Best Clash Royale decks (part-1)
Clash Royale looks like a simple game from the outside. Two players drop units onto the battlefield, and watch as they try to destroy the opponent’s towers. But Clash Royale decks are surprisingly complicated. There may only be eight unit cards in each, but in many ways this actually requires your deck synergy to be more focused and precise. There’s little room for error in good Clash Royale decks.
So what are these magical selections? Well, we decided to put together a list of the best Clash Royale Decks. Whether we’re talking Electro Giant, Royale Delivery, or Golem, we’ve picked our favorite variations based on each of the popular deck archetypes.
Some of these decks focus around bridge spamming, whereas others try to bait enemy units. But whatever strategy they utilize, each one has its own strength, and should serve you well in competitive play.
Bandit deck
How to use the bandit deck
- Targets : ground
- Cost : 3 elixirs
The bandit is a legendary card that costs 3 elixir. She can dash ground troops within a radius of 4 to 6 tiles. To be able to dash, she must be at least 4 tiles away. When the bandit reaches her target after a dash, she deals twice as much damage as normal.
Her charging mechanism is really special. She emits a whistle when she has locked her target. It can’t be stopped except by a zap or a freeze. At the moment of the dash, the bandit is invulnerable: nothing can inflict damage to her! Not even the bowler and the log can stop her.
She is particularly effective against the prince. The latter will not be able to inflict damage during his own charge. She can therefore defeat a card that costs 5 elixirs and counterattack after : a positive elixir trade!
Similarly, the bandit deck totally counters the sparky. Remember, when she dashes, she is untouchable. So the sparky will fire into the void and the bandit will have time to eliminate it before it can reload its blast.
On the other hand, the bandit can dash across the river with the same mechanism as the hog rider jump. So you can use her to snipe a dart goblin or a misplaced magic archer. In a similar way, you can dash building placed too close to the river.
How to counter the bandit?
The best way to stop the bandit is to stop her from dashing your units. To do so, deploy your defending units close to the bandit to prevent her from charging. The ice golem and the knight are particularly effective.
Spawners such as goblin gang, guards or skeleton armies are also very useful against the bandit. Be careful though, your opponent may have the zap in hand, so try to vary the deployment positions.
The witch also counters the bandit deck by absorbing her dash with the skeletons she generates. Similarly, the tombstone blocks the bandit dash with the skeletons flow it produces.
In the current meta with the coming back of the goblin hut and the barbarian hut, the bandit deck is more difficult to play. She is indeed at a disadvantage against these defensive buildings which generate spawners blocking her dash.
Best bandit decks
Source : Royale API
Bandit mega-knight deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.9 | Code name : Mega knight ram rider | ||
This bandit deck can puts a lot of pressure on your opponent. Keep the mega knight in hand to counter any bridge spam attempts from your opponent. Instead, use the bandit and the ram rider to destabilize your opponent in simple elixir. At first, you will have to remain passive and memorize the card cycle of your opponent. In double elixir, you’ll be able to mount a big push using your defending troops to counter-attack and put pressure on both lanes! The electro-wizard as well as the inferno dragon will be able to support your mega knight or ram rider in counter-attack. With the bandit, try to snipe the units used in defense by your opponent at the river.
Bandit pekka deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.75 | Code name : Pekka Bridge Spam | ||
With its many win conditions, this deck is very difficult to stop. The pekka is not the main card of this deck because it will only be used in defense against big elixir investments on the opponent’s side. At the beginning of the game, put pressure on the opposing towers with the bandit, the battle ram and the royal ghost. It is important to identify the opponent’s answers in order to play these cards at the right time! The zap can allow the bandit or battle ram to connect by quickly eliminating skeletons or bats. In double elixir you can use the pekka to build a big push by supporting it with poison as it approaches the opponent’s tower.
