Introduction
The Hunter is a versatile Epic rarity troop card in Clash Royale, costing 4 elixir, and is unlocked in Goblin Stadium (Arena 10). The Clash Royale Hunter is valuable for both offense and defense, thanks to its high burst damage potential at close range. The Hunter excels at taking down tanks and mini-tanks, making him an ideal choice for controlling heavy units on the battlefield.
His damage output is particularly impressive up close, where his unique attack animation releases 10 bullets that spread out, allowing all of them to hit a single target. Each bullet deals 70 damage, meaning the Hunter can deal up to 700 damage when all his bullets connect. Additionally, the Hunter has the advantage of being able to target both air and ground units, making him adaptable in various combat situations.
The key to maximizing the Hunter’s effectiveness lies in his placement. Since his bullets spread, his damage can be inconsistent at longer ranges. Proper positioning is crucial to ensure that as many bullets as possible hit the target, especially in tight spots. The Hunter also synergizes well with the Fisherman, who can pull enemies into the Hunter’s effective range, setting up powerful combos for devastating attacks. By leveraging these synergies and taking advantage of the Hunter’s burst damage, players can effectively use him to control the pace of the game and counter a wide variety of threats.
Overview
The Hunter is an Epic card in Clash Royale that costs 4 Elixir and is unlocked in Goblin Stadium (Arena 10). He is a medium-speed, ranged troop that targets both air and ground units, making him versatile in various combat situations. The Hunter is best known for his high burst damage at close range, but his damage decreases significantly at a distance due to his unique attack animation. His weapon fires 10 bullets in a spread pattern, meaning the closer he is to a target, the more likely all of his bullets will hit, resulting in substantial damage.
At tournament standard, the Hunter has 696 hitpoints and a medium move speed. His range is 4.0, with a projectile range of 6.5. Each bullet deals 70 damage, allowing him to deliver a potential maximum of 700 damage if all bullets land on a single target. His damage per second (DPS) is 31 per bullet, capping at 310 when all 10 bullets hit. His attack speed is 2.2 seconds, and his bullet spread makes his damage inconsistent at longer ranges, which can sometimes make him less effective from a distance.
The Hunter is particularly effective against tanks and mini-tanks like the PEKKA, Knight, and Valkyrie, due to his powerful close-range damage. He can also deal with swarm units such as Bats, Skeletons, and Minions, though his effectiveness against them diminishes at longer distances. The Hunter synergizes well with the Fisherman, who can pull enemy troops into his optimal range for maximum damage. Despite his offensive strengths, the Hunter has a relatively low health pool, making him vulnerable to spells like Lightning and Rocket. Additionally, his reduced damage at longer ranges and inconsistent bullet spread are weaknesses that require careful placement to maximize his potential.
How to Use the Hunter
The Hunter is a versatile troop that shines in both close and long-range combat, and using him effectively requires smart positioning and timing. For close-range applications, the Hunter is highly effective against tanks and mini-tanks, with his damage output comparable to that of the PEKKA.
He excels against units like the Knight and Valkyrie, which tend to walk directly into his line of fire, allowing him to deal maximum damage. When countering a PEKKA, distract with units like Skeletons or Goblins to keep the Hunter alive longer, pulling the PEKKA towards the middle of the arena and positioning the Hunter 2-3 tiles from the river’s middle. This will enable the Hunter to deal significant damage. Against Valkyrie, Knight, and Mini PEKKA, place the Hunter right in front of your tower for efficient defense. He can also quickly eliminate win conditions like the Balloon if placed correctly.
At long range, the Hunter can deal with smaller swarms such as Bats and Skeletons and weaken units like Minions and Goblins. When countering swarms, pull the enemy units towards the middle of the arena to ensure the Hunter hits as many targets as possible. For Minions, position the Hunter in a way that pulls them into the center, allowing your Princess Tower to help eliminate them.
One of the Hunter’s best synergies is with the Fisherman, who can pull ground units into the Hunter’s effective range, creating a powerful defensive combination. To use this synergy effectively, position the Fisherman and Hunter six tiles up from the King Tower and four tiles from the side of the Princess Tower to shut down ground-based threats.
For placement, it’s crucial to position the Hunter close to opposing troops to maximize damage, as his attack involves 10 bullets that spread out with distance. This spread is most effective in close-range scenarios, but can also be useful for hitting multiple targets at once, especially when dealing with swarms like Skeleton Army or Goblin Gang. Position the Hunter in the center of your side of the arena to cover a large area and efficiently eliminate swarms.
