing that can be done now that the video is out, and there wasn't really any 'reward', but just want to show awareness to appreciate base designers as they are a small breed, and the ones that create good bases for the public are even more rare, so they needs to be appreciated.  Hopefully Ash can correct this or somehow fix it....
 

P.S:  Just for Banter, I can't believe a Base like these won "Best TH9 War Base" contest XD. Cracked me up so hard when I saw these bases (other than #2).  I feel you readers have enough experience with war bases by now to understand why most of these bases are NOT good bases (at least the first base).  Although I'm not hating on Ash, it's so funny to see how much understanding they have when it comes to actual base designing :P.   If you want to have a laugh, read below and see XD.
 
..  Click the "Read More" to see them.

The Link to the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHKzgTovmiU
 

#5 by King's Cave from Clan Prevas Legion: Look at those Giant bomb + single Giant bombs, they have holes in the base XD.... So symmetrical.... Much Spring trap usage... wow...

#4 Crimson From Team Austria: It would have been a good war base half a year ago, pre-air sweeper area.  But now this base is outdated, and it follows the point 5 of my[War Base Reality Check].

#3 Base by Dustin B. I actually have a base that's similar to this, I'll post it later on.  This base does a good attempt with making the Queen island,  Queen/AD 70-30 ratio, and has good DGB location.  Springs are at decent locations, and there is a single seeking air mine beside the Queen to hit dragon.  This base although I won't say it's the best, or it is up to the scrimmage/elite levels anymore, it does a good job trying to keep up with the meta.

#2 by Brad: This base actually feels alittle more better, and alittle more balanced when it comes to follow the concepts and creating a base that would qualify to be used at the elite levels. South side is alittle empty, and most traps are located in the north so that could be a problem.
 
He posted this base in the supercell forum so you can see/show support :)
 
http://forum.supercell.net/showthread.php/976716-Brads-Elite-Anti-3-Star-Base-Speedbuild 

Drum Roll..... for Base #1...

#1! by Slurmp
 
This base doesn't have good DGB pathing at all, you can see how much wasted walls is being used on the right side, Queen can be grabbed by along side 2 ADs.  That AD/ArcherTower/Wiz/Gold Storage is just asking to be Quad-Quaked, also the fact that is the same section side in the core, and in the DGB by AS location. Small bombs aren't being used properly, springs traps are on the outside? This base would confuse attackers, but overall it's a messy base.

My Next Release will be [TH9 War Model - Previous and Current Models]  Explaining why there is an importance of the [30% Queen, 70% Three AD] ratio on the map in the current models of base building, compared to the old [Xbow>>DGB>>AD] building model which is outdated.  More Releases to come, so stay tune and thanks for being part of the Feed!

​akiyume