Bandit three musketeers deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 4.1 | Code name : 3M bandit bride spam | ||
Play here on the complementarity between the collector and the three musketeers. Let your opponent use a poison on your elixir collector and then deploy your three musketeers behind the king tower. You will then be able to mount a powerful attack on each side by tanking the musketeer alone with the battle ram and pair the other two with the bandit. In simple elixir, prefer defense with your hunter who can be protected by the ice golem. In attack, the bandit and the royal ghost will destabilize your opponent on both lane! The barbarian barrel will allow you to defend against a log bait deck.
Hog rider deck
How to use the hog rider deck
- Targets : buildings
- Cost : 4 elixirs
The hog rider is a ground unit that only targets buildings. He is often deployed at the river to put pressure on the opposing tower. The hog rider is one of the few cards in clash royale that can jump over the river that separates the two sides.
His placement is paramount. If you deploy a hog rider stuck to the edge of the battlefield, your opponent may not be able to defend the hog with a defensive building if he misses his placement. Therefore, pay attention to your opponent’s cards in order to place your hog rider optimally.
The hog rider can also be deployed in the center to attack an elixir collector positioned in front of the king tower.
If your opponent ignores the hog, his tower will suffer severe damage. That’s why he will always be forced to defend him. One of the most popular decks in clash royale is the hog 2.6, a very fast cycling and technical deck. Here, you’ll find cards at 1 elixir (ice spirit and skeletons) that allow you to cycle and retrieve the hog very quickly in hand, before your opponent has even been able to retrieve his defensive building.
This feature makes the hog rider deck very strong in simple elixir. So don’t wait for the double elixir, be aggressive from the beginning of the game instead. It is also a punitive deck: if your opponent deploys a golem, send a hog to the opposite side, he won’t have enough elixir to defend it properly.
How to counter the hog rider?
There are several effective methods to counter a hog rider deck.
The first is to deploy a defensive building that will withstand the blows of the hog rider. Among the most effective buildings are the tesla, the inferno tower, the bomb tower, the huts and the mortar. Note that the mortar can defend the hog and target the opponent’s tower at the same time: a positive elixir trade!
Some ground troops are also very effective at defending a hog rider. If you deploy a pekka or a mini pekka halfway between your tower and the river, the hog won’t connect with your tower! When defending with a mega kinght, you will have to deploy him directly on the hog to take advantage of his knockback effect when deployed, but you will take a hog rider hit.
Spawners like barbarians or the skeleton army totally stop the hog. Beware however, they can be one-shot by a fireball and a zap respectively.
The bowler and the hunter are also viable options but the best option remains the ram rider. The latter totally freeze the hog rider in addition to offering you an opportunity to counter-attack!
Finally among the spells, the tornado can be extremely valuable. With a good placement, while waiting for the hog to connect with your tower, you can activate the king tower. This will facilitate your next defensive sequences against the hog rider deck.
Best hog rider decks
Source : Royale API
Hog rider 2.6 deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 2.6 | Code name : Hog 2.6 | ||
This deck was popularized by the Japanese player JACK who finished several times in the top 10 in ladder with the hog 2.6. It is one of the fastest decks in clash royale. You have to attack from the very beginning of the game. So if you have your hog rider in hand, deploy him at the river and watch your opponent’s defense. It’s important to understand how your enemy will handle the hog rider. Depending on his response (building, troops, spell) you will have to support your hog with the appropriate cards. In defense, the cannon will be precious combined with the musketeer. Take care to space them sufficiently apart so as not to give spell value to your opponent. If possible protect your musketeer with skeletons or an ice golem.
Hog rider earthquake deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 2.6 | Code name : Hog firecracker earthquake | ||
Another fast cycle hog rider deck. This time we have two cards from the new meta: the firecracker and the earthquake. The firecracker is very difficult to eliminate because every time she fires a rocket, she moves backwards, so try to protect her as much as possible by sending a hog rider or by deploying an ice golem in front of her. The earthquake works particularly well with the hog rider to get rid of buildings that prevent the hog from connecting with the opposing tower. In addition, it slows down the action speed of the troops in its range, so don’t hesitate to use it in an attack even if your opponent doesn’t have any buildings in his deck. Finally, the mini pekka will be very useful to defend an opposing tank!
