Unless it isn’t excessively high, the common Elixir cost for a deck doesn’t matter much so long as the player knows how one can handle the situation and when to play each card. Even with a low-cost deck, a rookie player can get out-Elixired quickly by misplacing the units and ignoring the timing.
That being said, once enough knowledge has been gained about Clash Royale and its complex gameplay system, a low-cost deck could be harder to take care of. Hog Cycle, for instance, has been some of the notorious decks in Clash Royale, and it still annoys lots of players. That is mostly because low-cost decks allow the used cards to return to the player’s hand much faster, while it might take the opponent a bit longer to retain the precise counter for that card.
Updated on November 19, 2025, by Hamza Haq: As Supercell introduces recent cards, evolutions, and balance changes, the meta in Clash Royale shifts from season to season. A low-cost deck that works well in a single season may not all the time remain so. That said, certain low-cost decks just like the 2.6 Hog Cycle and the X-Bow Tesla Cycle have proven endurance. F2P players looking to take a position their hard-earned gems and currency in a single deck may find these more to their taste. The list has been updated with two additional decks which have proven to be evergreen, and a deck that has fallen out of favor within the meta has been removed.
Hog Cycle Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 2.6
- Skeletons Evolution (Elixir 1)
- Ice Spirit Evolution (Elixir 1)
- Ice Golem (Elixir 2)
- Musketeer (Elixir 4)
- Hog Rider (Elixir 4)
- Cannon (Elixir 3)
- Fireball (Elixir 4)
- The Log (Elixir 2)
Hog Cycle remains to be by far the very best low-cost deck in Clash Royale. Even though it may not provide you with a high success likelihood in high-level arenas, the Hog Cycle remains to be great for climbing up the ladder in Trophy’s Road, especially in early and medium-level arenas.
The timing of deployment is the important thing to succeeding with the Hog Cycle. Hog Rider and The Log should all the time be used together, while Cannon and Musketeer will remain in defense to maintain the enemies away from the crown tower. Each Ice Golem and Skeletons should be used to lure the alternative units into the center of the battlefield and distract them from specializing in the crown tower.
X-Bow And Snowball Cycle Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 3.0
- Snowball Evolution (Elixir 2)
- Tesla Evolution (Elixir 4)
- X-Bow (Elixir 6)
- Knight (Elixir 3)
- Archers (Elixir 3)
- Skeletons (Elixir 1)
- Electro Spirit (Elixir 1)
- Fireball (Elixir 4)
Evolution Tesla is capable of handle threats like Balloon, Hog Rider, Battle Ram, and others with ease. Knight is the de facto tank for anything that deals high DPS, whereas Archers might help take care of aerial threats. Fireball is there for things like Royal Hogs and Barbarians, while the Snowball can take care of Skarmy and decelerate counter pushes.
During single elixir, it’s not a foul idea to make use of the X-Bow as a defensive unit, which also serves the twin purpose of supporting offensive X-Bows in case you can cycle fast enough. On offense, the foremost idea is to position the X-Bow on the bridge while it’s supported by the Tesla. Players can support this push using Fireball, Knight, Archers, or the Snowball, depending on the opponent’s response to the X-Bow.
In top ladder, it is nearly unattainable to get the X-Bow to lock onto the tower. This is the reason it is incredibly essential to make use of the Evo Snowball with this deck, as this card can put multiple ground units off the sector, allowing the X-Bow to lock onto the tower. After the X-Bow, the Snowball is crucial card on this deck.
Archer Queen And Firecracker Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 2.9
- Cannon Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Firecracker Evolution (Elixir 3)
- The Log (Elixir 2)
- Ice Spirit (Elixir 1)
- Royal Delivery (Elixir 3)
- Archer Queen (Elixir 5)
- Royal Hogs (Elixir 5)
- Skeletons (Elixir 1)
Archer Queen is a robust damage dealer that may take away an enormous chunk of any tank unit’s HP by activating her ability, but she can also be quite reliable at dealing crown tower damage using the identical tactic. Though, this deck provides Royal Hogs because the foremost tower-targeting unit.
So, deploy Archer Queen behind the King’s Tower, and before she reaches the river, spawn Royal Hogs on the bridge. If possible, attempt to deploy an Ice Spirit as well. Archer Queen will take care of anything that’s imagined to stop Royal Hogs from doing their job, and her ability should be used if the opposing unit is tanky.
The remaining of the cards on this deck function defensive units, though Firecracker may also turn into a solid counter-attack unit when coupled with Royal Hogs.
Mega Knight And Pekka Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 3.1
- Pekka Evolution (Elixir 7)
- Mega Knight Evolution (Elixir 7)
- Ice Spirit (Elixir 1)
- Electro Spirit (Elixir 1)
- Arrows (Elixir 3)
- Bats (Elixir 2)
- Bomber (Elixir 2)
- The Log (Elixir 2)
Mega Knight was already a force to be reckoned with within the mid-ladder arenas, however the arrival of its Evolution made the cardboard much more beneficial and deadlier. Now, in case you acquire Pekka’s Evolution too, this might earn you a lot arena points in Trophy’s Road.
