Introduction
Welcome to Frozen Peak, also known as Arena 8 in Clash Royale, where the chill of the environment contrasts with the heated competition. In this Clash Royale Arena 8 Guide, you’ll find that the arena introduces a variety of winter-themed cards, such as Ice Spirit, Ice Golem, Snowball, and Freeze, each adding unique strategic opportunities to your gameplay. Alongside these icy cards, other powerful options like the Battle Healer, Giant Skeleton, and Lightning make their debut, offering new ways to approach battles.
To navigate Arena 8 successfully, mastering deck-building and adapting to the shifting meta are crucial. As you progress, you will need to fine-tune your strategies and deck composition to stay ahead of your opponents. Having a strong, versatile deck is essential in order to handle the variety of strategies you’ll encounter. Whether you lean towards a control deck, a beatdown strategy, or something else entirely, every card in your deck must be used to its fullest potential to secure victories.
This guide is designed to provide you with the insights and techniques you need to conquer Arena 8, improve your tactical decision-making, and set you on a path to reach Arena 9. By focusing on smart deck choices, timing, and understanding the strengths of new cards, you will be well on your way to mastering this challenging arena and advancing in Clash Royale.
New Cards and Evolutions in Arena 8
Arena 8, also known as Frozen Peak, introduces several exciting new cards that bring fresh strategic options to Clash Royale. Some of these cards have a “wintery” theme, while others provide versatile tools for various deck strategies. Here’s a breakdown of the new cards available in Arena 8:
Troops:
Ice Spirit: A low-cost troop that freezes enemy units when it reaches them, making it great for disrupting pushes and stalling attackers.
Battle Healer: A versatile troop that can both heal nearby friendly units and deal damage, making it a valuable support card in many decks.
Ice Golem: A cost-effective tank that can draw enemy fire and protect your other troops. Upon death, it slows down nearby enemies, making it useful for controlling the battlefield.
Giant Skeleton: A high-health tank that can be used primarily for defense. When it dies, it drops a bomb that deals significant damage to enemies in the area, offering both offensive and defensive utility.
Spells:
Snowball: A small, yet powerful spell that pushes back and slows down enemy troops, ideal for gaining control over swarms and defending against pushes.
Lightning: A spell that targets and deals high damage to up to three high-health enemy units, making it especially useful against tanks and defensive buildings.
Freeze: A spell that temporarily immobilizes enemy troops and buildings, giving you a window to make a decisive attack or defend effectively.
These cards offer a wealth of strategic possibilities, allowing players to build a variety of deck archetypes to fit their playstyle.
Evolutions in Arena 8
Evolutions are a key feature in Clash Royale, enhancing the power and abilities of existing cards. When a card evolves, it gains improved stats and sometimes new abilities, providing a competitive edge. While evolutions aren’t guaranteed in every deck, they can be a powerful addition if available. Though the suggested decks in this guide will not focus on Evolutions, incorporating them into your deck can give you an extra advantage in battles. If you have evolved cards, consider including them in your decks for stronger performance.
Key Concepts for Arena 8
To succeed in Arena 8, it’s essential to understand several key concepts that will help you build effective decks and execute winning strategies.
One of the first things to consider is the style of deck you want to use. Different deck styles bring different approaches to gameplay. Beatdown decks focus on building up a powerful push, often with tank units like the Giant or Golem, supported by other troops to overwhelm your opponent. Control decks are all about defending, controlling the battlefield, and then counter-attacking when your opponent overextends. Cycle decks, on the other hand, are fast-paced, aiming to cycle through cards quickly and get back to your win condition before the opponent can react.
Your win condition is the core of your deck, the card or combination of cards that will help you target and destroy enemy towers. Popular win conditions in Arena 8 include the Hog Rider, Giant, and Balloon. It’s often a good idea to have at least one, but sometimes two, win conditions in your deck to create flexibility and keep your opponent guessing.