Hog rider executioner deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.4 | Code name : Hog executioner tornado | ||
A second win condition completes the hog in this deck: the rocket. If you can’t connect with the hog rider in attack, then you can start to rocket cycle in double or triple elixir. Beware, this strategy is risky if you are not confident in defense. The tornado + executioner combo should allow you to counter any beatdown decks including the lava hound deck. However, when facing the x-bow, use your rocket on it instead, but all depends on your cycle. Valkyrie replaces here the ice golem to tank the hog rider: this push can be devastating if your opponent doesn’t have the right cards in hand! Very solid defensively, this deck requires practice, especially on the placement of the executioner, the last defensive wall!
Magic archer deck
How to use the magic archer deck
- Targets : ground and air
- Cost : 4 elixirs
The magic archer has seen his range reduced in the April 2020 update. He can now hit his target 6 tiles away. However, the range of his arrows remains the same: 11 tiles.
His attack cuts through all affected units. You can therefore inflict damage to all units lined up in his fire with a range of 6 tiles. This feature is particularly useful to target the opponent’s towers. If your opponent places a troop in front of his tower you can hit both at the same time while remaining out of range. It’s all a question of angle: you have to find the most interesting axis to exploit the magic archer deck!
In addition, his arrows inflict area damage. It can therefore also be used in defense in order to counter goblins or minions. His splash damage is less important than that of an executioner or a princess but he shoots at a very fast pace which compensates for his lack of splash.
The magic archer has two main roles:
- In defense, he can easily reach the troops behind a tank. He is therefore very effective against a golem deck or a giant.
- In attack, he allows you to gradually cheap at the hit points of the opponent’s towers. Each time your opponent places troops in front of his tower, take advantage of his long range to inflict damage! The magic archer can also reach defensive buildings from your side of the arena. This means that he will also be able to support a push in front of a bomb tower or tesla if necessary..
How to counter the magic archer?
When deployed at the bridge, the magic archer can quickly be countered by bats if surrounded. You can also use a knight or a mega-minion. Be careful however not to place them in line with your tower.
When your opponent plays the magic archer passively by deploying him behind his tower you can easily eliminate him with the fireball or poison. Not only do you eliminate a card that costs 4 elixir, but you also inflict damage to your opponent’s tower. However, your opponent may try to bait your spell to play for example his 3 musketeers or his royal hogs. So be careful not to systematically use your spells.
If your opponent uses his magic archer to support a tank by sniping your defensive buildings then place your buildings closer to your towers, out of reach of the magic archer.
The barbarian barrel is also very effective because it can reach the magic archer easily and will be able to eliminate him if your opponent doesn’t defend him.
Best magic archer decks
Source : Royale API
Magic archer bridge spam deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.9 | Code name : Pekka Bridge Spam | ||
This is the most popular deck with the magic archer. The purpose of this deck is to exert constant pressure on enemy towers. At the beginning of the game, cycle a bandit or a royal ghost behind your tower and observe the enemy’s defense. Most of the time the magic archer will come to support your pushes to get rid of the spawners. You can therefore support a battle ram with a magic archer by separating them enough to avoid giving spell value to your opponent. Keep your pekka in hand to defend a tank (golem, giants) or against a pekka in a mirror match. Don’t hesitate to find the right angle in attack to scratch the opponent’s tower with the magic archer!
Magic archer royal hogs deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.1 | Code name : Royal hogs magic archer | ||
This magic archer deck is part of the new generation. It contains the heal spirit that replaces the old heal spell. This spirit is very interesting when he supports the royal hogs or a mini pekka in attack because he will heal all your troops for only 1 of elixir by throwing himself on the first enemy in range. Beware, however, of the log and the barbarian barrel which can quickly eliminate him. In this deck, the magic archer will first be used in defense before supporting your royal hogs in attack. You can also try to bait a fireball by deploying a magic archer behind the tower, leaving the way clear for the hogs! The mini pekka and the hunter will allow you to take care of all the tanks in the game and you will be able to protect them with an ice golem in counter attack! Finally, the earthquake will make it easier for your hogs to connect with the enemy tower by eliminating buildings quickly.
