Mastering the Lava Hound Deck in Clash Royale: A Guide to Three Top-Tier Strategies

The Lava Hound, a legendary air troop in Clash Royale, is a formidable win condition known for its high health points (3581 at tournament levels) and the devastating Lava Pups it unleashes upon death. While its damage output is minimal, its ability to create overwhelming pushes makes it a top choice for experienced players. This guide explores three effective Lava Hound deck archetypes in the current Clash Royale meta.

Understanding Lava Hound Deck Strategies

Lava Hound decks operate as Beatdown decks, prioritizing a slow, methodical approach. Unlike Giant or Golem decks, the Lava Hound serves as the primary win condition, supported by a mix of air troops and a few ground units for defense. The strategy often involves sacrificing some tower health to secure a favorable trade, creating a powerful push from the back of the arena. The Royal Chef champion card synergizes exceptionally well with the Lava Hound, significantly boosting its effectiveness.

Top Three Lava Hound Decks

Here are three leading Lava Hound deck compositions:

• LavaLoon Valkyrie: A fast-cycling deck combining air win conditions.
• Lava Hound Double Dragon: Leveraging evolution cards for significant damage potential.
• Lava Lightning Prince: A powerful, albeit slightly heavier, deck for beginners.

1. LavaLoon Valkyrie

This popular deck boasts a quicker cycle than other Lava Hound variants. Its average elixir cost is 4.0.

The Valkyrie serves as a mini-tank against swarm troops, while Guards provide ground DPS against larger threats. The core push involves deploying the Lava Hound at the back and the Balloon at the bridge once the Hound is within range. Inferno Dragon provides air DPS, Evo Zap offers tower resets, and Fireball handles high-value targets. Skeleton Dragons support the Balloon push.

2. Lava Hound Double Dragon

This deck utilizes evolution cards effectively.

Evo Bomber delivers significant tower damage, while Evo Goblin Cage counters various win conditions. Guards provide defensive support, and the Inferno Dragon and Skeleton Dragons offer air defense. Lightning clears enemy defenses, and Arrows handle swarms.

3. Lava Lightning Prince

This beginner-friendly deck incorporates strong meta cards.

Evo Valkyrie's tornado effect controls both air and ground troops. Evo Skeletons provide DPS. The Prince offers additional tower pressure. Skeleton Dragons and Inferno Dragon provide air support. Lightning clears defenses. The Lava Hound forms the core of the push. Mini-Pekka can replace the Prince for a lower elixir cost.

Conclusion

Lava Hound decks demand a strategic, patient approach. While these decks provide a strong foundation, experimentation with card combinations is crucial to finding a playstyle that suits your preferences. Remember to leverage the Royal Chef for optimal Lava Hound performance.