Hey Clash Royale fans! Are you ready to dive deep into the world of Evolutions? Today, we’re breaking down every single Evolution in Clash Royale, ranking them from the absolute bottom of the barrel to the crรจme de la crรจme! Evolutions have shaken up the meta, changing how we build decks and strategize in battles. With so many to choose from, it can be tough to know which Evolutions are truly game-changers and which onesโฆ well, let’s just say they might need a little more time in the Evolution chamber.
This ranking is based on a top ladder perspective, focusing on competitive play at the highest levels. We’ll consider factors like versatility, effectiveness in the current meta, and overall impact on gameplay. So, buckle up as we count down from the not-so-great to the absolutely amazing, revealing the ultimate Clash Royale Evolution tier list!
The Bottom Tier: Evolutions That Need a Little Love
Let’s start with the Evolutions that are currently struggling to find their place in the meta. These are the ones you might want to think twice about before including in your deck, at least for now.
28. Tesla Evolution: The Fallen Sparky
Kicking off our list at the very bottom, we have the Tesla Evolution. Oh, Tesla, how the mighty have fallen! Once a defensive staple, the Tesla has been hit with multiple nerfs, leaving it overshadowed by its cheaper cousin, the Cannon. According to the video, the Tesla is now “second fiddle to the cannon.” Think about it โ the Cannon is cheaper, deals more damage, and in many ways, just outshines the Tesla in its current state.
The Tesla Evolution, sadly, doesn’t offer enough to redeem it. The extra value it provides is minimal, making it a lackluster choice. It’s not just the Evolution that’s struggling; the base Tesla card itself is in a “really, really bad spot.” If you’re looking for a defensive building, the Cannon or other options are generally going to give you more bang for your Elixir. Hopefully, Supercell will give the Tesla some love in future updates to bring it back into the competitive scene.
27. Royal Giant Evolution: Barely Royal?
Next up at number 27 is the Royal Giant Evolution. Now, the Royal Giant is a card that often sparks debate. Some players love its siege potential, while others find it easily countered. This Evolution, however, doesn’t seem to sway the opinions in a positive direction. The video states that it “barely provides any bonus value aside from killing skeletons and knocking back some troops.”
Think about it โ if you handed a top Royal Giant player a regular Royal Giant versus the evolved version, would they perform significantly better with the Evolution? According to the video, probably not. The impact of the Evolution is so minimal that it hardly justifies using an Evolution slot on it. Furthermore, the Royal Giant itself is “really hard to play in the current meta.” So, both the base card and its Evolution are facing challenges, landing it near the bottom of our list.
26. Giant Snowball Evolution: The Odd Spell Out
Coming in at number 26 is the Giant Snowball Evolution. Spells are crucial in Clash Royale, providing control, chip damage, and defensive utility. However, the Giant Snowball Evolution struggles to find its niche among the powerful spell options available. The video points out that it’s “really just ineffective” and is even “getting a balance change” to try and improve it.
The problem with the Giant Snowball is that other spell combinations are simply superior. “Zap arrows, zap Fireball, lightning arrows, lightning bar Barrel โ pretty much every spell combo in the game is just better and already exists.” This leaves the Giant Snowball as the “odd man out.” While balance changes might shift its viability, currently, it’s hard to justify picking the Snowball Evolution over more impactful spell options.
25. Goblin Drill Evolution: Niche and Not-So-Strong
At number 25, we have the Goblin Drill Evolution. The Goblin Drill is a win condition card, meaning it’s designed to directly target and damage enemy towers. However, this Evolution faces a couple of key challenges. Firstly, it’s “really not extremely strong in the meta.” Secondly, being a “wind condition Evo,” it lacks versatility. “You can’t just shove it in any deck you want.”
This limited versatility is a significant drawback. Unlike more flexible Evolutions that can be slotted into various deck archetypes, the Goblin Drill Evolution is restricted to specific deck builds. Combined with its lack of meta dominance, it becomes a “poor choice of an evolution right now.” If you’re not already a dedicated Goblin Drill player, this Evolution probably won’t convince you to become one.
24. Archers Evolution: Arrow Bait Gone Wrong
Next up at number 24 are the Archers Evolution. Archers are a classic, cheap ranged unit, but their Evolution seems to fall short of expectations. The video humorously points out the core issue: “the archers are really cool and uh they just die to arrows instantly.”
This vulnerability to Arrows is a major problem. In a meta where Arrows are a common and effective spell, an Evolution that is instantly countered by it is inherently weak. The video argues that you’re typically better off with “counterparts that die to arrows like firecracker or dark Goblin cuz at least they can get Tower damage before they die.” Archers, in their evolved form, struggle to provide consistent value, making them “not worth using” in most scenarios.
