It's a good idea to send Lava Hounds in pairs so it can soak up twice the amount of damage and to longer distract defenses from other air troops.A Multi-target Inferno Tower, while not being much problem to Lava Hounds, is very strong against the Lava Pups it splits into, so don't ignore it. The supporting troops will be able to destroy the Inferno Tower before it can take out the Lava Hound. It may be a good idea to bring a Freeze Spell if a single target Inferno Tower is present. Be sure to keep it away from a single targeting Inferno Tower which can kill it with ease.They can distract Air Defenses, which prevents the Air Defenses from destroying a group of Dragons, Balloons or Minions.They protect Dragons, Minions, Healers, Balloons and Baby Dragons, much like Golems protect a group of Wizards or Witches. Much like Golems, they're useful as an attack tank, but for air units. Lava Hounds have a large amount of hitpoints.Note that like all troops that prioritize defenses, Lava Hounds do not consider the Clan Castle to be a defense regardless of whether or not it contains enemy troops, but do consider the defending Grand Warden and the level 12 Town Hall (if its Giga Tesla has been triggered) to be defensive buildings.Once all remaining defenses are destroyed, Lava Hounds become like any other troop with no preferred target they will attack the nearest building to them regardless of type, and will turn and attack enemy units if they become aware of any nearby. Once all Air Defenses are destroyed, they will continue to attack any other remaining defenses.
This is true even if they are under attack by enemy Clan Castle troops, heroes or Skeleton Trap skeletons. Lava Hounds prioritize Air Defenses above all other targets, and will bypass all other enemy buildings and troops while any Air Defenses remain on the battlefield.When the Lava Hound attacks buildings, it bounces up and down slightly while shooting little fireballs at it like a Minion.Like the Golem, the Lava Hound deals additional splash damage when it dies, before splitting into Lava Pups.The Lava Hound is a pyrotechnic (volcanic) hound-like creature with wings.The Lava Hound is like a flying fiery Golem, except its favorite target is specifically Air Defenses.