Magic archer wall breakers deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 2.9 | Code name : Magic archer wall breakers miner control | ||
This composition cycles very quickly. With an average cost of 2.9, the objective of this deck is to constantly attack. The most efficient combo is to send the miner behind the tower and the wall breakers at the bridge. This push is very difficult to defend. You can also tank the wall breakerss with the valkyrie or opt for a miner bats attack. Here the magic archer plays a defensive role and can be used in counter-attack. He is joined by the bomb tower which is a very effective building in the current meta especially to defend the elixir golem and his elixir blobs! The arrows will be essential to eliminate the firecracker, the princess or enemy wall breakers!
Balloon deck
How to use the balloon deck
- Targets : buildings
- Cost : 5 elixirs
The balloon deck is very powerful but slow. The skeleton in the balloon launches a bomb every 3 seconds when the balloon reaches a building. When it dies, the balloon gives way to a bomb that can reach units on the ground as well as in the air. This bomb can kill archers or goblins within its range.
It is necessary to analyze the opponent’s deck and memorize all the cards he has to counter your balloon. When your opponent doesn’t have a good cycle to handle your balloon, it’s time to take action. For example, if your opponent cycles a electro-wizard, quickly deploy a balloon on the other side if you know he doesn’t have any other good cards to counter the balloon in hand.
Very often we find the balloon behind a tank like the ice golem, the giant or the lava hound. The strategy here is to make the balloon unreachable by the opponent’s buildings and troops.
The balloon can be found in two types of decks:
- Fast cycle balloon decks. Just like the hog 2.6, the strategy of this deck is to retrieve the balloon as fast as possible in your hand. The goal is to cycle cards faster than your opponent. This type of deck is cheaper in elixir and includes cards such as the ice golem, skeletons or the miner to come with the balloon.
- Balloon beatdown decks. More expensive in elixir this type of deck is more powerful in x2 and x3 elixir. We find here the famous LavaLoon where the lava hound will protect the balloon which will be able to reach the opponent’s tower more easily. We also find the balloon associated with a ground tank like the giant. The goal here is to create super pushes difficult to stop in double elixir.
How to counter the balloon?
When playing against a balloon deck your priority is to keep your counters to the balloon in hand.
Buildings are naturally effective against the balloon because they can take the damage instead of the tower. Prefer the tesla or the inferno tower. If one of these defensive buildings manages to target the balloon you can easily eliminate it.
Among the spells, the rocket can eliminate a balloon quickly. If your opponent has other troops with his balloon, try to hit them with your rocket. This spell is especially useful if your opponent is gathering his troops behind the lava hound: you can easily eliminate them with the rocket. The giant snowball will also allow you to counter the balloon by pushing it back and slowing down its speed.
Air troops are also to be preferred to counter a balloon. The mega minion and the inferno dragon can eliminate a balloon without support. It is best to place your air units between the balloon and your tower to block it and slow down its speed.
Among the ground troops, archers are a good option. Place them on the side to prevent them from perishing when the bomb left by the balloon explodes. The musketeer and the electro-wizard are also good counters and they have more HPs which makes them difficult for your opponent to eliminate. Finally, you can also use the ram rider to immobilize the balloon and counter-attack quickly.
Best balloon decks
Source : Royale API
Balloon miner deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3 | Code name : Balloon miner valkyrie executioner | ||
This balloon deck is part of the fast cycle family. In attack you can tank the balloon with a valkyrie which has a lot of HPs. But the idea behind this deck is to ensure a clean defense with the tornado + executioner combo. If your executioner survives place a balloon in front of him to protect him and he will support your push. You can also cycle miners in attack together with skeletons. That’s the beauty of this deck: it has two win conditions, the balloon and the miner. So don’t hesitate to finish the opponent’s tower with the miner if there are few HP left. You can also combine the two by sending the miner to the tower to tank the ballon or on the contrary deploy the balloon and then wait for your opponent to deploy ground troops in defense to send the miner.
