Introduction

The Clash Royale Baby Dragon is a flying troop that deals area damage with its fireballs. It costs 4 Elixir to deploy and can be unlocked from the Training Camp or P.E.K.K.A’s Playhouse (Arena 6). The Clash Royale Baby Dragon is known for its ability to deal splash damage, making it effective against swarms of troops. In the game, it is described as “Burps fireballs from the sky that deal area damage. Baby dragons hatch cute, hungry and ready for a barbeque.” This makes it a versatile unit, often used to clear out swarms of smaller troops while providing aerial support in various strategies.

Statistics (Level 9)

Here are the Level 9 statistics for the Baby Dragon in Clash Royale:

Elixir cost: 4

Rarity: Epic

Arena: Training Camp

Damage: 133

Hitpoints: 957

Hitspeed: 1.5 seconds

DPS (Damage per second): 88

Targets: Air and Ground

Range: 3.5 tiles

Speed: Fast

Mass: 5

The Baby Dragon can be upgraded to Level 15, where it deals 233 damage and has 1,677 hitpoints.

General Strategies

The Baby Dragon is a versatile troop in Clash Royale, known for its splash damage, decent health, and ability to fly, making it effective in various strategies. It is particularly useful for eliminating back-end support units due to its damage and splash capabilities. When using the Baby Dragon, it is best to wait for enemy supports to lock onto something else, as it can be easily eliminated by Musketeers or Archers.

It excels in defending against chip pushes, especially when paired with a building, forcing the opponent to spend Elixir to counter it. The Baby Dragon is also great for protecting tanks like the Giant or Giant Skeleton from swarms. Its ability to fly gives it an advantage over ground-based attacks, though its lower damage per hit means it works best when supported by high DPS troops.

Primarily used for defense, the Baby Dragon can handle threats like Skeleton Armies, Goblins, Minions, and the Witch with its area damage. It is also effective in dealing with ground-heavy pushes, especially when combined with a Tornado to maximize its splash damage. Placing it slightly behind your main defense line allows it to engage enemy troops before they get too close. The Baby Dragon is specialized in dealing with hordes, while other troops, like the Knight, focus on taking down high hitpoint units like Giants or Mini P.E.K.K.A.s.

Offensive Use

When using the Baby Dragon offensively in Clash Royale, it serves as a mini-tank and can effectively support larger tanks due to its ability to quickly clear out swarms of enemy troops. Pairing the Baby Dragon with cards like the Giant, Golem, Prince, Knight, or Valkyrie enhances its offensive potential, allowing it to support these high-health units by eliminating small troops that could pose a threat. The Baby Dragon can also help push the Balloon closer to the Crown Tower, allowing it to reach the tower sooner and deal more damage. As a mini-tank, it can soak up damage while supporting other high-damage units, such as the Graveyard, by clearing out distractions.

Additionally, the Baby Dragon can be used to punish an overextended enemy push, especially by placing it on their backline to target vulnerable troops. In specific situations, a Baby Dragon behind a Balloon will push the Balloon faster, although the Balloon will take Crown Tower damage.

On the other hand, if placed in front of the Balloon, the Baby Dragon will protect it but won’t speed up the push as much. If a spawner is positioned within four tiles of the river, the Baby Dragon can snipe it without drawing attention from enemy Crown Towers. During offensive pushes, if enemy support troops are present, use the Tornado to pull them together and maximize the Baby Dragon’s splash damage, or pull them close to the tower for additional damage.

Defensive Use

When using the Baby Dragon defensively in Clash Royale, it plays a key role in absorbing hits, allowing your Princess Tower to assist in eliminating enemy units, which can lead to a potential counter-attack. Its area damage makes it effective against swarms of low-health troops like Skeleton Armies, Goblins, Minions, and Witches. The Baby Dragon can also defend against both ground and air swarms when placed in the middle of your side of the arena, making it versatile in dealing with various threats. It’s particularly useful against large swarms of troops, such as Minion Hordes or Goblin Gangs, and can be relied upon to counter pushes that heavily focus on ground troops.

When positioning the Baby Dragon, avoid placing it directly in the center of your base, as this makes it more vulnerable to a Tornado pull. It excels against swarm units and low-cost troops like 2-Elixir troops and Archers, and combining it with a Tornado can pull enemies together for maximum splash damage. Placing it slightly behind your main defense line ensures it can reach enemy troops before they get too close. Against tank pushes, the Baby Dragon is highly effective at eliminating back-end support units thanks to its splash damage, semi-tankiness, and decent damage output. It also performs well against chip pushes, quickly clearing them when paired with a building, forcing your opponent to spend Elixir on counters.

