AI Overview: Hunter is a 4-elixir Epic troop in Clash Royale that deals big damage up close and much less at range. It unlocks in Hog Mountain (Arena 10) and has an Evolution. SeeMeta lists no change for the card in 2026. In October 2026, RoyaleTracker’s best Hunter deck won 56.9% over 937 battles. The other six lists won under 49%.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Hunter costs 4 elixir, is an Epic troop, and unlocks in Hog Mountain (Arena 10).
- It has an Evolution but no Hero version.
- SeeMeta lists no 2026 change for the card.
- RoyaleTracker’s best Hunter deck won 56.9% over 937 battles.
- Only one of the seven printed lists won over 50%.
Table of Contents
What Hunter Does
The short version: Hunter is a 4-elixir Epic troop who hits hard up close. RoyaleTracker’s card text says he deals big damage up close, not so much at range. He unlocks in Hog Mountain (Arena 10).
He hits hard up close and weakly from far away. Put him next to the target.
What changed: SeeMeta lists nothing for Hunter this year. What it means: his results move with his partners, not with a patch of his own.
| Stat | Value |
| Elixir cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Epic |
| Type | Troop (short range) |
| Unlocks | Hog Mountain (Arena 10) |
| Evolution / Hero | Evolution, no Hero |
| Last change | None listed for 2026 (SeeMeta) |
The Hunter has no patch of his own, and his best list runs Electro Spirit, which was nerfed twice in August. If the stun group gets smaller, the 56.9% list loses some of its bite. The negative effect: a close-range card that needs a stun partner has no plan B.
Best Hunter Decks Right Now
RoyaleTracker printed seven Hunter decks. The best, an Evo Royal Giant and Evo Royal Ghost list with Fisherman and Electro Spirit, won 56.9% over 937 battles at only 3.0 elixir. The other six won between 41.9% and 48.8%.
The pattern: Sparky is in three lists, and all three won under 46%. Mega Knight is in three, as the base card or the Evolution, and all three won under 46%. The two heaviest lists, at 5.5 and 4.6 elixir, won 44.8% and 44.9%. None of the seven lists runs Evo Hunter. What it means: heavy, slow lists do not suit him.
The best list averages 3.0 elixir. The three lists at 4.5 elixir or more won 44.8% to 45.3%, and the other three sit between 41.9% and 48.8%. What it means: a lighter list gets more out of a short-range card.
| Build | Cards | Avg elixir | Win rate (sample) |
| Evo Royal Giant, Evo Royal Ghost and Fisherman | 3.0 | 56.9% (937 battles) | |
| Minions, Witch and Hog Rider | 3.9 | 48.8% (765 battles) | |
| Evo Mega Knight, Sparky and Mother Witch | 4.5 | 45.3% (1.0k battles) | |
| Evo Lumberjack, Evo Mega Knight and Hero Wizard | 4.6 | 44.9% (752 battles) | |
| Evo Executioner, Sparky and Boss Bandit | 5.5 | 44.8% (652 battles) | |
| Evo Goblin Giant, Sparky and Lightning | 4.1 | 42.5% (1.1k battles) | |
| Skeleton Army, Giant Skeleton and Inferno Dragon | 3.6 | 41.9% (788 battles) |
Try it yourself: open the Clash Royale Deck Builder with the Minions and Witch build in the table above, 48.8% in the tracker sample (765 battles), already loaded. It averages 3.9 elixir and runs no Evolution or Hero. Swap Minion Horde for a cheaper card to lower the cost.
How to Play Hunter
- Place him close to the target. His damage is best up close.
- Put a cheap troop in front. He is a damage dealer, not a tank.
- Pair him with Electro Spirit or Skeletons. The best list runs both.
- Keep the deck light. The best list averages 3.0 elixir.
- Do not stack Sparky and Mega Knight. Every list with them won under 46%.
The move: next game, wait for the enemy tank to reach your tower, then drop Hunter right behind it so he hits at close range.
Evo Royal Ghost is in the best list, and SeeMeta lists a Royal Ghost hitpoints cut on October 6, from 1,210 to 1,152. If the list was tested before that patch, it may need a retest. The negative effect: the best Hunter list rests on one partner that has just changed.
Hunter Placement: Close or Far
The short version: the Hunter fires a spread of bullets, so the distance to the target decides whether he is a single-target killer or a splash card.
Close for single targets
When he is placed right on top of an enemy troop, all his bullets hit that one target. Against a Knight, place him a little closer so most bullets land at once. Playing Ice Spirit first, then the Hunter on the Knight, means the Knight does not get the first hit.
Far for swarms
Against Skeleton Army, place him as far back as possible so the spread covers the group before it surrounds him. Against a Goblin Gang, use a medium range: close enough that most bullets hit, far enough that he is not surrounded.
Do not clump troops for him
Tornado does not help him. His attack is already spread out, so pulling units together only wastes it.
Defense first
He is a defensive card. On offense he does little to a tower, because only a few bullets land, and Lightning or a Fireball with Zap answers him. Treat him closer to a Mini P.E.K.K.A than a Wizard, since you usually defend by dropping him on top of the attacker.
Weak points
He is easy to surround, and Goblins can take him out because of his large hitbox.
The move: next game, decide the range before you place him: on top of a single tank, back for a swarm.
How to Counter Hunter
- Fight him at range: a Musketeer or Archers outshoot him.
- Keep your tank back: he hurts a tank up close.
- Splash: Fireball or Arrows clears his support troops.
- A cheap swarm: Skeleton Army gets close to him fast.
The catch: do not let a big troop walk next to him. Close range is where he does the most damage.
Is Hunter Worth Using Now?
Is it worth it? In a light cycle list, yes. One list won 56.9%. The catch: six won under 49%, and every list with Sparky or Mega Knight won under 46%.
What to remember: Hunter is a close-range specialist, and his best list is cheap.
Fireball and Barbarian Barrel are both in the 56.9% list. SeeMeta lists Fireball’s Crown Tower damage cut on June 1 and September 8, and Barbarian Barrel’s damage cut on October 6, from 232 to 215. If both are trimmed again, the best Hunter list loses its spells. The negative effect: a close-range card needs cheap spells to clear the way.
Go deeper: For the cards in his lists, read the Sparky guide, the Mega Knight guide and the Electro Spirit guide. For a custom list, the Clash Royale Deck Builder calculates the average cost as each card goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hunter do in Clash Royale?
He deals big damage up close and not so much at range, according to RoyaleTracker’s card text.
How much does Hunter cost?
4 elixir.
When do you unlock Hunter?
He unlocks in Hog Mountain (Arena 10). He is an Epic card.
What is the best Hunter deck?
In October 2026, RoyaleTracker listed an Evo Royal Giant, Evo Royal Ghost and Fisherman deck at 56.9% over 937 battles.
What counters Hunter?
Ranged troops that outshoot him, a tank kept at a distance, or splash spells.
Does Hunter have an Evolution or Hero?
He has an Evolution but no Hero. None of the seven printed lists on this page runs the Evolution.
The Bottom Line
The takeaway: Hunter is a close-range damage dealer. Use him in a light deck and keep your tank within reach.
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- RoyaleTracker, Hunter card page (October 2026 tracker data)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Hunter (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)