What’s going on everyone, Its VJ here. Welcome to the Article 2 of the Bad Matchups Series. Today we are going to take a look at the Classic X-Bow 3.0 deck. Even after the X-Bow nerf, this deck has been super viable in the meta. So let’s get going…
DECK OVERVIEW:
X-Bow:
The Win-Condition of this deck is the siege card X-Bow. X-Bow has the longest range in the game just like Mortar. It is used as an Offensive siege card and also defensively by placing it in the centre or side and taking full use of its long range.
Tesla:
Tesla is the second building of this deck. It is mainly used defensively to defend our side of the Arena and also to defens and support the X-Bow.
Knight:
Knight is the main tank card of this deck. It has multiple jobs to do such as defense, offense supportive role etc. It synergizes insanely well with archers in defense and with X-Bow in offense.
Archers:
One of the 2 Air-Defenses of this deck is archers. They are super tanky just for 3 elixir. No small spell except arrows can kill them. They even can be played while splitting them at the back when there is not much happening in the Arena.
Ice Spirit:
This 1 elixir card can turn the whole game upside down using its defensive skills. It can freeze things for 1.5 seconds. It gives way more value when compared to Freeze Spell. Freeze Spell for 4 elixir freezes for 4 seconds whereas Ice Spirit for 1 elixir freezes for 1.5 seconds.
If converted to 4 elixir, the Ice Spirit can freeze things for 6 seconds. The cool thing is, its Freeze mechanic can also reset things.
Skeletons:
These Skeletons play a super cheesy role in defense. They are very helpful to distract things and also support X-Bow especially against cards like Inferno Tower and Inferno Dragon.
The Log:
The duty of taking care of all chippy units has been assigned to The Log. The Log also plays the essential role of getting spell values with getting some chip damage on opponents’ towers.
Fireball:
And last but not the least comes the Big Boi Spell, Fireball. Whenever using the Fireball, try to get as much value as possible out of it. If situation permits, you can also Spell Cycle your opponent as this deck has a very fast cycle and its fastest cycle is just 6 elixir!
X-Bow Placements:
There are 2 types of Defensive X-Bow Placements:
1. Central
Central Defensive X-Bow placement is used at the start of the match when not much damage has been taken by either of the players.
2. Side
Side Defensive X-Bow placement is used on the opposite side of your most damaged tower or the tower on which the opponent is attacking.
When talking about Offensive X-Bow placements, there are multiple options like Centre of the Arena, 1 tile behind etc.
These placements need to be used according to the situation of the match.
Playing Style:
You can play this X-Bow Siege deck in different ways like: Defensive, Offensive and Medium.
In the Defensive style, you just get some chip damage with X-Bow, not applying much pressure and mainly spell cycle your opponent. You most of the time have a Defensive X-Bow place on your side, therefore, not allowing the opponent to attack or build a big push.
With the Offensive style, you play a lot of X-Bows and apply a lot pressure, also trying to outcycle your opponents’ X-Bow counters. And your way of defending things is smart which includes stacking Teslas.
If you choose the Medium Style, you play in a very balanced way and according to the situation. When attack is needed you need to continuously stack X-Bows alternatively switching lanes.
Bad Matchups:
Golem Beatdown:
• Always remember the 4 elixir rule i.e. Whenever the opponent plays a four elixir card, go for X-Bow at the bridge because then, he won’t be able to play Golem in time before the X-Bow locks on the tower.
• Avoid giving Spell Values to the opponent.
• Defend big Golem pushes using Cycle Skills i.e. Cycle cards like Tesla, Archers and Knights.
Royal Giant Cycle:
• In single elixir always try to keep a defensive X-Bow in the Arena.
• Don’t waste fireballs simply, use them to either defend if you can get value out of it or if it’s necessary or use it to get troops/buildings and tower damage.
• Never go for and Offensive X-Bow unless you see a good opportunity i.e. if you have outcyled your opponent or he is low on elixir.
• Try to stack Teslas and X-Bows to defend RG pushes and also to help build a good X-Bow push.
• Never place a Tesla at the bridge with X-Bow until if you are sure you can there itself defend the RG push defending against the X-Bow, always keep it ready and place it in the centre to defend RG pushes.
Lava Hound and Balloon:
• As these Lava-Loon decks most of the time don’t have much of ground troops, take good use of that by outcycling or baiting their ground units.
• Use Cycle skills to defend Lava-Loon pushes.
• You can trade towers if you find the situation favorable for you.
X-Bow:
• If you face a mirror matchup always try not to let the opponent stack buildings.
• Spell cycle only when necessary and when there won’t be any harm if you use your spells.
• Against Ice-Bow matchups use your better cycle against them.
• Don’t let them Rocket Cycle you.
THANKS FOR READING!
