Clash of Clans / Practical guide
Clash of Clans Hero Equipment and Ore Explained: Common, Epic and Blacksmith Levels
Hero Equipment adds a second layer of progress on top of hero levels. Learn how common and epic equipment differ, which Blacksmith level caps what, how Shiny, Glowy and Starry Ore are used, and why unlocked is not the same as upgraded.
ALVIRAN Editorial · Reviewed 2026-10-12
In this guide
Looking for a Clash of Clans account?
Compare Town Hall, total hero levels and Builder Hall on every listing. This guide explains the equipment layer.
1. How Hero Equipment works
Supercell's Blacksmith page explains the system. Each hero has Hero Equipment, and you upgrade your Blacksmith with Elixir to access more of it. Common equipment is upgraded with Shiny Ore, and every third level also needs Glowy Ore. Epic equipment is unlocked through Hero Journey or during some special events.
Community data gives maximum levels of 18 for common equipment and 27 for epic equipment. A piece can be unlocked at a low level, so a screenshot that shows an Epic piece does not show how strong it is.
2. The Blacksmith level sets the cap
How high equipment can go depends on the Blacksmith level, which you upgrade with Elixir and which the Town Hall limits. The table shows the cap with a fully upgraded Blacksmith. The caps, including the 18 and 27 maximums, come from community data (the Clash of Clans wiki and clash.ninja) cross-checked with a 2024 upgrade chart. Supercell's Blacksmith page does not list level caps.
| Town Hall | Common cap | Epic cap |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 9 | 9 | 12 |
| 10 to 11 | 12 | 15 |
| 12 to 13 | 15 | 18 |
| 14 | 18 | 21 |
| 15 | 18 | 24 |
| 16 to 18 | 18 | 27 |
Why this matters. A Town Hall 16 account can have epic equipment up to level 27, while a Town Hall 12 account cannot go above 18. If a listing shows epic levels, compare them with the cap of its Town Hall.
3. The three ores and what they cost
Shiny Ore is used at every level of common equipment. Glowy Ore is needed every third level. Epic equipment needs Shiny and Glowy Ore up to level 9, and from level 9 it may also need Starry Ore. Supercell says Shiny and Glowy Ore come from the Star Bonus, Hero Journey and Clan Wars, and Starry Ore from Hero Journey, Clan Wars or special events.
On 2 October 2026 Supercell announced in its ore Gem price post that the Gem prices for ore are coming down as the new baseline: Shiny Ore from 1 Gem to 0.5, Glowy Ore from 5 Gems to 3, and Starry Ore from 35 Gems to 20. Supercell says the prices roll out in stages, with the Trader already using them, and that the Gem cost of maxing a piece of Epic Equipment roughly halves.
| Ore | Old price | New price |
|---|---|---|
| Shiny Ore | 1 Gem | 0.5 Gems |
| Glowy Ore | 5 Gems | 3 Gems |
| Starry Ore | 35 Gems | 20 Gems |
Ask about equipment after hero levels
Hero levels are the first check. Use the Blacksmith table above to read what equipment levels are possible at each Town Hall.
4. Hero Journey and epic equipment
Supercell's June 2026 update introduced the Hero Journey, a reward track that fills with cumulative hero levels and gives Epic Equipment, hero skins, resources, magic items and ore. It sits in the Hero Hall from Town Hall 7. The community wiki says Builder Base heroes do not count towards it.
Epic equipment can therefore come from progress, not only from events. A listing that counts many epic pieces may reflect hero levels more than a deliberate purchase.
5. Five questions before you buy
- Which two pieces does each hero wear, and what are their levels?
- Which pieces are epic, and how many of them are at the cap for the Town Hall?
- What is the Blacksmith level, and is it fully upgraded for the Town Hall?
- How much ore is stored, and is any equipment being upgraded?
- Was any ore bought with Gems, and at which price?
6. Four mistakes that cost money
Counting owned pieces
A piece can be unlocked at a low level. Ask for the level of each.
Pricing by Gem cost
Supercell announced lower ore prices on 2 October 2026, so old Gem maths may overstate the cost.
Ignoring the Town Hall cap
Epic equipment at level 27 is only possible at Town Hall 16 or higher.
Treating equipment as hero level
Equipment does not raise the hero total. It is a separate layer.
Frequently asked questions
At which Town Hall does the Blacksmith unlock?
At Town Hall 8, and each hero equips two pieces of Hero Equipment.
What is the maximum level of Hero Equipment?
18 for common equipment and 27 for epic equipment, according to community data. Supercell's Blacksmith page does not list level caps, and how high a piece can go depends on the Blacksmith level.
What do Shiny, Glowy and Starry Ore do?
Shiny Ore is used at every level, Glowy Ore every third level of common equipment, and Starry Ore may be needed for epic equipment from level 9.
How do I get epic equipment?
Through the Hero Journey or during some special events, according to Supercell's Blacksmith page.
Did ore prices change?
Supercell announced on 2 October 2026 that ore prices in Gems are coming down in stages: Shiny from 1 to 0.5, Glowy from 5 to 3 and Starry from 35 to 20 Gems.
Does equipment count towards total hero levels?
No. Hero levels and equipment levels are separate, and a fully upgraded set does not raise the hero total.
Ready to find a Clash of Clans account?
Check hero levels, then equipment, then the Builder Base. For the Home Village hero caps, read our hero level table.
Sources and editorial scope
Reviewed on 12 October 2026 against Supercell's Blacksmith page, ore price post and June 2026 update. The level caps come from community sources and a 2024 chart, because Supercell's Blacksmith page does not list level caps. The checklist is ALVIRAN editorial advice.
Supercell prohibits buying, selling and sharing accounts in its Terms of Service. Progress and access checks do not override those rules.