In addition to your win condition, support cards play a vital role. These cards help enhance the effectiveness of your primary win condition. They can include troops with splash damage to clear swarms, ranged troops to deal damage from a distance, or defensive troops to help control the flow of the match.
Effective elixir management is crucial for victory. You must be mindful of your elixir at all times and be aware of your opponent’s elixir usage as well. Knowing when to attack, when to defend, and when to conserve elixir can give you a strategic edge. Always aim to get the best value from your elixir, maximizing the impact of each card played.
Card levels are also important in Arena 8. Using higher-level cards increases their stats, making them stronger and more difficult to defeat. Prioritize leveling up your key cards to give you an advantage over opponents with lower-level cards.
As the meta evolves, adapting to the changing landscape is essential. You may need to adjust your deck as new strategies and cards emerge, or as certain cards get buffed or nerfed. Staying flexible and tuning your deck as you gain experience will help you stay competitive.
Buildings serve multiple purposes, primarily for defense. They can distract or kite enemy troops, drawing them away from your towers. Certain buildings can also support your pushes, providing defensive utility while helping you control the battlefield.
Finally, spells are versatile tools that can be used both offensively and defensively. They can help eliminate swarms, deal with high-health units, or disable enemy buildings, providing valuable support when needed.
By understanding these key concepts, you’ll be equipped to build well-rounded decks and implement effective strategies that will help you succeed in Arena 8.
Top Deck Archetypes in Arena 8
Arena 8, also known as Frozen Peak, offers a variety of deck archetypes that allow players to craft powerful strategies using both new and older cards. These archetypes leverage the unique cards available in this arena, enabling diverse and dynamic approaches to gameplay. Here are some of the most effective deck archetypes in Arena 8:
Giant Decks: Giant decks are a common beatdown strategy in Arena 8. These decks focus on using the Giant as a tank to absorb damage while other support troops, such as the Musketeer, Archers, or Mini P.E.K.K.A, deal damage. Variations of this archetype include pairing the Giant with the Mini P.E.K.K.A, Double Prince, or even the Goblin Hut. The key to success with Giant decks is effective elixir management, as they often have a high elixir cost, requiring careful planning and timing.
Hog Rider Decks: The Hog Rider is a popular win condition in Arena 8, and several variations of Hog Rider decks can be found. Hog Cycle decks are fast-paced, aiming to cycle through cards quickly and get back to the Hog Rider. These decks often include cheap cards like Skeletons, Ice Spirit, and Cannon to defend and cycle efficiently. Some Hog Rider decks incorporate a Rocket for secondary damage, while others use a beatdown strategy, building a push around the Hog Rider with cards like Mini P.E.K.K.A and Freeze. Pairing the Hog Rider with a Goblin Barrel can also create a devastating push, as the Hog Rider is highly effective at targeting towers, especially when the opponent is distracted.
Balloon Decks: Balloon decks in Arena 8 often focus on maximizing the Balloon’s damage potential. These decks typically pair the Balloon with supporting cards like the Baby Dragon to provide air support and protect it from enemy troops. The Freeze spell can also be used to ensure the Balloon reaches the enemy tower. Some decks take advantage of the Lumberjack’s rage effect, creating powerful pushes with the Balloon at the bridge. Other Balloon decks may incorporate a cycle strategy, using cards like Ice Golem for defense while cycling back to the Balloon.
Royal Giant Decks: The Royal Giant is another strong win condition, known for its ability to target buildings from a distance. Royal Giant decks often include the Goblin Barrel as a secondary win condition, allowing for split pushes that pressure both towers. While the Royal Giant has high hit points, it is vulnerable to swarms and tank-destroying cards. To counter this, some decks use the Freeze spell, enabling surprise attacks by freezing enemy defenses and allowing the Royal Giant to deal significant damage.
Graveyard Decks: Graveyard decks focus on overwhelming the opponent with the Graveyard spell, which summons a swarm of skeletons to target enemy towers. These decks often feature the Night Witch to support the Graveyard with additional units and the Poison spell to clear enemy troops and control the area. The synergy between the Graveyard and Poison creates a relentless offensive that can be difficult for opponents to stop.
