AI Overview: Cannon vs Tombstone against Hog Rider comes down to two things: timing and the bypass trick. Both cost 3 elixir and can solo a Hog. Cannon wins when you can place it late and keep value. Tombstone wins when you place it early, because the Hog cannot skip it. The old numbers are from 2016, so check the card pages.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Cannon and Tombstone each cost 3 elixir, and the Hog Rider costs 4.
- A Cannon kills a Hog for a +1 elixir trade and is usually placed after the Hog crosses the river.
- The building bypass trick does not work against Tombstone, so a Tombstone placed early draws the Hog every time.
- SeeMeta lists a Tombstone hitpoint rise from 3,379 to 4,044 (+20 percent), but a search summary ties it to the Hero version.
- The old hitpoint and damage numbers are from before a May 18 update, so use them as a guide only.
Table of Contents
Cannon vs Tombstone: The Short Answer
Here’s the thing: this tip compared two 3-elixir buildings for one job: stopping the Hog Rider. Cannon was everywhere because Hog decks were popular, and that Supercell was about to nerf it again in the May 18 update. He then argued Tombstone was the better pick in some cases.
The short version: a Cannon kills a Hog for a plus-one elixir trade, but you have to place it late, once the Hog has crossed the river, so he cannot bypass it. The catch: you do not always have the elixir for a late placement, and a mistake there costs a tower.
What changed: the old numbers (Cannon takes three Hog hits, Tombstone two, and a coming boost of 10 percent hitpoints and 5 percent skeleton damage) are from 2016. SeeMeta’s 2026 list shows a Tombstone entry going from 3,379 to 4,044 hitpoints (+20 percent), but a search summary ties it to the Hero version. What it means: the base card may or may not have moved, so check the card page. Still unknown: exact base hitpoints in October 2026.
| Point | Cannon | Tombstone |
| Elixir | 3 | 3 |
| Best moment | After the Hog crosses the river | Before the opponent uses the bypass trick |
| Can the Hog bypass it? | Yes, if placed early | |
| 3 hits | 2 hits | |
| Extra value | Hits air? No | Skeletons spawn; works against P.E.K.K.A, Mini P.E.K.K.A, Prince, Giant Skeleton |
Card pages: Cannon, Tombstone and Hog Rider.
Supercell has a habit of nerfing the card everyone plays, as this very tip noted. If Cannon stays popular, expect another trim, and Tombstone to rise. The negative effect: buildings keep swinging in and out of fashion, so a deck built around one can feel weak after a single patch.
When Tombstone Is Better
- It is very cheap. It costs 3 elixir and can solo kill a Hog if placed well.
- It pulls the Hog in early. The bypass trick does not work against it, so place it in the middle whenever you want.
- It handles tanks. It works well against P.E.K.K.A, Mini P.E.K.K.A, Prince and Giant Skeleton.
- It works on offense too. The skeletons give your counter-push some bodies.
The pattern: Tombstone is a patient card, and Cannon is a quick one. What it means: if you can place it before the opponent plays the Hog, Tombstone is safer. If you must react, Cannon fits better. See our guide to the Tombstone for more.
When Cannon Is Better
A Cannon shoots from range and hits fast, so it can finish a Hog while your tower helps. Both buildings solo a Hog without a hit on the Crown Tower. That means the real contest is timing, not raw strength. For the bypass trick itself, read how to bypass buildings with Hog Rider.
The move: keep both in your mind when you scout the opponent’s deck. If the Hog is in their first four cards, a Cannon in hand is a safe answer. The catch: if you play it too early, an edge Hog skips it.
If more decks cut Hog Rider, buildings that mainly answer Hog will matter less, and the all-round ones will rise. The negative effect: players who trained to respond to Hog with a single building would need a second answer.
The quick math: a Hog Rider costs 4 elixir and a Cannon or Tombstone costs 3. If the building kills the Hog without a hit on your tower, you are 1 elixir ahead before the counter-push even starts. The catch: that lead disappears if a second card, such as a spell or a mini tank, supports the Hog. Count the whole push, not just the Hog.
Pick by Deck Type
Here’s the thing: the best building depends on how your deck plays. A deck with a heavy tank wants something that handles tanks. A cycle deck wants something it can place fast. Use the table as a starting point, then check the card pages.
| Your deck | Better pick | Why |
| Beatdown with a big tank | Tombstone | It pulls tanks like P.E.K.K.A and Giant Skeleton, and skeletons add bodies |
| Fast cycle | Cannon | It is quick to place when the Hog crosses the river |
| Control | Either | Pick the one that fits the rest of your defense |
| Mostly air troops | Neither | Cannon hits ground only, so look at Tesla or Inferno Tower |
Tesla and Inferno Tower are covered on their own card pages: Tesla and Inferno Tower.
A bigger shift would come if Supercell changed building lifetime or spawn rules for the whole class. The negative effect: a broad building change could make every old Hog counter feel wrong at once, and players who relied on one pick would need a new plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cannon or Tombstone better against Hog Rider?
Tombstone if you can place it early, Cannon if you must react after the Hog crosses the river.
Can a Hog Rider bypass a Tombstone?
No, so it always runs at it.
How much elixir are Cannon and Tombstone?
Both cost 3 elixir, and the Hog Rider costs 4.
Did Tombstone get buffed in 2026?
SeeMeta lists a hitpoint rise to 4,044, but a search summary ties it to the Hero version.
Can Cannon hit air troops?
No. It hits ground troops only.
What beats Hog Rider besides buildings?
A cheap swarm like Skeletons, or a mini tank, can also stop a Hog.
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- SeeMeta, Clash Royale balance changes (page updated September 2026), read through search summaries
- Supercell official Clash Royale API, card list (elixir cost, rarity)
- Clash Royale Wiki (Fandom), Hog Rider page, read through a search summary: building hitboxes and the bypass placement