Card types in Clash Royale explained

Cards are the only way of deploying troops, spells and buildings in Clash Royale, so if you want to succeed in the game, you need to be intimately familiar with them. There are four main types of cards that you can use in your decks: Troops, Spells, Buildings, and Champions. Each of these card types plays a unique role in the game, contributing to different strategies and tactics.

Troop cards are perhaps the most common and essential cards for any deck. They summon units onto the battlefield that march towards the enemy's towers. Troops vary widely in terms of their speed, attack range, abilities, health, and damage output. Effective use of troop cards is all about knowing when to deploy them and how to support them with other cards.

For example, the P.E.K.K.A. is a powerful single-target troop with high health and damage, perfect for taking down enemy tanks or buildings. On the other hand, the Minion Horde consists of multiple units that can overwhelm opponents if not countered quickly.

Spell cards are versatile tools that can be used to cast temporary powerful effects on the battlefield, such as dealing direct damage, freezing enemies, or buffing your troops. They require precise timing and placement, as a well-placed spell can turn the tide of battle in an instant. Spells like Fireball or Zap can be used to eliminate swarms of weaker troops or to chip away at enemy towers.

Building cards create structures on the battlefield that serve specific purposes, such as defending against enemy troops or spawning units, and supporting your offense. Buildings are stationary and only stay in the Arena for a set duration. So the key to using them effectively is to place them strategically on the battlefield to maximize their impact.

You can use buildings like the Cannon and the Inferno Tower for defense, as they help draw enemy troops away from your towers and neutralize them before they cause significant damage. Other buildings, like the Goblin Hut, continuously spawn troops, providing a steady stream of units to pressure your opponent.

Champion cards offer unique abilities that can dramatically affect the outcome of a match. They are usually unlocked at higher levels and can be pivotal in high-stakes battles. Their abilities often require careful management, as they can only be used once per deployment. Champion cards like the Archer Queen and Golden Knight have special powers that set them apart from regular troops.

Tower Troops are a unique type of card introduced in a recent update. Unlike regular troops, these cards are directly connected to your Princess Towers. When you deploy a Tower Troop, it effectively transforms your Princess Tower into a specialized unit for a certain period, allowing it to attack more dynamically.