The Lava Hound, a legendary air troop in Clash Royale, targets enemy buildings. Boasting a formidable 3581 HP at tournament levels, its damage output is minimal. However, its demise unleashes six Lava Pups, attacking any nearby targets. This substantial health pool makes the Lava Hound a top-tier win condition.
Lava Hound deck strategies have evolved with new card introductions, remaining a powerful win condition. The right card synergy can propel players to the top of the ladder. Here are some effective Lava Hound deck variations for the current Clash Royale meta.
How Lava Hound Decks Function:
Lava Hound decks employ a Beatdown strategy, but instead of Giants or Golems, the Lava Hound is the primary win condition. Support typically includes various air troops, with one or two ground units for defense or distraction.
These decks often prioritize overwhelming pushes, deploying the Lava Hound behind the King Tower, even at the cost of a tower. This methodical approach requires sacrificing tower health for advantageous trades. The Lava Hound consistently boasts high win and usage rates across skill levels, similar to Log Bait decks. Its popularity surged with the introduction of the Royal Chef, whose ability to upgrade troops synergizes exceptionally well with the Lava Hound. If unlocked, the Royal Chef should be your Tower Troop in a Lava Hound deck.
Top Lava Hound Decks in Clash Royale:
Three prominent Lava Hound decks are highlighted below:
- LavaLoon Valkyrie
- Lava Hound Double Dragon
- Lava Lightning Prince
LavaLoon Valkyrie
A popular choice, the LavaLoon Valkyrie deck utilizes both powerful flying win conditions. While its 4.0 average elixir cost isn't the lowest, its faster cycle distinguishes it from other Lava Hound decks.
Card Composition:
Card Name
Elixir Cost
The Evo Valkyrie serves as a mini-tank against swarm troops (Skeleton Army, Goblin Gang), and also counters X-Bow decks. Guards provide ground DPS against units like Pekka or Hog Rider. The Lava Hound and Balloon are deployed together; the Hound tanks for the Balloon to reach the tower. Inferno Dragon counters high-HP units (Golem, Giant). Evo Zap resets towers/troops, and Fireball eliminates counters (Musketeer) or targets the tower directly. Skeleton Dragons push the Balloon forward or out of range.
Lava Hound Double Dragon
Evolution cards significantly impacted the meta, but most Lava Hound decks saw minimal changes. The Lava Hound Double Dragon deck is an exception.
Card Composition:
Card Name
Elixir Cost
The Evo Bomber inflicts substantial tower damage, while the Evo Goblin Cage counters most win conditions (including Royal Giant). Guards provide DPS and tower defense. The Inferno Dragon and Skeleton Dragons provide air support. Lightning eliminates defensive troops/buildings and damages towers. Arrows counter swarms and defend pushes.
Lava Lightning Prince
A solid starter deck, the Lava Lightning Prince deck utilizes strong meta cards.
Card Composition:
Card Name
Elixir Cost
Evo Valkyrie’s tornado effect pulls in air and ground troops. Evo Skeletons provide DPS. The Prince offers additional tower pressure. Skeleton Dragons and Inferno Dragon provide air support. The push begins with the Lava Hound, ideally timed to benefit from the Royal Chef’s buff. The Prince can be substituted with a Mini-Pekka for a lower elixir cost.
Lava Hound decks require adaptation, especially for cycle deck players. Their slower, methodical approach focuses on overwhelming pushes from the back. These deck examples provide a solid starting point, but experimenting with card combinations is key to finding a playstyle that suits you.
