Introduction to Evolved Archers

Evolved Archers Elixir Cost3 Cycle Cost2 RarityCommon TypeTroop ArenaTraining Camp Release Date6 November 2023

The evolved archers are set to make their debut in Clash Royale, bringing a fresh dynamic to gameplay. These archers are not just any ordinary troops; they have been specially trained by the Archer Queen herself to become her elite sharpshooters. As a result, they come with several enhancements that set them apart from regular archers. One of the standout features is their ability to cycle through two cards for deployment, offering more versatility in how they can be used in Clash Royale Archers Evolution.

Additionally, they boast extra hit points, making them more resilient on the battlefield. Their range has also been extended, allowing them to target enemies from greater distances. Perhaps the most impactful feature of these evolved archers is their new Power Shot ability. This mechanic adds a strategic layer to their use, enabling players to unleash more powerful attacks at crucial moments. With these improvements, the evolved archers are poised to become a key part of many strategies in Clash Royale.

Card Statistic

Statistics Cost
Hit Speed
First Hit
Speed
Deploy
Range
Projectile Speed
Target
Count
Transport
Type
Rarity
3 0.9 sec 0.5 sec Medium (60) 1 sec 6 600 Air & Ground x2 Ground Troop Common Evolution Attributes Cycles
Power Shot Range
2 2 pulses every 1 sec Card Statistics Level
Hitpoints
Damage
Power Shot Damage
Power Shot Damage Per Second
Damage per second

Overview

The Archers Evolution in Clash Royale, introduced in Season 53 (November 2023), is the ninth evolution card added to the game and significantly enhances the classic Archers. Costing 3 Elixir and unlocked in Training Camp, this Common rarity card evolves every third deployment using 6 Evolution Shards. Once evolved, the Archers gain a substantial +25% boost in hit points and an extended attack range of about 6.5 tiles. Their standout feature is the Power Shot ability, which deals double damage to targets positioned between 5 and 6.5 tiles away. This makes them particularly effective at eliminating high-health units or aerial threats from a safe distance.

To use the evolved Archers effectively, it’s best to place them 6 to 7 tiles away from enemies to activate Power Shot consistently. They synergize well with control cards like Tornado, which can pull opponents into their optimal attack zone. However, despite their improved power and range, they remain vulnerable to direct-damage spells like Fireball, Poison, and Lightning, so strategic spacing is essential to avoid getting wiped out. They also struggle against fast melee units that can quickly close the gap and neutralize their range advantage.

Deck

Splashyard with Bowler:
This deck revolves around the powerful synergy between Graveyard and Bowler, with Archers Evolution and Knight Evolution acting as strong defensive supports. The Bowler clears ground swarms with ease, allowing Graveyard to accumulate skeletons uncontested. Archers Evolution excel at cleaning up air units and defending against pushes, while Giant can be used either as a tank for Graveyard or as a surprise secondary win condition. Arrows and Snowball offer solid utility, handling swarms and resetting troops when needed. Overall, it’s a well-rounded control deck that can shift from defense to offense quickly.

X-Bow Siege Cycle:
This fast-paced siege deck focuses on controlling the battlefield with the X-Bow as your main win condition. Tesla Evolution and Archers Evolution work together to defend your X-Bow placements, holding off ground and air threats. The deck features cheap cycle cards like Skeletons, Ice Spirit, and Log to help you return to your X-Bow quickly and maintain constant pressure. Fireball gives you a strong answer to medium-health troops and glass cannon supports. Archers Evolution provide excellent value in this deck, as their enhanced range and damage synergize perfectly with siege defense.

Strengths and Advantages of Evolved Archers

The evolved archers in Clash Royale bring several key strengths and advantages, making them a formidable addition to any deck. They gain extra hit points and 30% extra range compared to regular archers, allowing them to hit distant targets such as the Cannon across the river and outrange buildings like the Tesla, even if it is distracted. Their close-up damage remains the same as the standard archers, but their increased range provides a significant strategic edge.

The Power Shot ability is one of their most deadly features, dealing double damage to enemy troops that are five tiles away or further. The Power Shot’s effective range is between 4.5 to 6 tiles, allowing the evolved archers to quickly take down enemy troops and even towers from a distance. This ability is visually indicated by the archers’ glowing feet and the pink arrows they shoot. The Power Shot is so powerful that it can even one-shot Goblins.

In addition to their offensive capabilities, the evolved archers possess exceptional survivability. They are immune to being taken out by Arrows, forcing opponents to rely on more expensive spells like Fireball or Poison to eliminate them. When their Power Shot is active, they deliver high DPS, making them effective against both air and ground units, including threats like the Phoenix, Balloon, and Lava Hound. To maximize the effectiveness of their Power Shot, positioning them around 6-7 tiles away from the opponent’s troops is ideal, creating opportunities for positive Elixir trades and counter-pushes.

The evolved archers also synergize well with mini-tanks like the Knight or Valkyrie, which can help keep enemies within the Power Shot’s range. In particular, the evolved Knight pairs well with the evolved archers, as its damage reduction helps them finish off enemies more efficiently. They are also highly effective against various deck archetypes, such as split lane pushes (e.g., Royal Hogs and Royal Recruits) and siege decks like X-Bow and Mortar, where they can clear supporting troops and target buildings. They also counter building-targeting troops like Hog Rider and Royal Hogs by sniping buildings that distract them.

