It is time for a new common card rankings for all the common cards in Clash Royale! We will be having a power ranking, 21-1, of the common cards in Clash Royale as of November 2017. As many of you know, I have done this ranking before, back when there were only 20 common cards. The top 5 cards then, in order, were knight, zap, bats, goblin gang, and minions. Let’s see how much those rankings were shaken up over the past couple balance changes and updates!

You can view the old ranking here: https://clashfordummies.com/2017/11/02/clash-royale-common-card-rankings-november-2017/

How the Common Cards are Ranked

When ranking these cards we put a lot of thought and effort into what makes the best common card the best. We are considering a variety of different ways to rank which are order in importance as follows:

1. Versatility
2. Cost/Damage Ratio (is the card worth it?)
3. Strength on defense and offense

So now that you know what we are judging on, lets go ahead and get into the rankings, starting with number 21!

Note: Text color indicates which way the card is trending in regard to the November rankings.

Common Card Rankings

#21- Royal Giant

Its official… the royal giant is the worst common card in Clash Royale, only being good when he is severely overleveled. However, even when you are at 4k, where the overleveled RG is most common, you still don’t see him too often. With better win conditions like the golem and giant, its hard for the RG to be effective!

#20- Skeleton Barrel

Without the February 2018 balance changes, the skeleton barrel would probably be in the top 10 of these common card rankings. However, with that nerf severely impacting the skeleton barrel, it has dropped in usage and practically gets no more playing. Dropping to 6 skeletons was too harsh of a nerf and hopefully this card rebounds soon.

#19- Bomber

Consistently the bomber scores low on this list, mainly because its health remains way too weak and it is too vulnerable to air. With a small nerf, I think that the bomber can be a much better card, but it hasn’t been touched in over a year. There’s just no great spot for it with better support cards to use instead of the bomber.

#18- Cannon

Once upon a time, the cannon used to be the premiere defense in Clash Royale, eclipsing both the tesla and the inferno tower. Now, however, the cannon is barely used, mostly because it lacks the firepower that these other two defenses can bring. The cannon is mostly just good for countering the hog, but as we have moved away from a hog meta, the cannon has suffered.

#17- Barbarians

Early on in the history of Clash Royale, barbarians were one of the best defensive cards in Clash Royale. However, as new cards have been added, barbarians have quickly fallen down the ranks of common cards. In fact, barbarians have dropped rank in every single one of our common card rankings. A cheaper cost would really make barbarians viable.

#16- Skeletons

The real issue with the skeletons is that they are either too weak with 3 skeletons or way too strong with 4 skeletons. Right now, with 3 skeletons, the skeletons card is on the wrong side of the meta. The ice spirit is a MUCH better 1 elixir card than skeletons right now. For this card to be viable in the meta, the fourth skeleton has to be brought back.

#15- Fire Spirits

Right now, fire spirits are kind of in the middle of nowhere. They aren’t a terrible card, but they aren’t the most efficient or effective card that you could use. A great player can use fire spirits to amazing lengths, but most of the time, its tough to use fire spirits to their full potential. Still, they can fit in well in most decks which puts them at a solid 15.

#14- Elite Barbarians

This is definitely one of the most hated cards in Clash Royale and it is my honor to tell you that the elite barbarians have never been in a worse position in the game. With the introduction of the mega knight as yet another card that could easily counter the EBs, they have fallen on the radar big time, played now only by level 12s with no skill at 4,000 trophies.

#13- Spear Goblins

Despite the fact that bats, the best alternative to spear goblins, are currently one of the best cards in Clash Royale, spear goblins are rising up through the rankings! They are great for counter basically any cheap card, since they can kill both air and ground cards, as well as distract both card types, all for only 2 elixir!

#12- Tesla

The tesla has a huge jump up through the rankings, mostly because of the big damage buff finally realizing its mark. If you have yet to use the tesla, you should definitely try it out. This defense is more than enough to kill the royal giant, as well as provide great defensive value against both the giant and the lava hound. Its been a great turnaround for the tesla!

#11- Arrows

Arrows are so great right now mainly because of one fact: zap can’t kill minions or minion horde. Arrows are a surefire way to kill any minion card, something that is beyond helpful in the mix of a big push. With the minion horde and minions being so popular in the meta, its important to be able to take them out fully, which is the service arrows can provide.

#10- Goblins

Goblins have fallen off a bit as the goblin gang is still a very firm alternative to regular goblins. The problem with goblins is that they can’t kill air units, which is a severe disadvantage to using them on defense. They are also pretty weak, with most cards like the musketeer able to one shot them. Still, they do offer some value as a cheap 2 elixir card in cycle decks.

#9- Minion Horde

While the minion horde offers absolutely insane DPS, it is still much too easy to counter them. However, being at the number 9 spot in the common card rankings means that it is still a great card. Mostly, the minion horde is paired with the miner or giant in a counterpush, hoping that the opponent doesn’t have an answer to this overwhelming card.

#8- Mortar

Without much surprise to a lot of you, the mortar is going to be the biggest riser in this edition of common card rankings, rising up an incredible 12 spots to number 8. Currently, the mortar is featured in one of the best decks in Clash Royale and with the popularity of cards like the ice spirit, tornado, and knight, defending it has become much easier.

#7- Knight

While the knight is certainly still a very strong card, he is going to be the biggest faller of the common cards, dropping from number 1 to number 7. The knight has been nerfed in two of the three balance changes since the November 2017 rankings, so he is still hanging on pretty strong in spite of this. The mini-PEKKA and lumberjack are offering great alternatives right now.

#6- Archers

Archers are going to get a pretty nice boost in rankings from November, as they are now appearing in more and more meta decks across Clash Royale. They are such a versatile card at the moment, being able to defend against basically anything. Also archers can fit inside ANY deck, whether it be a cheap cycle one, or a massive beatdown deck.

#5- Minions

Staying at number 5 in the rankings are going to be minions, keeping at a solid air support card. Minions are so great right now since they are so damaging if you don’t counter them. Like archers, they can fit in well with basically any deck, which is great for a card’s versatility. One of the best support and defensive cards in Clash Royale, without a doubt.

#4- Goblin Gang

Even without the third spear goblin, the goblin gang is doing amazing in the meta, consistently scoring 4th in the common card rankings from November and this one from February. This is just such a great defensive card, being able to shut down practically any non-splash card for only 3 elixir. Fits in well with any deck, which makes it a clear top 5 common card.

#3- Bats

Bats are again number 3 in our common card rankings, definitely earning their spot through defensive and support gameplay. These bats provide so much value for 2 elixir, able to kill anything from a balloon to a mini-PEKKA. They are definitely upshowing minions right now in the current meta, which is why they come in 2 spots ahead of their fellow flyers.

#2- Zap

The log is still very strong in Clash Royale, but with zap/log bait decks being so popular right now, you can never go wrong with having the zap in your deck as well. This card, when overleveled by 1 level, can take out goblins, spear goblins, bats, skeleton army, and more, which is a huge plus for only 2 elixir. The fall of the zap is a long ways off!

#1- Ice Spirit

And finally, our number one card is going to be the ice spirit, which offers INSANE value for only 1 elixir. The 1.5 second freeze that the ice spirit gives off is more than worth 1 elixir and it can also reset inferno towers and inferno dragons. The best thing about the ice spirit is versatility and it can literally go in any deck and play a leading role.

So that is going to wrap it up for our common card rankings for February of 2018! Stay tuned soon to see our rare, epic, and legendary card rankings soon. Thanks for reading and comment below what you think of the rankings!

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