AI Overview: This Hog Rider Bait deck averages 3.5 elixir and has two win conditions, the Hog Rider and the Goblin Barrel. It took him to a high league and listed three pros and three cons. In 2026 the Goblin Barrel lands faster and the Hog Rider had no change, though this exact list has no tracker sample. The full card-by-card check follows.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- The deck costs 28 elixir, which is 3.5 on average, with the Inferno Tower as its only building.
- The Hog Rider had no 2026 change, and its best list wins 61.2% over about 3,800 battles.
- Goblin Barrel’s first hit comes 0.3 seconds in, not 0.4 (October 6), and its best list wins 65.4%.
- Electro Wizard’s best list wins 72.1% over about 1,100 battles; a Hero version was added in October with small samples.
- Fireball hits towers for 159, not 207, and The Log for 35, not 41.
The Hog Rider Bait List, Priced Card by Card
Here’s the thing: many players call this his first guide and a medium-cycle deck at 3.5 elixir. The idea is simple. Make the opponent spend The Log and Zap on cheap cards, then send the Hog Rider or Goblin Barrel.
| Card | Elixir | Job in the deck | 2026 status |
| Goblin Barrel | 3 | Second win condition and bait | Best list 65.4% over about 1,500; first hit 0.4 to 0.3 seconds on October 6 |
| Goblin Gang | 3 | Distraction and Hog killer | No 2026 change; best list 62.9% over about 3,100 |
| Hog Rider | 4 | First win condition | No 2026 change; best list 61.2% over about 3,800 |
| Inferno Tower | 5 | Only tank killer | No 2026 change; best list 65.8% over about 3,000 (LogBait) |
| Fireball | 4 | Medium damage spell | Crown Tower damage 207 to 172 to 159; best list 60.4% over about 4,700 |
| Skeleton Army | 3 | Distraction and bait for the Log | No 2026 change; Evolution best 65.1% over 3,500, base best 55.6% |
| The Log | 2 | Cheap spell for swarms and the Princess | Crown Tower damage 41 to 35 on June 1; best list 65.1% over 3,500 |
| Electro Wizard | 4 | Main anti-air and Inferno stun | Best list 72.1% over about 1,100; Hero added in October 2026 (small samples) |
Use the table to compare the eight cards by cost, role and 2026 status.
A bait deck wins when the opponent runs out of answers. The negative effect: The Log and Fireball both hit towers for less, so every bait trade pays out a little less, and an opponent who keeps Skeleton Army answers ready can stall the plan.
What Changed in 2026
The Hog Rider is unchanged. The Goblin Barrel lands its first hit sooner, 0.3 seconds instead of 0.4. Fireball hits towers for 159 instead of 207, and The Log for 35 instead of 41. The Electro Wizard now has a Hero version, with small samples so far.
Claims, rechecked. Both Legendary cards can be replaced and that the deck is easy to play. The Electro Wizard’s best list wins 72.1%, so replacing him is a real cost on the data. The ‘easy to play’ line is an opinion.
The Goblin Gang’s best list wins 62.9%, so it holds up. The Inferno Tower, the only tank killer, wins 65.8% in its best list. The Skeleton Army’s base lists top out at 55.6%.
Card pages: Hog Rider, Goblin Barrel, Electro Wizard and Inferno Tower.
The deck has one tank killer and one direct air card. The negative effect: the Electro Wizard now has a Hero version, and if Hero lists pull players away from the base card, the base Electro Wizard in this deck may lag behind.
How to Play It Today
Learn the opponent’s deck, start with the Electro Wizard at the back or a Goblin Barrel to draw a spell, or split the Goblin Gang. Hide the Hog Rider until the spell is gone.
Matchups. Against Giant, use the Inferno Tower and kill the support with the Gang or Electro Wizard. Against Royal Giant, use the Gang and Skeleton Army. Against Log Bait, a draw is fine, so out-cycle them and keep Zap or Log for the Barrel. Against P.E.K.K.A, use the Inferno Tower and distract her support.
Translation: defend more than you attack, let the opponent move first, and punish when they are out of elixir, for example after a pump or Golem at the back. Use the Inferno Tower on tanks such as Golem, Lava Hound, P.E.K.K.A and Giant, and the Gang or Electro Wizard on supports.
Elixir math: the Hog Rider and Goblin Barrel take 7 of the 28 elixir. The other six cost 21, or 3.5 each. A Hog Rider, Electro Wizard and Goblin Barrel play is 11 elixir.
Try it yourself: the Clash Royale Deck Builder has Hog Rider Bait Deck preloaded, so you can swap a card or two before a match. The average sits at 3.5 elixir. No 2026 win rate exists for this exact list.
Many players call Golem one of the hardest matchups. The negative effect: split-lane pressure is the suggested fix, but a Golem deck with Bats or Goblins can still distract the Inferno Tower, and the deck has no cheap way to deal with that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hog Rider Bait deck good in 2026?
The Hog Rider’s best list wins 61.2% and the Goblin Barrel’s best wins 65.4%, but this exact list has no tracker sample, so test the Skeleton Army slot first.
What is the average elixir cost?
Add the eight costs and you get 28; that is 3.5 per card.
What is the only tank killer?
The Inferno Tower. It is good against Golem, Lava Hound, P.E.K.K.A and Giant.
What can replace the Electro Wizard?
Musketeer, Wizard, Ice Wizard or Archers.
What is the hardest matchup?
Golem. Use split-lane pressure and keep Fireball as a last resort.
Original Guide, Kept in Full
The text below is the original page, kept in full. It was written between 2016 and 2024, so some details are out of date. The tips and numbers above use 2026 sources.
