Clash Royale's Lava Hound: Mastering the Ultimate Beatdown Strategy
The Lava Hound, a legendary air troop in Clash Royale, reigns supreme as a formidable building-targeting win condition. Its colossal 3581 HP (at tournament levels) makes it incredibly resilient, though its damage output is relatively low. The real power lies in its six Lava Pups, unleashed upon its demise, attacking any nearby targets. This potent combination makes the Lava Hound a top contender in the Clash Royale meta.
The evolution of Lava Hound decks reflects the game's ever-changing card roster. While remaining a strong win condition, optimal deck compositions are key to achieving high ladder rankings. This guide explores some of the most effective Lava Hound decks currently available.
Understanding Lava Hound Deck Mechanics
Lava Hound decks operate as Beatdown strategies, but instead of relying on Giants or Golems, they leverage the Lava Hound as their primary win condition. Support typically includes various air troops, supplemented by one or two ground units for defense and distraction.
The core strategy involves deploying the Lava Hound at the rear of the King Tower, often sacrificing some tower health for a decisive push. These decks require patience and strategic planning, prioritizing calculated trades over immediate damage.
The Lava Hound's consistent win rate and usage across skill levels mirrors that of Log Bait decks. However, its popularity surged with the introduction of the Royal Chef. This champion building's troop-leveling ability synergizes exceptionally well with the Lava Hound, making it an ideal Tower Troop in any Lava Hound deck.
Top-Tier Lava Hound Decks in Clash Royale
Here are three leading Lava Hound decks to consider:
- LavaLoon Valkyrie
- Lava Hound Double Dragon
- Lava Lightning Prince
Detailed breakdowns follow below.
LavaLoon Valkyrie
A popular choice, the LavaLoon Valkyrie deck utilizes two powerful flying win conditions. Its 4.0 average elixir cost is moderate, offering a faster cycle than many other Lava Hound decks.
Deck Composition:
Card Name
Elixir Cost
The Valkyrie and Guards serve as ground troops. The Valkyrie counters swarm units (Skeleton Army, Goblin Gang) and tanks for X-Bow decks. Guards provide sustained DPS against units like Pekka or Hog Rider.
The Lava Hound and Balloon are deployed together for maximum impact. The Hound tanks while the Balloon targets the tower. Even a single Balloon hit can be decisive.
The Inferno Dragon counters high-HP units (Golem, Giant). Evo Zap resets towers/troops, and Fireball eliminates counters (Musketeer) or directly damages the tower. Skeleton Dragons push the Balloon or reposition it.
Lava Hound Double Dragon
Evolution cards significantly impacted the meta, but many Lava Hound decks saw only marginal improvements. The Lava Hound Double Dragon deck is an exception.
Deck Composition:
Card Name
Elixir Cost
The Evo Bomber delivers significant tower damage, while the Evo Goblin Cage effectively counters most win conditions (including Royal Giant), unless countered by Lightning or Rocket. Guards provide DPS and tower defense. The Inferno Dragon and Skeleton Dragons offer air support. Lightning eliminates defensive troops/buildings, and Arrows handle swarms. Arrows' higher damage than Log or Snowball allows for later-game spell cycling.
Lava Lightning Prince
While not the strongest, the Lava Lightning Prince deck serves as an accessible entry point to this archetype. It utilizes powerful meta cards.
Deck Composition:
Card Name
Elixir Cost
The Evo Valkyrie's tornado effect pulls in air and ground troops. Evo Skeletons provide DPS. The Prince offers secondary tower pressure, and his charge damage can eliminate most units and significantly damage towers. Skeleton Dragons and Inferno Dragon provide air support. The push starts with the Lava Hound, ideally timed to benefit from the Royal Chef's level-up buff. The Prince can be replaced by a Mini-Pekka for a lower elixir cost.
Lava Hound decks demand a different approach than cycle decks, focusing on overwhelming pushes from the back. These decks provide a strong starting point, but experimentation with card combinations is crucial to finding your optimal playstyle.
