3 Elixir
Overview
Mega Minion is the most efficient air-based DPS card in Clash Royale. At 3 elixir, he delivers 258 damage per hit while flying above ground distractions - untouchable by Knight, Valkyrie, Mini P.E.K.K.A, and every other ground-only troop. His combination of flying immunity to ground, high single-target DPS, and spell resistance (survives Fireball with HP to spare) makes him a staple in beatdown, control, and Lava Hound decks. Mega Minion appears in nearly every Golem and Lava Hound archetype because he kills support troops behind tanks, defends against Balloon, and survives spell rotations that destroy Minions and Bats. He is the air troop that trades efficiently against almost everything.
Strategy
When to Play
Deploy Mega Minion reactively on defense against tanks, support troops, and Balloon. His flying nature means ground-only troops ignore him while he deals 258 damage per swing. Against Balloon, place Mega Minion beside your tower to kill it before a second bomb drops. Against Hog Rider, Mega Minion placed at the river kills Hog with tower support for a clean +1 elixir trade.
On offense, never send Mega Minion alone. He moves slowly and dies to any ranged troop or building. Instead, tuck Mega Minion behind a tank (Giant, Golem, Lava Hound) where he shreds defenders while remaining untouchable by ground troops targeting your tank.
Placement
For defense, place Mega Minion directly beside your Princess Tower so he starts hitting immediately when threats arrive. Against Balloon, this positioning lets Mega Minion deal damage during the Balloon's 3-second attack animation, often killing it before a second bomb. For Lava Hound defense, plant Mega Minion centrally so he attacks the Hound while both towers assist.
On offense, place Mega Minion 2-3 tiles behind your tank so he engages defenders after your tank absorbs their first attacks. Too close and he gets caught in splash meant for the tank; too far and the tank dies before Mega Minion arrives.
Synergies
Mega Minion + Golem is the premier combination: Golem tanks everything while Mega Minion kills Inferno Dragon, Musketeer, and Wizard behind the Golem from the air. In Lava Hound decks, Mega Minion behind the Hound provides DPS that is immune to ground defense entirely.
Pair Mega Minion with Fireball to finish off medium-health troops he cannot one-shot (Musketeer, Electro Wizard). Behind a Giant, Mega Minion + Witch covers air DPS and ground splash simultaneously, creating a push with no blind spots.
Matchups
Strong Against
- Balloon: Mega Minion kills Balloon in 4 hits. Placed beside tower, he prevents a second bomb drop for clean +2 elixir trade.
- Musketeer: Mega Minion placed on top kills Musketeer in 3 hits. Equal elixir trade but Mega Minion often survives for counterpush.
- Inferno Dragon: Mega Minion kills Inferno Dragon before ramping damage becomes lethal. Critical counter in Golem and Lava Hound mirrors.
- Hog Rider: Flying above Hog, Mega Minion kills him in 4 hits with tower support. Hog gets 1 swing maximum.
- Graveyard: Mega Minion placed on the Graveyard kills skeletons as they spawn. Reliable 3-elixir Graveyard counter.
Countered By
- Bats: Six Bats surround and kill Mega Minion for -1 elixir trade. His slow attack speed cannot clear them fast enough.
- Minions: Three Minions out-DPS Mega Minion in a direct fight for equal trade but with Minion counterpush.
- Electro Wizard: E-Wiz stunlocks Mega Minion and kills him at range. Do not commit Mega Minion into E-Wiz.
- Musketeer (defensive): On offense, Musketeer out-ranges Mega Minion and kills him before he reaches. Only effective on defense or behind a tank.
- Tornado: Pulls Mega Minion into King Tower for activation, then he dies to combined tower damage.
Tips
Balloon counter: Place Mega Minion beside your tower the moment Balloon crosses the bridge. He kills Balloon in 4 hits, allowing at most 1 bomb connection.
Fireball survivor: Mega Minion survives Fireball with 148 HP remaining. Opponents who Fireball your Mega Minion waste elixir and he keeps dealing damage.
Behind-tank positioning: Place Mega Minion 2-3 tiles behind your Golem or Giant. He stays safe from splash while killing defending troops one by one.
Inferno Dragon killer: Drop Mega Minion directly on Inferno Dragon to kill it in 3 hits. Critical play to protect your Golem or Giant from ramping damage.
Kite air troops: Place Mega Minion in the opposite lane to pull enemy flying troops across the map, wasting their offensive push while both towers assist.
Graveyard response: Drop Mega Minion on top of Graveyard spawn zone. His damage per hit one-shots each skeleton as it appears, neutralizing the entire spell.
Common Mistakes
Offensive solo play: Sending Mega Minion at bridge alone is 3 elixir for 258 tower damage at best. He is too slow to pressure without a tank in front.
Ignoring Bats/Minions: Committing Mega Minion when opponent has Bats in rotation leads to a negative trade. Track their cycle before deploying.
Late Balloon response: Placing Mega Minion after Balloon has already connected lets 2 bombs hit your tower. React immediately when Balloon crosses the bridge.
Clumping with tank: Placing Mega Minion directly behind your tank lets Executioner or Baby Dragon splash both. Keep vertical distance between them.
Wrong side placement: Deploying Mega Minion on the wrong side of an enemy push means he walks through the push and takes unnecessary damage. Always place on the side closest to the threat.