23. Mega Knight Evolution: Mid Ladder Menace, Top Ladder Miss
Coming in at number 23 is the Mega Knight Evolution. The Mega Knight is a card that evokes strong reactions, particularly in mid ladder where it can feel incredibly oppressive. However, this ranking is based on “top ladder,” and from that perspective, the Mega Knight Evolution is “currently one of the worst top ladder cards.”
While acknowledging its power against less experienced players, the video emphasizes that “a lot of the time the mega Knight’s not going to get the most amazing value.” Furthermore, “Mega Knight in The Meta right now is just bad.” With limited success at the highest levels of play, the Mega Knight Evolution, despite its intimidating presence, is considered a “pretty bad Evo” for competitive players.
22. Musketeer Evolution: Potential Untapped?
At number 22, we have the Musketeer Evolution. The Musketeer is a solid ranged unit that has seen play in various decks. The video notes that the Musketeer is “a very interesting one” and “with her buff that she just got she could definitely climb up the ranks.” There’s a sense of potential here, but current meta trends are holding her back.
The issue is that “musketeer isn’t being used in too many decks right now.” This is due to the prevalence of other strong ranged options like “goblin Stein and Archer Queen.” In deck building, “you only need one or two range cards in a deck,” and often, more powerful or versatile options are prioritized. So, while the Musketeer Evolution may be “fairly strong,” it’s not being picked over “more broken options,” keeping it in the lower-mid tier for now.
21. Wizard Evolution: Consistent but Niche
Slightly higher at number 21 is the Wizard Evolution. The Wizard, known for its splash damage, gets a boost in its evolved form. The video ranks it “better than the musketeer because he gets more consistent value than the musketeer and practically can’t be killed on defense.”
This improved survivability and consistent splash damage are valuable assets. While the Musketeer might have higher potential in specific matchups, the Wizard Evolution offers more reliable performance across a wider range of situations. However, like the Musketeer, the Wizard might still be overshadowed by other, more meta-defining Evolutions.
20. Elixir Golem Evolution: Niche Beatdown, Limited Appeal
Moving up to number 20, we find the Elixir Golem Evolution. The Elixir Golem is a unique card, offering a risky but potentially rewarding beatdown strategy. The video describes the Elixir Golem Evolution as “fairly strong,” but its main drawback is that it’s “just really Niche.”
It’s primarily used in “only like a couple Beatdown decks and recruits.” The dominance of the Cannon Evolution further limits its appeal, as “the cannon is just so much better on so many levels in most decks in the game.” While the Elixir Golem Evolution can be effective in specific, dedicated decks, its niche nature and competition from other Evolutions keep it in the mid-range of this ranking.
Mid-Tier: Solid Options with Room to Grow
These Evolutions are decent choices, offering noticeable improvements to their base cards and finding some success in the meta. They might not be game-breaking, but they can certainly contribute to a well-rounded deck.
19. Royal Recruits Evolution: Ladder Oppressors, Top Ladder Struggles
At number 19, we have the Royal Recruits Evolution. Royal Recruits can be a formidable force, especially on ladder where players might struggle to deal with their spread-out formation. The video notes that they are “very strong low ladder and mid ladder because they’re oppressive and people don’t know how to deal with them.”
However, at “top ladder,” the story changes. “It’s just very easy to deal with recruits at top ladder and people’s decks have stopped being extremely weak to recruits.” As players become more skilled and decks become more refined, the Royal Recruits’ weaknesses are more easily exploited. While still “very strong,” their effectiveness diminishes at the highest levels, placing them in the lower end of the mid-tier.
18. Battle Ram Evolution: Bridge Spam Potential, Skill Dependent
Moving up to number 18, we have the Battle Ram Evolution. The Battle Ram is a fast, offensive card often used in Bridge Spam decks. The video points out that “pek of bridge spam has seen a massive increase in usage and win percentage and with that comes the battle Ram Evo.”
This Evolution is described as “very very dangerous” and capable of “win[ning] you entire games by itself.” However, its effectiveness is tied to player skill. “Although the Evo is really really strong it’s pretty difficult to get this thing to the tower consistently.” You need to be “pretty good at Bridge spam to get this thing to the Tower and get value out of it.” While powerful in the right hands, its skill-dependent nature and vulnerability to counters prevent it from ranking higher.
17. Barbarians Evolution: Ground Meta Climbers
At number 17, we have the Barbarians Evolution. Barbarians, a versatile melee troop, have seen a resurgence in popularity. The video notes that they “were ranked as one of the worst evolutions of the game just a month ago and they have crawled up the ranks.”