Miner Decks: The Miner is a versatile card that can target any position on the battlefield, making it useful in a variety of deck styles. Miner decks often pair the Miner with other support cards, such as Wall Breakers, Bats, or the Mega Knight, to create versatile offensive strategies. Some decks combine the Miner with the Balloon, allowing for a powerful and unpredictable push. The Miner can also be used defensively to take out key enemy support troops or distract high-damage units.
Bait Decks: Bait decks are designed to force your opponent to use their spells on one card, leaving them vulnerable to another attack. These decks typically feature cards like the Goblin Barrel or Princess to bait out spells like the Log, allowing you to capitalize on their absence and launch additional attacks.
These archetypes are not mutually exclusive, and many players combine elements from different strategies to suit their unique playstyle. Adapting these decks based on available cards and personal preferences will allow you to effectively navigate Arena 8 and achieve success.
Detailed Deck Examples
Here are some specific deck examples for Arena 8, showcasing various strategies and how the unique cards available in this arena can be combined to create powerful decks:
Giant Skeleton Defence
This deck uses the Giant Skeleton as the main tank and win condition, utilizing its death bomb to deal massive damage to enemy towers and troops. The Ice Golem is used to kite enemy units, while the Ice Spirit helps freeze and control enemy troops. Battle Healer provides healing support for your troops. The spells include Snowball, Lightning, and Freeze to control the battlefield and eliminate key threats.
Royal Giant Standard
The Royal Giant serves as the primary win condition in this deck, with the focus on protecting it as it targets enemy buildings. The Baby Dragon offers support with splash damage, and Archers, Bats, and Goblins provide additional utility and defense. Ice Spirit can support the Royal Giant by slowing down enemy units, while Lightning is used to clear out high-health units and enemy defenses.
Royal Freeze
This deck revolves around using the Royal Giant as the main win condition. Freeze is the key spell to allow the Royal Giant to reach the enemy tower unhindered, ensuring that it can deal substantial damage. Support troops like Archers or Baby Dragon help defend the Royal Giant and provide additional value. Freeze is used to disable enemy defenses while the Royal Giant focuses on dealing damage to the tower.
Frozen Balloon
In this deck, the Balloon is the win condition, supported by the Freeze spell to ensure it reaches the enemy tower and deals significant damage. The Ice Golem is used to tank for the Balloon, allowing it to focus on the tower. Additional support troops, like Musketeer and Minions, are used to defend against enemy pushes while helping with damage output.
Hog Cycle with Rocket
The Hog Rider is the main win condition, with a fast-paced cycle deck designed to quickly get back to the Hog Rider. The Rocket serves as a secondary win condition to help deal with heavy tank units or high-value targets. Cheap cards like Ice Spirit, Skeletons, and Cannon provide defense and help cycle through the deck rapidly.
Alternative Giant
This deck focuses on the Giant as the main tank and win condition, supported by two spells for control and defense. While no specific card list is given for this deck, the general strategy revolves around using the Giant as the primary damage dealer while relying on spells for crowd control and defense.
Giant with Double Prince
This deck uses the Giant as a tank with the Dark Prince and Prince as powerful support units. The goal is to apply constant pressure and take down enemy towers quickly. The deck may include up to three spells, depending on the player’s preferences and strategy.
Hog Rider with Goblin Barrel
In this deck, the Hog Rider and Goblin Barrel are both used as win conditions. The strategy is to force your opponent into making defensive mistakes by threatening both a Hog Rider push and a Goblin Barrel. This deck requires precise timing and elixir management to create constant pressure.
Giant with Goblin Hut
The Giant serves as the primary tank in this deck, while the Goblin Hut provides additional pressure and defense. The Spear Goblins spawned by the Goblin Hut help distract enemy troops and support the Giant as it pushes forward.