Lava balloon deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 4 | Code name : LavaLoon | ||
At the beginning of the game, play passively this deck while waiting for your opponent. If you deploy the lava hound in simple elixir you risk being punished by an attack on the opposite side that you will not be able to defend after this investment in elixir. Just defend and wait for a window of opportunity to use the hound. In double elixir, you will cycle your cards faster. This will allow you to defend while mounting your push behind the lava hound. Place the balloon well glued behind the lava hound to protect it as much as possible. If your opponent doesn’t have anything to defend, you will be able to take his tower very quickly. Your ground defense will be provided by the tombstone and the barbarians. Beware, if your opponent has the fireball in hand does not deploy your barbarians in defense! The fireball and the zap will allow you to eliminate annoying troops such as the electro-wizard or the musketeer.
Ballon lumberjack Deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 2.9 | Code name : Ballon 2.9 | ||
Just like the 2.6 hog cycle, the goal of this deck is to cycle your ballon as fast as possible. With an average elixir cost of 2.9 this deck will allow you to play your ballon fast when your opponent doesn’t have the right defensive options in hand. Combine your pushes with an ice golem to take the tower agro and the lumberjack if you have enough elixir! This devastating 3-factor push is very difficult to stop because if your opponent takes down the lumberjack, the rage spell will make it easier for your ballon to connect and conversely by neutralizing the ballon, your opponent will leave the lumberjack alone. The giant snowball will be very useful in defense as well as in attack depending on the situation and you can also play on the versatility of the bats and the ice spirit to keep your opponent under pressure!
Lava hound deck
How to use the lava hound deck
- Targets : buildings
- Cost : 7 elixirs
The lava hound is an air tank that only targets buildings with the same number of HP as a mega knight. When the lava hound explodes he gives birth to 6 lava pups who inflict much more damage. Each lava pups inflicts as much damage as the lava hound itself.
Lava pups are similar to the minion horde. However, they attack more slowly.
The lava hound must be deployed behind your tower. He costs almost as much as a golem. So you won’t be able to support him with other troops by aggressively deploying the lava hound at the bridge. This is also why the lava hound deck is more effective in double elixir. It is a beatdown deck that is played in a similar way to the golem deck. In simple elixir, it is better to just defend.
The lava hound himself is not very dangerous but it will tank all the troops used in support which will inflict a lot of damage.
The lava hound deck has always been part of the meta. When you master it you can indeed counter many decks. Air troops are indeed difficult to manage if you don’t have enough anti-air cards.
How to counter lava hound?
Alone, the lava hound can be easily countered. The arrows will allow you to instantly eliminate the lava pups. A tesla or an inferno tower can also easily defeat the lava hound.
The real issue will be to neutralize the supporting troops behind the lava hound. The executioner is one of the most effective units against the lava hound deck. He is often associated with the tornado, so you will be able to group all the troops in support with the lava hound and eliminate them with his area damage. The tornado also works very well in defense with the baby dragon and the ice wizard.
The inferno tower is also a good way to counter a lava hound deck. It will very quickly bring down the lava hound’s hit points. However, you’ll have to be careful if your opponent has zap or lightning and protect your inferno by placing it as far away as possible from your tower.
Best lava hound decks
Source : Royale API
Lava hound balloon deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 4 | Code name : LavaLoon | ||
At the beginning of the game, play passively this deck while waiting for your opponent. If you deploy the lava hound in simple elixir you risk being punished by an attack on the opposite lane that you will not be able to defend after this investment in elixir. Just defend and wait for a window of opportunity to use the hound. In double elixir, you will cycle your cards faster. This will allow you to defend while mounting your push behind the lava hound. Place the balloon well glued behind the lava hound to protect it as much as possible. If your opponent doesn’t have anything to defend, you will be able to take his tower very quickly. Your ground defense will be provided by the tombstone and the barbarians. Beware, if your opponent has the fireball in hand does not deploy your barbarians in defense! The fireball and the zap will allow you to quickly eliminate annoying troops such as the electro-wizard or the musketeer.
