Introduction
Love them or hate them, Goblins are an undeniable presence in the Clash Royale arena. These small, green, spear-wielding tricksters can be the bane of your existence or the key to your next triumphant victory. Too often, they’re dismissed as a mere common card, easily countered and not worth the deck slot. But underestimate them at your peril! Goblins, with their lightning-fast speed and surprisingly potent damage, can swing the momentum of a battle when used strategically.
So, what exactly are Goblins in the world of Clash Royale? These are common rarity troop cards that cost a measly two elixir. They consist of a trio of nimble, melee units that prioritize attacking buildings. That’s the basic definition, but their potential extends far beyond that. This article will demonstrate how Goblins, despite their fragility, offer a surprisingly versatile and effective option in Clash Royale when used strategically.
We’ll delve deep into the world of Goblins, dissecting their strengths and weaknesses, exploring optimal deployment strategies, examining common counters, showcasing effective decks that utilize them, and even touching on their various Goblin-related counterparts. Prepare to discover why these seemingly insignificant creatures might just be the secret ingredient missing from your Clash Royale strategy.
Goblin Basics: Understanding the Stats
Let’s start with the foundation: understanding the core stats of the Goblin card. As mentioned, these are a troop card, available at common rarity, setting you back a mere two elixir, a testament to their cost-effectiveness. You get three of these little guys per deployment.
Each Goblin, at level one, has a certain amount of hitpoints. At max level, those hitpoints increase significantly, making them slightly more resilient, although still prone to spells. Their damage output per hit is also relatively low at level one, but scaling quickly as they’re upgraded. But don’t let that initial assessment fool you; three Goblins combined can dish out some serious damage if left unchecked, especially to a tower.
Their hit speed is fairly quick, contributing to their overall damage per second output. But their most notable feature is their very fast speed. This allows them to quickly close the gap to their target, making them incredibly effective for swift pushes and capitalizing on moments when your opponent is low on elixir. Goblins are available early in the game, unlocking within Arena one – the Goblin Stadium, a perfect place to get started.
The crucial takeaway here is that while individually vulnerable, Goblins’ combined damage potential, speed, and exceptionally low cost make them a force to be reckoned with.
Strengths of Goblins: More Than Meets the Eye
The most significant asset Goblins bring to the table is their minimal elixir cost. At only two elixir, they’re one of the cheapest units in the game. This allows for incredibly fast cycle decks, enabling you to quickly rotate through your card selections to reach your win condition faster. Their low cost also allows you to play aggressive defense and prepare counterattacks rapidly.
For a troop costing only two elixir, their overall damage output is impressive. A trio of Goblins, if ignored, can inflict hundreds of damage points to a tower in a matter of seconds. This makes them ideal for punishing opponents who are slow to react or overcommit to larger pushes.
Their very fast movement speed is another key strength. They quickly reach their target, making them excellent for catching opponents off guard and delivering quick, decisive blows. This speed also makes them valuable for cycling your deck more efficiently.
Goblins aren’t limited to one role; they offer versatility. You can use them offensively to pressure towers, defensively to distract high-damage units, or even as spell bait to force your opponent to waste valuable elixir.
Finally, Goblins excel at punishing elixir overspending. If your opponent invests heavily in a high-cost troop, a swift Goblin deployment can force them to waste elixir defending, buying you valuable time and potentially tilting the battle in your favor.
Weaknesses of Goblins: Knowing Their Limitations
While Goblins offer many advantages, it’s crucial to acknowledge their shortcomings. Their low hitpoints are a major vulnerability. They are incredibly susceptible to spells like Zap, The Log, and Arrows, any of which can instantly eliminate them. Similarly, area damage troops, like Valkyries, Wizards, and Baby Dragons, can quickly decimate them.
Many common cards easily counter Goblins, diminishing their impact if deployed carelessly. Their limited utility against troops adds another layer of complexity. Goblins target buildings and are completely ineffective in directly engaging enemy ground forces.
Moreover, Goblins are susceptible to prediction spells. Skilled opponents can anticipate Goblin placements and preemptively unleash spells to wipe them out before they even reach their target.
Ultimately, Goblins rarely operate in isolation. They thrive when supported by a tank or other units that can absorb damage and draw enemy fire. Without such support, their fragility often becomes their undoing.
Goblin Strategies and Tactics: Mastering the Art of Deception
To effectively utilize Goblins, you must understand their strategic applications. Offensively, use them to punish your opponent’s elixir advantage after they have spent more elixir than you. Deploy them behind a tank like a Giant or Golem to inflict substantial tower damage while the tank absorbs enemy attacks.