Hog Rider 2.6 Cycle
A fast-paced cycle deck with Hog Rider as the win condition, this deck relies on quick cycling to keep up constant pressure. Ice Spirit, Musketeer, and Cannon are used for defense, while the Hog Rider is quickly cycled back into play for more attacks.
Goblin Barrel Deck
The Goblin Barrel serves as the main win condition in this deck, with cards like the Prince and Baby Dragon used to support and counter enemy pushes. The deck can be difficult to master but offers high potential for rewarding plays when executed correctly.
Giant with Valkyrie
This deck uses the Giant as a tank and win condition, while the Valkyrie and Mini P.E.K.K.A. help defend against ground-based threats. Musketeer and Archers are included to provide air defense and support the push.
Royal Giant-Three Musketeers
In this deck, the Royal Giant is used as the tank, with the Three Musketeers offering a powerful offensive boost. Ice Spirit and Fire Spirits are used to counter swarm units, while the Royal Giant provides steady damage on the tower.
Hog Freeze
The Hog Rider is the main win condition, with the Freeze spell used to give the Hog Rider a clear path to the enemy tower. The deck is low-cost and fast-paced, featuring defense cards like Bomb Tower, Goblins, and a variety of spells to support the Hog Rider’s attacks.
AxeYard Deck
This Graveyard-based deck uses the Graveyard spell as the primary win condition, supported by the Valkyrie and Night Witch to tank and defend against enemy troops. Poison is used alongside Graveyard for additional area denial, while the Ice Wizard slows down enemies and provides extra control.
Prince Valkyrie Baby Dragon
The Prince and Valkyrie serve as the main offensive cards, supported by the Baby Dragon for splash damage. The deck uses Zap to clear out swarms of units like Skeleton Army, with additional support from Bats, Skarmy, Goblin Barrel, and Hidden Tesla for defense and counterattacks.
Miner Balloon Mega Knight
This deck uses the Balloon and Mega Knight as win conditions, with the Miner serving as a support card. Skeletons, Giant Snowball, and Goblin Cage are used for defense and to control the battlefield. Minions and Musketeer provide additional support and damage.
Wall Breakers & Bats Deck
In this deck, Wall Breakers and Bats are the primary win conditions, with Mega Knight and Miner supporting the offensive. Arrows and Zap are used to clear swarm units, while Musketeer and Prince add more pressure and defense.
Valkyrie Cycle and Bait Deck
This deck uses the Valkyrie as a mini-tank and support card, while Goblin Barrel, Princess, and Rocket are used to bait out spells from the opponent. Ice Spirit, Inferno Tower, Skeletons, and The Log round out the deck with defensive and cycle functions.
Ice Golem / Hog Rider Deck
This deck uses the Ice Golem as a mini-tank to draw enemy fire, while the Hog Rider serves as the main win condition. Mini P.E.K.K.A and Freeze help deal damage to enemy towers, while Princess offers long-range support and defense.
Balloon Musk 3.3 Cycle
This fast-paced cycle deck features the Balloon as the main win condition. Ice Golem helps kite enemy troops, while Musketeer, Minions, Skeleton Army, Tombstone, Fireball, and Zap are used for defense and to support the attack.
Giant Hog Musk Beatdown
This deck uses the Giant as a tank and the Hog Rider as a secondary win condition. Musketeer, Minions, Armored Skeletons, Ice Spirit, Fireball, and Zap support the push and provide defense against enemy threats.
2.6 Hog Musk Cycle
A fast-cycle deck that uses the Hog Rider as the primary win condition, combined with Ice Golem, Musketeer, Skeletons, Ice Spirit, Cannon, Fireball, and Zap for quick cycling and defense.
Hog MP Freeze Beatdown
This beatdown deck uses the Hog Rider as the main win condition, supported by Mini P.E.K.K.A. and the Freeze spell to ensure it reaches the tower. Minions, Goblins, Cannon, Arrows, and Zap offer defense and support.