Defensively, the Hunter works best on your side of the map. Pair him with mini-tanks such as Ice Golem or Knight to absorb damage while the Hunter deals with enemy troops. For example, against a Hog Rider, the Hunter can prevent more than one hit on your Crown Tower. He can also quickly burst down Lava Hounds and, if placed far enough back, can even take out Lava Pups without significant tower damage. On offense, the Hunter can be used with charging units like the Battle Ram to push him closer to the enemy tower, though this combo may be less efficient due to the high 8 Elixir cost.
The Hunter’s bullet spread can be inconsistent, meaning his damage at longer ranges is reduced. However, when used strategically, the spread can be beneficial for hitting multiple targets, especially in swarm situations. Positioning and timing are key to maximizing the Hunter’s potential in both defensive and offensive scenarios.
Best Hunter Decks
The Hunter is a highly versatile card in Clash Royale, fitting into various deck archetypes that take advantage of his burst damage and strong defense. Some of the best decks that feature the Hunter include Royal Giant, Hunter, Zappies, Fisherman, Skeleton King, Tombstone, Lightning, and The Log.
This is a strong defensive deck with great synergy, featuring the Hunter to eliminate tanks and support the Royal Giant. Skeleton Army, Mega Minion, Hunter, Skeleton King, Tombstone, Fireball, Arrows, and Graveyard is a powerful cycle deck that uses the Hunter for defense and support, while the Graveyard offers strong offensive pressure. Skeleton Army, Royal Giant, Hunter, Zappies, Fisherman, Skeleton King, Lightning, and The Log is a Royal Giant-based deck with plenty of control and the Hunter providing excellent support against enemy tanks and swarms.
The Royal Hogs 3M Hunter deck features a cycle strategy with Royal Hogs and Royal Delivery, using the Hunter to control enemy tanks and assist with defense. Giant Skeleton Sparky Mirror Bait is a deck that takes advantage of the Giant Skeleton’s splash damage and Sparky’s devastating hits, with the Hunter helping against tanks and swarms.
Giant Hunter Miner Poison is a control deck that utilizes the Hunter to help eliminate tanks while the Miner and Poison provide consistent chip damage. Electro Giant Prince Control is a deck designed for control, with the Hunter helping to handle large units like Golem and PEKKA. Balloon Festival features the Hunter to deal with high-health tanks, while focusing on Balloon as the main win condition.
Ghost Hunter Skelly Barrel Cycle is a fast-paced cycle deck featuring Ghost, Hunter, and Skeleton Barrel for quick pressure and control. Mega Knight WB Miner Control is a solid control deck where the Hunter helps with defense while the Miner and Wall Breakers apply pressure. Mega Balloon pairs the Mega Minion and Balloon, with the Hunter helping eliminate tanks to clear the way for the Balloon. Golem Hunter Prince Beatdown uses the Golem-based beatdown strategy with the Hunter providing crucial defense against large pushes and tanks.
Double 3M Fireball Pump uses heavy pressure from the 3M card and Fireball Pump, while the Hunter supports in both offense and defense. eBarbs Bridge Spam is a bridge spam deck where the Hunter helps with defense while eBarbs pressure the opponent.
Golem Hunter NW is a Golem-based deck with the Hunter used to handle tanks and support the win condition. Sudden Death 3M Hunter Ram is a deck that pressures the opponent with 3M and Ram Rider, supported by the Hunter for defense. Giant Prince Miner is a versatile deck with Giant and Prince as the main win conditions, and the Hunter defending against enemy pushes. GobGiant Sparky Control features the Goblin Giant and Sparky, with the Hunter aiding in tank elimination and providing defensive support.
Rune Giant Evo GobGiant is a powerful deck with the Rune Giant and Goblin Giant, supported by the Hunter for handling enemy tanks and swarms. RG Monk Phoenix Fisherman is a deck that utilizes the Royal Giant and Monk with the Hunter helping against heavy tanks and supporting the push. Royal Giant Ghost Lightning combines Royal Giant and Ghost, with the Hunter providing both offensive and defensive value. Miner Poison RamRider is a control deck where the Hunter helps with defense, while the Miner and Ram Rider deal consistent chip damage.
Piglets Cannon Cart Cycle is a fast cycle deck featuring Piglets and Cannon Cart, with the Hunter assisting against tanks and swarms. Miner Hunter Double Prince is a deck with Miner and Double Prince as win conditions, where the Hunter supports defense and damage dealing. 3M Hog Ghost Cycle uses 3M and Hog Rider for pressure, with the Hunter providing additional defensive support. Rune Giant Goblin Giant Evo PEKKA Rage is a deck that uses heavy tanks like the Rune Giant and Goblin Giant, with the Hunter eliminating enemy tanks and helping in the push.
