AI Overview: To counter Mortar decks in Clash Royale, track the cards that protect the Mortar, drop a building as soon as it lands, and Zap it to reset its target. Mortar costs 4 elixir and cannot hit close targets. SeeMeta lists hit-speed changes on August 4, 2026, and Evolution Mortar lists win more than the base card.
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Points:
- Mortar costs 4 elixir, is a Common building and unlocks in Builder’s Workshop (Arena 5), according to the site’s card guide. It has an Evolution.
- SeeMeta lists a base hit-speed gain (5 to 4.7 seconds) and an Evolution hit-speed cut (4 to 4.7 seconds) on August 4, plus a slower Evolution deploy on June 1.
- RoyaleTracker’s base Mortar lists won 41.9% to 51.9%, while Evolution lists on another page won up to 69.7%.
- Zap resets the Mortar’s target, and troops that reach it are safe because it cannot hit close targets.
- Push the other lane and to play for a draw if you cannot win.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Mortar Deck Work
Here’s the thing: a Mortar deck is not overpowered unless you do not know how to deal with it. What makes it strong is the cards around it. He listed three common setups: Mortar with defensive buildings, Mortar with high-cost troops, and Mortar with cheap troops.
The short version: track what protects the Mortar, then kill the protection. The catch: the Mortar sits far from the river, so you need reach or a distraction.
What changed: SeeMeta lists three 2026 changes. On June 1, the Evolution’s deploy time went from 0.2 to 0.5 seconds. On August 4, the base Mortar’s hit speed went from 5 to 4.7 seconds, and the Evolution’s from 4 to 4.7 seconds. What it means: the base card fires a little faster, and the Evolution a little slower. Still unknown: whether Supercell will trim the Evolution again.
| Setup | Typical cards | Main weakness |
| Mortar and buildings | Cannon, Inferno Tower, Bomb Tower | A tank that pulls the Mortar and a fast push on the other lane |
| Mortar and heavy troops | Barbarians, Valkyrie, Giant Skeleton | Splash spells and Zap |
| Mortar and cheap troops | Skeletons, Goblins, Minions | Zap and Arrows, which also reset the Mortar |
Evolution Mortar is winning more than the plain card, and Supercell has slowed it twice this summer. If it is trimmed again, siege lists may move back to the base card. The negative effect: players who bought the Evolution could see their favorite deck weaken, and counters that worked on one version might not fit the other.
Seven Tips
- Track the setup. Know which cards the opponent uses to guard the Mortar.
- Keep a building ready. Drop it as soon as the Mortar lands, so the Mortar locks onto it.
- Send Barbarians or Minion Horde. They deal big damage to the Mortar and nearby towers.
- Zap the Mortar. It resets the target. Make sure you have troops or a building on the ground first.
- Spell the pack. Use Fireball, Rocket or Arrows on top of the Mortar and its guards for a double hit.
- Use tanks. Giant, Golem and P.E.K.K.A soak Mortar shots, so push the other lane.
The pattern: the Mortar is slow, so every answer is about speed or distraction. What it means: kill it with a cheap, quick card. Card pages: Mortar, Valkyrie, Barbarians, Minion Horde and Zap.
As more siege cards and Evolutions arrive, decks that pressure from far away will keep getting tuned. The negative effect: players who rely on a single counter such as Zap may find the Mortar’s guards change, and each patch can reset what works.
When to Push and When to Wait
Valkyrie is a good choice because she has enough health and hits all the buildings that protect the Mortar. Hut decks also do well since they keep distracting the Mortar. Heavy tanks can push the other lane. And if you cannot win, the advice is to play for a draw. See how to play for a draw. For a Mortar of your own, read our Mortar tips.
The move: push the lane the Mortar is not on, and keep one cheap card for the Mortar’s guards. The catch: every situation is different, so adapt. Also check the Hut deck counters, since Huts can be a good answer to Mortar.
If You Play Mortar Yourself
Here’s the thing: knowing the counters shows you what to protect. The Mortar needs a tank or a building in front, since it cannot hit close targets. Keep a Zap-proof guard, and keep one lane for the siege and one for defense.
- Protect it with a building or tank, since troops that reach it are safe from its shots.
- Keep it away from Zap. A reset costs the Mortar several seconds.
- Pick the Evolution or the base card with the August hit-speed changes in mind.
The takeaway: every counter punishes a Mortar with no guard. The catch: a guard that costs more than the Mortar can slow your own cycle. For your own Mortar plan, read the site’s Mortar tips.
Siege and bridge pressure are both rising, so expect more decks that mix long-range chip and fast attacks. The negative effect: players with a single counter plan will struggle against decks that blend two threats, and the old one-answer tips may stop being enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you counter Mortar decks in Clash Royale?
Track the setup, place a building at once, Zap the Mortar and push the other lane.
Does Zap reset Mortar?
Yes. Have troops or a building on the ground first.
Can Mortar hit close targets?
No. It cannot hit targets that get very close.
Did Mortar change in 2026?
SeeMeta lists hit-speed changes on August 4 and a slower Evolution deploy on June 1.
Is Evolution Mortar stronger than the base card?
RoyaleTracker’s Evolution lists won up to 69.7%, while base lists won 41.9% to 51.9%.
What tank counters Mortar?
Giant, Golem and P.E.K.K.A soak its hits.
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 September 2026), read through search summaries
- Supercell official Clash Royale API, card list (elixir cost, rarity)