Lava hound miner deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 4.1 | Code name : Lava Miner | ||
The miner combines particularly well with the lava hound. Send him to the opponent’s tower just before the explosion of the lava hound in order to take the aggro from the tower and tank the lava pups. The miner can also help you get rid of the defending troops with the help of the poison. In this lava hound deck, you will find the goblin hut instead of the tombstone. It is stronger and therefore more effective in defense and now leaves room for 3 spear goblins when it is destroyed. With the barbarians, your ground defense is therefore very solid. You also have the barbarian barrel to defend the log bait. Like the LavaLoon deck, this composition is played defensively in single elixir before exploiting its offensive potential in double elixir.
Lava hound clone deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.6 | Code name : Lava clone | ||
This deck is built around the clone spell. The idea is to build a very solid push and clone as many units as possible at the same time. By cloning the lumberjack you get an additional rage spell. Similarly, by cloning the lava hound you double the number of lava pups. This deck is made up of many units vulnerable to spells such as the skeleton army and the bats. It will thus be necessary very quickly to memorize the spells of your opponent and not to play your clone as long as you do not have this information. A poison or a tornado can indeed completely put an end to your push. Instead, try to force your opponent to use these spells on other units before you have a chance to clone your push.
Elixir golem deck
How to use the elixir golem deck
- Targets : buildings
- Cost : 3 elixirs and gives 4 elixirs to your opponent once totally destroyed (1 elixir per blob)
The elixir golem deck must be used with great care and planning. When he is completely destroyed he gives 4 elixirs to your opponent who will be able to initiate a counter-attack that is difficult to defend. However, in double elixir if your opponent has his elixir bar full, he will not receive any additional elixir. So be more aggressive in double elixir!
The best time to use the elixir golem is when your opponent spends too much on attack. Use the troops deployed in defense to your advantage by placing an elixir golem to tank. Very quickly you can find yourself with a very powerful push that your opponent can’t stop.
Unlike the golem and the ice golem, the elixir golem does not inflict damage during its successive divisions. So don’t count on him to eliminate minions or skeletons.
It’s a bad idea to use the elixir golem in defense. On the other hand, it can be used to kite troops on the opposite side and initiate an attack.
The purpose of the elixir golem deck is to inflict more damage in the attack phase than your opponent in the counter-attack phase.
Beware, in front of an x-bow deck, when the elixir golem splits in two, the x-bow will change target. So prepare another unit to avoid a connection with your tower!
How to counter the elixir golem?
Troops that are effective against the golem like the inferno dragon and the inferno tower are not good counters against an elixir golem. They won’t be able to target all golemites / elixir blobs.
Use instead the bowler, the hunter or the executioner who will be able to target all the forms of the elixir golem at the same time.
A defensive building will also save you time and prevent the elixir golem from connecting with your tower. The bomb tower is particularly effective with its zone damage for elixir blobs.
A log used on the elixir blobs is also useful to minimize damage if they are on your tower.
Best elixir golem decks
Source : Royale API
Elixir golem barbarian hut deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.5 | Code name : Elixir golem barbarian hut | ||
This deck allows you to build extremely powerful attacks from Arena 11 in Clash Royale. After its buff, the barbarian’s hut is extremely powerful and can be found everywhere in the current meta. It allows you to control your opponent by defending all types of pushes. When it is destroyed, the hut gives way to two barbarians, which is very annoying for your opponent. The elixir golem should only be deployed when you are sure that you can build a big attack that cannot be defended. The battle healer and the electro-dragon coupled with the tornado are very effective to make your way to your opponent’s tower!
Elixir golem battle healer deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.5 | Code name : Elixir golem healer | ||
This deck allows you to build extremely powerful attacks from Arena 12. Indeed, the elixir golem costs only 3 elixir and can tank a battle healer or a night witch that you have just used in defense. The synergy between the healer and the elixir golem allows all the support troops to stay alive! If your opponent is unable to isolate the healer, she will keep the push alive. The earthquake will allow you to get rid of the buildings quickly and the magic archer and electro dragon will be able to eliminate skeletons or minions on the way. Be careful however not to force the elixir golem because at his death he gives 4 elixir to your opponent which can lead to counter difficult to defend.
