It is time for a new rare card rankings for all the rare cards in Clash Royale! We will be having a power ranking, 23-1, of the rare cards in Clash Royale as of February 2018. As many of you know, I have done this ranking before, when there were only 22 rare cards. The top 5 cards then, in order, were hog rider, fireball, musketeer, wizard, and giant. 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/2017/11/15/clash-royale-rare-card-rankings-november-2017/

How the Rare Cards are Ranked

When ranking these cards we put a lot of thought and effort into what makes the best rare 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 23!

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

Rare Card Rankings

#23- Heal

Out of all of the cards in Clash Royale, the heal is probably the worst, making it far and away the worst rare card in Clash Royale. The problem with the heal is that it only has really worked with the three musketeers, which is a falling meta card. Somehow CR needs to rework the heal to really make it viable.

#22- Bomb Tower

The biggest problem with the bomb tower is that it is a 5 elixir defense, that DOESN’T shoot air troops. Personally, I think that the bomb tower could find a very nice spot in the meta due to its high health, but right now it is definitely lackluster. If the leaked wizard tower ever comes out, that would be the final nail in the coffin for the bomb tower in the meta.

#21- Zappies

One of the newest cards in Clash Royale, the zappies are one of the weakest as well. Despite a buff that allowed them to shoot air, zappies are still extremely underused across all arenas. The main issue is that they are way too much like the electro-wizard, which is card that is firmly rooted in the meta. Zappies need to differ from the e-wiz to be a good card.

#20- Flying Machine

The second newest rare card added to Clash Royale, the flying machine is still very underwhelming. It can fit in very well with balloon and golem decks, but with better alternatives out there, like the executioner and dart goblin, its tough for the flying machine to get any love. Mark my words though: the flying machine will be buffed and SHOOT to the top of the meta!

#19- Barbarian Hut

The barbarian hut is riding the success of the goblin hut, staying even at #19, despite a new card being added. The strength of the barbarian hut is literally in its strength; its health is off the charts! Also the barbarian hut is the only spawner that you have to address, otherwise the chip damage from the barbarians will take your tower. Expect big moves from the barb hut soon.

#18- Furnace

I’m extremely pleased to see a drop off in the furnace over the past couple months as it has really fell of the meta in favor of the goblin hut. Last summer, the furnace was a top 5 card, now it is barely out of the bottom 5. This card needs to be overleveled in order to be effective and since its not a common card, it is tougher to overlevel.

#17- Battle Ram

To be honest, the battle ram is far from a poor card, as some players can masterfully win with it. However, for the average player in the game, it is far too easy to counter, especially with the mega knight being added. Also, the bridge spam meta has almost completely died off, leaving us turning away from the battle machine in favor of stronger tanks.

#16- Tombstone

The second highest spawner in these rankings, the tombstone is making moves for being a great way to counter the mega knight and PEKKA. Since the mega knight can’t charge up his jump, the tombstone keeps him more than distracted. This is also a great, cheap way to take out the battle ram and any single damage troop, all for 3 elixir.

#15- Valkyrie

One of the cards buffed in the last balance changes, the valkyrie has yet to really capitalize on her buff. She is definitely a great card for taking out swarms of units, but so are the executioner and wizard, which can also shoot air. The biggest issue with playing the valkyrie is that she can’t kill air troops, which makes it difficult to play her as a support card.

#14- Elixir Collector

In the December 2017 balance changes, the elixir collector got absolutely SLAMMED, losing 13% of its hitpoints. This nerf is going to make the pump our biggest faller of the rare cards, dropping from #6 to #14! The problem with the elixir collector is that basically all spells can gain a positive elixir trade. Still as spell bait, the EC is fairing pretty well.

#13- Dart Goblin

Probably one of the cards that is most on the rise in Clash Royale, the dart goblin is moving up to #13 in our rare card rankings. The main advantage to the dart goblin is his insane range, which can keep him alive for sometimes up to 40 seconds. Also at 3 elixir and fitting in well with log bait, he can find a spot in a lot of decks.

