AI Overview: Cannon is a 3-elixir Common building in Clash Royale, unlocked in Arena 3 (Barbarian Bowl). It cannot hit flying troops, and it has an Evolution. On October 6, Evolution Cannon barrage damage went from 281 to 261. RoyaleTracker listed its best Evolution deck at 68.6% win rate in October 2026, and all eight printed base-card lists won 53.0% or more.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Cannon costs 3 elixir, is a Common building, and unlocks in Arena 3 (Barbarian Bowl).
- It cannot target flying troops, and the Evolution adds a barrage of bombs when placed.
- On October 6, Evolution Cannon barrage damage went from 281 to 261 (-7.1%).
- RoyaleTracker’s best Evolution deck won 68.6% over about 3,800 battles.
- All eight printed base-card lists won 53.0% or more, and seven are Hog Cycle.
Table of Contents
What Cannon Does
The short version: Cannon is a 3-elixir Common building. RoyaleTracker’s card text says it is a defensive building that shoots cannonballs with deadly effect, but cannot target flying troops. It unlocks in Arena 3 (Barbarian Bowl).
It is a cheap wall that shoots. Ground troops stop for it, and balloons fly over it.
Evolution: RoyaleTracker’s text says the Evolved Cannon rains down a barrage of 9 bombs when placed, 4 on your side and 5 on the enemy’s, and knocks back air and ground troops caught underneath. It has no Hero version.
| Stat | Value |
| Elixir cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Building (ground only) |
| Unlocks | Arena 3 (Barbarian Bowl) |
| Evolution | Barrage of 9 bombs on placement, knocks troops back |
| Hero | None |
| 2026 change | Evolution barrage damage 281 to 261 (-7.1%), October 6 (nerf) |
The Evolution lost 7% of its barrage damage on October 6, and its best lists still sit near 60%. If the numbers hold, Supercell may trim it again. The negative effect: a second cut would make the Evolution slot less attractive, and the Hog Cycle decks that rely on it would need a new shell.
Best Cannon Decks Right Now
RoyaleTracker tracked 11 decks on the base Cannon page and 12 on the Evolution page, and printed eight on each. The base page ranges from 53.0% to 62.3%. The Evolution page ranges from 48.0% to 68.6%.
The pattern: seven of the eight base-page lists are Hog Cycle decks at 2.6 elixir. On the Evolution page, three lists are Hog Earthquake decks that won 61.2%, 60.1% and 48.0%, and the best list is an Evo Bats deck with Rune Giant and Poison at 68.6%. What it means: Cannon is the cheap building that cycle decks share.
| Build | Cards | Avg elixir | Win rate (sample) |
| Evo Cannon, Evo Bats and Rune Giant, top deck | 2.9 | 68.6% (3.8k battles) | |
| LogBait, Hero Valkyrie and Evo Goblin Barrel | 2.8 | 62.3% (4.1k battles) | |
| Hog Earthquake, Evo Cannon and Evo Firecracker | 2.6 | 61.2% (3.8k battles) | |
| Hog Cycle, Evo Cannon and Hero Musketeer, biggest sample | 2.6 | 58.8% (14.6k battles) | |
| Royal Giant, Evo Witch and Hero Knight, weaker deck | 3.6 | 49.5% (303 battles) |
Try it yourself: open the Clash Royale Deck Builder with the Royal Giant, Evo Witch and Hero Knight build in the table above, 49.5% in the tracker sample (303 battles) from the Royal Giant card page, already loaded. It averages 3.6 elixir and uses the base Cannon, so it is a good one to improve. Swap Inferno Dragon for Ice Spirit to see how the average cost moves.
How to Play Cannon
- Place it a few tiles off center. It pulls Hog Rider and other building-targeters away from your tower.
- Cycle it fast. At 3 elixir, it should come back every few cards.
- Pair it with Musketeer and Ice Golem. The seven Hog Cycle lists on the base page run Musketeer or Evo Musketeer with it.
- Use the Evolution on your side first. The bombs fall on both halves of the arena, so place it with a push in mind.
- Do not use it against air. It cannot shoot flying troops.
The move: next game, hold the Cannon until Hog Rider crosses the bridge, then place it on the side of the tower so the Hog turns toward it.
For a longer walk-through, read our Cannon, Tombstone and Hog Rider tips.
Five of the printed Evolution lists run Hog Rider and Ice Spirit with the Cannon. If those decks spread, expect more players to bring Tesla and Tornado. The negative effect: a cheap building that everyone expects stops being a surprise, and small timing mistakes cost the tower.
How to Counter Cannon
- Fly over it: Balloon, Lava Hound and Minions ignore a building that cannot shoot up.
- Rocket it: a Rocket hits a building hard, and it chips the tower too.
- Out-range it: Mortar and X-Bow hit it from far away.
- Wait out the lifetime: a Cannon only lasts a short time.
The catch: do not send a lone Hog Rider at a fresh Cannon. It pulls him in for free.
Is Cannon Worth Using Now?
Is it worth it? Yes. All eight printed base-card lists won 53.0% or more, and seven of the eight printed Evolution lists won 57.4% or more. The catch is that one Hog Earthquake list with Evo Firecracker won only 48.0% over 7,200 battles.
What to remember: Cannon is a cheap, flexible building, and the Evolution is the upgrade.
The Evolution lost 7% of its barrage on October 6 and still anchors the best list at 68.6%, and the tracker sample may not show the full effect yet. If Supercell keeps trimming it, players may move the slot to Tesla. The negative effect: each cut forces players to relearn a core defensive card, and newer players who just unlocked the Evolution would see its value shrink.
Go deeper: For more Cannon lists, read the Hog Cycle guide and common mistakes against Hog Cycle. Planning a list of your own? The Clash Royale Deck Builder updates the average cost with every card you add.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cannon do in Clash Royale?
It is a defensive building that shoots cannonballs at ground troops. It cannot target flying troops.
How much does Cannon cost?
3 elixir.
When do you unlock Cannon?
In Arena 3 (Barbarian Bowl), according to RoyaleTracker. It is a Common card.
Did Evo Cannon get nerfed?
Yes. On October 6, its barrage damage went from 281 to 261 (-7.1%).
What is the best Cannon deck?
In October 2026, RoyaleTracker listed an Evo Cannon deck with Evo Bats and Rune Giant at 68.6% over about 3,800 battles.
Does Cannon have an Evolution or Hero?
It has an Evolution, with a barrage of bombs, but no Hero.
The Bottom Line
The takeaway: Cannon is a 3-elixir ground-only building that wins in Hog Cycle decks, and the Evolution still tops the page. Copy a winning list and keep it cycling.
Building around this card? Our guide on how to use the Clash Royale Deck Builder shows how to load a deck, check patch risk and copy it into the game.
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- RoyaleTracker, Cannon card page (October 2026 tracker data)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Cannon (October 2026 tracker samples)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Evo Cannon (ability text and decks, October 2026)
- SeeMeta, Clash Royale balance changes 2026 (page updated October 8, 2026)
- Supercell, Clash Royale October balance changes 2026 (October 6, 2026)
- Clash Royale card data used by the Deck Builder (elixir costs and card types)