Players who have mastered Clash Royale have complete control of every gameplay feature…
They know how to build decks with perfect synergy, execute different strategies, and time their cards effectively.
But knowing when to pick a card over another one is where true mastery comes into play, and it’s no easy feat, given that Clash Royale features over 120 of them!
To make things easier, this guide will review the most popular and effective cards currently available on the ladder, all while sharing a few tricks on how to build that perfect deck.
What Separates the Best Cards in Clash Royale?
At first glance, every single Clash Royale card may seem balanced. But look further, and you'll find that it isn't the case, with some consistently delivering higher win rates. Their improved strength usually comes from three key factors: elixir efficiency, versatility, and synergy with other meta cards.
The best cards give you more value per elixir, while fitting into multiple strategies and roles, often serving as the main centerpiece of entire decks, such as the Hog Rider cycles and Golem beatdown strategies. Unlocking and mastering these cards means you'll be able to play out different strategies and take that first step towards being a serious competitor in Clash Royale.
Control is Everything
In Clash Royale, a well-timed spell can easily dismantle a ten-elixir push. These three spells are masters of control, appearing in a staggering number of top-tier decks for a reason.
1. The Log
There’s no card more ubiquitous, respected, or essential than The Log. For just 2 elixir, this Legendary spell offers incredible value. It clears swarms like Skeleton Army and Goblin Gang, disrupts charging threats such as the Dark Prince, and chips away at towers with relentless consistency. Its ability to control a lane and reset your opponent’s momentum makes it a cornerstone of countless cycle and bait decks.
2. Arrows
When the air fills with a Minion Horde or a pesky Skeleton Barrel drifts toward your tower, Arrows are the answer. Their massive radius and instant damage make them the most reliable tool for erasing widespread, low-HP threats. And, costing just 3 elixir, they provide a clean, relatively cheap solution to problems that could otherwise cost you. While other spells might offer more pinpoint power, the sheer coverage of Arrows makes them a timeless and popular card for defending your territory.
3. Fireball
Sitting at 4 elixir, the Fireball is the Swiss Army knife of spells. It’s the perfect tool for dispatching troublesome support cards, such as the Executioner or Wizard, that hide behind a tank. It can punish an opponent for clumping their troops together and, when aimed correctly, can deal significant damage to the tower. The Fireball’s blend of troop removal and direct damage potential secures its spot as a top-tier choice for players who like to keep their options open and their opponents on their back foot.
Maximum Value, Minimum Cost
The flashiest plays often come from a 7 elixir Mega Knight, but the smartest victories are built on the back of low-cost, high-impact troops. These are the cards that make it happen.
4. Skeletons
For a single elixir, this trio of Skeletons offers some of the best defensive value in the entire game. They can lure a P.E.K.K.A. to the center of the arena, surround a lone Hog Rider, or provide a lightning-fast cycle back to your win condition. In the hands of a skilled player, Skeletons enable precise defensive plays and favorable elixir trades that pave the way to victory.
5. Skeleton Army
When a lone giant, Golem, or Prince stomps across the bridge, the Skeleton Army is the classic response. For 3 elixir, you unleash a swarm that can melt a single-target troop in seconds. This forces your opponent to have a direct counter like Zap or The Log ready, making it a cornerstone of many bait decks. Its power, though, lies in its ability to demand an answer.
6. Bomber
The humble Bomber has found a renewed sense of purpose in the modern meta. Costing 2 elixir, this little grenadier delivers powerful splash damage that obliterates ground swarms like the Goblin Gang or Barbarians. He’s the perfect defensive card to place behind a tower, safely clearing out pushes without offering your opponent easy king tower activation. His damage output is also surprisingly high, making him an efficient and reliable tool for holding the line.
Elite Win Conditions and Their Support
Every strong deck needs a win condition, the centerpiece card designed to bring down towers. With the right support units, these cards form the backbone of many of Clash Royale’s most popular and powerful strategies.
7. Goblin Barrel
Goblin Barrel is often used as the backbone of popular strategies. For example, the entire Log Bait archetype, one of the most successful in the game’s history, is built around this 3 elixir card. The goal is simple: bait out your opponent’s small spell (like The Log or Zap) with other threatening cards, then send the barrel flying for massive, often undefended, damage to the tower. It’s a high-skill, high-reward playstyle that has kept the Goblin Barrel at the top of the charts for years.
8. Hog Rider
Fast, powerful, and targeting buildings, the Hog Rider is the quintessential offensive card. For a lean 4 elixir, he provides immediate pressure that your opponent cannot ignore. Paired with a predictive Log or a supportive Ice Spirit, the Hog Rider can bypass defenses and land devastating hammer swings on a tower. He is the engine of the famous 2.6 Hog Cycle deck and a constant threat that defines fast-paced, aggressive gameplay.
9. Cannon Cart
This one is a masterpiece of design. The 5 elixir Cannon Cart is both a strong offensive troop and a steadfast defensive building. It rolls forward, firing powerful shots from a distance, and once its shield is broken, it transforms into a stationary cannon. This two-phase nature makes it incredibly versatile. You can use it to support a push with your Giant Skeleton or Golem, then rely on its second form to defend against the counter-attack.
10. Goblin Giant
The Goblin Giant is a popular 6-elixir win condition that works by attacking in two ways. Firstly, the giant himself soaks up damage and strikes the tower, dealing damage, while the two Spear Goblins behold him, poke away at defenders. All in all, he’s an excellent choice for a fast push, even more so in his Evolved form.
Best Clash Royale Cards at a Glance
We’ve broken it down to help you choose the right tool for the job!
Card | Type | Elixir Cost | Arena Role |
|---|---|---|---|
The Log | Spell | 2 | Elite Ground Control & Cycle |
Arrows | Spell | 3 | Premier Anti-Air & Swarm Counter |
Fireball | Spell | 4 | Versatile Troop & Tower Damage |
Skeletons | Troop | 1 | Ultimate Cycle & Distraction Tool |
Skeleton Army | Troop | 3 | High-DPS Tank Shredder |
Bomber | Troop | 2 | Efficient Ground Splash Defense |
Goblin Barrel | Troop/Spell | 3 | Primary Bait Win Condition |
Hog Rider | Troop | 4 | Fast-Paced Offensive Pressure |
Cannon Cart | Troop | 5 | Offensive/Defensive Hybrid |
Goblin Giant | Troop | 6 | Two-Lane Pressure Tank |
Assembling the Ultimate Deck
Getting the best cards in Clash Royale takes time, with grinding gold, unlocking chests, and waiting for Legendaries taking months or even years. If you want to skip the wait and play with the strongest cards right away, you can grab a premium, maxed-out Clash Royale account from igitems!
