Overview
Graveyard Poison Control is a highly consistent control archetype achieving 57.4% win rate with 0.72% usage in ranked play. The deck leverages Ice Golem as a cheap tank for Graveyard, while Poison eliminates counters and deals tower damage simultaneously. Furnace provides constant chip damage through Fire Spirits, Cannon handles building-targeting threats, and Barbarian Barrel offers spell value plus a spawned defender. The low 3.0 average elixir cost enables fast cycling to apply Graveyard pressure multiple times per game. Success requires reading opponent's Graveyard counters, precise Poison timing, and patience—this deck wins through accumulated chip damage, not overwhelming pushes.
Strategy
Opening Play
Start with Furnace in the center-back or Skeletons to cycle. Furnace applies constant chip damage with Fire Spirits while revealing if opponents have Fireball/Poison to destroy it. Never lead with Graveyard—scout their deck first to identify Graveyard counters (Poison, Valkyrie, Baby Dragon, Archers). Ice Spirit and Skeletons cycle your deck safely. If they're passive, test with Ice Golem at the bridge—his death damage and cheap cost make him safe pressure.
Single Elixir
Focus on defense and chip accumulation. Use Cannon against Hog Rider, Giant, and Royal Giant—proper placement (4-3 for Hog, reactive for RG) minimizes tower damage. Ice Golem kites melee troops across the arena and tanks support troop damage. Barbarian Barrel handles Princess, Goblin Barrel, and swarms efficiently. Apply Graveyard pressure when they're low on elixir or have used their counter. The optimal combo is Ice Golem tanking tower shots while Graveyard spawns Skeletons—if they lack a counter, this deals massive damage. Poison their response (Archers, Minions, Musketeer) for value.
Double Elixir
Increase Graveyard frequency and pressure both lanes. Drop Graveyard + Poison when they invest heavily in one lane—they can't defend Graveyard and push simultaneously. Furnace chip damage accumulates—multiple Fire Spirits connecting adds significant tower damage over time. Cycle Ice Golem + Graveyard repeatedly, forcing them to hold counters rather than pushing. If they defend Graveyard with swarms, Poison guarantees value. If they defend with single troops, Barbarian Barrel's spawned Barbarian tanks for Skeletons.
Overtime
Graveyard Control excels in overtime due to constant chip damage. Furnace Fire Spirits, Graveyard Skeletons, and Poison tower damage accumulate faster than opponents can heal. Poison + Graveyard becomes nearly unstoppable in overtime elixir speeds. If towers are low, spell cycle with Poison and Barbarian Barrel chip. Defend efficiently with Cannon + Ice Golem and let chip damage win.
Matchups
Favorable Matchups
- Beatdown (Golem, Giant): Your cheap cycle defends their expensive pushes efficiently. Cannon + Ice Golem handle tanks while you opposite-lane Graveyard forces them to split elixir. They can't fully commit to pushes when defending Graveyard.
- Hog Cycle: Cannon and Ice Golem shut down Hog for positive trades. Your Graveyard pressure forces them to hold Musketeer/Archers for defense instead of offense, slowing their cycle.
- Bridge Spam: Cannon, Ice Golem, and Barbarian Barrel counter aggressive plays efficiently. Your chip damage accumulates while they waste elixir on ineffective spam.
Unfavorable Matchups
- Poison-heavy decks: Opponents with Poison destroy your Graveyard Skeletons AND Furnace. You're forced into Poison wars where neither side's Graveyard succeeds. Look for undefended Graveyard windows and accept slower games.
- Splashyard (Baby Dragon + Tornado): Baby Dragon survives Poison and clears Skeletons efficiently. Tornado pulls your Ice Golem away from tower, removing tank support. You need perfect Poison timing to catch Baby Dragon + tower.
- Executioner/Wizard decks: Heavy splash clears Graveyard instantly. Bait their splash with Furnace or Ice Golem before committing Graveyard, or Poison + Graveyard simultaneously to kill splashers.
- X-Bow/Mortar: Defensive buildings distract your Ice Golem while siege damages your tower. Use Cannon to pull X-Bow and Poison the X-Bow + support. These matchups often go to tiebreaker.
Tips
Ice Golem placement: Drop Ice Golem at the bridge 2 seconds BEFORE Graveyard so he tanks tower shots as Skeletons spawn. Mistimed Ice Golem means Skeletons die immediately.
Poison timing: Poison AFTER they deploy their counter, not before. If you pre-Poison, they wait for it to end, then counter your Graveyard cleanly.
Furnace value: Place Furnace in center-back so Fire Spirits path toward the tower they're attacking. Side placements waste Spirit pathing.
Cannon positioning: Against Hog, use 4-3 plant (4 tiles from river, 3 from Princess Tower). Against Giant/RG, reactive placement in center pulls them for maximum tower damage.
Skeletons for cycling: Use Skeletons to cycle toward Graveyard faster. Their 1-elixir cost lets you outcycle opponent's counters.
Barbarian Barrel value: Barrel swarms near tower so the Barbarian spawns and tanks for Graveyard Skeletons. Double value from one spell.
Ice Spirit freeze timing: Ice Spirit freezes Graveyard counters (Valkyrie, Archers) for 1 second, letting Skeletons deal extra damage. Time it when counters engage.
Opposite-lane Graveyard: When they build expensive pushes, Graveyard the opposite lane. They can't defend both—either they lose tower or abandon their push.
Common Mistakes
Telegraphed Graveyard: Dropping Ice Golem, pausing, then Graveyard lets opponents pre-place counters. Vary your timing and sometimes skip Ice Golem tank entirely.
Pre-Poison waste: Poisoning before they counter lets them wait 8 seconds for Poison to end, then counter your Graveyard for free. Poison REACTIVELY.
Furnace neglect: Not replacing destroyed Furnace immediately loses chip damage. Keep Furnace active throughout the game for constant Fire Spirit pressure.
Cannon misplacement: Wrong Cannon placement lets Hog Rider or Giant connect for tower damage. Practice 4-3 plant and reactive placements.
Overdefending: Using Ice Golem + Cannon + Skeletons when Cannon alone handles the threat wastes elixir. Defend efficiently to save elixir for Graveyard.
Single-lane fixation: Only attacking one lane lets opponents stack defenders. Pressure both lanes to split their counters.
Ignoring chip damage: Forgetting that Furnace + Poison + Graveyard chip adds up. Track total damage dealt—you're often closer to winning than you think.
Panic Graveyard: Dropping Graveyard without tank when opponent has counters in cycle wastes 5 elixir. Wait for proper Ice Golem setup or elixir advantage.