AI Overview: Flying Machine is a 4-elixir Rare flier that shoots from range and ignores the ground. In October 2026, RoyaleTracker’s Flying Machine page printed eight lists. The best, with Evo Royal Recruits, Evo Goblin Cage, Hero Barbarian Barrel, Zappies and Royal Hogs, won 57.9% over 1,300 battles. Only one other list won over 50%, and a single Arrows kills the machine.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Flying Machine lists average 3.8 to 4.1 elixir.
- The best October 2026 list won 57.9% over 1,300 battles at 4.1 elixir.
- Only two lists won over 50%, and both run Evo Royal Recruits, Zappies and Hero Barbarian Barrel.
- Six lists won 41.7% to 46.0%.
- SeeMeta lists no Flying Machine change in 2026, but Royal Hogs, Zappies and Goblin Cage all changed.
Table of Contents
What a Flying Machine Deck Is
Flying Machine is a fragile air support. It shoots from far, flies over the river, and can hit towers from the middle of the field. A Flying Machine deck gives it a front line of cheap bodies, then uses it for chip damage while the main push arrives.
The short version: Flying Machine is a ranged support with a short fuse. It does damage from far away, but dies to any swarm that reaches it. The catch: it needs a front line, or it is gone in five seconds.
What changed: SeeMeta lists no change for Flying Machine in 2026. Its partners changed a lot. Royal Hogs‘ Evolution landing damage fell from 84 to 43 on May 4. Zappies‘ hit speed slowed on August 4 (2.1 to 2.2 seconds) and September 8 (2.2 to 2.3 seconds). Goblin Cage‘s Evolution changed on August 4 (cycles 1 to 2, damage per second 337 to 366, capture cooldown 0.5 to 0.3 seconds), and the base Goblin Cage got more hitpoints on September 8. What it means: the front line is sturdier, and the damage dealers are slower.
The best list leans on Zappies, which were slowed twice in two months. If Zappies are cut again, the 57.9% list needs a new second damage dealer. The negative effect: a deck built on small slows gets worse every time a number moves.
Best Flying Machine Builds Right Now
The best Flying Machine list was Evo Royal Recruits, Evo Goblin Cage, Hero Barbarian Barrel, Zappies, Royal Hogs, Fireball and Arrows: 57.9% over 1,300 battles. The second, with Evo Royal Hogs in place of Goblin Cage, won 51.2% over 1,400. Every other list won 41.7% to 46.0%.
| Build | Cards | Avg elixir | Needs |
| Evo Royal Recruits, Evo Goblin Cage and Hero Barbarian Barrel | 4.1 | 57.9% (1.3k battles) | |
| Evo Royal Recruits, Evo Royal Hogs and Hero Barbarian Barrel | 3.8 | 51.2% (1.4k battles) | |
| Evo Valkyrie, Evo Furnace and Prince | 4.1 | 46.0% (1.3k battles) | |
| Evo Goblin Giant, Hero Mini P.E.K.K.A and Lumberjack | 3.8 | 45.4% (779 battles) | |
| Evo Mega Knight, Evo Furnace and Cannon Cart | 3.9 | 44.0% (1.3k battles) | |
| Evo Baby Dragon, Evo Mega Knight and Hero Tombstone | 4.0 | 42.7% (658 battles) |
The pattern: the two lists above 50% share Evo Royal Recruits, Zappies, Royal Hogs, Goblin Cage and Hero Barbarian Barrel. What it means: if you copy one Flying Machine deck, copy that core. Still unknown: the top two are 1,300 and 1,400 battles.
Try it yourself: open the Clash Royale Deck Builder with the Evo Royal Recruits, Evo Goblin Cage and Hero Barbarian Barrel build in the table above already loaded. It is the list RoyaleTracker printed at 57.9% over 1,300 battles, and it averages 4.1 elixir.
How to Play a Flying Machine Deck
- Front line first. Royal Recruits or Goblin Cage goes down before the machine.
- Flying Machine behind. Drop it at the back so it can chip a tower.
- Hogs next. Send Royal Hogs when their splash is used.
- Use Hero Barbarian Barrel. It rerolls enemies away from the line.
- Keep Arrows. It kills the swarm that goes for the machine.
Barbarian Barrel lost damage on October 6, from 232 to 215, and the Hero version lost reroll range on May 4. If the Barrel is cut again, the best Flying Machine list loses its answer to a swarm. The negative effect: a list with one cheap answer to every swarm is brittle.
