Clash Royale New Game Mode: Merge Tactics

Hannan Mundia

04/08/2025

Supercell continues to attract a sizable audience for its games. While Clash of Clans was the one to start it all, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Clash Royale is more than popular enough to match it in terms of popularity. Clash Royale frequently introduces new game modes that keep players hooked and eager for more. The new Merge Tactics game mode is similar, but those who have played other games like Teamfight Tactics may find this mode extremely familiar.

What is the Merge Tactics mode in Clash Royale?

Merge Tactics is a new seasonal game mode in Clash Royale that requires players to strategize more than the main modes. This turn-based mode has four players face off in a battle where they all build teams of familiar troops from the game. At the moment, the game will have classic Clash Royale troops, including Archers, Knights, and Goblins.

Unlike the regular game mode, Merge Tactics has multiple rounds that unfold in a turn-based format. Every round has two parts. The first is the deploy phase, while the second is the battle phase. Like with the base game, players can collect cards of their favorite troops to level them up, enhancing their strengths. Naturally, LootBar can help you collect the cards you need to take your deck to the next level.

The deploy phase sees players use valuable elixir to upgrade or construct their ideal team. This includes managing elixir, placing troops, and merging troops to strengthen them. This phase also lets players scout the other players, ensuring they’re ready for anything the enemy may throw at them.

Then comes the battle phase. Here is where players see the culmination of all their efforts in the deploy phase, as their troops face off automatically against other players’ teams. This cycle repeats multiple times, with the loser of every round getting a hit to their overall health and edging toward defeat. Reaching zero health eliminates you, and the goal is to be the last one standing. Basically, it’s a merging of Clash Royale and Teamfight Tactics, with some merging mechanics mixed in.

Arguably, the most impressive thing is that all troops in Merge Tactics are rendered in full 3D. This is the first time Clash Royale has ever done this, and the reception to this change will apparently determine whether it also eventually comes to the main game.

Is Merge Tactics a limited-time mode?

Not at all! On the contrary, Merge Tactics is a seasonal game mode in Clash Royale. This means that the mode, like the main game, will have new additions every season. These additions will come in the form of troops, traits, modifiers, and cosmetics, along with buffs and nerfs to certain troops.

This mode is still in the experimental stage, which means that players should likely expect some changes going forward. The developer has stated it’ll use the feedback to implement changes players want, and that’s also why there’s no set end date for the first season as of yet. It wouldn’t be surprising if Supercell eventually makes it so the Merge Tactics seasons run alongside the main game, keeping things simpler for players.

Every Clash Royale troop in Merge Tactics

Those who are long-time Clash Royale or Clash of Clans players may recognize some of the playable troops in this new Merge Tactics game mode. While some of them have been tweaked a little to make them more viable for this mode, like the Princess always prioritizing the farthest enemy or the Prince pushing back and stunning enemies after his initial charge, they’re still true to what makes them unique in the main game.

There are two things to keep in mind when it comes to troops in Merge Tactics. The first is that every troop has an elixir cost that the player must pay if they want to send that troop to the battlefield or the waiting bench. Next, every troop has two traits that determine what bonuses they give. Having multiple active troops that share the same trait could increase that perk’s effect.

Below is a list of all twenty available troops in Clash Royale’s Merge Tactics mode, including their two traits and elixir cost:

1. Knight - Noble & Juggernaut (2-elixir troop)

2. Archers - Clan & Ranger (2-elixir troop)

3. Goblins - Goblin & Assassin (2-elixir troop)

4. Spear Goblins - Goblin & Thrower (2-elixir troop)

5. Bomber - Undead & Thrower (2-elixir troop)

6. Barbarians - Clan & Brawler (2-elixir troop)

7. Valkyrie - Clan & Avenger (3-elixir troop)

8. P.E.K.K.A - Ace & Juggernaut (3-elixir troop)

9. Prince - Noble & Brawler (3-elixir troop)

10. Giant Skeleton - Undead & Brawler (3-elixir troop)

11. Dart Goblins - Goblin & Ranger (3-elixir troop)

12. Executioner - Ace & Thrower (3-elixir troop)

13. Princess - Noble & Ranger (4-elixir troop)

14. Mega Knight - Ace & Brawler (4-elixir troop)

15. Royal Ghost - Undead & Assassin (4-elixir troop)

16. Bandit - Ace & Brawler (4-elixir troop)

17. Goblin Machine - Goblin & Juggernaut (4-elixir troop)

18. Skeleton King - Undead & Juggernaut (5-elixir troop)

19. Golden Knight - Noble & Assassin (5-elixir troop)

20. Archer Queen - Clan & Avenger (5-elixir troop)

Aside from this, players also have to watch out for Rulers, which act like towers for players. There are currently two Rulers in Merge Tactics, and players can look toward LootBar to get awesome skins for them for added personalization.

The two Rulers currently in Merge Tactics and the buffs they bring are:

● Royale King: Losing grants the player +4 elixir.

● Spirit Empress: Every merge grants the player +1 bonus elixir.