Repeatedly sending small groups of Goblins down a lane can chip away at a tower’s health, forcing your opponent to react. Goblins also synergize well with Goblin Barrels, serving as excellent bait for spells before launching the Barrel. In a split push, send Goblins down one lane while deploying a larger threat in the other to divide your opponent’s defenses.
Defensively, Goblins can distract single-target troops like Princes or Mini P.E.K.K.As, buying valuable time for your towers to eliminate the threat. They can serve as a cheap card to cycle your deck. In dire situations, they can even take out a low-health tower as an emergency measure.
Placement is everything when using Goblins. For offensive pushes, deploy them near the bridge to minimize travel time. Position them behind a tank to protect them from immediate attacks. Consider placing them slightly to the side to avoid splash damage. With experience, you’ll learn to predict your opponent’s movements and place Goblins accordingly, maximizing their impact.
Goblin Card Synergies: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Goblins shine when paired with the right teammates. Goblin Barrels form a classic synergy. Use Goblins to bait out spells, then launch the Barrel for maximum tower damage. The Goblin Gang provides even more Goblins, amplifying their offensive potential and creating more bait opportunities.
The Miner is a fantastic tank, drawing tower fire while the Goblins deal significant damage. Goblins can add considerable damage when paired with a Hog Rider. They support the Hog Rider and can hit the tower after the Hog connects. The Graveyard benefits from Goblins clearing out swarm units, while the Graveyard spawns skeletons to tank for them.
Spells like The Log or Zap clear out Goblin counters, paving the way for unobstructed attacks. Giants, Golems, and other tanks protect the Goblins, allowing them to reach the tower and inflict massive damage. Wall Breakers combined with Goblins can overwhelm the enemy by getting the Goblins to the tower faster.
Goblin Counters: Knowing the Enemy
Understanding Goblin counters is equally important. Zap is a popular and effective counter, instantly eliminating them for a small elixir cost. The Log provides a similar, albeit slightly less efficient, counter. Arrows take out Goblins from a distance. Fireball is overkill, but effective if other troops are nearby. Valkyries eliminate Goblins with their splash damage attack.
Witches spawn skeletons that easily dispatch Goblins. Wizards and Executioners, with their area damage, melt Goblins swiftly. Guards are fast to deploy and will kill goblins on defense
Decks Featuring Goblins: Putting It All Together
Let’s examine some example decks that effectively utilize Goblins.
A classic Goblin Barrel Bait deck might include the Goblin Barrel, Goblin Gang, Princess, Knight, Inferno Tower, The Log, and Rocket. The strategy revolves around baiting out spells with cheaper cards and capitalizing with a devastating Goblin Barrel or Rocket.
A Hog Rider Cycle deck could consist of the Hog Rider, Goblins, Skeletons, Ice Spirit, The Log, Fireball, Cannon, and Musketeer. This deck focuses on quickly cycling to the Hog Rider while using cheap defenses to protect your towers.
A Miner Control deck might incorporate the Miner, Poison, Goblins, Bats, Inferno Tower, Valkyrie, The Log, and Tombstone. This deck relies on the Miner to tank and deliver Goblins to the tower while controlling the battlefield with strategic spell placements.
Variations of Goblins: The Goblin Family
The Goblin family extends beyond the basic unit. The Goblin Gang provides a larger swarm of Goblins for increased damage potential. The Goblin Giant is a tank with spear goblins, creating a push with both front and back-line support. The Goblin Barrel offers a unique deployment mechanic, delivering Goblins directly to the tower. Spear Goblins are cheap ranged attackers, providing ranged support from a safe distance.
Each Goblin variant has unique strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your playstyle. Consider the card synergies between members of the Goblin family when building your deck.
Advanced Goblin Tips & Tricks: Taking It to the Next Level
To truly master Goblins, explore advanced techniques. Split deployment can minimize the impact of a single counter spell. Predicting your opponent’s moves and placing Goblins accordingly can maximize their damage output. Use Goblins as a distraction to redirect enemy troops.
Master elixir management, knowing when to play Goblins and when to save elixir. Always consider the level of your Goblins, as their effectiveness scales significantly with upgrades.
Conclusion
Goblins, often underestimated, are a potent force in Clash Royale. Their low cost, fast speed, and surprising damage output make them valuable in a variety of strategies. Mastering their strengths and weaknesses, understanding optimal deployment tactics, and knowing their counters will unlock their true potential.
Goblins offer a surprisingly versatile and effective choice in Clash Royale. So don’t underestimate the power of the Goblins; they might just be the key to your next victory.
