AI Overview: Archers is a 3-elixir Common troop in Clash Royale: a pair of lightly armored ranged attackers that hit ground and air. It unlocks in the Training Camp (Arena 0) and has an Evolution. On August 4, 2026, SeeMeta lists Evo Archers Power Shot damage cut from 168 to 140. In October 2026, RoyaleTracker’s best Archers deck won 70.6% over 695 battles.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Archers costs 3 elixir, is a Common troop, and unlocks in the Training Camp (Arena 0).
- It has an Evolution but no Hero version.
- On August 4, 2026, SeeMeta lists Evo Archers Power Shot damage cut from 168 to 140 (-16.7%).
- RoyaleTracker’s best Archers deck won 70.6% over 695 battles.
- Three of the eight printed lists won over 50%, and none of them runs Evo Archers.
Table of Contents
What Archers Do
The short version: Archers is a 3-elixir Common troop. RoyaleTracker’s card text calls them a pair of lightly armored ranged attackers that take down ground and air units. They unlock in the Training Camp (Arena 0).
Two small shooters that hit both ground and air. They are fragile, so they need cover.
What changed: SeeMeta lists nothing for the base card this year. For Evo Archers it lists one change on August 4: Power Shot damage went from 168 to 140 (-16.7%). What it means: the Evolution hits a little softer, and no list on this page runs it.
| Stat | Value |
| Elixir cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Troop (ranged, ground and air) |
| Unlocks | Training Camp (Arena 0) |
| Evolution / Hero | Evolution, no Hero |
| Last change | Evo Power Shot, August 4, 2026 (SeeMeta) |
Evo Archers lost Power Shot damage on August 4, from 168 to 140, and no list on this page runs it, although two Lightning lists and a Goblin Drill list do. If more lists pick it up, another look at its numbers is likely. The negative effect: an Evolution that is weaker may disappoint players who unlock it late.
Best Archers Decks Right Now
RoyaleTracker printed eight Archers decks. The best, a list with Evo Knight, Evo Elite Barbarians and Three Musketeers, won 70.6% over 695 battles. An Evo Skeletons and Evo Tesla list with X-Bow won 61.1% over 558. Another won 50.4%. The other five won between 42.0% and 49.6%.
The pattern: the most played list, an Evo Valkyrie and Evo Wizard deck with Mini P.E.K.K.A, won 49.6% over 2,900 battles. The two weakest lists average 4.8 and 5.0 elixir and won 42.0% and 42.7%. What it means: Archers do better in lighter lists.
| Build | Cards | Avg elixir | Win rate (sample) |
| Evo Knight, Evo Elite Barbarians and Three Musketeers | 4.4 | 70.6% (695 battles) | |
| Evo Skeletons, Evo Tesla and X-Bow | 3.0 | 61.1% (558 battles) | |
| Evo Witch, Hero Wizard and Hero Mini P.E.K.K.A | 3.9 | 50.4% (801 battles) | |
| Evo Valkyrie, Evo Wizard and Mini P.E.K.K.A | 4.0 | 49.6% (2.9k battles) | |
| Evo Wizard, Evo Mega Knight and Three Musketeers | 4.8 | 48.8% (728 battles) | |
| Evo P.E.K.K.A, Evo Furnace and Mother Witch | 3.8 | 48.4% (560 battles) | |
| Evo P.E.K.K.A, Boss Bandit and Spirit Empress | 5.0 | 42.7% (700 battles) | |
| Golem, Valkyrie and Magic Archer | 4.8 | 42.0% (1.0k battles) |
Try it yourself: open the Clash Royale Deck Builder with the Evo P.E.K.K.A and Boss Bandit build in the table above, 42.7% in the tracker sample (700 battles), already loaded. It averages 5.0 elixir, the heaviest Archers list. Swap Spirit Empress or Furnace for a cheaper card to lower the cost.
How to Play Archers
- Play them behind a tank or a building. They are fragile and hit from range.
- Use them on defense first. They shoot both air and ground.
- Pair them with Three Musketeers or Monk. The best list does.
- Keep the deck cheap. The 3.0-elixir list won 61.1%.
- Skip heavy Golem builds. The 4.8-elixir Golem list won 42.0%.
The move: next game, place Archers behind your Tesla or Cannon, so they shoot the push while the building takes the hits.
Evo Tesla is in the 61.1% list, and SeeMeta lists its pulse damage cut from 174 to 148 on May 4. Fireball, in the same list, lost tower damage on June 1 and September 8. If those two shift again, that deck loses its tools. The negative effect: a small sample from a niche deck can hide a real drop.
How to Counter Archers
- Arrows or Zap: a cheap spell kills both Archers.
- The Log or Fireball: hits them and their cover together.
- A fast melee troop: Hog Rider, Bandit or Dark Prince closes the distance.
- Do not feed a big troop into a building plus Archers. They shoot it down.
The catch: Archers shoot air units too, so a flying counter does not dodge them.
Are Archers Worth Using Now?
Are they worth it? Yes, in the right two or three lists. Three lists won over 50%. The catch: five won under 50%, and the most played one sat at 49.6%.
What to remember: Archers are a cheap ranged filler. Their wins come from the cards around them.
Rage and Heal Spirit are both in the 70.6% list. SeeMeta lists Rage’s Crown Tower damage cut from 54 to 45 on June 1, and Heal Spirit’s hitpoints cut from 230 to 215 on August 4. If both are trimmed again, the best Archers list loses support. The negative effect: a list with 695 battles is a thin base for a big claim.
Go deeper: For the cards in its best lists, read the Three Musketeers guide, the Monk guide and the Mini P.E.K.K.A guide. Want to try a version of your own? Add cards in the Clash Royale Deck Builder and watch the average elixir change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Archers do in Clash Royale?
They are a pair of lightly armored ranged attackers that hit ground and air units.
How much do Archers cost?
3 elixir.
When do you unlock Archers?
They unlock in the Training Camp (Arena 0). They are a Common card.
What is the best Archers deck?
In October 2026, RoyaleTracker listed an Evo Knight, Evo Elite Barbarians and Three Musketeers deck at 70.6% over 695 battles.
What counters Archers?
Arrows, Zap, The Log, Fireball or a fast melee troop.
Do Archers have an Evolution or Hero?
They have an Evolution but no Hero. SeeMeta lists Evo Archers Power Shot damage cut from 168 to 140 on August 4.
The Bottom Line
The takeaway: Archers are cheap ranged support. Play them behind cover, in a low-cost deck, and keep a spell ready for theirs.
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- RoyaleTracker, Archers card page (October 2026 tracker data)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Archers (October 2026 tracker samples)
- SeeMeta, Clash Royale balance changes 2026 (page updated October 8, 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)