To counter the Baby Dragon, place a cheap tank like the Knight to absorb its damage since the Baby Dragon’s DPS is relatively low. Once it locks onto the tank, you can either deploy an anti-air unit or let your tower handle the rest. Defensive buildings are also effective at dealing with the Baby Dragon, and the Witch can be a strong counter, as her Skeletons can distract the Baby Dragon and set up for a counter-push. Overall, the Baby Dragon’s defensive versatility makes it a valuable tool for handling swarms, supporting tank pushes, and setting up counters.

Synergies

The Baby Dragon has several synergies in Clash Royale that make it a versatile and effective card. When paired with tanks like the Giant or Giant Skeleton, the Baby Dragon’s area damage helps protect them from swarms, enhancing its value in tank-heavy decks. It is also a great synergy for Golem and Elixir Golem decks, providing a more mobile and less fragile splash damage option compared to the Wizard. Because the Baby Dragon is a flying troop, it can offer better survivability and flexibility when used in these decks.

Pairing the Baby Dragon with air troops, such as the Inferno Dragon, creates a powerful synergy known as the Double Dragon combo. The Baby Dragon handles small swarms, while the Inferno Dragon takes down high-health units. This combination is particularly effective when defending against air threats. Additionally, the Baby Dragon can clear the air of any intercepting troops like Minions or Mega Minions before deploying a Balloon, ensuring the Balloon can reach the enemy Crown Tower unimpeded.

The Baby Dragon is also highly effective with Graveyard, where it can help tank a counter-push, allowing the Graveyard to deal more damage while the Baby Dragon clears out any threats. For additional synergies, combining the Baby Dragon with a Tornado can pull enemy troops together, maximizing the Baby Dragon’s splash damage and clearing swarms efficiently. In LumberLoon decks, the Baby Dragon acts as a strong counter-attacker after a defensive control play, following up the Lumberjack’s and Balloon’s offensive efforts. Pairing the Baby Dragon with the Ice Wizard can further enhance its effectiveness by slowing down enemy troops, giving the Baby Dragon more time to deal damage.

Counters

The Baby Dragon in Clash Royale can be countered by several cards that target its relatively low damage output and vulnerability to high DPS. Cards like the Musketeer and Mega Minion are effective counters due to their high damage per second (DPS) and similar Elixir cost to the Baby Dragon. The Hunter is another strong counter, especially if placed directly below the Baby Dragon, as it can eliminate it with two shots. Frail troops such as Spear Goblins, Minions, or Archers can also deal significant damage to the Baby Dragon if it’s distracted by a tanky troop or building, allowing them to safely take it down.

The Mega Minion is considered one of the most reliable counters due to its combination of high damage and ability to target the Baby Dragon from a distance. Additionally, placing troops like the Ice Golem, Knight, or Goblins in the middle of the arena can effectively distract the Baby Dragon while your tower eliminates it. Arrows can also be useful for dealing with swarms the Baby Dragon targets, like Skeletons, but they are less effective against the Baby Dragon itself.

When defending against the Baby Dragon, avoid placing troops directly beside your tower, especially small troops like Archers or Spear Goblins, to prevent them from taking splash damage. It’s best to wait until the Baby Dragon locks onto your tower and then place your Spear Goblins or Musketeer a tile or two away to avoid its splash damage.

Archers can tank at least two shots from the Baby Dragon, so they can be used to lure it away from the tower. A cheap tank like the Knight can also absorb the Baby Dragon’s damage, allowing your tower or anti-air units to deal with it. Since the Baby Dragon’s damage per second is relatively low, this tactic can effectively neutralize its threat.

Decks

The Baby Dragon is a versatile card that fits into several decks across various strategies in Clash Royale. In a Golem-based deck, it pairs well with cards like the Inferno Dragon, Mega Minion, Tombstone, and Zap, forming a solid synergy that works effectively in the 3200 trophies range. For added utility, you can include Fireball, Lightning, Ice Wizard, Arrows, or Ice Spirit. Another popular deck featuring the Baby Dragon includes the Golem, Bomber, Night Witch, Skeleton King, Tombstone, Lightning, and Tornado, providing a strong offensive and defensive presence. Similarly, the combination of Golem, Baby Dragon, Night Witch, Skeleton King, Tombstone, Lightning, Tornado, and Barbarian Barrel creates a well-rounded deck that can handle various threats while building powerful pushes.

For a more control-oriented approach, the Baby Dragon fits into decks like P.E.K.K.A, Electro Wizard, Bandit, Ram Rider, Lightning, Barbarian Barrel, and Giant Snowball, where it helps clear swarms and support tanks.

