AI Overview: Goblin Drill is a 4-elixir Epic building in Clash Royale that burrows underground and spawns Goblins. It unlocks in Serenity Peak (Arena 14) and has an Evolution. On October 6, 2026, SeeMeta lists its Crown Tower spawn damage at 20. In October 2026, RoyaleTracker’s best Goblin Drill deck won 59.3% over 447 battles. Most samples are small.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Goblin Drill costs 4 elixir, is an Epic building, and unlocks in Serenity Peak (Arena 14).
- It has an Evolution but no Hero version.
- SeeMeta lists a May 4 nerf to the Evolution: the second submerge spawns 1 Goblin instead of 2.
- RoyaleTracker’s best Goblin Drill deck won 59.3% over 447 battles.
- Four of the eight printed lists won over 50%, but seven of the eight samples are under 450 battles.
Table of Contents
What Goblin Drill Does
The short version: Goblin Drill is a 4-elixir Epic building that burrows underground and spawns Goblins. RoyaleTracker’s card text says it appears anywhere in the Arena and spawns Goblins one at a time until it is destroyed, then spawns a few more. It unlocks in Serenity Peak (Arena 14).
You place a tower of Goblins on the enemy side. It costs 4 elixir and pressures the Crown Tower.
What changed: SeeMeta lists three. On May 4, the Evolution’s second submerge spawns 1 Goblin instead of 2. On August 4, the damage the Drill did to towers when it spawned was removed. On October 6, SeeMeta lists its Crown Tower spawn damage going from 0 to 20. What it means: the newest patch is only days old, so the tracker samples may not show it yet.
| Stat | Value |
| Elixir cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Epic |
| Type | Building |
| Unlocks | Serenity Peak (Arena 14) |
| Evolution / Hero | Evolution, no Hero |
| Last change | October 6, 2026 (SeeMeta) |
The Drill’s Crown Tower spawn damage went from 0 to 20 on October 6, so the samples may not show the patch yet. If it holds, the Drill gets back some tower pressure. The negative effect: a card whose tower damage changed twice in two months is hard for new players to learn.
Best Goblin Drill Decks Right Now
RoyaleTracker printed eight Goblin Drill decks, and four won over 50%. The best, a control list with Evo Furnace, Evo Giant Snowball and Hero Berserker, won 59.3% over 447 battles at only 2.9 elixir. Three more won between 52.1% and 55.9%.
The pattern: Ronin is in three lists, and all three won over 52%. Evo Witch is in three lists too, but the two without Ronin won 45.4% and 46.7%. The samples are small: the largest, at 887 battles, won 45.4%, and the other seven are under 450. What it means: treat these numbers as a hint, not a rule.
| Build | Cards | Avg elixir | Win rate (sample) |
| Evo Furnace, Evo Giant Snowball and Hero Berserker | 2.9 | 59.3% (447 battles) | |
| Evo Firecracker, Ronin and Minion Giant | 3.3 | 55.9% (213 battles) | |
| Evo Mega Knight, Hero Knight and Ronin | 4.1 | 52.2% (161 battles) | |
| Evo Archers, Evo Witch and Archer Queen | 3.9 | 52.1% (217 battles) | |
| Evo Valkyrie, Evo Firecracker and Furnace | 3.8 | 48.8% (287 battles) | |
| Evo Witch, Hero Wizard and Electro Giant | 5.0 | 46.7% (364 battles) | |
| Evo Witch, Prince and Golden Knight | 4.0 | 45.4% (887 battles) | |
| Evo Cannon, Hero Wizard and Goblin Curse | 3.9 | 41.1% (287 battles) |
Try it yourself: open the Clash Royale Deck Builder with the Evo Firecracker and Hero Barbarian Barrel build in the table above, 55.9% in the tracker sample (213 battles), already loaded. It averages 3.3 elixir and is the only Goblin Drill list with Minion Giant. The sample is small, so test it before you trust it.
How to Play Goblin Drill
- Play it after you win an exchange. It costs 4, so you need a lead in elixir.
- Place it near the enemy tower. It can burrow anywhere, so choose a spot that hurts.
- Pair it with Ronin. All three Ronin lists won over 52%.
- Keep the deck cheap. The best list averages 2.9 elixir, and the heaviest won 46.7%.
- Use Poison or Snowball for support. They clear defenders away from the Goblins.
The move: next game, place the Drill on the side where the other player has no cheap answer in hand.
The Evolution was cut on May 4, and none of the eight printed lists runs it, although a Tesla list does. If players pick it up again, a second trim is likely. The negative effect: an Epic card that loses its Evolution value has less reason to be in a cycle deck.
How to Counter Goblin Drill
- Arrows or Zap: the Goblins have low hitpoints and die to a cheap spell.
- Hit the Drill itself: a building has a countdown, and a fast troop or spell ends it.
- Keep a cheap splash card in hand: Valkyrie or Wizard clears the Goblins in one swing.
- Count elixir: if the Drill lands, you have time to play your own push.
The catch: do not spend a 6-elixir card on a 4-elixir Drill. Use a cheap spell.
Is Goblin Drill Worth Using Now?
Is it worth it? Yes, but treat the numbers as early. Four lists won over 50%. The catch: every sample is under 450 battles except one, and the biggest sample won 45.4%.
What to remember: Goblin Drill wins in cheap, control-style lists, and the October 6 patch may change that.
Poison is in the best list, and SeeMeta lists its tower damage cut from 184 to 168 on June 1. If it is trimmed again, that control list loses a tool. The negative effect: a list with 447 battles can swing a lot in one patch.
Go deeper: For the cards in its lists, read the Ronin guide, the Poison guide and the Tesla 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 does Goblin Drill do in Clash Royale?
It is a building that burrows underground, appears anywhere in the Arena, and spawns Goblins one at a time.
How much does Goblin Drill cost?
4 elixir.
When do you unlock Goblin Drill?
It unlocks in Serenity Peak (Arena 14), per RoyaleTracker. It is an Epic card. Arena 13.
What is the best Goblin Drill deck?
In October 2026, RoyaleTracker listed an Evo Furnace, Evo Giant Snowball and Hero Berserker deck at 59.3% over 447 battles.
What counters Goblin Drill?
Arrows, Zap, a splash troop such as Valkyrie, or a fast troop that destroys the building.
Does Goblin Drill have an Evolution?
Yes. SeeMeta lists a May 4 nerf: the second submerge spawns 1 Goblin instead of 2. It has no Hero.
The Bottom Line
The takeaway: Goblin Drill is a cheap pressure building. Play it in a low-cost list, pair it with Ronin, and watch the October 6 change.
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- RoyaleTracker, Goblin Drill card page (October 2026 tracker data)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Goblin Drill (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)