Using Elixir in Clash Royale
Elixir is among the most important elements within Clash Royale, the popular mobile strategy game. Whether an advanced player or a beginner, knowing how to manage and employ Elixir may completely change results in battles. This article will look at strategies in great detail, with some tips on how one can make good use of Elixir so as to outmaneuver his opponents.
What is Elixir in Clash Royale?
Elixir is the resource one needs to play cards in Clash Royale. Actually, every time you deploy a troop or cast a spell, you consume Elixir. In fact, managing that resource is important because if you run out of Elixir, you will leave yourself vulnerable from enemy attacks.
In every game, both opponents generate Elixir at the same rate; the generation rate increases over time, therefore you are able to play even the heaviest and most expensive cards.
For more details about the game, refer to the Clash Royale Wikipedia page.
1. **Know Your Elixir Cost
Every card in Clash Royale has an Elixir cost. The first point in managing Elixir properly is to know the Elixir cost of every card in your deck.
- Low-cost cards: Cards such as Skeletons or Ice Spirit, which cost only 1 Elixir, are cheap and good to cycle or defend against low-pressure attacks.
Cards like Golem and P.E.K.K.A: these are the highest cost cards and far beyond the average Elixir cost. However, if placed well, they can be super powerful and turn the tide of a battle.
Tips: Always be Elixir-conscious with regards to the cards in your deck so you don't overcommit and leave yourself on low Elixir.
2. Don't Over-Commit
Over-committing is one of the biggest mistakes most players do. It might seem like a great idea to deploy many cards at once and put pressure on your opponent, but it simply leads to huge Elixir deficits.
When you invest all of your Elixir in one push, you are going to run out of resources to defend against any counter-push your opponent might be doing.
Hint: Don't be in such a hurry to use all your Elixir at once, especially when you can't defend well afterward. Always try to have some Elixir reserve.
3. Elixir Control with Counter Cards
Being able to apply the correct counter to your opponent's cards is an outstanding way of preserving your Elixir. By being able to defend against your opponent's expensive cards using low-cost cards, you will manage to gain an Elixir advantage.
For example:
When they play a unit card of 5 Elixir-like in case of a Balloon-you can just respond with a card of 3 Elixir, just like the Minions, and save 2 Elixirs with an effective defense. This is also helpful when opponents make the move with huge tanks such as the Giant; the player can use an extremely cheap building like Cannon for 3 Elixir to gain an advantage in defense without wasting too much Elixir.
Tip: Never use Elixir-wasting counters but rather Elixir-efficient counters that keep you in control of the match without draining your resources.
See the pages for the Giant and the Balloon for more information.
4. Cycle Your Cards Wisely
Cycling cards mean using the cheaper cards to cycle through your deck as fast as possible for you to get back to your most important cards. Effective cycling retains the Elixir flow and allows you to respond faster to the opponent's moves.
Tip: Always use the cheapest cards, for instance, Fireball or Log, when cycling your deck to get to your key offense and defense cards in time.
See the individual articles on the Fireball and Log for more.
5. Punish Your Opponent's Mistakes
One more great way of Elixir controlling is to punish your opponent in case he overcommits or makes a mistake. If your opponent invests too much Elixir into one push, you can always counter-push to punish the Elixir advantage.
For example:
If your opponent places an expensive card and has very little Elixir left for defense, you can easily counter-push quickly with cards like Hog Rider or Miner to take advantage of such a weak spot.
Pro Tip: Always look for a chance to punish your opponent's mistake of overcommitting or poorly defending their Elixir.
6. Use Elixir Generating Cards
Other cards in Clash Royale generate Elixir for you to build up your resources more quickly. Cards like the Elixir Collector (6 Elixir) can be placed out in a strategic way to give you an Elixir advantage later on in the game.
But the Elixir Collector also exposes you to vulnerability if your opponent knows how to punish it. Just make sure you place it at the right time, either when you have enough Elixir in reserve to defend it or when you know your opponent doesn't have a fast counter available.
Hint: Go easy on using Elixir Collector and be prepared to defend the moment you place it on the battlefield. Learn more at Elixir Collector.
- Know When to Defend and When to Attack
One of the central skills in Clash Royale is being able to judge when to go on the offensive and when to fall back and defend. The problem with attacking too quickly or strongly in the game is that you will deplete your Elixir and then be vulnerable to attack. Waiting too long will give your opponent an advantage.
Take note that one needs to balance between offense and defense. Elixir should be wisely spent, and it's only advisable to attack when you have an enough surplus of it to make a decent push or when the enemy is out of resources.
Conclusion
The most important thing about winning battles in Clash Royale is Elixir management. Properly knowing the cards, cycling them efficiently, and being conscious of when to defend and when to attack will add to getting the ultimate benefit one can get out of Elixir to outplay his or her opponents.
Practice these, and you'll be climbing the ladder and winning more battles in no time. Keep perfecting your strategy, remembering that Elixir is the resource powering your strategy. Use it wisely!
What other tips do you have for managing Elixir in Clash Royale? Let us know in the comments below!