Which Cards to Level Up First in Clash Royale? A Strategic Guide

So, you’re diving into the whirlwind that is Clash Royale and wondering which cards to pump those precious resources into first? Smart move! Leveling up the right cards can make or break your climb through the arenas. The absolute best cards to level up first are those that fit into a versatile, well-rounded deck that aligns with your preferred play style. This typically includes a win condition (the card you rely on to destroy towers), key support cards, and crucial spells. Some excellent choices for early leveling include Hog Rider, Valkyrie, Mini P.E.K.K.A., Arrows, Zap, and a building like Furnace or Tombstone. These cards are strong, versatile, and effective across various arenas. Prioritize your win condition as it is the cornerstone of your offensive strategy. Next, focus on support cards that directly enhance your win condition or provide crucial defense. Lastly, level up spells that offer versatility and can swing the tide of battle. Remember, it’s much better to have a few high-level cards than a bunch of weak ones!

Prioritizing Your Upgrades: A Deeper Dive

Choosing which cards to level isn’t just about picking strong cards; it’s about strategic investment. Before committing, consider these factors:

• Your Deck Composition: What cards do you consistently use in your main deck? These are your priority targets. Are you a Hog Rider enthusiast, a Giant fanatic, or a Golem guru?
• Card Versatility: Can the card be used in multiple deck archetypes? Versatile cards like Valkyrie, Mini P.E.K.K.A., and Arrows are excellent investments because they remain useful even if you switch decks later.
• Level Dependence: Some cards are significantly more effective at higher levels. For example, a Fireball needs to be high enough level to one-shot Wizards, Musketeers, or Three Musketeers. Similarly, the Hog Rider’s hitpoints are critical for surviving tower attacks.
• Current Meta: What cards are popular and effective in the current meta? Leveling cards that counter the meta can give you a significant advantage.

Understanding Card Types and Leveling

Not all card types benefit equally from leveling. Here’s a breakdown:

• Win Conditions: These are the cards that directly target enemy towers. Leveling them increases their damage and hitpoints, making them more reliable for securing victories. Examples include Hog Rider, Giant, Golem, Royal Giant.
• Support Cards: These cards provide support for your win condition or defend against enemy attacks. Leveling them enhances their survivability and damage output. Examples include Valkyrie, Musketeer, Wizard, Baby Dragon.
• Spells: Spells provide utility and can be used to clear swarms, finish off towers, or support your pushes. Leveling them increases their damage, which is crucial for spells like Fireball, Zap, and Arrows.
• Buildings: Buildings can be used defensively to distract enemy troops or offensively to generate Elixir. Leveling them increases their hitpoints, allowing them to withstand more damage. Examples include Inferno Tower, Tombstone, Furnace.

Advanced Leveling Strategies

As you progress in Clash Royale, your leveling strategy needs to become more sophisticated. Here are some advanced tips:

• Focus on Key Interactions: Pay attention to how card levels affect key interactions. Can your Zap one-shot enemy Goblin Gang? Can your Fireball take out a Wizard or Musketeer? Optimizing these interactions can give you a significant advantage.
• Consider Tournament Standards: If you plan to participate in tournaments, prioritize leveling cards to tournament standard (Level 9 for commons, Level 7 for rares, Level 4 for epics, and Level 1 for legendaries and champions). This will allow you to compete effectively without being at a disadvantage.
• Don’t Spread Too Thin: It’s better to have a small number of maxed-out cards than a large number of under-leveled cards. Focus on upgrading the cards in your main deck and avoid wasting resources on cards you rarely use.
• Strategic Card Requests: Join an active clan and request cards strategically. Focus on requesting the cards you need to level up your main deck, and avoid requesting cards that you don’t plan to use. Rares, for example, are fairly hard to collect, so request them often.
• The Power of Gold: Gold is always a bottleneck. Prioritize challenges, clan wars, and special events to maximize your gold income. Also, be wise about spending gold on cards you do not use.

Card Spotlight: High-Impact Leveling Choices

Let’s highlight some cards that provide significant benefits when leveled up:

• Hog Rider: As a primary win condition, leveling your Hog Rider is crucial. Higher hitpoints allow it to withstand more damage and reach the tower more consistently.
• Valkyrie: Her splash damage is invaluable for clearing swarms and supporting pushes. Leveling increases her survivability, making her a formidable threat.
• Mini P.E.K.K.A.: A high-damage dealer that excels at taking out tanks. Leveling ensures it can quickly eliminate threats and apply pressure.
• Fireball: A versatile spell that can be used to clear support troops or finish off towers. Leveling increases its damage, allowing it to eliminate key targets.
• Zap: An essential spell for resetting Inferno Towers/Dragons, stunning troops, and clearing swarms. Leveling ensures it can one-shot weaker troops like Goblins.
• Arrows: Essential for taking out swarms of Minions, Princesses or Goblin Barrels. Leveling guarantees that this card will kill its targets.

