Overview
Giant Beatdown (Witch/Graveyard) is a unique hybrid beatdown archetype combining Giant pushes with the surprise factor of Graveyard spell. Currently achieving 57.8% win rate with 1.2% usage in ranked play, this deck features dual win conditions that force opponents into impossible defensive scenarios. The combination of Witch's Skeleton spawns, Bowler's piercing knockback, and Mini P.E.K.K.A's anti-tank power creates overwhelming offensive pressure while maintaining solid defensive capabilities. Success requires managing dual threats, protecting support troops from spells, and reading when to commit Graveyard for maximum tower damage. This deck excels against decks weak to spell damage and beatdown but must carefully navigate air-heavy and fast cycle matchups.
Strategy
Opening Play
Start conservatively with Witch, Bowler, or Minions in the back to build elixir and scout your opponent's deck composition. Avoid revealing Graveyard early—keeping it hidden maintains surprise factor for critical moments. Use this phase to identify their primary defensive cards, especially splash troops (Valkyrie, Wizard) and area spells (Poison, Arrows) that counter Graveyard. Test their defenses with small Giant + Witch pushes to understand their response patterns before committing to major attacks.
Single Elixir
Focus on building elixir advantages through efficient defensive trades. Bowler handles ground swarms with his piercing knockback attack that damages and pushes back multiple troops, while Witch spawns four Skeletons every 7 seconds to distract and overwhelm. Mini P.E.K.K.A defends against opposing tanks efficiently, then transitions into counterpushes. Build small advantages by defending cost-effectively—every positive trade funds your expensive double elixir pushes. Apply light pressure with Giant + one support to bait out defensive cards, but save Graveyard for critical moments when you've identified gaps in their spell rotation or defensive positioning.
Double Elixir
This is where dual win conditions dominate. Build Giant pushes with Witch and Bowler to create overwhelming ground pressure, then drop Graveyard on their tower when they overcommit to defending the push. The 13 Skeletons spawning over 9 seconds deal devastating damage if opponents lack immediate answers. Use Giant Snowball to slow and knockback defenders, creating space for Witch's spawned Skeletons and Graveyard to connect. Apply opposite-lane Graveyard pressure if they stack too many defenders on your Giant push—they can't defend both threats simultaneously. Arrows clear swarm counters to Graveyard, and Bowler's knockback disrupts defensive positioning. Win through overwhelming force across multiple lanes.
Matchups
Favorable Matchups
- Single-Target Defense Decks: Decks relying on Cannon, Tesla, or single-target troops struggle against Graveyard's continuous Skeleton spawns and Witch's summoning. Your spawned units overwhelm point-defense while Giant and Bowler control the board. They can't handle dual win conditions efficiently.
- Ground-Heavy Beatdown: Your Bowler's piercing knockback disrupts their ground pushes, while Witch spawns and Minions handle support troops. Defend their beatdown efficiently with knockback control, then counterpush with Giant + Graveyard in the opposite lane to split their elixir commitment.
- Bridge Spam: Bowler hard-counters aggressive ground spam with knockback and piercing damage, while Witch spawns distract charging troops. Their light defenses can't stop Giant + Graveyard combinations. Defend cost-effectively, then overwhelm with your heavier pushes.
Unfavorable Matchups
- Poison Decks: Poison hard-counters both Graveyard and Witch spawns, negating your primary offensive tools. They gain massive elixir advantages by Poisoning your support troops. Focus on Giant as primary win condition, use Bowler and Mini P.E.K.K.A for push support instead of Witch, and apply constant pressure to prevent them settling. Graveyard becomes a bait tool to drain their Poison.
- Fast Cycle (Hog 2.6, Miner Cycle): They outcycle your expensive cards and defend efficiently with buildings. Your slow cycle means they can apply opposite-lane pressure while you're building pushes. Defend reactively with Mini P.E.K.K.A and Bowler, apply constant pressure to prevent them cycling, but avoid overcommitting—they punish heavy investments with chip damage.
- Air-Heavy Decks (LavaLoon, Balloon): Minions and Arrows are your only air defenses. Against stacked air threats (Lava Hound + Balloon), you lack firepower. Use Minions positioned centrally for maximum coverage, Arrows on support troops (Mega Minion, Inferno Dragon), and apply aggressive opposite-lane Giant + Graveyard pressure to force defensive decisions. Accept tower trades if necessary—your ground push can outdamage their air push.
Tips
Graveyard timing: Drop Graveyard when opponents commit their spell or splash troop to your Giant push. With their counters occupied, Graveyard Skeletons deal uncontested damage.
Witch protection: Keep Witch behind tanks or in defensive positions away from prediction Fireballs. Her continuous spawning is invaluable—losing her to spells cripples both offense and defense.
Bowler positioning: Position Bowler where his knockback pushes troops into both towers' range. Against Prince or Dark Prince charges, his knockback cancels their charge attack.
Dual-threat pressure: When they stack defenders on one lane, switch to opposite lane with your other win condition. Giant on one side, Graveyard on the other creates unsolvable scenarios.
Giant Snowball value: Use Giant Snowball for multi-purpose utility—slow defenders, knockback troops away from Graveyard, finish low-health towers, or reset Inferno effects. It's versatile.
Mini P.E.K.K.A counterpushes: After defending with Mini P.E.K.K.A, immediately support with Giant in front. His high DPS combined with Graveyard creates devastating counterpush pressure.
Arrows efficiency: Save Arrows for clearing Graveyard counters (Skeleton Army, Goblin Gang, Minion Horde) or high-value trades. Don't waste on single targets unless critical for tower damage.
Elixir tracking: Know opponent's elixir count. When they're low, drop Graveyard—they can't afford both spell and troops to counter it effectively.
Common Mistakes
Revealing Graveyard early: Using Graveyard in opening play telegraphs your strategy and lets opponents prepare counters. Keep it hidden until critical moments for maximum surprise factor.
Overcommitting to one lane: Stacking all troops in one lane lets opponents focus their entire defense. Use split-lane pressure with Giant one side, Graveyard the other.
Poor Graveyard placement: Placing Graveyard poorly (too close to King Tower) activates King Tower and gives opponents extra defensive firepower. Place at tower's edge, away from King.
Ignoring spell rotation: Dropping Graveyard when opponents have Poison/Arrows ready wastes elixir. Track their spell usage and commit Graveyard when they've used it elsewhere.
Wasting Mini P.E.K.K.A offensively: Using Mini P.E.K.K.A as primary offense leaves you defenseless against tanks. Keep him for defensive stands, then convert to counterpushes.
Bowler misplacement: Placing Bowler where his knockback pushes troops away from your towers wastes his utility. Position him to knock enemies into tower range.
Neglecting air defense: Relying solely on Minions for air leaves you vulnerable to air swarms. Use Arrows proactively and position Minions to maximize coverage across both lanes.
Panic-using spells: Using Arrows or Giant Snowball reactively on low-value targets wastes spell utility. Save them for high-impact moments—clearing Graveyard counters or finishing towers.