Clash Royale: 10 Beginner Tips And Tricks

Clash Royale is a fast-paced strategy game that combines real-time battles, deck building, and tower defense. As a beginner, it can be challenging to figure out which cards to use, when to attack, and how to manage your Elixir efficiently. Without the right approach, it’s easy to fall into bad habits that slow your progress.

This guide covers 10 essential beginner tips to help you build a strong deck, improve your strategy, and win more battles. From Elixir management and countering enemy troops to unlocking the best cards and climbing the ranks, these tips will set you on the path to success. If you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these beginner-friendly strategies will help you dominate the arena. Let’s dive in!

#10: Join a Clan

One of the best things you can do as a beginner in Clash Royale is to join a clan as soon as possible. Being in an active clan provides several benefits that will help you progress faster and improve your gameplay.

Clans allow you to request and donate cards, helping you level up your favorite troops more quickly. Instead of waiting to unlock cards from chests, you can request them from your clanmates, making it easier to upgrade your deck. Donating cards also earns you gold and experience, which helps you level up faster.

Another major advantage of joining a clan is participating in Clan Wars and Clan Chests. Clan Wars give you extra rewards, including gold, cards, and special chests that help you progress. Clan Chests are a great way to earn extra loot just by playing, so being part of an active clan gives you more opportunities to collect rewards.

Additionally, clans are a great place to learn from experienced players. You can ask for deck suggestions, battle strategies, and tips to improve your game. Some clans even offer friendly battles, allowing you to practice new decks without losing trophies.

Joining a clan early will give you a huge advantage in Clash Royale, making it easier to level up, earn more rewards, and improve your gameplay. Look for an active and supportive clan, and you’ll progress much faster!

#9: Upgrade Cards Wisely

Upgrading cards in Clash Royale is essential for making your deck stronger, but many beginners make the mistake of upgrading every card they unlock instead of focusing on the ones they actually use. Since gold is limited, upgrading cards wisely will help you progress much faster.

Instead of wasting gold on every new card, prioritize upgrading the cards in your main deck. These are the cards you’ll use in battles the most, so leveling them up will have the biggest impact on your performance. If you upgrade too many different cards, you’ll run out of gold quickly and slow down your progress.

Joining a clan makes upgrading easier because you can request specific cards from your clanmates. This helps you level up key cards faster without relying only on chests. Also, keep an eye on special events and shop deals, as they sometimes offer free or discounted upgrades for certain cards.

A good rule of thumb is to focus on upgrading a balanced deck, making sure you have a mix of tanks, damage dealers, and defensive units at the right levels. By upgrading cards strategically instead of randomly, you’ll have a stronger deck and a better chance of winning battles in Clash Royale.

#8: React to Your Opponent

In Clash Royale, many beginners make the mistake of playing cards too aggressively without considering what their opponent is doing. Instead of blindly placing troops, it’s important to react to your opponent’s moves and counter them effectively.

A smart strategy is to wait for your opponent to make the first move, especially at the start of a match. This allows you to counter their push efficiently rather than wasting Elixir on an unnecessary attack. For example, if your opponent drops a Giant, don’t panic—place a Mini P.E.K.K.A or Inferno Tower to take it down quickly instead of attacking the other lane.

Elixir management is key—if you spend too much too early, you might not have enough Elixir left to defend against a strong counterattack. Instead, play defensively, counter enemy troops efficiently, and build up a strong push when your opponent is low on Elixir.

Also, take note of your opponent’s deck. If they play a Hog Rider early on, expect them to use it again, and keep a building like Cannon or Tornado ready for the next time they push. Recognizing their win conditions and planning your counters will give you a major advantage.

By reacting to your opponent’s strategy rather than just pushing mindlessly, you’ll win more battles, conserve Elixir, and make smarter plays in Clash Royale.

#7: Learn Common Strategies

In Clash Royale, understanding basic strategies can make a huge difference in how well you perform in battles. Many beginners play without a clear game plan, which leads to wasted Elixir and weak attacks. Learning some of the most effective strategies will help you manage your troops better, defend efficiently, and launch powerful counterattacks.

One of the most important strategies is the “Tank + Support” push. This involves placing a high-health tank (like Giant, Golem, or Lava Hound) at the back and supporting it with damage-dealing troops (like Musketeer, Wizard, or Electro Dragon) as it moves forward. This creates a strong push that can be hard to stop if your opponent is low on Elixir.

Another key strategy is the “Chip Damage” playstyle, where you slowly deal damage over time instead of going all-in with a big push. Troops like Miner, Poison, or Fireball work well for this, allowing you to control the match and wear down your opponent’s towers without overcommitting.

For defense, knowing how to “kite” enemy troops is crucial. This means placing a cheap troop (like an Ice Golem or Skeletons) in the opposite lane to pull high-damage troops away from your towers, buying time for your defenses to take them down.