How to Counter a Flying Machine Deck
- Arrows or Zap: kill the machine in one cast.
- Air troops: Minions or Archers hit it from the air.
- A fast lane push: cross the bridge while it is behind a front line.
- Fireball: hits the machine and its front line.
The catch: if the front line is dead, the machine has nothing left to hide behind.
Is a Flying Machine Deck Worth Using Now?
Is it worth it? Yes, with the Royal Hogs core. Two lists won over 50%, the best 57.9%. The catch: six other lists won under 47%, so only that one family works.
Goblin Cage’s Evolution changed on August 4 and a hitpoints buff on September 8, and it is in the best list. If it is cut next, the 57.9% list moves to the 51.2% build. The negative effect: a one-card change can drop a deck by 6 points.
Go deeper: For the hog side, read our Royal Hogs deck guide. For another air plan, see our LumberLoon guide. The Clash Royale Deck Builder is the quickest way to build your own version, because it keeps a running average cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Flying Machine deck?
In October 2026, RoyaleTracker’s best printed list was Evo Royal Recruits (7), Evo Goblin Cage (4), Hero Barbarian Barrel (2), Zappies (4), Flying Machine (4), Royal Hogs (5), Fireball (4) and Arrows (3) at 57.9% over 1,300 battles.
Is Flying Machine good in 2026?
In one family, yes. Two printed lists won over 50%, and six did not.
What counters Flying Machine?
Arrows, Zap, air troops and a fast push.
Did Flying Machine get nerfed?
SeeMeta lists no change for Flying Machine in 2026.
How much elixir does Flying Machine cost?
4 elixir. It is a Rare troop.
What cards go with Flying Machine?
Royal Recruits, Royal Hogs, Zappies and Goblin Cage.
Original Guide, Kept in Full
The text below is the original guide, kept in full. Its stats and win rates are older than the 2026 data above.
Howdy, Clashers! This is Frisk Dreemurr, coming back to guide writing with a brand new, Frisk-style Lava Flying Machine deck!
| Deck | Cards | Avg elixir | Needs |
| Deck in this guide | 3.8 | Arena 13 (Bandit) |
| Pros | Cons |
|
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The creation of this deck doesn’t really date too far back in time… In fact, it’s about 2 days old!
I had gotten bored one day from playing too much ladder (I had lost about 100 trophies and won 300 in total), and decided to go into Challenges for a while! Seeing that I had the Flying Machine (I won it from the challenge), I upgraded it as much as I could, built a deck with it, and headed straight into battle! The results were indeed good ones. 10 wins Grand Challenge and two 12 win Classic Challenges!
Whoops, enough yapping and chatting, let’s get to the point of this whole article!
Cards Breakdown
Lava Hound
Though I seriously dislike this card, I’ll make an exception this time around.
When paired with Balloon, it becomes so annoying to deal with, because now Lava Hound isn’t a card to be ignored!
To ignore a Lava Hound and her pups is just like ignoring a Mini P.E.K.K.A, so don’t do that…
Anyway, she’ll be your main flying tank. Super beefy when level 3 and above. She splits in to 6 (or is it 8?) Lava Pups that can deal hundreds of damage by themselves. Will tank for other units, especially Flying Machine.
Flying Machine
Out now!
Recently featured in its own Draft Challenge, the Flying Machine is a 4 elixir Rare card that can be found in Jungle Arena and above.
Deals a decent amount of damage per shot, but is EXTREMELY fragile.
So fragile, that it dies to Fireball and is taken down by other air targeting troops very easily. Should be protected if you want to build a push with it.
The good news: It has the longest range of all Glass Cannons, proving to be helpful when playing Beatdown decks with it (you all know why).
Bandit
With a boastful laugh, the Bandit dashes to her opponents, dealing a good amount of damage.
She can’t be hit while dashing, making her perfect for bypassing troops that can knock her out in just a few hits.
Just remember, though: She is easily stopped (even when about to dash) with the right timing, so don’t go sending her alone.
Goblins
This trio of mean, green, stabbing machines are weak, but can deal 600 damage or more if left without an answer.
They can wipe out many troops in just a few quick shanks, making them a cheap alternative to popular choices.
The best part is, Goblins don’t die to Zap (but they do to The Log) unless it is one level higher.