On defense, the evolved archers offer substantial value, able to stop a Hog Rider from landing a hit and severely damaging a Ram Rider. They can even serve as a viable substitute for the Musketeer, dealing comparable damage, especially when both archers are attacking. Their increased range allows them to reach other ranged troops like the Dart Goblin and Magic Archer. The evolved archers also provide a solid counter to specific threats, such as the Electro Dragon, by staying out of its lightning chain range when distracted. Additionally, they are effective at dealing with slow-moving tanks when positioned at the back of the arena.

Finally, the evolved archers work well in combination with spells like Tornado, which can reposition enemies into their Power Shot range or disrupt the opponent’s Power Shot advantage. With their combination of enhanced stats, high damage potential, and versatility, the evolved archers prove to be a powerful asset in a wide range of strategies and deck types.

Weaknesses and Counters to Evolved Archers

While the evolved archers have numerous strengths, they are not invincible and have several weaknesses that can be exploited. One key vulnerability is their Power Shot ability, which only activates when the target is five tiles away or further. If enemy troops manage to close the distance, the evolved archers will revert to their normal damage, making melee troops or fast-moving units particularly effective counters. Additionally, while the evolved archers survive Arrows, they are still susceptible to more powerful spells like Fireball, Poison, and Lightning, which can quickly eliminate them, especially if they are grouped with other troops.

Specific troops can also counter the evolved archers effectively. For instance, the Little Prince can provide a strong defense against them, while the Mega Knight, with its jump and spawn damage, can take out the evolved archers in one hit. The Cannoneer can also one-shot them, and units like the Dagger Duchess or Void can quickly defeat them. The Void in particular can destroy the duo with just two hits if no other troops are nearby to absorb its damage.

Certain spells can neutralize the evolved archers as well. The Barbarian Barrel and The Log, when placed correctly, can fully counter the evolved archers, usually resulting in a +1 Elixir trade for the opponent if the archers are unsupported. Royal Delivery is another effective counter, destroying the evolved archers for an equal Elixir trade and spawning a Royal Recruit for potential counter-push or defense. The Tornado spell is also useful, as it can pull the evolved archers closer to enemy troops or buildings, preventing them from using their Power Shot and forcing them into a less effective position. However, using Tornado to negate the Power Shot advantage requires a significant Elixir investment.

Another key consideration for opponents is the two-card cycle required to deploy the evolved archers. Since they must be played every third pair of Archers, players can track the cycle and predict when the evolved archers will be used, allowing them to prepare counters in advance. Misplacement of the evolved archers can also limit their effectiveness, as failing to position them correctly can reduce the impact of their increased range and Power Shot.

Finally, while the evolved archers are powerful, they can sometimes be outclassed by other evolutions, such as the Evolved Knight, which might offer more consistent value and be harder to counter. In some cases, using regular Archers or Royal Delivery can lead to an equal Elixir trade, mitigating the evolved Archers’ advantage. By understanding these weaknesses and counters, players can better manage the evolved archers and limit their effectiveness on the battlefield.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the introduction of the Evolved Archers in Clash Royale brings a powerful new dynamic to the game. Retaining the core mechanics of regular Archers, they are enhanced with increased health, extended range, and the Power Shot ability, which deals double damage to targets at a distance. One of their key advantages is their ability to survive Arrows, a common counter for their regular form, making them harder to remove.

To maximize their effectiveness, strategies with the Evolved Archers focus on maintaining distance to fully utilize the Power Shot. This involves careful placement, often positioning them at 5-6.5 tiles away from enemy troops to ensure maximum damage output. They pair well with tanks and mini-tanks, such as the Knight and Evolved Knight, which can help hold enemies in range, allowing the Evolved Archers to deal significant damage.

They also synergize well with siege decks, such as X-Bow and Mortar, by providing valuable ranged support to eliminate threats and protect the siege units. Furthermore, their ability to deal damage from a distance makes them an asset in split lane pressure strategies, particularly when combined with other fast-moving troops like Royal Hogs.

In terms of comparisons, the Evolved Archers stand out for their survivability and counter push potential, often seen as a potential replacement for the Dart Goblin. Their range and damage output make them comparable to the Musketeer and Magic Archer, but without the piercing mechanic of the Magic Archer. When compared to other evolutions, such as the Evolved Knight and Evolved Firecracker, the Evolved Archers are often discussed for their power level, with some speculating that they may be overpowered or need balancing adjustments in the future.

Overall, the Evolved Archers are likely to become a valuable asset in various deck archetypes. Players who can position them effectively and leverage their Power Shot ability will have a significant advantage. Their ability to survive Arrows, deal substantial damage from a distance, and be a versatile option in many strategies will force opponents to adapt and consider spells like Fireball, Tornado, and Royal Delivery for counterplay. With the community expressing strong interest and debate about their potential, the Evolved Archers are set to play a key role in shaping the Clash Royale meta in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)

❓What is the Power Shot ability?

The Power Shot is a unique feature of Evolved Archers. On their first attack at a long range, they release a powerful shot that deals double damage. This makes them especially deadly when placed at the back or used to snipe units from afar.

❓Are Evolved Archers better than regular Archers?

Yes, in most cases. Evolved Archers offer superior stats and utility due to their faster fire rate, increased damage, and Power Shot. However, they require the Evolution slot in your deck, which limits your flexibility if you want to use other evolved cards like Knight or Skeletons.

❓What role do Archers Evolution play in decks?

They serve as versatile support troops, ideal for defending against air units like Minions, Baby Dragon, and Lava Hound, while also providing strong ranged damage from the backline. In many meta decks, they are used both for defensive control and counter-push potential.