Top Lava Hound Decks in Clash Royale

The Lava Hound, a Legendary air troop in Clash Royale, is renowned for its massive health pool of 3581 HP at tournament levels, making it a formidable win condition. While it deals minimal damage, its true strength lies in its ability to spawn six Lava Pups upon destruction, which can target anything within range. Over time, as new cards have been introduced, Lava Hound decks have evolved, yet they remain a solid choice for climbing the competitive ladder. Here, we explore how Lava Hound decks function and present some of the best decks to try in the current meta.

How Does a Lava Hound Deck Work?

Lava Hound decks operate similarly to Beatdown Decks, but instead of using a Giant or Golem, they leverage the Lava Hound as the primary win condition. These decks often include a mix of air troops for support, with minimal ground units to defend or distract. The strategy typically involves placing the Lava Hound at the back of the King Tower to build a powerful push, sometimes at the cost of sacrificing a tower. These decks are slow and methodical, requiring patience and strategic tower health management to secure victory.

Lava Hound decks have maintained a strong win and usage rate across all skill levels, akin to Log Bait decks. Their popularity surged with the introduction of Royal Chef, a champion building that can level up troops, synergizing exceptionally well with the Lava Hound. If you have Royal Chef unlocked, it's highly recommended to use it as your Tower Troop in Lava Hound decks.

Best Lava Hound Decks in Clash Royale

Here are three top Lava Hound decks to consider in the current Clash Royale meta:

LavaLoon Valkyrie

The LavaLoon Valkyrie deck is a popular choice, combining two powerful flying win conditions. With an average elixir cost of 4.0, it offers a quicker cycle compared to other Lava Hound decks. The deck includes:

The Evo Valkyrie serves as a mini-tank, effectively dealing with swarm troops, while Guards provide ground DPS against units like Pekka or Hog Rider. The strategy involves launching a combined push with the Lava Hound and Balloon, aiming to ensure the Balloon reaches the enemy tower. The Inferno Dragon handles high-HP units, and spells like Evo Zap and Fireball manage enemy defenses and deal direct damage.

Lava Hound Double Dragon

The introduction of evolution cards shifted the meta, but Lava Hound decks generally remained unchanged until the Lava Hound Double Dragon deck emerged. This deck includes:

The Evo Bomber adds significant tower damage, while the Evo Goblin Cage can counter most win conditions. Guards provide ground support, and the air combo of Inferno Dragon and Skeleton Dragons remains crucial. Lightning and Arrows serve as effective spells for dealing with defenses and swarms, respectively.

Lava Lightning Prince

The Lava Lightning Prince deck, while not the strongest, is a good starting point for those new to the archetype. It includes:

The Evo Valkyrie's tornado effect synergizes well with the Lava Hound, while Evo Skeletons provide additional DPS. The Prince adds a secondary pressure point with its charge damage. Skeleton Dragons and Inferno Dragon handle swarms and tanks, respectively. Timing your push with Royal Chef's level-up buff can significantly enhance your strategy.

Lava Hound decks require a shift in playstyle, focusing on building overwhelming pushes rather than quick cycles. The decks outlined here provide a strong foundation, but experimenting with different card combinations can help you find what best suits your playstyle.