Overview
Log Bait Classic is one of the most iconic and enduring archetypes in Clash Royale, built around forcing opponents to waste their small spells before punishing with Goblin Barrel. With an average elixir cost of 2.9, this deck rewards patience, prediction, and perfect timing. The core strategy involves using Princess and Goblin Gang as spell bait to deplete your opponent's Log or other small spells, then capitalizing with unanswered Goblin Barrel damage. Inferno Tower provides exceptional defense against tanks, while Knight serves as a reliable mini-tank for counterpushes. Rocket delivers devastating spell cycle damage in overtime or punishes expensive backline support units. Mastering this deck requires understanding opponent spell cycles and exploiting every opening.
Strategy
Opening Play
Start with Princess at the bridge to scout the opponent's response and force an early spell commitment. Alternatively, place Ice Spirit or Knight in the back to build elixir while learning their deck composition. Avoid opening with Goblin Barrel—you need to establish what spells they carry and track their cycle first. If they open aggressively, use Inferno Tower to defend and build an elixir advantage.
Single Elixir
Focus on cycling bait cards to force spell usage before committing Goblin Barrel. Use Princess at the bridge or opposite lane to draw out The Log. Deploy Goblin Gang defensively against ground pushes while noting if they use spells on it. Apply chip damage through uncontested Princess shots and occasional Goblin Barrel when you've tracked their spell out of cycle. Defend efficiently with Knight and Inferno Tower, building small elixir advantages. Patience is critical—don't force Goblin Barrel when they have counters ready.
Double Elixir
Amplify your bait pressure with constant Princess placements and Goblin Gang deployments at the bridge. Use Rocket cycling on their tower when you've built a lead or when high-value targets group near the tower (Wizard, Witch, Executioner). Apply split-lane pressure by placing Princess one lane and Goblin Barrel the other. Your fast cycle means you can overwhelm their spell rotation—if they Log your Princess, immediately Barrel. If they save Log for Barrel, Princess chips for free. Use prediction Logs on their defensive swarms and close out games with calculated Rocket damage.
Matchups
Favorable Matchups
- Golem Beatdown: Inferno Tower melts Golem while you apply opposite-lane pressure with Goblin Barrel. They lack efficient Barrel counters in most builds, and their heavy elixir commitment gives you free damage windows. Rocket their Night Witch or support troops when grouped.
- Lava Hound: Inferno Tower dominates their air push, and Princess provides excellent chip against Lava Pups. Apply aggressive opposite-lane pressure since they can't defend Goblin Barrel efficiently. Use Rocket on balloon if they pair it with Lava Hound.
- Giant Beatdown: Similar to Golem—Inferno Tower handles Giant while you outcycle and chip. Knight kites support troops away from the Giant. Goblin Gang shreds unsupported Giants. Rocket grouped support for massive value.
Unfavorable Matchups
- Splash Yard: Valkyrie, Poison, and Tornado counter your swarms efficiently. Your bait cards struggle against splash damage, and Graveyard forces constant defensive attention. Focus on Inferno Tower for tanks and try to outcycle their Poison with Goblin Barrel timing.
- Royal Giant Fisherman: Royal Giant outranges Inferno Tower, and Fisherman pulls your Knight away. Focus on aggressive opposite-lane Barrel pressure when they commit Royal Giant. Use Rocket on Royal Giant when it locks onto tower for even trades.
- Spell Cycle: Decks with multiple small spells (Log + Arrows, Log + Barbarian Barrel) counter your bait strategy. Rely on Princess chip and Rocket cycling for damage. Play extremely patiently and avoid giving spell value on your swarms.
Tips
Goblin Barrel placements: Master varied placements—standard center, left corner, right corner, and backside placements all have different counter timings. Unpredictability is your greatest weapon.
Princess positioning: Place Princess at the bridge for immediate pressure, in the opposite lane to split their attention, or in the pocket (behind King Tower) for safe chip damage against spell-heavy decks.
Inferno Tower timing: Place Inferno Tower reactively, not proactively. Wait until tanks cross the bridge to get maximum value and avoid Lightning or spell damage.
Rocket value: Never Rocket naked towers early game. Look for 4+ elixir value (Wizard, Witch, Executioner) near tower, or save for overtime spell cycling when tower is under 1000 HP.
Spell tracking: Count opponent's spell cycle constantly. After they use Log on Princess, you have approximately 8 cards before they cycle back—this is your Goblin Barrel window.
Knight counterpush: After Knight defends, support him with Ice Spirit and potentially Goblin Barrel. Knight's tanking creates excellent counterpush opportunities.
Defensive Goblin Gang: Use Goblin Gang to surround and eliminate support troops like Musketeer, Wizard, or Witch. The DPS output is exceptional when they don't have splash counters.
Ice Spirit versatility: Use Ice Spirit to reset Inferno Dragon, freeze troops for tower damage, cycle quickly, or support Goblin Barrel by freezing defenders.
Common Mistakes
Predictable Barrel placements: Always throwing Goblin Barrel in the same spot lets opponents react easily. Vary your placements constantly to keep them guessing.
Wasting Princess: Placing Princess where she immediately dies to Log without value wastes 3 elixir. Use her at safe distances or when their spell is out of cycle.
Early Rocket usage: Rocketing tower without troop value early game puts you behind in elixir. Save Rocket for high-value defensive plays or overtime cycling.
Inferno Tower overplacement: Placing Inferno Tower before seeing their push wastes its potential. Wait for commitment, then place reactively for maximum defensive value.
Ignoring spell cycle: Not tracking when opponent used their small spell leads to countered Goblin Barrels. Always know approximately where their Log is in rotation.
Over-defending: Using too many cards on defense when a simple Knight or Goblin Gang suffices wastes elixir and slows your cycle. Defend efficiently.