Giant Balloon Freeze
In this deck, the Giant serves as a tank for the Balloon, supported by Minions, Spear Goblins, and the Freeze spell to help the Balloon deal damage to the enemy tower.
Loon Miner Deck
This deck pairs the Miner and Balloon as the primary win conditions, with Ice Golem used to kite enemy troops. Inferno Tower and Musketeer provide defense, while Skeletons, Barbarian Barrel, and Snowball offer support and control.
These deck examples demonstrate the variety of strategies that can be used in Arena 8. Experiment with different combinations of cards and adapt your playstyle to maximize your success.
Tactics and Tips
To succeed in Arena 8, it’s crucial to master a few key tactics and strategies that will help you build a strong deck and outplay your opponents.
Efficient elixir management is essential in Clash Royale. Avoid overcommitting to a single push, as it can leave you vulnerable to counter-attacks. Be mindful of your opponent’s elixir count, and take advantage of moments when they are low on elixir to launch an offensive push. Use low-cost cards like Ice Golem, Ice Spirit, or Skeletons to cycle through your deck quickly, especially in fast cycle decks. Also, try to wait until you reach 10 elixir before placing buildings to maximize their effectiveness and lifetime.
When it comes to deck composition, pick a win condition and build your deck around it. Include support cards that complement your win condition and ensure your deck has at least one or two spells to deal with swarms or aid your pushes. Be prepared to adapt your deck to the ever-changing meta. Understanding different playstyles, such as beatdown and control, will help you adjust your strategy accordingly. Practice new decks with clanmates before using them in battle, and don’t hesitate to copy successful decks from other players to improve your gameplay.
For offensive tactics, timing is crucial. When using the Balloon, it’s best to pair it with an air tank, like Baby Dragon, to protect it. The Balloon requires a lot of elixir, so make sure to time your pushes wisely. Freeze is an effective spell to support your Balloon or Royal Giant, allowing them to damage towers without resistance. In Hog Rider decks, a successful defense often sets up a great counter-push—take advantage of this opportunity to apply pressure.
Combining Hog Rider with Goblins can overwhelm opponents quickly. If you’re using a Giant with a Balloon, place the Giant in front of the Balloon to tank damage but keep them close together for added protection against counters. Even if you lose a tower early in the game, don’t get discouraged; comebacks are possible, especially in double elixir time when you can make big pushes to overwhelm your opponent. For Graveyard decks, place the Graveyard near the middle of the enemy’s tower to maximize its effectiveness when trying to take down a second tower.
Defensive tactics are equally important. Use buildings like Cannon or Tesla to distract and eliminate tanks like P.E.K.K.A. or Golems. Ice Golem can be used to kite troops across the arena, buying valuable time for your other defenses. Goblins or Spear Goblins are effective for distracting enemy units while your buildings handle the heavy lifting. Valkyrie is an excellent card for clearing swarms of enemy troops, and Freeze can be used defensively against dangerous tank units like Prince or Mini P.E.K.K.A. However, be cautious when using buildings against opponents who use Lightning spells, as they can wipe out both buildings at once. With a Hog Freeze deck, always keep Tesla and Cannon in rotation for defense against pushes.
Each card has specific tactics that can enhance your gameplay. Freeze is versatile—it can support your pushes or help defend your towers. Don’t freeze immediately when the Hog Rider reaches a building; wait until it’s at half health for maximum value. Ice Golem can kite air units, and when it dies, it slows down enemy troops, helping you control the battlefield.
Musketeer is an excellent air defense card and can also contribute to your offense. Hog Rider can be pushed forward by placing it behind a Knight for added protection. Fireball is perfect for clearing out groups of enemy troops, such as Barbarians or Minion Horde, or even finishing off a tower. Cannon is a reliable defense for high-level tanks and is also effective against X-Bow.
