The Lava Hound, a Legendary air troop in Clash Royale, targets enemy buildings. Its high health (3581 HP at tournament levels) makes it a formidable win condition, despite minimal damage output. Upon death, it spawns six Lava Pups, adding further offensive pressure. The Lava Hound's effectiveness has led to the development of numerous deck variations over time.
Lava Hound Deck Strategies
Lava Hound decks typically employ a Beatdown strategy, using the Lava Hound as the primary win condition instead of units like the Giant or Golem. Support consists mainly of air troops, with one or two ground units for defense. The strategy involves a methodical push, deploying the Lava Hound at the back, often sacrificing some tower health for a favorable trade. This approach requires patience and strategic card placement. The introduction of the Royal Chef champion building significantly boosted Lava Hound's viability, as it can level up the Hound, enhancing its already impressive durability.
Top Lava Hound Decks
Here are three currently effective Lava Hound deck archetypes:
- LavaLoon Valkyrie: A fast-cycling deck utilizing both air win conditions.
* **Card List:** Evo Zap (2), Evo Valkyrie (4), Guards (3), Fireball (4), Skeleton Dragons (4), Inferno Dragon (4), Balloon (5), Lava Hound (7)
* **Strategy:** Combine Lava Hound and Balloon for a powerful push, using Valkyrie and Guards for ground defense. Inferno Dragon provides air DPS, while spells offer utility and damage. Skeleton Dragons support the Balloon push.- Lava Hound Double Dragon: A deck leveraging evolution cards for increased damage and defensive capabilities.
* **Card List:** Evo Bomber (2), Evo Goblin Cage (4), Arrows (3), Guards (3), Skeleton Dragons (4), Inferno Dragon (4), Lightning (6), Lava Hound (7)
* **Strategy:** Evo Bomber adds significant tower damage, while Evo Goblin Cage provides strong defense. Guards offer ground DPS, and the Inferno Dragon and Skeleton Dragons provide air support. Lightning and Arrows serve as versatile spells.- Lava Lightning Prince: A strong, albeit slightly heavier, beginner-friendly deck.
* **Card List:** Evo Skeletons (1), Evo Valkyrie (4), Arrows (3), Skeleton Dragons (4), Inferno Dragon (4), Prince (5), Lightning (6), Lava Hound (7)
* **Strategy:** Evo Valkyrie and Evo Skeletons provide excellent defense and offense. The Prince offers a secondary win condition, while Skeleton Dragons and Inferno Dragon handle air threats. Lightning provides burst damage. Mini-Pekka can replace the Prince for a lower elixir cost.Lava Hound decks require a different approach than cycle decks, prioritizing a slow, powerful push from the back. Experimentation with card combinations is encouraged to find the best fit for your playstyle.