Skeleton King RG Beatdown is a Royal Giant-based beatdown deck with Skeleton King, where the Hunter supports with damage and defense. Pekka Hunter Miner Poison combines the tank-killing power of PEKKA and Hunter, with the Miner and Poison for consistent chip damage. Miner Hunter Cycle is a fast cycle deck that uses the Hunter for defense and Miner for offensive pressure.
RH Zappies Fisherman is a deck featuring Royal Hogs and Fisherman with the Hunter for additional support against tanks. Rune Giant 3M Pump Bridgespam uses the Rune Giant with 3M and Pump, where the Hunter handles enemy tanks and provides support. X-Bow Hunter is a control deck featuring the X-Bow, where the Hunter helps eliminate tanks and defend against pushes. Fishin’ for Loons is a deck that uses the Fisherman to support the Hunter in defending against air and ground threats.
Royal Giant Fisher features Royal Giant and Fisherman with the Hunter as a defensive unit to clear out tanks. Miner Poison Hunter Cycle is a cycle deck that features the Miner and Poison for chip damage, with the Hunter offering strong defense. RG Hunter Fisherman Cycle is a cycle deck that uses Royal Giant, Hunter, and Fisherman to maintain control and defense. X-Bow Hunter is a variation of the X-Bow deck that uses the Hunter to counter large tanks and support the siege strategy.
Golem Hunter Lightning is a Golem-based beatdown deck with the Hunter and Lightning to clear out enemy units and support the Golem push. Rune Giant Evo Gob Goblin Giant Evo PEKKA Hunter Rage is a powerful deck that combines Rune Giant and Goblin Giant with PEKKA and Hunter to dominate tanks.
Miner Poison Hunter Cycle is a variation of the Miner Poison deck featuring Hunter for tank control and support. Miner Poison Hunter Zappies Cycle is a cycle deck with Miner, Poison, Hunter, and Zappies for control and defense. HogNado Hunter Poison is a Hog Rider and Tornado cycle deck that utilizes the Hunter for tank control and to eliminate threats. Super Witch Royal Giant features Super Witch and Royal Giant, where the Hunter provides additional support and defense.
Rune Giant Evo GobGiant Hunter Rage is a powerful deck that uses Rune Giant and Goblin Giant with Hunter to handle tanks and support a strong push. Woodland Warriors is a versatile deck featuring various troops, with the Hunter helping eliminate tanks and swarms. RG GS Zappies is a Royal Giant deck with Goblin Giant and Zappies, supported by the Hunter for defense and control.
Mega Knight Graveyard is a deck that pairs Mega Knight with Graveyard, with the Hunter providing defense against tanks. 3.1 Royal Giant Ghost Cycle is a fast cycle deck that combines Royal Giant and Ghost, with the Hunter for defensive support. Rune Giant Royal Giant Lightning features both Rune Giant and Royal Giant, with the Hunter offering tank control and support for the push. Mighty Miner Mirror Wall Breakers is a control deck with Mighty Miner and Wall Breakers, where the Hunter helps with defense.
Mega Miner Poison is a strong defensive deck, where the Hunter helps eliminate tanks while supporting the Miner and Poison for damage. Mega Graveyard is a deck that pairs Mega Knight with Graveyard, with the Hunter offering support against tanks and swarms.
These decks offer various strategies, from control to beatdown, with the Hunter serving a vital role in countering tanks, swarms, and providing defensive support across different situations.
How to Counter the Hunter
The Hunter is a versatile and powerful troop in Clash Royale, but there are several effective ways to counter him, utilizing both spells and troops. Spells like Lightning and Rocket can eliminate the Hunter completely, providing a positive elixir trade as long as they are well-leveled. Fireball or Poison, combined with a small spell like Zap or Snowball, will leave the Hunter with low health, allowing the Princess Tower to finish him off. Additionally, Zap, Snowball, and The Log can be used to prevent the Hunter from dealing significant damage to your tower, with Snowball and The Log also knocking him back from his target.
For troops, a variety of swarming units can effectively counter the Hunter by surrounding him and limiting his damage. Guards, Bats, Skeletons, and Minions can be placed slightly to the left or right of the Hunter’s position, ensuring that he can only target one of them. Be mindful of small spells like Zap or Snowball, which can clear out these swarms.