Elixir golem earthquake deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.6 | Code name : Elixir golem earthquake | ||
With the return of the goblin hut in the meta, this deck is very powerful. Remember that the elixir golem deck is also a control deck. In single elixir, use the hut to time out and see what your opponent is doing. Wait for the double elixir to mount a big push with the battle healer and the dragons in support. Use the earthquake if your opponent deploys a defensive building. The tornado will also allow you to regroup all your opponent’s troops to be eliminated by the baby dragon and the electro-dragon. Don’t force a counter-attack if you don’t have much elixir left in your hand, the goal of this deck is to take a tower in one push if possible.
Mortar Deck
How to use the mortar deck
- Targets : ground
- Cost : 4 elixirs
Mortar is a building that can be used in defense as well as in attack. As it costs only 4 elixirs, you take less risk than deploying an x-bow-x with 6 elixirs!
If you decide to attack with your mortar deck, two positions are possible. You can place it directly in front of the opponent’s tower or in the centre of the battle area. However, make sure that your mortar connects with the opponent’s tower. Nothing is more frustrating than placing a mortar that cannot hit the enemy tower!
As you deploy the mortar on your side of the map, your opponent will be forced to deploy troops close to the bridge to block it. Memorize the troops and spells used by your opponent to counter your mortar. Use the mortar in attack when your opponent does not have good cards to counter your mortar in hand. Keep the pressure on as much as possible!
It is very important to defend the mortar effectively. You can use the mortar as a tank: it will take the damage while your troops defend behind it from a distance. If your defensive troops survive, make a quick counter-attack to put your opponent in trouble.
Since mortar inflicts zone damage, it is very effective against log bait decks. It can easily eliminate a princess or a goblin gang. A mortar push + miner on the opponent’s tower will therefore put your opponent in trouble.
In front of a tank like the golem or the royal giant, use the mortar defensively to stop the enemy pushes!
How to counter the mortar?
There are two effective methods in order to counter a mortar deck:
- Focus the mortar fire on a tank on the opposite lane. This technique is very effective because you prevent the mortar from connecting with your tower while putting under pressure a tower that your opponent will have to defend. The good deployment will be done in the center placed slightly on the opposite side in front of the king’s tower.
- Quickly place a defensive building at the river to eliminate the mortar. Preferably a bomb tower or a reactive tesla that your opponent will not have time to block. However, avoid repeating this maneuver as you become predictable.
Remember, the mortar has a dead zone. If your troops are in it, the mortar will target your tower!
The royal giant remains the most effective card to counter siege-type decks. He can target mortar from a distance and since he only targets buildings he can eliminate it very quickly! If you play a royal giant eeck, keep him in your hand while waiting for your opponent to place the mortar to counter it.
Best mortar decks
Source : Royale API
Mortar miner deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.3 | Code name : Mortar miner bait | ||
This mortar deck is regularly found in the top 100 in ladder in clash royale. It is indeed very versatile and has the bait aspect with bats, goblins and rascals to bait the log and the enemy zap. In counter-attack the miner combo + goblins / bats remains very effective and allows you to exert pressure on the two opposing towers. Offensive mortars can be easily defended on your side of the battlefield with the long range of the dart goblin!
Mortar valkyrie deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.1 | Code name : Mortar Valkyrie | ||
Once again we find the miner in that mortar deck. But the real difference here lies in the presence of the valkyrie. With her hit
points, she can easily protect the mortar and take the tower aggro to place a miner on the opponent’s tower. The musketeer will offer you more protection against air and can defend behind the mortar with its long range. The particularity of this deck is also that it has another win condition: the miner + poison combo. Depending on the opponent’s answers, you will be able to insist on the siege or miner aspect of the deck!
Mortar hog rider deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 2.8 | Code name : Mortar hog 2.8 | ||
Just like the previous mortar deck, this composition has two win conditions: the hog rider and the mortar! Here we find more cards to support the hog with the ice spirit and the giant snowball to slow down/remove the troops used in defense. This mortar deck is very offensive and cycles very fast which allows you to quickly punish your opponent if he spends too much elixir. Above all, you must keep up the pressure with your win conditions in single elixir order to rush your opponent.
