AI Overview: The Graveyard Log Bait deck is a fast cycle list that averages 3.25 elixir. Graveyard is the win condition, Freeze locks the tower, and six cheap cards bait out spells. The plan has three phases: wait, defend, then one big Graveyard push. Each card has a 2026 note below. Every figure is based on the October 2026 card data.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- The old list: Graveyard, Freeze, Rascals, Tombstone, Guards, Fire Spirit, Barbarian Barrel and Dart Goblin.
- The eight costs add up to 26, so the average is 3.25 elixir.
- Graveyard lost one skeleton (13 to 12) on June 1. Rascals lost hitpoints (1,940 to 1,832) on the same day.
- Freeze duration fell from 4 to 3.5 seconds on September 8, and Barbarian Barrel damage fell from 232 to 215 in October.
- The old plan says never bridge spam, and only drop Graveyard once the rival’s defense is handled.
The Eight Cards in the Graveyard Log Bait Deck
Here’s the thing: this is a Graveyard deck that plays like a bait deck. It does not rush. It cycles cheap cards, makes the rival burn spells, and saves one big Graveyard for the right moment.
| Card | Job in the old list | 2026 note |
| Graveyard | Win condition | Skeletons 13 to 12 on June 1 |
| Freeze | Locks the tower and the defense | Duration 4 to 3.5 s; tower damage 45 to 37 |
| Rascals | Mini tank, defense and offense | Hitpoints 1,940 to 1,832; best sampled deck 69.7% |
| Tombstone | Stops building chasers and Princes | Best sampled deck 63.8% |
| Guards | Stops mini tanks such as P.E.K.K.A | No change; best printed deck 50.1% |
| Fire Spirit | Cycles cards, hits air and ground | Hitpoints 230 to 215; damage 207 to 215 |
| Barbarian Barrel | Clears swarms and supports | Damage 232 to 215 in October |
| Dart Goblin | Anti-air from a safe distance | Best sampled deck 65.3% over 3,700 battles |
The short version: one win condition, one lock, and six cheap tools. The catch: many players call Fire Spirit a spell. It is a 1-elixir troop. See the Graveyard guide and the Rascals guide.
Four of the eight cards were trimmed this season, which hints that Supercell keeps an eye on Graveyard lists. The negative effect: one more cut to Freeze or Rascals could make the final push too weak to trust.
Phase 1: Wait and Read
Wait: the old plan is to let the rival make the first move. Do not drop Graveyard in the first minute if you can avoid it.
If you must start: place Tombstone in the middle or Dart Goblin at the bridge, then Fire Spirit behind the King Tower.
Never bridge spam: do not send Rascals or Graveyard at their tower early. Is how you lose with this deck.
After the first two cards, watch what the rival does. Rascals handle a big push such as Mega Knight or Giant. Tombstone can sit in the middle of the arena to pull attackers away from the towers. Use Barbarian Barrel or Freeze if the push is strong, but only one spell at a time. Then keep Graveyard in hand until the defense is gone and your Rascals or Dart Goblin are still alive.
What it means: the first minute is for information, not damage.
Phase 2: Defend and Cycle
Keep defending and cycling until double elixir. When double elixir starts, look for a chance to use a second Graveyard. Defend with Tombstone, Dart Goblin or Rascals, and one spell, either the Barrel or Fire Spirit. Place Rascals and Dart Goblin away from the rival’s troops, so they shoot while the enemy walks toward the Tombstone.
The takeaway: win the defense first, and the push comes free. The catch: the plan needs a surviving support troop. If both Rascals and Dart Goblin are gone, hold Graveyard. See the Tombstone guide and the Tombstone tips.
As more players learn to pull with Tombstone, cheap building cycles may become a standard answer to Graveyard. The negative effect: if every rival keeps a Poison in hand, a lone Graveyard push gets wiped and you lose the elixir.
Phase 3: The Graveyard Freeze Push
Condition: the rival’s defense is spent, your Rascals or Barbarian are alive, and you have an elixir lead.
The push: Graveyard on the Princess Tower, Freeze ready for the tower and for the defense they place. Freeze the defense after they place it. Freeze too early and they just wait.
Keep a spell back: use the second spell to clear the new defender, so your Rascals survive.
The core idea is to use spells wisely and to land one clean Graveyard. Defend with Rascals and Tombstone first. When you have the elixir lead, go all out with Graveyard and Freeze. One successful push should earn the win, and a failed push gives the rival time to counter.
The Elixir Math and the Free-to-Play Note
| Card | Cost |
| Graveyard | 5 |
| Freeze | 4 |
| Rascals | 5 |
| Tombstone | 3 |
| Guards | 3 |
| Fire Spirit | 1 |
| Barbarian Barrel | 2 |
| Dart Goblin | 3 |
What it means: the column sums to 26, and 26 over 8 is 3.25. The four cheapest cards (Fire Spirit, Barrel, Guards and a 3-elixir card) add up to 9, so a full cycle is quick.
Free to play: the score is not so bad. By rarity, the list has one Legendary (Graveyard) and three Epics (Freeze, Guards and Barbarian Barrel). Still unknown: how this exact list fares in 2026, since no sample prints it. The nearest data is Graveyard Poison, whose best list won 64.6% over 1,500 battles. See the Freeze guide.
If Rascals or Barbarian Barrel get another small cut, this deck loses its two best defensive tools. The negative effect: players who built the list around them may need to swap in Skeletons or Ice Spirit, and the cycle changes.
Weakness and Matchups
- Heavy beatdown: big tanks outdamage the cheap cards. Use Tombstone to pull and Guards to slow.
- Poison and Fireball: a good spell catches Graveyard skeletons. Bait with Barrel first.
- Bridge spam: fast attackers punish a slow first minute. Keep Rascals ready.
- Air pushes: Dart Goblin and Fire Spirit handle most, and Freeze handles the rest.
The deck wants a patient match. Check the opening moves page before a match, and use the Deck Builder to test a swap. A small change, such as Ice Spirit for Fire Spirit, can fix a matchup without changing the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Graveyard Log Bait deck?
A fast cycle Graveyard deck with Freeze, Rascals, Tombstone, Guards, Fire Spirit, Barbarian Barrel and Dart Goblin.
What is its average elixir cost?
When should you play Graveyard in this deck?
After the rival’s defense is gone and your Rascals or Dart Goblin are alive.
What changed for Graveyard in 2026?
Skeletons fell from 13 to 12 on June 1, and Freeze duration fell from 4 to 3.5 seconds on September 8.
Is the Graveyard Log Bait deck good for free-to-play players?
The score is not so bad. The list has one Legendary and three Epics.
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)