The Ice Spirit can be placed on the bridge where the middle of the river is, freezing the Hunter and allowing the tower to finish him off. The Ice Golem is another strong counter, as it can soak up the Hunter’s damage, and its death slow will prevent the Hunter from connecting with your tower. The Prince’s charge deals high damage and can one-shot the Hunter, with the Princess Tower finishing him off for a -1 elixir trade.
When countering the Hunter, it’s important not to place your counter too close to the tower at an angle, as some of the Hunter’s bullets could hit the Crown Tower and deal chip damage. When using a melee troop, avoid placing it directly in front of the Hunter to prevent him from dealing his full burst damage. Instead, position the melee unit at a distance, allowing the tower to chip away at the Hunter while the Hunter’s first shot is spread out. Distraction units like Skeletons and mini tanks such as the Ice Golem can also buy time for your tower to chip away at the Hunter.
Some mediocre counters include the Musketeer, Flying Machine, Wizard, Ice Wizard, and Electro Wizard. While these units can eliminate the Hunter, they will also take significant damage in return, so be cautious and use additional support like Ice Spirit or Ice Golem to ensure they survive the exchange. Mega Knight and PEKKA can also counter the Hunter easily, but at a cost of 3 elixir, which may not always be the most efficient trade.
Fire Spirits can be used to let the Hunter get one hit before dropping them behind to guarantee a kill. The Mega Minion can take out the Hunter from a distance, but it will take some damage in the process. Lastly, troops like Bowler, Cannon Cart, and Baby Dragon can defeat the Hunter, but they will also take some damage in return.
Hunter’s Strengths
The Hunter in Clash Royale is a versatile and powerful troop with numerous strengths that make him a valuable asset on both offense and defense. One of his most notable traits is his high damage output at close range, where he can deal damage comparable to that of a PEKKA. When all 10 of his bullets hit, the Hunter can deliver up to 690 damage per shot, surpassing the PEKKA’s 678 damage per hit. Under the influence of a defensive rage, his damage per second (DPS) can reach 492, making him a formidable force in tight combat situations.
The Hunter excels in defense due to his versatility, capable of taking down most units, acting both as a high DPS card and a ranged splash damage unit. This flexibility allows him to counter a wide variety of troops effectively. He is particularly strong against tanks and mini-tanks like the Knight and Valkyrie, as these units often walk directly into his line of fire, allowing the Hunter to maximize his damage. Additionally, he is highly effective against building-targeting units, quickly dealing with win conditions like the Balloon or Battle Ram, often preventing any damage to your tower or destroying the Battle Ram and its Barbarians in a single burst.
The Hunter also shines against specific high-health units such as the Lava Hound and Balloon. If placed correctly, he can shred through the Lava Hound quickly and even deal with the Lava Pups with minimal tower damage. His ability to control swarms is another strong point, as he can eliminate units like Bats, Skeletons, and even severely damage Minions and Goblins at long range. In particular, he can one-shot the spawned Skeletons from a Graveyard with each pellet and can survive an equivalent level Poison spell.
His synergy with the Fisherman is a powerful combination. When placed together, the Hunter’s burst damage and the Fisherman’s ability to pull enemy troops, combined with attacks from both Princess Towers, can quickly take down even the toughest tanks like the Golem or Giant. Additionally, the Hunter’s shotgun-style attack allows him to disrupt shields effectively, as each bullet is an individual hit. This makes him an excellent counter to shielded troops, as the bullets can deplete the shield before dealing damage to the unit’s health.
While the Hunter is primarily a defensive powerhouse, his ability to offer significant arena control through his area-of-effect damage and quick takedown of tanks is invaluable. His placement can be adapted depending on the situation, providing flexibility in terms of both DPS and splash damage. This versatility allows him to counter nearly any card in the game, giving players a reliable tool for defense. Lastly, the Hunter can even be used strategically to bait out a Fireball, potentially wasting your opponent’s spell and leaving them vulnerable to other attacks.
Hunter’s Weaknesses
The Hunter in Clash Royale has several weaknesses that can make him less effective in certain situations. One of his primary drawbacks is the inconsistency and randomness in how his bullets spread. While his attack can deal substantial damage up close, the spread of his bullets can be unpredictable. This is especially evident when dealing with troops like Skeletons from a Graveyard, as the varying spawn locations can cause some of his bullets to miss, leading to inefficient damage output.
The Hunter is also highly vulnerable to spells, particularly high-damage spells like Lightning and Rocket, which can eliminate him completely. Medium-range spells like Fireball and Zap can leave him with low health, making him easy to finish off or require tank support. Another weakness is his inability to handle ranged units effectively. Units like the Musketeer, Electro Wizard, Baby Dragon, Executioner, and Wizard can stay out of his reach, rendering him nearly useless in long-range engagements. His slow attack speed and low health further exacerbate this issue, making him an easy target for these ranged attackers.
