How to Get Heroes in Clash Royale: All Ways Explained

Heroes are one of the biggest additions Clash Royale has ever received, completely changing how decks and battles work. Unlike normal cards, Heroes are powerful units with special abilities you can activate manually during a match, letting you turn fights around with perfect timing. Because of this, unlocking Heroes isn’t as simple as opening random chests, and many players get confused about where they come from or why they can’t use them yet. On top of that, each Hero plays very differently, so understanding how they work is just as important as unlocking them. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get Heroes in Clash Royale, what requirements you need to meet, which Heroes are currently available, and how to use their abilities properly to gain an edge in battle.

What are Heroes in Clash Royale?

Heroes are a special type of card added to Clash Royale in the December 2025 update, and they work very differently from standard troops. Think of Heroes as enhanced versions of existing units, each coming with a unique active ability you can trigger manually during a match by spending extra Elixir. Instead of collecting regular card copies to unlock them, Heroes require 200 Hero Shards, which makes them feel more like long-term progression rewards than normal drops. Once a Hero is placed on the battlefield, a dedicated ability icon appears near your card bar, and as long as that Hero stays alive, you can tap it to activate their special skill. Every Hero has a different ability, and using it at the right moment can completely swing a fight, which is why Heroes add a much more tactical, decision-based layer to Clash Royale battles.

How To Unlock Heroes in Clash Royale

Unlocking Heroes in Clash Royale is tied to both your Arena progress and a special resource called Hero Shards. You gain access to your first Champion slot, which is required to use Heroes, once you reach Arena 15, while a second Champion slot opens up later at Arena 25. To actually unlock a Hero, you need to collect a total of 200 Hero Shards, which mainly come from limited-time events and Hero Boxes. When you hit that 200-shard mark, the game automatically unlocks one Hero at random. If it happens to give you a Hero you already own, you won’t lose progress—instead, you’ll receive additional cards for that Hero along with 60 Hero Shards refunded back to your account. After unlocking a Hero, upgrades work a bit differently than normal cards, as you level them up using Wild Cards that match the Hero’s original card rarity, making shard management and smart upgrading a big part of long-term progression.

All Clash Royale Heroes

Clash Royale has six Heroes so far, and each one brings a unique active ability that can completely change how a match plays out when used at the right moment.

Hero Knight (3 Elixir)

Hero Knight’s ability, Triumphant Taunt, forces nearby enemy troops and even Crown Towers to lock onto him. While taunting, he gains a temporary shield that absorbs incoming damage before it reaches his actual health. This makes him extremely strong for soaking damage, pulling pressure off your towers, and breaking enemy pushes when timed well.

Hero Giant (5 Elixir)

With Heroic Hurl, the Hero Giant grabs a nearby enemy unit and physically throws it into the opposite lane. The thrown troop takes damage and gets stunned when it lands, instantly disrupting pushes and splitting enemy support units away from tanks. This ability is especially powerful against slow, heavy units.

Hero Mini P.E.K.K.A. (4 Elixir)

Hero Mini P.E.K.K.A.’s ability, Breakfast Boost, lets him eat a pancake each time it’s activated, temporarily increasing his level. These boosts stack up to five times, meaning he can gain up to five bonus levels if kept alive long enough. When fully stacked, he becomes an absolute monster capable of shredding tanks and towers.

Hero Musketeer (4 Elixir)

Using Trusty Turret, Hero Musketeer places an automatic turret directly in front of her. The turret deals area damage when deployed and continues attacking both air and ground units. This makes her excellent for defensive setups, choke points, and controlling the battlefield from a distance.

Hero Ice Golem (2 Elixir)

Hero Ice Golem activates Snowstorm, summoning a chilling blizzard around him that damages and slows enemies caught inside. After a short delay, affected units are completely frozen. This ability is great for stalling pushes, setting up counterattacks, and locking enemies in place for splash damage.

Hero Wizard (5 Elixir)

With Fiery Flight, Hero Wizard takes to the air and starts throwing swirling fire tornadoes while airborne. During this time, he becomes much harder to counter with ground-based troops. His ability excels at dealing sustained area damage and overwhelming clustered enemy units.

Each Hero fills a very different role, and choosing the right one depends heavily on your deck style, Elixir curve, and preferred win condition. Mastering when to activate their abilities is just as important as unlocking them in the first place.

FAQs

How do you unlock Heroes in Clash Royale?

Heroes are unlocked by collecting Hero Shards after reaching the required Arena. Once you gather 200 Hero Shards, the game unlocks a random Hero for you automatically. Heroes use Champion slots, so you also need to be far enough into the game to access those slots.

Can you choose which Hero you unlock first?

No, the first unlock is random. When you reach 200 Hero Shards, the game selects a Hero at random. If you already own that Hero, you’ll instead receive upgrade cards and some shards back, making it easier to unlock the next one.

How are Heroes different from normal cards?

Heroes have special abilities you can manually activate during a match by spending Elixir. These abilities only work while the Hero is alive on the battlefield, making timing and positioning much more important than with regular troops.

Can you use more than one Hero in a deck?

No, you can only use one Hero per deck. Heroes occupy Champion slots, and even if you unlock multiple Heroes, you’ll need to choose which one fits your deck best before entering a battle.

Are Heroes worth using in competitive play?

Yes, Heroes can be extremely strong when used correctly. Their abilities can completely shift a match, especially in tight games. However, they require good timing and Elixir management, so using them poorly can also put you at a disadvantage.

Conclusion

Heroes add a completely new layer of strategy to Clash Royale, and understanding how to unlock and use them properly can make a big difference in your progress. While getting Heroes takes time through Arena progression and Hero Shard collection, the payoff is worth it thanks to their powerful abilities and game-changing potential. Once unlocked, choosing the right Hero for your deck and learning when to activate their abilities becomes just as important as card placement and Elixir management. Whether you’re playing casually or pushing trophies, mastering Heroes gives you more control over fights and opens up new ways to outplay your opponents, making them one of the most impactful additions Clash Royale has introduced.