Pekka and Mega Knight are the one units on this deck with significant survivability. Other units will all the time act as supporters for them, either on offense or defense. The important thing to succeed with this deck, nevertheless, is to all the time drop either Pekka or Mega Knight on the battlefield. Otherwise, the player will run out of Elixir quite fast, if each tanky units are neutralized.
Valkyrie And Goblin Barrel Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 2.8
- Valkyrie Evolution (Elixir 4)
- Goblin Barrel Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Princess (Elixir 3)
- Goblin Gang (Elixir 3)
- Dart Goblin (Elixir 3)
- Wall Breakers (Elixir 2)
- Cannon (Elixir 3)
- Ice Spirit (Elixir 1)
Being among the best defensive units in the sport, Valkyrie can take care of anything on the bottom, and because of her Evolution, she may also be quite lethal for airborne units. That is built for spamming units Valkyrie to assist her march forward while also distracting the opponent’s defenses.
While Goblin Barrel and Wall Breakers must be sent out before Valkyrie, Dart Goblin and Princess can support her from behind. Remember that these cards mustn’t be spawned unexpectedly. Let the opponent eliminate them one after the other in order that they run out of counters for low-HP spam units that may come next.
Miner And Poison Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 3.1
- Firecracker Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Knight Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Arrows (Elixir 3)
- Skeleton Army (Elixir 3)
- Barbarian Barrel (Elixir 2)
- Poison (Elixir 4)
- Tesla Tower (Elixir 4)
- Miner (Elixir 3)
Poison is considered one of the strongest spells in Clash Royale, but it surely’s somewhat bit costly, which is why the player must deploy in an area that deals damage to greater than only one enemy unit. The solution to go together with this deck is to deploy Miner next to a crown tower after which protect it with Poison. This manner, each Poison and Miner will deal damage to the crown tower. The quantity of harm may be slow, but it’s going to be significant near the top of the match.
Within the Double-Elixir phase, while the Poison and Miner combo is executed, Firecracker and Knight may also be deployed next to the bridge to overwhelm the crown tower and deal more damage.
Miner And Balloon Cycle Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 2.8
- Knight Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Skeletons Evolution (Elixir 1)
- Miner (Elixir 3)
- Balloon (Elixir 5)
- Ice Wizard (Elixir 3)
- Bats (Elixir 2)
- Tornado (Elixir 3)
- Zap (Elixir 2)
Balloon is the win condition for this deck, and Miner’s foremost role on this deck is to tank for the Balloon because it makes its way toward the opponent’s side of the sector. The Knight is a wonderful, low-cost defensive unit that may stall out heavy hitters just like the Mega Knight. If the enemy has a solution to counter Miner with something like a Mini P.E.K.K.A., the Knight can take up the mantle because the foremost tank as well.
The Ice Wizard is an important piece of the puzzle, as it could decelerate pushes to a crawl, allowing the Bats to deal DPS and take out enemy cards. Depending on how aggressive the opposite players’ deck is, making smart use of the Tornado spell is needed to assist the Ice Wizard stall out pushes.
Since this can be a cycle deck with extremely low-cost cards, players can easily cycle and put down two or more Ice Wizards to counter slow pushes, like within the case of Golem Beatdown decks. If the enemy has Minions or a Minion Horde, using Zap and Tornado can be required to make sure the Balloon can reach the enemy tower.
Firecracker And Giant Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 3.0
- Firecracker Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Knight Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Cannon (Elixir 3)
- Giant (Elixir 5)
- Bomber (Elixir 2)
- Bats (Elixir 2)
- Skeleton Army (Elixir 3)
- Arrows (Elixir 3)
This deck uses a more classic approach to deal damage to the opponent’s crown towers. The foremost goal is to send Giant forward after which support him with as many units as possible. Firecracker is the crucial supporter here, but Bats and Bomber could also help quite a bit if there may be enough Elixir within the bank.
Each Knight and Cannon are best for defending and countering the opponent’s push. Remember that Knight is the one tanky unit on this deck after Giant. Using them together will leave the player’s hand empty of units that can purchase a while for them.
Miner And Royal Ghost Deck
Average Elixir Cost: 3.0
- Firecracker Evolution (Elixir 3)
- Tesla Tower (Elixir 4)
- Miner (Elixir 3)
- Knight (Elixir 3)
- Minions (Elixir 3)
- Barbarian Barrel (Elixir 2)
- Royal Ghost (Elixir 3)
- Arrows (Elixir 3)
This deck shares six cards with the Miner And Poison deck introduced earlier, but there isn’t any Poison anymore. As a substitute, the player might want to use a combo of Royal Ghost and Miner, which cost one less Elixir in comparison with the Poison deck.
Since poison can’t be countered, this deck is not going to have a 100% likelihood of effectiveness, however the damage dealt by Royal Ghost is significantly higher than that of poison. So, even when the quantity of successful attacks is lower than the Poison combo, the quantity of harm dealt is deadlier.
Also, this deck uses Minions as an alternative of Skeleton Army, and despite having the identical cost, Minions can’t be destroyed using 2-Elixir spells like Zap.