On offense, the Hunter is ineffective due to his spread attack, which deals minimal damage to towers. Only 2-3 of his bullets typically hit the tower, making him weak as a win condition. He is also susceptible to being surrounded by swarm units such as Skeletons or Bats. Since he can only shoot in one direction at a time, and has a slow attack speed, he can be overwhelmed easily. His low health, similar to that of units like the Witch and Mega Minion, makes him vulnerable to quick takedowns by support troops in a push, especially given his tendency to be played at the front due to his short range.
The Hunter is also easily distracted, particularly by fast-moving units like the Hog Rider, which can bypass him while he focuses on shooting at a tower or other targets. His burst damage relies heavily on precise placement and timing, and if placed incorrectly, he can be pushed back by tanks or spells such as The Log and Giant Snowball. These spells can knock him away from his target, reducing his damage output.
In general, the Hunter struggles to be effective without support. While he can deal with massed units, he is vulnerable to being overwhelmed by sheer numbers, and his burst damage can be mitigated if he isn’t shielded from damage or distractions. Additionally, he can easily be kited, with tanks walking away while the Hunter continues to shoot at them from a minimum range, resulting in little damage dealt. His reliance on specific placement and support makes him a difficult card to use effectively in certain matchups, particularly against opponents who can easily counter him with spells or other tactics.
General Strategies and Tips
To use the Hunter effectively in Clash Royale, focus on maximizing his close-range damage. Position him close to enemy units to ensure that all shotgun pellets hit, which is especially crucial when dealing with tanks. Place the Hunter directly on top of a tank to make the most of his damage output. To protect him, consider using a mini-tank like the Knight or Valkyrie to distract the target, then place the Hunter right behind it for optimal effect. Avoid placing him directly in front of a tank, as he can be pushed back, reducing his damage potential.
The Hunter is primarily a defensive card, so it’s best to deploy him on your side of the map rather than using him offensively. Treat him like a Mini P.E.K.K.A. rather than a Wizard, as he excels at defending by dealing high burst damage up close. When positioning him, consider the strength and number of attacking units; place him at different ranges to adapt to the situation. For example, against a Skeleton Army, position him as far back as possible to maximize the spread of his bullets, allowing him to take out more troops.
Synergy plays a key role in using the Hunter effectively. Pair him with the Fisherman to pull units towards him, increasing his damage output. Use distraction units like Skeletons or mini tanks such as the Ice Golem to buy him time and ensure his burst shots hit. The Hunter can also work well with the Ice Spirit to give him an edge in duels, especially against units like the Knight. Play the Ice Spirit first, then place the Hunter on top of the Knight to prevent it from getting the first hit.
Patience is essential when using the Hunter; he excels in close-range combat, particularly against tanks, so wait for the right moment to drop him. At longer ranges, the Hunter can hit more units, especially swarms, so placing him further away can help deal with hordes. Charging units like the Battle Ram can push the Hunter closer to the Crown Tower if placed directly behind him, which can be an advantage in certain situations. Additionally, you can use the Hunter to bait spells like Fireball, forcing your opponent to waste their spell on him, allowing you to take advantage of other troops or structures.
Conclusion
The Hunter in Clash Royale is a versatile Epic card that, when used strategically, can be a valuable addition to any deck. His greatest strength lies in close-range combat, where he can deal high damage to tanks and mini-tanks. He is particularly effective against building-targeting units and win conditions such as the Balloon and Battle Ram. Additionally, his ability to control swarms and his synergy with the Fisherman make him an excellent defensive option.
However, the Hunter has notable weaknesses. His bullet spread can be inconsistent, and he is vulnerable to spells like Lightning and Fireball. He also struggles against ranged units, as they can stay out of his effective range. With relatively low health and susceptibility to swarm units, the Hunter requires proper support to perform effectively, as he can be easily overwhelmed if not protected.
To maximize the Hunter’s potential, place him close to enemy units to ensure all pellets hit for maximum damage. Using mini-tanks or distraction units can help protect him from incoming attacks. Adjust his positioning depending on the situation, placing him farther from swarm units to optimize bullet spread. Pairing him with cards like the Fisherman and Ice Spirit can enhance his effectiveness on the battlefield. Overall, the Hunter is best utilized defensively, where he can counter tanks and support counter-pushes.
In conclusion, the Hunter is a powerful card when used correctly but requires careful consideration of his weaknesses and precise placement to take full advantage of his strengths.