Finally, mastering “Elixir Advantage” is key. If you can defend efficiently using fewer Elixir than your opponent spent, you’ll have more Elixir for a strong counterattack, gaining control of the match.

By learning these common strategies, you’ll make smarter plays, build stronger pushes, and defend more effectively, giving you a much better chance at winning battles in Clash Royale.

#6: Use the Arena Tower to Your Advantage

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make in Clash Royale is forgetting to use their Arena Towers to help defend against enemy troops. Your towers provide free damage, so learning how to position your troops correctly can help you take down enemy pushes with minimal Elixir investment.

When defending, let enemy troops cross the bridge before placing your troops. This ensures that your Arena Tower locks onto them, dealing extra damage and making it easier to eliminate them without spending too much Elixir. For example, if your opponent drops a Hog Rider, placing a Cannon or Tornado in the right position will pull it toward the middle, allowing both Arena Towers to target it.

Another key tactic is “kiting” troops toward the center of your side of the arena. By placing a troop (like Ice Golem or Skeletons) in the middle, you can pull enemy troops away from your tower, giving both of your Arena Towers more time to deal damage. This is especially useful against strong units like P.E.K.K.A or Mega Knight.

Your King’s Tower (the central tower) remains inactive until it takes damage, but activating it early can help defend against future attacks. One common method is using Tornado to pull enemy troops (like Hog Rider or Miner) onto the King’s Tower, forcing it to wake up and assist in defense for the rest of the match.

By using your Arena Towers wisely, you can defend more efficiently, save Elixir, and turn enemy pushes into opportunities for counterattacks, making you a much stronger player in Clash Royale.

#5: Defend Before Attacking

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make in Clash Royale is rushing to attack without thinking about defense. A strong defense not only protects your towers but also creates counterattack opportunities, giving you a major advantage. Instead of playing aggressively all the time, focus on defending first and then launching a counter-push when your opponent is low on Elixir.

A good defense starts with efficient troop placement. When your opponent pushes with a tank (like Giant or Golem), don’t panic—place defensive troops like Mini P.E.K.K.A, Inferno Tower, or Musketeer at a safe distance to take it down. If they use a fast attacker like Hog Rider, drop a Cannon or Tornado to pull it away from your tower.

Once you defend successfully, use the surviving troops to counterattack. For example, if you stop a Giant push with a Mega Minion and Musketeer, don’t let them go to waste—add a support troop like Miner or Baby Dragon and push the opposite lane. This forces your opponent to spend more Elixir on defense, giving you control of the game.

Also, keep in mind Elixir advantage. If you defend using less Elixir than your opponent spent on their attack, you’ll have extra Elixir for a strong push. This is a key strategy for winning battles against higher-level opponents.

By focusing on defense first, you’ll take less tower damage, force bad trades from your opponent, and set up stronger counterattacks, making it much easier to win in Clash Royale.

#4: Elixir Management

Elixir is the most important resource in Clash Royale, and managing it properly can determine whether you win or lose a match. Many beginners overspend on expensive troops or waste Elixir without a plan, leaving them vulnerable to counterattacks. Learning smart Elixir management will help you make better plays and maintain control of the game.

A key rule is to never let your Elixir bar stay full—if your Elixir reaches 10, you’re wasting valuable time where you could be generating more. Instead, always play a low-cost card or build a push from the back when you’re about to max out.

At the same time, avoid overspending on a single push. If you drop a Golem (8 Elixir) without backup Elixir, your opponent can easily counter it and launch a strong attack while you have no Elixir left to defend. Instead, spread out your Elixir usage, making sure you always have enough to react to your opponent’s moves.

Trading Elixir efficiently is another important concept. If you can defend with less Elixir than your opponent spent on their attack, you’ll gain an Elixir advantage, allowing you to counterattack with more troops than they can handle. For example, if your opponent drops a Prince (5 Elixir) and you stop it with a Skeleton Army (3 Elixir), you’ve spent 2 less Elixir, giving you the upper hand.

Some decks, like cycle decks, focus on playing cheap cards quickly to keep constant pressure on the opponent, while others, like beatdown decks, require saving Elixir for one big push. Understanding how your deck plays will help you balance aggression and defense properly.

By managing your Elixir wisely, you’ll always be ready to defend, make efficient trades, and control the pace of the game, giving you a much higher chance of winning in Clash Royale.

#3: Cycle Your Cards

In Clash Royale, your deck consists of eight cards, but you can only play four at a time before cycling through the rest. Many beginners make the mistake of waiting too long to play a card or holding onto expensive units without keeping their deck moving. Learning how to cycle your cards efficiently helps you get back to your key cards faster, maintain pressure, and keep control of the match.

One of the biggest advantages of cycling is getting back to your win condition (such as Hog Rider, Miner, or X-Bow) as quickly as possible. If your main offensive card is in rotation frequently, you can keep pressuring your opponent while forcing them to respond.

