Cycle decks in Clash Royale
Cycle decks play a fast, cheap win condition (Hog Rider, Wall Breakers, Miner, Royal Hogs) over and over. Cheap defenders and spells let them defend positively and return to the win condition before the opponent's counter comes back into hand.
Usually 2.6–3.2 average elixir.
Key cards
Strengths
- Always has an answer in hand
- Punishes expensive plays immediately
- Hard to out-cycle
Weaknesses
- Low damage per push; relies on chip
- Can be overwhelmed by large double-elixir pushes
- Vulnerable to defensive buildings if it lacks Earthquake or Fireball
How to beat cycle decks
- Place a defensive building to pull the win condition
- Defend cheaply and counter-push rather than trading spells
- Build one push they cannot out-cycle in double elixir
Example deck, scored by RoyaleIQ
Cycle deck: 88/100
Cycle Clash Royale deck with Evolved Knight, Hog Rider, Musketeer, Cannon, Ice Golem, Ice Spirit, Fireball and The Log. It scores 88/100 (Excellent) at 2.9 average elixir.
Strengths
- Redundant swarm control: 2 independent cards cover this: The Log, Fireball.
- Hog Rider + Ice Golem: Ice Golem kites and tanks for Hog in a fast cycle
- Efficient elixir curve: 2.9 average fits a cycle plan.