Inferno Dragon Deck
How to use the inferno dragon deck
- Targets : air and ground
- Cost : 4 elixirs
The inferno dragon deals damage per second (DPS) depending on how long he takes to target an enemy unit. It takes 4 seconds to reach his maximum power. When the inferno dragon has been locked on a target for more than 4 seconds, he inflicts 100% DPS! The target’s hit points then drop at a dizzying rate. This charge time can be slowed down by an ice wizard!
In an inferno dragon deck, there are two recurring win conditions: the lava hound and the graveyard. In both archetypes, the inferno dragon plays a primordial defensive role. He will indeed be able to counter all the tanks of the game: the pekka, the giant, the golem as well as the royal giant.
His high hit points will also allow him to be useful in counter-attack. Behind the lava hound or to take the aggro of the tower combined with a graveyard, he is very effective!
How to counter the inferno dragon?
The inferno dragon is extremely vulnerable if he finds himself isolated like a sparky without support! He can then be easily countered by an ice spirit or small fast troops like goblins and skeletons.
On the other hand, due to his low travel speed, he can easily be kited by a troop like a hog rider deployed on the opposite lane!
The witch is very effective against an inferno dragon deck because she can both distract him with skeletons and target air troops. Placed behind a tank, she can mobilize the inferno dragon’s attention and prevent him from targeting the tank!
On the spell side, wait the 4 seconds for the inferno dragon to reach his maximum power before using a zap or lightning spell. This method will reset the inferno dragon! A fireball can also reset the dragon by moving him away from his target with its remoteness mechanism just like the giant snowball.
Best inferno dragon decks
Source : Royale API
Inferno dragon mega knight deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.3 | Code name : Mega knight bait | ||
This inferno dragon deck relies on two big shock troops and small troops to mount big pushs. The miner combo + skeleton barrel is very effective in single elixir. You can use goblins or bats to bait the opponent’s zap. The inferno dragon will have to be used in defense and can be paired with a mega knight in counter-attack in double elixir. No big spells in this deck, only the giant snowball to get rid of small troops. It will be necessary to use the inferno dragon in defense against a tank and protect him as long as possible!
Inferno dragon graveyard deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.8 | Code name : Graveyard double dragons | ||
A very defense-oriented deck. You have to be very patient in single elixir and cycle slow cards like the ice wizard or the bowler. Analyze the graveyard counters in the opponent’s hand (poison, valkyrie…). After you have successfully completed several defensive sequences and when you think you have a good elixir lead you can cast a graveyard. Lean on the bowler or the baby dragon to take the aggro from the opponent’s tower. The freeze will surprise your opponent if he doesn’t have the poison in his hand, you can take his tower in one push!
Inferno dragon lava hound deck
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| Average cost in elixir : 3.8 | Code name : Lava miner inferno dragon | ||
In attack your objective is to reach the opponent’s tower with your hound and tank the lava rockets with a miner. If you succeed you can take a tower in one push. To support the hound in the air, use the baby dragons to get rid of minions or bats. The inferno dragon will be more useful in defense. Don’t hesitate to place a lava hound in front of him to mount a big push. On the ground, you only have the tombstone and the guards, so you’ll have to be careful and use these cards well. The zap and the fireball will help you to support the hound. In front of an executioner, you will have to wait for your opponent to use him because he is very effective to counter the hound!
Building decks for yourself to try out different combinations is super useful when it comes to deciding what to bring to battle. If you’re looking for a useful tool for online deck-building, deckshop.pro has a great one, along with a full card list.
And that’s our list of the best Clash Royale decks. If you want to play the game for yourself, you can download Clash Royale on Google Play and the App Store.
Reference:
- Sean M. (March, 2021), Clash Royale decks – all of the best picks, Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/35dthwb4
- Katakuri87, (April, 2020), Clash Royale Decks: Techniques and Tips, Retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/87tb4kd8
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