This climb is attributed to the shifting meta. “As The Meta is more ground heavy you have a lot of bridge spam you have a lot of like giants Goblin giants. P.K Rune Giants barbs will be strong.” They are effective against ground-based threats and have found their way into decks like “e goem Bridge bam Lava Hound.” While “not freakishly good” and “not nearly as good as they once used to be,” they are “steadily climbing up in use rate and win rate,” making them a solid mid-tier choice.
16. Firecracker Evolution: Oppressive but Arrow-Prone
Coming in at number 16 is the Firecracker Evolution. The Firecracker is known for its splash damage and ability to hit air and ground units. The video acknowledges that the Firecracker can be “super oppressive” and “miserable” to face.
However, a significant weakness holds it back: “the fact that she just dies to arrows and the fact that arrows are just such a high use rate card right now make her way worse than she usually is.” The prevalence of Arrows as a counter has made the Firecracker Evolution “much more manageable.” While still capable of strong plays, its vulnerability to a common spell keeps it in the mid-tier.
15. Bomber Evolution: Versatile and Surprising
Slightly edging out the Firecracker at number 15 is the Bomber Evolution. Like the Firecracker, the Bomber is a splash damage dealer, but it offers some unique advantages. The video argues that the Bomber “effectively does the same thing get Tower damage from a ways away or just snipe like counters from ways away.”
However, the Bomber is “a little bit more weird to deal with” than the Firecracker. “You typically don’t see arrows on a bomber too often and bomber often catches people by surprise.” This element of surprise and less common counterplay gives the Bomber a slight edge in versatility and effectiveness, placing it a bit higher than the Firecracker.
14. Wall Breakers Evolution: Cycle Offense and Defense
Moving up to number 14, we have the Wall Breakers Evolution. Wall Breakers are fast, cheap units designed to target towers. The video highlights their resurgence in the meta: “it’s fun to see these wall breakers back in the meta unless you’re the one facing them.”
Their “damage buff has made them viable on defense again,” acting as an “out of jail free card on defense.” Offensively, their “damage is boosted as well,” leading to “a massive connection if you can time them right.” The Wall Breakers Evolution has gone from “one of the worst evos in the game to a pretty pretty strong viable option in many decks,” making them a solid mid-tier pick with both offensive and defensive capabilities.
13. Barbarian Barrel Evolution: Bait Synergy, Deck Dependent
At number 13, we find the Barbarian Barrel Evolution. The Barbarian Barrel is a versatile spell-troop hybrid, often used in bait decks. The video suggests that its ranking is “being carried by the fact that its deck is so extremely strong bait is just so good in the meta right now.”
While the Evolution itself might not be “amazing,” the strength of bait archetypes elevates its viability. “Bait being one of the strongest and not the strongest archetype in the game right now makes Barrel a very strong Evolution.” Its synergy with other “broken cards like the Evo dark Goblin, the recruits decks with Goblin Stein and Cannon” contributes to its effectiveness, especially within dedicated bait decks.
12. Electro Dragon Evolution: Beatdown Power, Meta Shifted
Coming in at number 12 is the Electro Dragon Evolution. The Electro Dragon is a unique air unit that chains lightning attacks. The video notes that it has “started to take a little bit of a tank now” and “fell off in the meta because the decks it used to be used in and abused in are no longer very good.”
Despite being “still really overpowered in a few select decks,” the Electro Dragon Evolution is becoming more “Niche.” “You’re not going to see too many people running an e drag in their deck like it’s no longer a thing in Pekka Bridge spam it’s kind of only in lumberloon Golem and a few other Decks.” While still powerful in specific beatdown archetypes, its reduced versatility and meta shift have lowered its overall ranking.
11. Mortar Evolution: Deck-Bound Dominance
Moving up to number 11, we have the Mortar Evolution. The Mortar is a long-range siege building that can control lanes and chip away at towers. The video emphasizes that the Mortar is “just so so ridiculously strong in the meta” and “the mortar deck is just a like population of like six really broken cards and then two spells.”
This raises the question: “how good is the mortar really well I don’t know because it’s being carried by really really good cards.” The Mortar Evolution is undeniably strong within its dedicated deck archetype, which is “unbelievably broken.” However, its limited deck diversity โ “it’s kind of only being used in one deck” โ prevents it from reaching the top tier. If you’re willing to commit to the Mortar deck, this Evolution is a powerhouse.