Mega Minion
With the power of 3 Minions, the Mega Minion is to be feared in the skies and on land.
Powerful enough to take out most non-tanks on its own.
Isn’t much of a threat when by itself, but behind a tank, it becomes an issue that must be dealt with.
Like all Glass Cannons, it is fragile.
Mini P.E.K.K.A
Hungers for destruction, thirsts for annihilation, and longs for a well loaded plate of pancakes.
The Mini P.E.K.K.A will be one of your two tank killers. Unlike his (yes, it is male) mother, he is weaker but moves a lot faster.
Watch out, though. He is easily distracted by just about anything in his range of sight. He will follow it once he sees it.
Ice Wizard
Though this icy chill-caster is too cold, he has a handlebar mustache that’s too hot for T.V.
Slows down anything that he targets with his ice bolts, mitigating hundreds, maybe thousands of damage while defending troops go to work.
Just be careful when using him, because he’s your only form of splash damage.
Can assume an offensive role once successfully defending, especially if you manage to deploy 2 or more when pushing.
Inferno Dragon
Ah, good ol’ Inferno Dragon. The flying Inferno Tower of doom.
He will serve as a tank shredder (along with Mini P.E.K.K.A, if you can get him down on the field as well), though he must be assisted in some way, because a simple ZAP or Lightning can reset its targeting and leave it vulnerable for destruction.
Don’t even try sending this dude on offense… unless you’re new to the game (which I’m sure 85% of you reading this are not).
Card Replacements
Gameplan
3:00-1:01
Play this deck like you would play a normal control deck. Defend, then counterpush.
Try to get a good idea of what kind of deck your opponent has based upon the first few cards he drops to counter your troops.
For example: If he drops, say… a Mega Minion to counter your Mini P.E.K.K.A, chances are he uses the Beatdown archetype.
In theory, you’ll be able to defend any push that comes your way nicely. It will only be a matter of time before you can start to mow down his tower!!!
1:00-0:01
Now’s the perfect time to deploy big momma (Lava Hound)!
Place her in the bottom right/left corner of your side, and prepare the troops for ultimate destruction!
Here’s an important thing to keep in mind when building your push: spread your troops out a bit so as to reduce the effectiveness of Fireball and other splash dealers.
What I like about this deck is its ability to play like Bridge Spam, with the majority of the cards not costing more than 5 elixir!
You’ll be able to construct MONSTROUS pushes that will be able to overpower ANY defense, including swarms, which this deck is slightly vulnerable to.
Ciao, Inferno Tower! ¡Hasta la vista, Electro Wizard! Bon Voyage, Minion Horde! Good riddance, Wizard!!
Just remember though, it’s important not to get TOO cocky.
The enemy can easily go all out on the other lane and catch you off guard. Make sure to keep an eye on both sides!!!
Matchups
Lava Hound:
Shouldn’t be much of a bid deal, if the opponent doesn’t carry Lightning. Inferno Dragon for the Hound (or Balloon, whatever you deem as priority), and the rest for whatever follows behind.
Ice Wizard will be an important factor for survival. Be sure to save him for whatever push comes your way!
Golem:
Inferno Dragon for the Golem, Mini P.E.K.K.A for the ground supports, Mega Minion/Flying Machine for any air supports, and Ice Wizard to slow it all down.
Like with Lava Hound, watch out for Lightning!
Bait: You’re going to struggle quite a bit with this one.
Classic Bait will be a big problem, given most of the troops in this deck are point damage. Just defend the best you can.
Once you’re able to build up your gigantic push, though…even their crummy Inferno Tower won’t help!
Miner:
Won’t be a big problem for you. Just make sure their Miner doesn’t get too many strikes off.
If swarms show up, you’ll have to try and defend the best you can.
Hog Rider:
By far, the easiest matchup for you.
This deck might not have any buildings, but you have two powerful Hog Killers that can get the job done.
Always remember to have Ice Wizard ready, and don’t fall behind on their cycle!
Elite Barbarians:
piece of cake. Just be prepared for that unexpected Rage spell.
Well, this is it! That was the end of my 4th deck guide! I’m sure that you’ll have fun using this homemade deck made by me, the GREAT FRISK!
Stay Determined!
<3 Frisk
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Flying Machine (October 2026 tracker samples)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks with Zappies (October 2026 tracker samples)
- RoyaleTracker, best decks right now, normal battles (data from October 9, 2026)
- 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)