Cycling is also important for defensive cards. If you need your Cannon, Tornado, or Inferno Tower to counter an enemy push but don’t have it in your hand, playing a cheap card like Skeletons or Ice Spirit can quickly bring it back into rotation. This prevents you from getting caught without the right defensive options.

Using low-cost cycle cards like Skeletons, Ice Spirit, or Fire Spirit allows you to cycle through your deck quickly without wasting too much Elixir. This is especially useful for fast cycle decks, which focus on constantly playing low-cost cards to outpace the opponent’s defenses.

A good example of card cycling in action is Hog Cycle decks, where you drop Hog Rider, defend efficiently, and use cheap cards to get back to another Hog Rider quickly, keeping your opponent under constant pressure.

By cycling your cards effectively, you’ll stay ahead of your opponent, control your deck flow, and make sure you always have the right card when you need it, making your gameplay much smoother and more strategic in Clash Royale.

#2: Build a Balanced Deck

A well-balanced deck is essential for success in Clash Royale. Many beginners make the mistake of using only their favorite high-damage cards without considering Elixir cost, defense, and synergy. A strong deck needs a mix of offense, defense, and support cards to handle different situations effectively.

A good deck should include:
• Win Condition – This is your main offensive card, the one you’ll rely on to deal damage to enemy towers. Examples include Hog Rider, Miner, Royal Giant, or Balloon.
• Support Cards – These help strengthen your pushes and provide backup. Cards like Musketeer, Electro Wizard, or Baby Dragon deal consistent damage while staying behind your main unit.
• Defensive Cards – Every deck needs troops or buildings to stop enemy pushes, such as Inferno Tower for tanks, Mini P.E.K.K.A for ground units, or Cannon for Hog Riders.
• Cheap Cycle Cards – Low-cost cards like Skeletons, Ice Spirit, or Firecracker help you cycle through your deck faster and maintain Elixir balance.
• Spell Cards – Spells like Fireball, Log, Zap, or Poison help control enemy troops, clear swarms, or finish off weakened towers.

A balanced deck should also have a manageable Elixir cost. If your deck is too expensive (above 4.5 Elixir average), you might struggle to defend and attack efficiently. On the other hand, if it’s too cheap, you may lack the damage output to break through strong defenses. A good average Elixir cost is between 3.0 and 4.0 for most decks.

Lastly, test your deck in friendly battles or Classic Challenges before using it in ladder matches. This helps you understand how well it performs and whether you need to make adjustments.

By building a balanced deck, you’ll have answers for different matchups, maintain better Elixir control, and increase your chances of winning in Clash Royale.

#1: Master Basic Card Interactions

One of the most important skills to develop in Clash Royale is understanding card interactions—which cards counter others, how much Elixir they cost, and how to use them efficiently. Many beginners struggle because they play cards randomly instead of using the right troops for the right situation. Mastering basic card interactions will help you defend better, make positive trades, and gain an Elixir advantage.

For example, a Mini P.E.K.K.A can take down a Hog Rider in just a few hits, making it a great counter. Swarm troops like Skeleton Army or Goblin Gang are great against slow, high-damage units like P.E.K.K.A or Prince, but they get easily countered by Zap, Log, or Fireball. Learning these basic counters will help you make smarter defensive plays without wasting Elixir.

Another key concept is positive Elixir trades—using fewer Elixir to counter an opponent’s card. If your opponent plays a 5-Elixir Wizard, and you take it out with a 3-Elixir Knight, you’ve gained a +2 Elixir advantage, meaning you have more resources to launch a counter-push.

Understanding placement and timing is also crucial. For example, placing a Cannon or Inferno Tower in the right spot can pull a Giant or Hog Rider toward the center, forcing it to take damage from both Arena Towers. Similarly, dropping a Valkyrie right on top of a Skeleton Army eliminates them instantly, saving you from using a spell.

The more you play, the better you’ll recognize which cards counter others, when to use them, and how to gain Elixir advantages. Practicing basic interactions will make your attacks stronger, your defenses more efficient, and your overall gameplay much smoother in Clash Royale.

Conclusion

Improving in Clash Royale takes time, but by following these 10 beginner tips, you’ll build a strong foundation and start winning more battles. Mastering basic card interactions, managing your Elixir wisely, building a balanced deck, and reacting to your opponent’s moves will help you play more strategically instead of just placing cards randomly.

By focusing on defense before attacking, cycling your cards efficiently, and using your Arena Towers for extra damage, you’ll become much harder to beat. Joining a clan will also give you access to card donations, Clan Wars, and valuable advice from experienced players to help speed up your progress.

The key to success in Clash Royale is learning from every battle, adapting your strategy, and improving over time. Stay patient, keep practicing, and most importantly—have fun! With the right approach, you’ll climb the ranks and dominate the arena in no time.