#12- Three Musketeers

One of the most specialized win conditions in Clash Royale, the three musketeers can definitely dominate if they are played correctly. Even with the elixir collector nerf, which is a huge part of 3M decks, these three ladies still are doing very well in the meta, being able to shut down huge units. However, don’t be surprised if the triple muskies are dropping in future rankings.

#11- Inferno Tower

The largest reason for the fall of the inferno tower is the rise of the inferno dragon, which is suddenly one of the best legendary cards in Clash Royale. The inferno dragon definitely offers more value, costing one less elixir and being able to turn into a counterpush. Still, the inferno tower is one of the best defenses in the game, especially with the recent rise of golem night witch.

#10- Rocket

Even with the popularity of the fireball and poison, the rocket remains decently high on the rare card rankings. With the lightning currently in an awful spot, the rocket remains as the only spell to take out witches, executioners, and sparkies. Whenever zap/log bait decks or siege decks are in the meta, the rocket is going to remain high.

#9- Wizard

The wizard is definitely a great card, but he is constantly being overshadowed by the executioner. The latter is one of the best cards in Clash Royale right now, which leaves the wizard just a step behind. However, he can still fit in very well with the giant, being one of the best support cards to kill swarm units in Clash Royale.

#8- Mega Minion

With the reemergence of the golem-night witch meta, the mega minion has seen a surge of popularity, mostly to fit in those decks. Even without the golem decks though, the mega minion is still one of the strongest support cards in the game. With the popularity of the fireball so high, its good to have an air troops that can’t go down to it.

#7- Giant

As a tank card, the giant has definitely seen better days, being overshadowed by the PEKKA, mega knight, and golem right now. However, things might be looking up! One of the best decks in Clash Royale at the moment is a giant-double prince deck, which may just lead to the giant once again being the best tank card in the entire game.

#6- Ice Golem

Coming up one spot to #6 is the ice golem which is one of the best two elixir cards in the game. Mostly used for distraction, the ice golem is tanky enough for your tower to do all the work. With the hog still being one of the best win conditions in Clash Royale, the ice golem benefits as well, often being paired along side the hog rider.

#5- Mini-PEKKA

Receiving a nice HP buff in the January 2018 balance changes, the mini PEKKA has really become one of the best defensive cards in Clash Royale. This card deals huge damage for each swing, so if you get the bonus of locking him on the tower, you’ll be rewarded with several hundred hitpoints off. Pairs well with any deck, which is definitely plus.

#4- Musketeer

One of the most basic, yet dependable cards in Clash Royale, the musketeer stays in the top 5 without any buffs or nerfs. The reason why the musketeer is so great is because of how versatile she is. Being cheaper than the executioner and wizard is enough to say goodbye to splash damage, especially because she fits in with golem, giant, hog, mega knight, and more!

#3- Fireball

Our first card in the top 3 of rare cards is the fireball, being one of the top spells in Clash Royale at the moment. With the introduction of the new legendary card, the magic archer, the fireball will just become stronger since it can kill the MA. Being able to kill the popular e-wiz, musketeer, and wizard when one level up is a huge advantage for a bunch of players.

#2- Goblin Hut

No words are needed for this one right here. The goblin hut is going to be our biggest climber over the past three months, climbing an INSANE 18 spots, rising from #20 to #2. The goblin hut nerf in January simply wasn’t enough to offset this chip damage machine. Once a bunch of goblins build up, it is all over for you! This is now one of the most hated cards in Clash Royale!

#1- Hog Rider

And maintaining his position at the top of our rare rankings is the hog rider, which seems here to stay. The hog rider represents so much in this game and is definitely one of the staples of Clash Royale. His quick speed and easy ability to get damage makes him one of the best cards in Clash Royale. Unless a huge nerf gets implemented, the hog rider will probably never leave the top 5.

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

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