Top Tier: The Elite Evolutions
These are the Evolutions that are consistently strong, versatile, and meta-defining. They offer significant advantages and are often considered must-have Evolutions in competitive decks.
10. Lumberjack Evolution: Tower-Rushing Rage
Breaking into the top 10 at number 10 is the brand new Lumberjack Evolution. The Lumberjack is a fast, hard-hitting melee troop known for dropping a Rage spell upon death. The video expresses some hesitation to rank it “super high because Jack is just not a versatile card.”
However, the Lumberjack Evolution’s tower-rushing potential is undeniable. “The fact that he can spawn on towers and get crazy amounts of damage with bonus rages even though his damage has been nerfed is ridiculous can lose you entire games if you let it get on your Tower.” Despite its lack of versatility, the Lumberjack Evolution’s raw power and game-changing offensive potential earn it a spot in the top 10. The video even suggests it “could use another Nerf,” highlighting its current strength.
9. Valkyrie Evolution: Defensive Powerhouse, Statistically Undervalued?
At number 9, we have the Valkyrie Evolution. The Valkyrie is a splash damage melee troop effective at clearing swarms and defending against ground pushes. The video expresses some uncertainty about its ranking, stating, “I’m really interested to see what you guys think about this I rank the Knight higher you we’ll see in a second it’s barely higher than the valkyrie.”
The video acknowledges that “Valk is really strong on offense and defense and can bail you out of entire pushes.” However, it also notes that “the stats just don’t show that,” with the Knight seemingly performing better statistically. Despite this statistical anomaly, the Valkyrie Evolution’s raw defensive power and offensive capabilities make it a strong top-tier contender. The video even suggests a possible swap with the Knight in the ranking, indicating their close power level.
8. Knight Evolution: Versatile Tank, Graveyard Synergy
Moving up to number 8, we find the Knight Evolution. The Knight is a well-rounded melee troop known for its durability and decent damage. The video admits to being somewhat puzzled by its high ranking: “I don’t really understand the Knight the statistics show that the Knight is really really strong and in a lot of decks.”
Its strength is attributed to its “versatile” nature and ability to “tank range units really really well.” The video speculates that its popularity might be linked to the “massive uptick in The Meta” of Graveyard decks. While the video personally feels the Valkyrie Evolution is “better,” the Knight Evolution’s statistical success and versatility solidify its place in the top 10, slightly above the Valkyrie.
7. Bats Evolution: Aob Bait and Versatility King
At number 7, we have the Bats Evolution. Bats are cheap air units, often used for cycle and bait strategies. The video addresses previous skepticism about its high ranking, clarifying that it’s not just about “arob bait.” Instead, it’s about “Versatility because they can Arrow bait and how much it transforms the card.”
The Bats Evolution turns a “mid card kind of forgettable to bats being able to take almost the entire Tower against things like Royal Chef a dry dagger Duchess when they’re fully healed they are dangerous.” Their ability to “aob baate” (area-of-effect bait) is a major strength in the current meta, as “aob baate is the strongest thing in the meta right now.” Combined with their “versatile” nature, low cost, and transformation into a “really dangerous rat,” the Bats Evolution is a top-tier choice that demands immediate spell responses.
6. Zap Evolution: Versatile Utility, Meta Staple
Coming in at number 6 is the Zap Evolution. Zap is a cheap spell known for its stun and reset capabilities. The video highlights its widespread use: “it is the most used Evolution inside of the top 1,000 it is extremely versatile.”
Its versatility stems from its ability to “kill cards like Goblin Stein and uh things like Archer Queen as well things like minion horded will’ll see here archers.” The Zap Evolution’s utility allows it to “kill things you wouldn’t normally be able to kill like Fireball Evo zap can kill Archer Queens um er drags Arrow Evo zap can kill Goblin Stein.” This makes it a “very you know popular card in a lot of archetypes that are really strong Packa Bridge spam Goblin giant you have lava hound,” solidifying its position as a top-tier, highly versatile Evolution.
5. Goblin Giant Evolution: Beatdown Powerhouse, Meta Dependent
At number 5, we have the Goblin Giant Evolution. The Goblin Giant is a tanky win condition card known for its spear goblins on its back. The video acknowledges that it “could tank drastically because the Royal Chef has been making the goblin giant really really really really really really strong and oppressive.”
However, with “the Royal Chef is getting several big Nerfs,” the future viability of the Goblin Giant Evolution is uncertain. “How good is the goblin giant going to be well that’s up to you know up to the meta after the balance changes to see how good it is.” Despite potential meta shifts, “right now it is still ridiculously strong” and “one of the strongest Evas in the game.” Its beatdown power, while potentially meta-dependent, earns it a spot in the top 5 for now.
