AI Overview: Freeze is a 4-elixir Epic spell in Clash Royale that freezes and damages enemy troops and buildings. It unlocks in Frozen Peak (Arena 8). SeeMeta lists a duration cut on September 8. In October 2026, RoyaleTracker’s best Freeze deck won 72.3% over 792 battles. Four of the eight printed lists won over 50%, and the lowest won 44.0%.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Freeze costs 4 elixir, is an Epic spell, and unlocks in Frozen Peak (Arena 8).
- It has no Evolution and no Hero version.
- SeeMeta lists duration cut from 4 to 3.5 seconds on September 8, and Crown Tower damage cut from 45 to 37 on June 1.
- RoyaleTracker’s best Freeze deck won 72.3% over 792 battles.
- Four of the eight printed decks won over 50%.
Table of Contents
What Freeze Does
The short version: Freeze is a 4-elixir Epic spell that stops troops and buildings in a circle. RoyaleTracker’s card text says frozen targets cannot move or attack. It unlocks in Frozen Peak (Arena 8).
What changed: SeeMeta lists two nerfs. On June 1, Crown Tower damage went from 45 to 37 (-17.8%). On September 8, duration went from 4 to 3.5 seconds (-12.5%). Hero Ice Wizard has its own freeze ability that was nerfed on September 16 and October 6, but that is a separate card. What it means: your push gets half a second less free time.
| Stat | Value |
| Elixir cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Epic |
| Type | Spell (area freeze) |
| Unlocks | Frozen Peak (Arena 8) |
| Evolution / Hero | None |
| Last change | September 8, 2026 (SeeMeta) |
Freeze lost half a second of duration on September 8 and tower damage on June 1, and the top list has only 792 battles. If more players try it, the win rate may settle lower. The negative effect: a spell whose value is time loses a lot from a small cut.
Best Freeze Decks Right Now
RoyaleTracker printed eight Freeze decks. The best, a Balloon and Bowler list with Hero Balloon, Evo Baby Dragon and Evo Inferno Dragon, won 72.3% over 792 battles. A Goblin list with Hero Goblins won 64.9%. A second Balloon list with Hero Knight won 61.7%.
The pattern: four of the eight won over 50%. The lowest, the Mega Knight list with Cannon Cart and Firecracker, won 44.0% over 1,200 battles. The two best lists both run Balloon, Bowler, Evo Baby Dragon, Evo Inferno Dragon, Tornado and Barbarian Barrel. What it means: Freeze wins in one shell above all.
| Build | Cards | Avg elixir | Win rate (sample) |
| Evo Baby Dragon, Evo Inferno Dragon and Hero Balloon | 3.9 | 72.3% (792 battles) | |
| Evo Dart Goblin, Evo Skeleton Barrel and Hero Goblins | 3.0 | 64.9% (770 battles) | |
| Evo Baby Dragon, Evo Inferno Dragon and Hero Knight | 3.8 | 61.7% (928 battles) | |
| Hero Wizard, Witch and Executioner | 5.1 | 53.1% (731 battles) | |
| Evo Mega Knight, Evo Furnace and Cannon Cart | 3.9 | 44.0% (1.2k battles) |
Try it yourself: open the Clash Royale Deck Builder with the Hero Wizard build in the table above, 53.1% in the tracker sample (731 battles), already loaded. It averages 5.1 elixir, the heaviest of the eight. Swap Mega Knight for a cheaper card to lower the cost.
How to Play Freeze
- Cast it on their defense. The frozen troops and buildings cannot hit your push.
- Pair it with Balloon and Bowler. The two best lists run both.
- Count the duration. It is 3.5 seconds, so have your troops in place first.
- Keep it for pushes. Do not cast it on a single troop.
- Use Tornado or a Barrel. Both top lists run Tornado and Barbarian Barrel.
Hero Balloon is in the 72.3% list and lost damage on June 1, July 6 and September 8. If it is trimmed again, the top Freeze list loses its main damage dealer. The negative effect: a list at 72% on a small sample may fall back as more battles are counted.
When to Cast Freeze
The short version: Freeze does no damage by itself. Its value comes from what it stops, so cast it only on a push you have already planned.
Cast it on offense
Offense is where it earns its elixir. Save it for a push that will deal about 1,000 damage once the defense is frozen. Defensive use is rare, and only makes sense after you have taken a tower, when the cost matters less.
Wait for low health
Frozen troops deal the same damage at 1 hit point as at full health. If you wait until the defenders are damaged, the push finishes them before they can act.
Find your elixir range
A Freeze that comes with a small push is wasted. One with too big a push leaves you open to a counter-push. A cheap push such as Hog Rider with Freeze costs less than one with P.E.K.K.A and two Princes. Pick your range and stick to it.
Watch their spells
Frozen troops can still be hit by spells. Cast it when their Fireball and similar spells are out of the cycle, and against Balloon wait for half health.
Skip it when you already have value
If the push already deals chip damage, such as when an Ice Wizard defends your Hog, a Freeze doubles the cost for no extra value.
Keep a defense
Have a cheap card, a pump or double elixir ready for the counter-push that follows.
The move: next game, count the elixir of the push before casting Freeze, and hold it if their key spell is in hand.
How to Counter Freeze
- Split your defense: place troops in two spots so one Freeze does not hit all.
- Bait it: make the other player spend 4 elixir on a small push.
- Keep a cheap spell: Zap or Log can finish what Freeze left alone.
- Count their elixir: after a Freeze, they have a hole.
The catch: do not panic when you see the Balloon; wait to see whether they have the 4 elixir.
Is Freeze Worth Using Now?
Is it worth it? Yes, in Balloon and Goblin shells. Four lists won over 50%. The catch: the four others won 44.0% to 48.8%, and the top list is a 792-battle sample.
What to remember: Freeze is a push-ender, and the best lists build a push first.
Barbarian Barrel is in the top two lists and lost damage on October 6, from 232 to 215. If it is trimmed again, the Balloon lists lose a cheap tool. The negative effect: a push that wins by freezing defenders still needs its small spell to survive.
Go deeper: For the cards in the best lists, read the Balloon guide, the Bowler guide and the Baby Dragon guide. Use the Clash Royale Deck Builder to compare your own eight cards against this one; it shows the average cost live.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Freeze do in Clash Royale?
It freezes and damages enemy troops and buildings, making them unable to move or attack, according to RoyaleTracker’s card text.
How much does Freeze cost?
4 elixir.
When do you unlock Freeze?
It unlocks in Frozen Peak (Arena 8). It is an Epic card.
What is the best Freeze deck?
In October 2026, RoyaleTracker listed a Balloon and Bowler deck with Hero Balloon at 72.3% over 792 battles.
What counters Freeze?
Splitting your defense, baiting it, or keeping a cheap spell.
Did Freeze get nerfed?
Yes. SeeMeta lists duration going from 4 to 3.5 seconds on September 8.
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- RoyaleTracker, Freeze card page (October 2026 tracker data)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Freeze (October 2026 tracker samples)
- 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)
- Supercell official Clash Royale API, card list (elixir cost, rarity, Evolution and Hero flags)