Lastly, general tips to keep in mind include paying close attention to your opponent’s movements and elixir usage. Discovering the best strategies for your deck and staying patient is key to avoiding costly mistakes. Always be aware of common counters to your deck, like Sparky or Inferno Tower, and adjust your strategy as needed.
By practicing these tactics, experimenting with different deck combinations, and adapting to your opponent’s playstyle, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Arena 8.
Additional Advice
In Arena 8, success largely depends on building a balanced and versatile deck. Start by choosing a primary win condition, such as Giant, Hog Rider, or Balloon. Then, select a secondary win condition that complements your primary one. For example, pairing Balloon with Skeleton Barrel can provide a solid offensive strategy. Ensure your deck includes support cards like Musketeer and Baby Dragon, as having both splash damage and flying troops is crucial, especially with the frequent presence of Balloons.
You should also include cards that can effectively deal with tanks, such as Barbarians, Mini P.E.K.K.A, or Minion Horde. Having a defensive building like Cannon or Tesla is essential for protecting against pushes and countering win conditions. If Freeze is a part of your strategy, use it in combination with cards like Balloon, Hog Rider, or Golem for maximum effectiveness. If you lack legendary cards, there are still many viable deck combinations without them. Be flexible with your deck by considering potential card replacements, such as using Tesla in place of Inferno Tower or Cannon instead of Bomb Tower.
When starting the game, consider placing a building in front of your King Tower to initiate early defense. If you have an Elixir Pump, wait until you have 10 elixir before placing it behind one of your towers, ensuring you don’t overextend early on. Another solid opening move is to place Spear Goblins behind your towers and then follow up with a Knight at the bridge to create a quick counter-push.
During the mid-game, focus on counter-pushing after successfully defending with cards like Hog Rider. Be sure to keep enough elixir available for spells like Freeze, as it can give you an edge in crucial moments.
Each card has its specific role and can be used strategically. Ice Golem is an excellent tank that can distract enemy units while also slowing them down when it dies. Valkyrie is perfect for stopping swarm-type troops and can protect cards like Prince from getting overwhelmed. Use Freeze strategically to reset Inferno Towers or to ensure your Golem reaches the enemy tower.
Barbarians, with their high damage per second, are great for taking down tanks but be wary of splash damage counters. Archers can serve as a hard counter to Valkyrie and are effective against air units like Baby Dragon. Place Princess at the back of your side of the field for its long-range splash damage, keeping it protected while dealing with enemy troops.
When dealing with specific deck types, you can adopt targeted strategies. Against Spawner Decks, Fireball is a valuable tool for hitting both troops and buildings simultaneously. Timing your Freeze spell perfectly can help you break through their defense. When facing P.E.K.K.A. decks, counter-push with Hog Rider in the opposite lane to take advantage of the opponent’s P.E.K.K.A. being out of position, and use Freeze to protect your Hog Rider.
Defensive buildings and Goblins are useful for dealing with P.E.K.K.A. effectively. Against X-Bow or Mortar decks, place your defensive buildings on the side where the opponent is attacking, ensuring you always have enough elixir to quickly defend. When encountering Three Musketeers, Barbarians are a solid choice to take them out on your side of the river. Applying pressure during this time can prevent your opponent from deploying their Musketeers again. A combination of Hog Rider and Goblins can be difficult to counter and apply constant pressure on your opponent. If your opponent plays Giant with Balloon, use a building to distract the Giant, then send in troops to eliminate the Balloon before it reaches your tower.
In general, if you’re struggling to create a successful deck, don’t hesitate to copy decks from other players or look up strategies that fit your playstyle. Mastering elixir management is critical in Arena 8, as this can be the difference between winning and losing a match. Given the synergy of the various decks in this arena, focusing on defense and making positive elixir trades will help you maintain an advantage. If you’re not finding success with one deck, experiment with different combinations and see what works best for you. Watching replays of other players can also give you new ideas for improving your strategy.
By following these tips and adapting your approach, you’ll be better equipped to succeed in Arena 8. Stay patient, practice often, and refine your strategies over time.