Understanding Elite Levels (Level 15)

Clash Royale has introduced Elite Levels (Level 15), and upgrading to this level requires a different approach. Upgrades from level 14 to 15 require 50,000 Elite Wild Cards, acquired from overflow cards once a card is at level 14. It’s a long-term investment, so focus on the most impactful cards in your meta deck first.

Further Resources for Clash Royale Strategy

For deeper insights into Clash Royale strategies, consider exploring resources offered by the Games Learning Society. Understanding the educational aspects and game design can significantly improve your gameplay and strategic thinking. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the most common mistakes players make when leveling up cards?

The most common mistake is spreading resources too thinly. Players often try to level up too many cards at once, resulting in a collection of under-leveled cards that aren’t effective in battle. It’s better to focus on a core set of cards in your main deck. Another big mistake is upgrading cards they never use or that don’t fit their play style.

2. Should I prioritize leveling common, rare, epic, legendary, or champion cards?

It depends on your deck and which cards are most important. Generally, focus on the rarity that will improve your core deck the most. However, common and rare cards are usually easier to obtain and level up quickly in the early game, giving you a faster power boost.

3. How does card level affect matchmaking in Clash Royale?

Matchmaking considers trophy count and King Level, but card levels also indirectly affect your matchmaking experience. Higher card levels generally mean stronger decks and better performance, leading to higher trophy counts and matches against similarly skilled players with comparable card levels.

4. What are the best ways to earn gold for upgrading cards?

The best ways to earn gold include participating in Clan Wars, completing daily quests, opening chests, and participating in special events and challenges. Also, be sure to utilize the Season Pass for additional rewards.

5. How do I know which cards are currently strong in the meta?

You can stay up-to-date on the current meta by watching YouTube videos from Clash Royale content creators, reading articles on websites like RoyaleAPI, and participating in discussions on Reddit and other online forums.

6. Is it worth spending gems to speed up card upgrades?

Generally, it’s not recommended to spend gems on speeding up card upgrades. Gems are better spent on special challenges, emotes, or the Season Pass, which provide greater long-term value.

7. Should I level up cards just because they are easy to request from my clan?

No, only level up cards that you actively use or plan to use in your main deck or a deck you’re experimenting with. Wasting resources on unnecessary cards will slow down your progress. Request cards strategically focusing on your core deck.

8. What is the importance of King Level in relation to card levels?

King Level affects your tower health and damage, making it an important factor in battles. It’s essential to keep your King Level relatively close to your card levels to maintain a competitive edge.

9. How do Elite Wild Cards work, and how do I obtain them?

Elite Wild Cards are used to upgrade cards from Level 14 to Level 15 (Elite Level). They can be obtained from collecting overflow copies of cards that are already at Level 14.

10. What is the optimal card level for participating in Classic and Grand Challenges?

The optimal card level for participating in Classic and Grand Challenges is Tournament Standard (Level 9 for commons, Level 7 for rares, Level 4 for epics, and Level 1 for legendaries and champions). This ensures a level playing field.

11. How often does the Clash Royale meta shift?

The Clash Royale meta can shift relatively frequently, often with balance changes, new card releases, and player experimentation. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for adapting your leveling strategy.

12. Should I focus on maxing out one deck or upgrading multiple decks?

Focus on maxing out one or two main decks first. This will give you a competitive edge and allow you to climb the ladder more effectively. Once you have a solid foundation, you can start upgrading other decks for variety and experimentation.

13. How important are star levels, and when should I focus on unlocking them?

Star levels are cosmetic upgrades that add visual flair to your cards. They don’t affect gameplay, so you should only focus on unlocking them once you’ve maxed out the levels of your important cards.

14. What is the best way to use books and magic coins in Clash Royale?

Use Books to instantly max a card and Magic Coins to avoid gold costs. Save for most important cards like your win condition, a critical spell, or a key defensive troop. Use common wildcards/book of commons on cards that are easy to level normally.

15. Can I drop out of Arena 16 in Clash Royale?

No, once you reach a new Arena in Clash Royale (including Arena 16), you pass through its Trophy Gate. This means your Trophy progress is saved, and you can no longer drop to a lower Arena when losing battles.

By understanding these strategies and tips, you can effectively prioritize your card upgrades and maximize your progress in Clash Royale. Good luck, and have fun climbing the ladder!