4. Skeletons Evolution: Cycle Staple, Value King
Moving up to number 4, we have the Skeletons Evolution. Skeletons are the cheapest unit in the game, known for their cycling and distraction capabilities. The video acknowledges that they are “much harder to use them ever since they’ve gone from four to three,” referring to a previous balance change.
Despite this nerf, they remain a “cycle player staple Evo” and “always going to get value if you play them correctly.” Top ladder players “always going to play their evos skeletons carefully after their opponent has used their counters,” maximizing their value. While “not extremely consistent” for less skilled players, the Skeletons Evolution’s potential for “tons of value” in cycle decks secures its top 4 ranking.
3. Ice Spirit Evolution: Cycle Synergy, Defensive Savior
At number 3, we have the Ice Spirit Evolution. The Ice Spirit is a cheap spell-troop hybrid known for its freeze effect and cycle potential. The video suggests it “could probably interchange this and the skeletons,” indicating their close power level. While it has “gone from the best EVO in the game to a top five Evo in the game because of the Nerf,” the Ice Spirit Evolution remains incredibly strong.
Its strength is tied to “cycle be one of the best decks in all of clash Royale consistently and every cycle deck runs Ice Spirit.” This makes the Ice Spirit Evolution “extremely strong extremely versatile” and able to “bail you out of defenses you wouldn’t normally be able to be bailed out of.” Its ability to enable aggressive plays and provide defensive utility makes it a top 3 Evolution.
2. Pekka Evolution: Versatile Powerhouse, Meta-Proof?
Coming in at number 2, we have the Pekka Evolution. The Pekka is a powerful melee tank known for its high damage and versatility. The video highlights its meta adaptability: “the Pekka has gone from Pekka Goblin Giant and Pekka e drag to Pekka Bridge span which is now one of the best decks in the meta again Pekka just doesn’t disappear.”
Despite an upcoming “range Nerf,” the Pekka Evolution is ranked so highly due to its “extremely versatile” nature. It’s “great on defense great on offense great in Bridge spam great in beat down great in lumberloon.” This versatility across multiple archetypes, even with a nerf on the horizon, makes the Pekka Evolution the second-best in the game, demonstrating its enduring power and adaptability.
1. Cannon Evolution: The Undisputed King!
And finally, at number 1, taking the crown as the best Evolution in Clash Royale, we have the Cannon Evolution! The Cannon is a cheap defensive building known for its cost-effectiveness and ground targeting. The video emphasizes its overwhelming popularity: “this one might shock you a whopping 18% use rate in the top 1,000 it is extremely strong.”
The Cannon Evolution’s strength lies in its ability to “wipe out pretty much everything on like half of the map when you play it.” This allows it to “destroy bait” and be used “on offense.” It’s described as “the best defensive building in the game it’s extremely extremely strong for only three Elixir” and capable of “distract[ing] things solo things like Royal giant.” The video concludes emphatically: “the cannon is the best EVO in the game because it is super versatile super strong super cheap.” Its high use rate, win percentage, and meta relevance solidify its position as the undisputed best Evolution in Clash Royale.
Conclusion: Meta Shifts and Evolution Choices
So there you have it โ a comprehensive ranking of every Evolution in Clash Royale, from the struggling Tesla to the dominant Cannon! This list highlights the ever-shifting meta of Clash Royale, where card viability can change rapidly with balance updates and emerging deck archetypes.
Summary of Top and Bottom Evolutions:
- Top 3: Cannon, Pekka, Ice Spirit – These Evolutions are consistently powerful, versatile, and meta-defining, offering significant advantages in a wide range of decks.
- Bottom 3: Tesla, Royal Giant, Giant Snowball – These Evolutions are currently underperforming, lacking impact, and struggling to find a place in the competitive meta.
Key Takeaways:
- Versatility is Key: The top-ranked Evolutions tend to be versatile, fitting into multiple deck archetypes and providing value in various situations.
- Meta Matters: Evolution strength is heavily influenced by the current meta. Evolutions that counter popular decks or synergize with meta archetypes tend to rise in the rankings.
- Balance is Fluid: Clash Royale is constantly evolving, and balance changes can dramatically shift the viability of Evolutions. This ranking reflects the meta at the time of the video and is subject to change.
Ultimately, the best Evolution for you will depend on your playstyle, deck preferences, and the current meta. However, this tier list provides a valuable guide to understanding the relative strengths of each Evolution and making informed decisions about your deck building. Let us know in the comments what you think of this ranking and which Evolutions are your favorites! Happy clashing!