Clash Royale: Best Defensive Cards

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Human Made

I've been playing video games pretty much nonstop ever since I got my first Xbox 360.

In Clash Royale, few things are most important than strong defense. While the offensive cards and win cons get all the glory, the top defenders are just as important. In this article, I’ll give my picks for the top 7 defensive cards in Clash Royale! But first, let’s look at what makes a good “defensive” card in the first place.

What Makes a Card “Defensive”

When I call a card defensive, I mean that it’s purpose is either primarily or entirely to defend. I know, obvious. But the difference between a defense card and a support card is a pretty thin line, so I wanted to clarify. A support card might be good at defending, but they’re better when used to back up (or support) another troop. Defensive cards aren’t meant for supporting; they’re meant for defending. Either might do the other’s role from time to time, but I won’t be including supportive cards like Baby Dragon or Firecracker on this list, even if they might be good defenders as well.

7. Inferno Tower

Inferno Tower is the first of several buildings on this list, which shouldn’t be surprising. Buildings are almost always defensive, so it makes sense that they excel at it. Inferno Tower, in particular, is excellent at countering high-HP tanks. Its damage increases over time as it remains on the same target, so it can destroy troops of any HP in roughly the same amount of time. This makes it horrible at clearing out swarms or low-HP troops, but if you need to take out a Mega Knight, Giant, or other tank, there’s nothing better. Plus, it stays on the battlefield for quite a while, so it’s rare that you use it and don’t get to use it for something.

6. Bomb Tower

Bomb Tower is one step above Inferno Tower since it’s much harder to play against. While a skilled player can effectively counter Inferno Tower with the right cards, Bomb Tower sort of forces its way into the picture. Since it does AOE damage, its damage is much harder to avoid. Plus, once destroyed it leaves behind a bomb, so even if it does get destroyed it still often takes out the troop that did so. I find Bomb Tower to be a much more versatile defensive card than Inferno Tower, even though I do love both. Bomb Tower is one of the best counters for swarms and mid-HP troops in Clash Royale.

5. Hunter (Evo)

Hunter is a card that I feel doesn’t get the credit it deserves, whether evolved or not. The damage it deals depends on how close he is to his target, so you’ll want to drop him right into the fight. Hunter does more DPS than almost anything else when in close range, so he’s perfect for countering everything from slow tanks to win cons like Hog Rider that it can quickly blow up. Then if you have the evolution, he gains the ability to ensnare troops as well. This makes him even stronger against the more mobile troops, and also helps keep tanks out of fights until their support is already gone. For only 4 elixir, it’s hard to find a better high-DPS defensive troop than the Hunter.

4. Cannon (Evo)

Cannon has always been solid at defending, but the evolution puts it over the top. When the evolved cannon enters the battlefield, it sends a barrage of damage across the arena. It’s enough damage to clear out swarms and some lower-HP troops, which is great on its own. Then there’s the typical high DPS of the Cannon itself once it’s on the battlefield. Cannon is one of the cheapest buildings in the game, and for such a low elixir cost it’s hard not to recommend its evolution as one of the best defensive cards. The normal version is also great, but the evolution is what puts it on this list.

3. Royal Recruits (Evo)

Royal Recruits, with or without the evolution, are perfect for countering almost anything (on the ground). They spawn in a line across the battlefield, so they can counter troops on both sides. They then push forward across both sides of the bridge, forcing opponents to split their defense or put them in a more vulnerable spot in the middle. Royal Recruits are the best card in the game when it comes to creating counter pushes, and for defensive purposes there’s really nothing on the ground they don’t help deal with.

2. The Log / Barbarian Barrel

The runner up spot is technically a tie, as both do the same thing. The Log and Barbarian Barrel are S+ counters for any low-HP threats. From Goblin Barrel to Skeleton Army and everything in-between, if it has low HP, these are the two best ways to deal with them. They serve no purpose other than to clear out low-HP troops on the ground, so they’re perfect candidates for this list. I do miss when the Log had the ridiculous range it used to have because it felt like more a real threat back then, but even as it is, it’s still a contender for the top of the list.

1. Goblin Cage (Evo)

Goblin Cage with its evolution is the best defensive card in Clash Royale, in my opinion. The evolution for this card is simply absurd when it comes to how much it counters. It neutralizes anything that comes near it, with the only real counter being to sacrifice something else to it first. It contains a nearby troop within the Cage and does tons of damage, which is great against virtually everything. Even if your opponent can’t be countered by Goblin Cage’s evolution, it still causes tons of problems for them. There’s hardly anything you can do against it, which makes it the strongest defensive card in the game.

Clash Royale: Best Defensive Cards

Defense wins trophies.

What Makes a Card “Defensive”

7. Inferno Tower

6. Bomb Tower

5. Hunter (Evo)

4. Cannon (Evo)

3. Royal Recruits (Evo)

2. The Log / Barbarian Barrel

1. Goblin Cage (Evo)

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Clash Royale: Best Evolved Royal Hogs Decks

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Clash Royale: Best Defensive Cards

Defense wins trophies.

What Makes a Card “Defensive”

7. Inferno Tower

6. Bomb Tower

5. Hunter (Evo)

4. Cannon (Evo)

3. Royal Recruits (Evo)

2. The Log / Barbarian Barrel

1. Goblin Cage (Evo)

Clash Royale Navigation

Visit the HGG Shop, Traveler?

Join the Discussion

Clash Royale: Best Evo Goblin Cage Decks

Clash Royale: Best Evo Mortar Decks

Clash Royale: Best Battle Ram Decks

Clash Royale: 7 Best Epic Cards Ranked

Clash Royale: Best Evolved Royal Hogs Decks

Clash Royale: Archetypes and Counter Guide