What’s in the secret sauce that has turned Clash Royale into a global sensation? Could it be its brilliant mashup of tower defence, strategy and collectible-card genres? The heady blend of deck-building and on-the-fly decision-making?
Whatever it is, it’s potent stuff – and it has only gotten stronger since the game’s revolutionary 2016 launch. Here’s why Clash Royale remains a go-to:
Friendly fire
While Clash Royale’s lightning-fast matches deliver a steady stream of online opponents, everything’s better when you’re in a Clan. Boost your decks with trades, practise winning strategies or just chat up a storm.
And thanks to the fantastic Clan Wars feature, you and your pals can take on the world in multistage battles. The latest iteration, Clan Wars 2, sends you down a raging river, where you’ll battle other boats (and defend your own) by building decks and taking out turrets. Win and you’ll reap hefty rewards, speeding your progress as you shoot up the leaderboards.
Mode mania
Clash’s main mode is all about chasing trophies and rising in the ranks. But a revolving stream of fresh challenges keeps you on your toes. The football-themed Touchdown, for instance, gets rid of the towers – and rewards you for getting a unit into the end zone. Or try playing with an 18-card Mega Deck! With every update come fresh takes on tower-toppling.
Evolving armies
Still using the Hog Rider to take down towers? Try the Ram Rider to stun enemies as you do structural damage. And who wants a regular Giant when you can use a Goblin Giant equipped with two spear-throwing buddies? From the stealthy Royal Ghost to the grunt-squashing Mega Knight, awesome new characters are introduced regularly – and with each new season, you can test out a temporarily upgraded unit.