Clash Royale is a real-time strategy duel from Supercell, built from a deck of eight cards drawn from the Clash of Clans cast. Two players face each other across a small arena with three towers apiece, and the goal is to destroy the opponent's King Tower — or hold more towers than they do when the timer runs out.
Elixir governs everything. It refills continuously, and each card costs a set amount to play, so the game is a constant judgement about whether to commit now or wait for a better trade. Countering a costly push with a cheaper card leaves you elixir ahead, and converting that advantage into a counter-attack is the core skill of the game.
Matches last three minutes, with elixir generating at double rate for the final minute and triple in overtime, which turns the closing stretch into a much faster exchange than the opening.
Deck-building is where most of the depth sits. Eight cards have to cover air and ground threats, swarms, tanks and buildings, at an average elixir cost low enough to keep pace. Cards level up through duplicates and gold, and the game matches players by trophies earned in ladder play.
Free to play on Android and iOS, monetised through chests, gold and card purchases. A network connection is required, since every match is played live against another person.
Supercell, the Finnish studio behind Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars, has developed and operated Clash Royale since 2016.
