Guards

Guards is a Epic troop that costs 3 elixir. In the current meta, it holds a 53.6% win rate with a 3.3% usage rate across ranked ladder battles above 6000 trophies. This card is viable and balanced in competitive play. Costing 3 elixir, Guards sits in the mid-range bracket where versatility matters most. This cost allows it to fit into both cycle-oriented and heavier deck compositions. While Guards is not the most common pick at 3.3% usage, players who do run it tend to know its matchups well, so being prepared for it gives you an advantage.

Guards is a mid-range troop that offers solid value for its elixir cost. It fills a versatile role in most decks, capable of both supporting offensive pushes and contributing to defense. Cards at this cost point are the backbone of most competitive decks because they provide consistent value without being too expensive to play reactively when needed. On defense, Guards can shut down enemy pushes and survive with enough health to threaten a counterpush that demands your opponent's attention.

Guards performs especially well against Ice Spirit (68.5% win rate) and Hog Rider (65.6% win rate). It also holds favorable matchups against Skeletons, Knight. These strong matchups mean Guards thrives in metas where these cards are popular, giving you a natural advantage on ladder.

Watch out for Goblins (43.9% loss rate) and Dart Goblin (40.4% loss rate) — these are Guards's toughest matchups. Cards like Knight, Skeletons also pose significant threats. To play around these counters, adjust your placement and timing, and consider carrying support cards that cover Guards's weaknesses.