Every trait’s buff in Clash Royale Merge Tactics

The table below highlights every Merge Tactics trait’s buff. This includes the base buff and all the bonus buffs that kick in when a certain number of troops sharing the same trait are in the active spot.

Trait	Base perk	1 troop	2 troops	3 troops	4 troops
Ace	The highest merge level troop is a captain who gives the team +20% hit speed for 4 seconds when they defeat an enemy.	-	Captain gets 30% bonus damage.	-	Captain gets 60% bonus damage and recovers 30% of damage dealt as health.
Assassin	Assassins leap to the enemy’s backline troops at the start of the round.	-	-	Assassins get +30% crit chance and crit damage.	-
Avenger	Avengers deal bonus damage. The damage is doubled if only one Avenger is standing.	-	-	The base bonus damage is 30%	-
Brawler	Brawlers get bonus maximum health.	-	Brawlers get 30% extra health.	-	Brawlers receive 60% extra health, and the rest get 30% more.
Clan	Clan troops heal their health and get extra hit speed once per round when their health hits 50%	-	30% of max health is recovered the same percentage of hit speed is increased.	-	60% of max health is recovered the same percentage of hit speed is increased. The rest of the team also gets the buff, but at 30%.
Goblin	The player will get an extra random goblin for free next round.	-	The player gets a 2-elixir goblin.	-	There’s a 60% chance of getting a 3 or 4-elixir goblin.
Juggernaut	Every troop behind a Juggernaut troop gets a shield for 8 seconds at the start of combat.	-	Regular troops get a 15% shield, while other Juggernauts get a 30% shield.	-	Regular troops get a 30% shield, while other Juggernauts get a 60% shield.
Noble	Frontline troops take less damage, and backline troops deal extra damage.	-	The defense and damage increases are at 20%.	-	The defense and damage increases are at 40%.
Ranger	Rangers get a stackable bonus hit speed every time they land an attack. The maximum stack is 15x	-	-	The hit speed increase per stack is 15%	-
Thrower	Throwers have +1 attack range and deal more damage to distant targets.	-	-	Throwers deal +10% bonus damage for every hex between them and the target.	-
Undead	Undeads curse the enemy with the highest health and get bonus damage when that enemy is defeated.	-	The cursed enemy’s max health is cut by 25%.		The Undead curses two enemies, and their max health is cut by 50%.

Every division in Clash Royale’s Merge Tactics mode

Considering the mode’s status as a seasonal mode, it makes sense that Merge Tactics has divisions that players can climb. Every division brings three modifiers that are randomly selected and assigned at the start of every battle, affecting both players. This adds a sense of randomness to the game, ensuring every match is different and unexpected.

The table below highlights all of the divisions in Merge Tactics, as well as every modifier players can expect.

League	Modifier 1	Modifier 2	Modifier 3
Bronze II	Big Bucks: All Rulers start with +5 elixir	Bigger Team: Team size increases by 1	Legacy: Gain +5 elixir when a Ruler is knocked out
Bronze III	Party Time: Team size is always 6	Rare Star: Start with a 2‑Star 2‑elixir troop	Epic Star: Start with a 2‑Star 3‑elixir troop
Silver I	Legendary Star: Start with a 2‑Star 4‑elixir troop	Champion Star: Start with a random 5‑elixir troop	Richer and Richer: Earn +1 Elixir interest per 2 elixir saved
Silver II	Fighting Fever: troops gain +100% Hit Speed for 6 seconds upon defeating an enemy	Less is More: If you have fewer troops at combat start, gain +20% HP & Speed	Ouch!: Frontline troops reflect 50% of the damage taken at the start of combat
Silver III	Elixir Collector: Gain a Collector generating 2 elixir per round (stored until sold)	You’re Mine: Gain a 1‑Star copy of the first enemy troop you defeat	First Free: The First troop bought each turn is free
Gold I	Four Stars: troop pool doubled with more availability in the Shop	Echo Bench: Each round, gain a 1‑Star copy of your right‑most bench troop	Pandora’s Bench: Each round, your right‑most bench troop becomes a random same‑cost troop
Gold II	Just Keep Living: Start with a dummy and gain +1 elixir if it survives	Trait Dummy: Start with a dummy that has 2 random traits	Huddle Up!: Each round, you gain a troop that suits your team
Gold III	Lucky Discount: One random shop troop costs 1 less each reset	Clear Mind: If your Bench is empty, gain +2 elixir next round	Promotion: Each round, your right‑most bench troop transforms into a random troop costing +1 elixir
Diamond	Smart Trade: Gain +1 elixir next round for every troop you sell	Ascension: On round 3, your right‑most bench troop becomes a 3‑Star powerhouse	First Choice: The first troop bought each turn is a 2‑Star

Conclusion

This concludes everything you need to know about Clash Royale’s Merge Tactics mode. This seasonal mode promises to add some much-needed variety to the game, ensuring players have a quick and easy game mode to turn to when they don’t feel like strategizing much. With new troops and Ruler skins to be expected soon, it may be a good idea to buy a Clash Royale top up or two to ensure you’re ready for anything.

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Valid period: January 8, 2025, 12:55 PM – February 28, 2026, 12:00 AM