Hey what’s goin’ on guys it’s your boy Muk here with my first Guide ever!
Feel free to comment down below on what you think this deck might be better off with👇!
Ok let’s get in to it!
Pros:
- 3.5 Elixir= medium cycle
- Both legenderies can be replaceable
- Easy to play
Cons:
- Level Dependent cards such as Goblin Gang, Goblin Barrel, Fireball
- Only 1 tank killer
- Only 1 card for Direct Air Damage= E Wiz
The Hog Bait Deck
Hog Rider:
He is a Savage Man Riding a Hog (of course) while screaming through the Arena, “HHHOOOGGG RRRIIIDDDAAAHHH!!!”
One of the best and most used win conditions in the Game.
Also The First (out of 2) Win Condition in this deck.
Electro Wizard:
He Lands with a “POW”, stunning nearby enemies!!
He can stun Inferno Towers/Dragons and is your main Direct Air Damaging Card.
He works well paired up with MR.HOGY!
Inferno Tower:
Your only tank killer, excellent against, Golems, Lava Hounds, P.E.K.K.A.S, and Giants.
Which are all very popular the Ladder right now. So Yes This Is Your Only Tank Killer.
Fireball:
ANNNND….. FIREBALL!
This Is Probably one of my favorite spells. Very popular card used in Hog decks.
Used to kill, Minion Hordes, Wizards, Archers, Musketeers (3) and solo, very good against swarms.
Can be used to take out a tower as a last resort.
Zap or Log :
Also a very popular card in Hog decks (Zap and Log).
It can be used to take out, Minion Hordes, Skelly army’s, Gob Gangs, Minions and will reset Infernos (Dragon/tower).
Very self-explanatory card and are very compatible in many other decks as well 😉
Goblin Gang
Gucci Gang Gucci Gang Gucci Gang Gucci Gang oops… I mean Goblin Gang.
These Salty Goblins are great for distracting troops and taking down Hog Riders, Princess, and EBarbs.
Skeleton Army
These mighty skeletons won’t stop till’ they get the job done!
They are great for distracting and taking down Hogs, EBarbs, Giants, you name it! BEWARE OF THE ZAP OR LOG SPELL!
Goblin Barrel
These 3 goblins are great for many things!
They can go directly to a tower, or draw out a zap or you can even use it defensively (not very likely to be used that way tho).
Great synergies to use with Hog or E Wiz. Great to use when opponent is low in elixir. Also your second win condition.
Substitution
Tips:
- Try to do positive elixir trades. Try to defend more than you are offensive. If you don’t defend you cant win.
- Try to let your opponent make the first move then you might be able to counter push
- Punish when you know your opponent is out of elixir! EX: If they just placed a pump or golem in the back try to punish with goblin barrel hog! But don’t over commit or else that will be GG.
- Try to learn your opponents deck, figure out their strengths and weaknesses. Also try to out-cycle your opponent.
General Gameplan
3:00-2:30
Don’t be too aggressive! Try too learn their deck.
Usually I start off with an EWiz in the back or just goblin barrel their tower to try to draw out a spell. You can also split the gang in the back.
Try to hide your hog don’t use it too early and try to get some chip damage from gang or GBarrel.
2:30-1:30
Now you can start to make some pushes. By this time you should know what your opponent is using. If they make a big push you can counter push and hopefully take down their tower!
Also try to punish is they wasted elixir EX: If they zapped your skarmy try to punish with Hog Barrel or Hog Gang. Again, try to get some chip damage once in a while.
1:30-0:30
Up until double elixir try to defend your opponents pushes and try to counter push when you can and stay cautious.
Over defending (in my case) for a super counter push is better than using up a lot of elixir on offense. Also, keep on spamming those goblin barrels once they use zap or log or arrows on something else try to send a Barrel or a Gang down the Lane.
0:30-End
Try to finish off their tower! (if you can) Don’t over commit or else you will pay the consequences.
OT can be a friend or foe it depends how you want to play Offensive or Defensive
This also depends on your Elixir advantage!
Defend Harder. Attack Harder. Win Easier!
Match-ups
Giant:
This Match-Up is pretty simple, just use your inferno tower and kill any support with The Gang or Ewiz
Hog Rider:
Almost like Giant but a bit harder try to use your EWiz on it then counter push afterwards
Royal Giant:
He is absolute TRASH unless he is max level! Depending on the level your opponent has him he will either be easy or hard to defeat. Use your gang and/or skarmy or gang.
Log Bait:
Getting a draw is fine. Try your best to out-cycle them always keep your zap or log for the barrel. Also Don’t give so much rocket value.
P.E.K.K.A:
Use your Inferno Tower on her and kill/distract her support pretty simple match-up since she is distracted so easily.
Try to punish if they place a PEKKA in the back or go opposite lane pressure.
Golem:
Golem is probably one of the hardest match-ups I HATE it!
Always try your best to do split lane pressure so that they have to split their support. Inferno tower will do good but beware of distractions such as, minions, bats, and goblins. Fireball support as a last resort
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And that’s all guys!
Hope you enjoyed this guide, as this deck is pretty cool, even though it’s not the best but it works!!
Good luck in the Arena! Hope you guys enjoyed the guide. Peace Out!
Sources
Researched from the following (no links, listed for transparency):
- CryptoAIMeta card guides for these cards, built from RoyaleTracker October 2026 samples and SeeMeta 2026 balance changes
- SeeMeta, Clash Royale balance changes 2026 (page updated October 2026), read through search summaries
- Supercell official Clash Royale API, card list (elixir cost, rarity, unlock arena)
- The original clash.world page (2016 to 2024), kept in full below