4 Elixir
Overview
Musketeer is the gold standard ranged DPS troop in Clash Royale. At 4 elixir, she delivers 181 damage per shot with 6 tile range - enough to outrange most defensive buildings and support troops. Musketeer's versatility makes her essential in 2.6 Hog Cycle, Giant decks, and Pekka Bridge Spam. She shreds tanks (Giant, Golem, Hog Rider), destroys air threats (Balloon, Lava Hound, Minions), and survives Fireball with a sliver of HP. The key to Musketeer is placement - positioned correctly, she kills threats before they reach your tower. Positioned poorly, she dies to Lightning or gets overwhelmed by swarms. Master her range advantage and you'll dominate both defense and counterpushes.
Strategy
When to Play
Deploy Musketeer defensively behind your tower to maximize her range advantage. Against tanks (Giant, Golem, Hog Rider), drop Musketeer 4 tiles behind your Princess Tower so she starts shooting before they cross the bridge. This positioning also protects her from Lightning that would hit both Musketeer and tower. Against air pushes (Lava Hound, Balloon), plant Musketeer centrally to defend both lanes.
On offense, place Musketeer behind your tank (Giant, Hog Rider, Ice Golem) so she's protected while dealing massive DPS. Don't commit Musketeer offensively unless you have elixir advantage or their Fireball is out of rotation - otherwise she dies for zero value.
Placement
The anti-Lightning placement is crucial: drop Musketeer 3-4 tiles behind and to the side of your Princess Tower. This forces opponent to choose between hitting Musketeer OR tower with Lightning - never both. Against Tornado decks, place Musketeer on the opposite side of your King Tower so Tornado can't pull her into the center.
For kiting, plant Musketeer in the opposite lane from incoming threats to pull them across the arena. A Musketeer placed left lane against a right-lane Prince forces the Prince to walk across, taking tower shots the entire time. Against Balloon, place Musketeer 4 tiles from the river so she has maximum shooting time before Balloon reaches your tower.
Synergies
Musketeer is the backbone of 2.6 Hog Cycle - she defends everything while Hog Rider pressures. Support surviving Musketeers with Ice Golem to tank while she deals 900+ damage to towers. In Giant decks, place Musketeer behind Giant so she shreds defenders while Giant tanks.
Ice Spirit + Musketeer defends almost any push for just 5 elixir. The freeze buys Musketeer extra shots against charging troops. Against Mega Knight, pair Musketeer with Knight or Mini P.E.K.K.A - one tanks while the other deals damage.
Matchups
Strong Against
Balloon - Musketeer's 6 tile range lets her kill Balloon before it reaches tower if placed correctly. Essential air defense.
Giant/Golem beatdown - Musketeer melts tanks from range while your mini-tank (Knight, Ice Golem) distracts support troops.
Hog Rider - Placed behind tower, Musketeer kills Hog in 4 shots while taking minimal damage. Clean +0 trade with counterpush.
Lava Hound - Musketeer shreds Lava Hound and can target Pups after. Plant centrally to defend both lanes.
Prince - Musketeer kills charging Prince with tower help. Place to the side so Prince targets tower first while Musketeer shoots freely.
Countered By
Fireball + Zap/Log - This combo kills Musketeer completely. Don't clump her with other Fireball-vulnerable troops.
Lightning - Kills Musketeer instantly. Use anti-Lightning placement (away from tower) to force opponent to choose targets.
Mega Knight - Jumps on Musketeer and kills her in 2 hits. Never place Musketeer where MK can jump on her.
Swarms (Skeleton Army, Minion Horde) - Musketeer's single-target attack gets overwhelmed. Need spell support against swarm decks.
Knight/Valkyrie rush - Mini-tanks closing distance quickly kill Musketeer before she gets value. Kite with center placement.
Tips
Anti-Lightning placement: Place Musketeer 3-4 tiles behind AND to the side of your tower - forces opponent to hit one or the other, never both.
Range advantage: Musketeer's 6 tile range outranges Cannon, Tesla, and most support troops. Plant her far back to maximize shooting time.
Opposite lane kiting: Against single-lane pushes, place Musketeer in opposite lane to pull troops across the arena while both towers shoot.
Counterpush value: Never let a defending Musketeer die - support her with Ice Golem or Knight for 500+ tower damage.
Fireball survival: Musketeer survives Fireball with ~100 HP. If opponent Fireballs, immediately support her for massive counterpush value.
Balloon defense: Place Musketeer 4 tiles from the river against Balloon - she gets 4-5 shots before Balloon reaches tower.
Common Mistakes
Clumping with tower: Placing Musketeer right next to tower lets Lightning hit both for massive value. Use anti-Lightning placement.
Forward placement: Dropping Musketeer at the bridge on defense wastes her range advantage and lets melee troops reach her faster.
Ignoring air: Saving Musketeer for ground threats while Balloon flies to your tower. Prioritize air defense.
Offensive overcommit: Playing Musketeer at bridge without tank support - she dies to Knight or Valkyrie for zero damage.
Poor swarm defense: Using Musketeer alone against Skeleton Army or Minion Horde - she kills one at a time while they overwhelm her.
Letting her die: Not supporting surviving Musketeers after defense. A 100 HP Musketeer behind Ice Golem still deals 500+ tower damage.