In a Graveyard deck, pairing the Baby Dragon with Valkyrie, Archer Queen, and Tornado helps control the battlefield and execute a strong counter-push, while the Baby Dragon helps eliminate enemy swarms.

The Giant, Musketeer, Spear Goblins, Archers, and Knight combination works well with the Baby Dragon, as the Giant shields your ranged troops, and the Baby Dragon clears smaller units.

Another interesting deck synergy includes the Baby Dragon, Mirror, Elixir Collector, Bowler, Lumberjack, Skeletons, Tornado, and Heal Spirit, designed to generate multiple Baby Dragons or Bowlers in the late game when you can overwhelm your opponent.

The Baby Dragon is also part of several other popular decks, such as Infinite Elixir EG GS, Giant NW Miner beatdown, P.E.K.K.A Ram Bandit control, Giant Bandit beatdown, and Miner P.E.K.K.A Ram in Arena 5.

It can also be found in Golem-based decks like Golem Cannon Cart, Golem BabyD Lightning Pump beatdown, and Golem Nado Beatdown, offering strong synergy with tanks and providing reliable splash damage support.

Additionally, the Baby Dragon is used in decks like Lava Miner Firecracker, Giant Bandit Miner beatdown, and Golem CannonCart Tornado, where it clears swarms and supports heavy pushes.

Tips and Tricks

The Baby Dragon is a versatile troop in Clash Royale that can be used in various strategic ways. For offensive pushes, it’s helpful to use the Tornado to pull enemy supports together and deal splash damage, or pull them closer to the tower for additional damage. When defending, avoid placing the Baby Dragon in the center of your base as it can be pulled by a Tornado. Instead, position it slightly behind your main defense line to allow it to target enemy troops before they get too close to your tower. If you’re trying to eliminate spawners, place the Baby Dragon about four tiles away from the river to snipe them without drawing aggro from enemy Crown Towers.

Pairing the Baby Dragon with a Tornado enhances its splash damage capabilities by pulling enemies together. It works well with tanks, acting as a mini-tank and clearing swarms while providing valuable air support. Position it behind tanks like the Giant or Giant Skeleton to support these units and handle swarms effectively. The Baby Dragon also pairs well with units that do point damage, like the Knight or Electro Wizard, to deal with both air and ground threats. However, be cautious when facing swarms like Minions or Minion Horde, as the Baby Dragon may quickly be overwhelmed due to its slower attack speed and lower damage per second.

The Baby Dragon can also be used to punish overextended enemy pushes by dropping it on their backline. It’s a great support troop for tanks, helping protect them from swarms. If you’re facing a Baby Dragon, consider using kiting tactics with units like the Ice Golem, Ram Rider, or Valkyrie to distract it while your towers finish it off. If you want to use the Baby Dragon as a mini-tank, deploy it in front of high-damage units like the Graveyard to absorb damage while your other troops deal damage to the enemy.

Lastly, the Baby Dragon can serve as Lightning bait due to its ability to deal splash damage and its relatively low hitpoints. A great counter to the Baby Dragon is placing a cheap tank, such as the Knight, to absorb its damage while you can place an anti-air unit or let your tower finish it off. Additionally, cards like the Ice Spirit can be effective at freezing the Baby Dragon, reducing its effectiveness and helping you manage its threat more efficiently.

Weaknesses

The Baby Dragon in Clash Royale, while versatile, does have several weaknesses. One of its main drawbacks is its relatively underleveled status when compared to commons and rares, which can make it less effective in certain situations. Additionally, the Baby Dragon has low damage per attack, which makes it less impactful on its own. Its splash damage is useful, but its overall damage per second (DPS) is not enough to significantly contribute to major pushes without additional support from high DPS troops.

The Baby Dragon is also susceptible to heavy-hitting air troops that can quickly eliminate it, as well as vulnerable to swarms, particularly if it’s unsupported. If surrounded by troops that aren’t one-shotted by its splash attack, such as Minions or Minion Horde, the Baby Dragon can be taken out quickly due to its slower attack speed and low damage. On its own, it is easy to counter because of its low damage output and relatively short attacking range.

At four Elixir, some players question the Baby Dragon’s value, debating whether other cards might provide more immediate effectiveness or burst damage for a similar cost. It is also vulnerable to air-targeting units if distracted by other troops. The Baby Dragon can be susceptible to seeking air mines, especially when deployed in larger numbers, as it occupies less housing space compared to other air troops like the Dragon. Lastly, Baby Dragons can be vulnerable to focused fire, particularly from splash damage attacks such as those from Wizard Towers or Air Bombs, especially when deployed in groups, since the number of units makes them more susceptible to area damage.