Overview
Mortar Bait is a hybrid siege-bait archetype that dominates through relentless chip damage and spell-baiting mechanics. With an average elixir cost of 2.9, this deck combines the defensive power of siege with the pressure of log bait, using Skeleton Barrel, Dart Goblin, and Skeletons to force out spells before landing crucial Mortar locks. The deck excels at outcycling counters and maintaining constant pressure across both lanes. Knight provides versatile defense, Minions handle air threats, while Fireball and Barbarian Barrel offer spell chip and defensive utility. Mortar Bait punishes heavy decks and spell-dependent archetypes, rewarding skilled players who can manage cycle pressure and elixir efficiency to accumulate damage over time.
Strategy
Opening Play
Start conservatively with passive Mortar placements (4 tiles from river, center) to scout their counters while building elixir. Alternatively, cycle Skeletons or Dart Goblin in the back to gauge their deck archetype. Avoid committing Skeleton Barrel until you identify their primary spell. Use this phase to track their counter rotation—note which cards they use against Mortar and when their spells are out of cycle.
Single Elixir
Focus on forcing spell commitments before deploying offensive Mortars. Use Skeleton Barrel, Dart Goblin, or Minions to bait out their Log, Zap, or Arrows, then immediately punish with Mortar on the opposite lane. Defensive cycling is critical—use Skeletons and Barbarian Barrel to handle single-target units, reserving Knight for larger threats. Apply opposite-lane pressure when opponents invest heavily: the moment they drop a Golem or Lava Hound, punish with Mortar to force difficult defensive splits. Accumulate chip through Mortar locks and Skeleton Barrel connections, building small damage advantages that compound into tower takedowns.
Double Elixir
Transform into aggressive cycling mode. Once you've baited their primary counter, stack Mortars on the same lane—two Mortars attacking simultaneously is nearly impossible to stop without spell investment. Use prediction Fireballs to clear defensive troops before they deploy, guaranteeing Mortar locks. Minions become crucial for defending their desperate pushes while providing counter-push potential. The key is elixir efficiency: every card should either bait spells, defend cost-effectively, or deal tower damage. Maintain constant rotation to keep pressure unrelenting, forcing your opponent into reactive positions where mistakes are inevitable.
Matchups
Favorable Matchups
- Log Bait: Dart Goblin's range lets you outcycle their Rocket, while Fireball handles Goblin Barrel and Princess efficiently. Your faster cycle means you'll always have answers for their bait cards. Apply Mortar pressure when their Princess Tower is damaged and use Barbarian Barrel for Goblin Gang.
- Lava Hound: Opposite-lane Mortar forces poor elixir trades, making them choose between defending and supporting their Hound. Minions shred the Hound while Knight and Skeletons handle supporting troops. Win through accumulated Mortar chip while defending efficiently.
- Graveyard: Barbarian Barrel and swarm units neutralize Graveyard for positive trades. Your cycle lets you always have answers ready. Apply opposite-lane Mortar pressure when they commit tanks, splitting their elixir and preventing full investments.
- Giant Beatdown: Mortar on opposite lane forces defensive splits, preventing them from building overwhelming pushes. Knight and Minions handle Giants efficiently while you accumulate chip damage through Mortar and Skeleton Barrel connections.
Unfavorable Matchups
- Earthquake Cycle: Earthquake destroys Mortar before it locks, and their faster cycle makes it difficult to outcycle. Focus on Skeleton Barrel and Dart Goblin chip rather than relying on Mortar. Win through Fireball chip and persistent bait cycles. Save Mortar for defensive assistance.
- Royal Giant: RG outranges Mortar and pressures the same lane effectively. Use defensive Mortars to assist in stopping pushes, and focus on spell chip damage. Apply Skeleton Barrel pressure when they commit RG, and use Knight to kite effectively.
- X-Bow: Longer range denies Mortar placements, and their Tesla handles your bait cards efficiently. Never give free King Tower activations with Skeleton Barrel or Dart Goblin. Defend passively, focus on spell chip, and aim for overtime wins through accumulated Fireball damage.
- Mega Knight: Their splash damage destroys your swarm units and counters Mortar effectively. Use Knight to kite and Minions for air damage. Apply split-lane pressure to prevent them from supporting MK with splash units. Win through persistent chip and patience.
Tips
Mortar placement: Offensive Mortar goes 1 tile from river on the side for maximum lock potential. Defensive Mortar sits 4 tiles from river in center to pull building-targeting units. Vary placement against Rocket users to avoid prediction value.
Spell tracking: Track their spell cycle meticulously—if their Log or Zap is out of rotation, immediately deploy Skeleton Barrel at bridge for guaranteed chip. Spell cycling determines your windows of opportunity.
Dart Goblin positioning: Place Dart Goblin behind your King Tower for safe chip damage and cycle. His long range forces responses while generating elixir advantage. Use him to snipe support troops across the river during their pushes.
Prediction Fireball: Against splash defenders (Wizard, Executioner, Valkyrie), pre-Fireball their common defensive placement spots as they deploy. This guarantees Mortar locks and massive chip damage accumulation.
Barbarian Barrel value: Use the barrel to clear swarms attempting to surround your Mortar while spawning a Barbarian that distracts melee attackers like Valkyrie, Dark Prince, or charging units. The Barbarian buys time for your Mortar to get extra shots.
Overtime stacking: In overtime, stack Mortars on the same lane after baiting their primary counter. Two Mortars attacking simultaneously with Skeleton Barrel support is nearly impossible to defend without massive spell investment.
Knight kiting: Pull building-targeting units (Hog Rider, Ram Rider, Royal Hogs) to center with Knight to activate King Tower. This defensive advantage compounds throughout the match, giving you additional DPS on their pushes.
Minions counter-push: After defending air units with Minions, support them with Skeleton Barrel for deadly counter-pushes. Opponents often lack answers for both simultaneously, especially if you've baited their spells.
Common Mistakes
Overcommitting on Mortar: Don't support every Mortar with multiple troops. Mortar is expendable—its job is forcing responses and dealing chip. Supporting it too heavily creates negative trades when they defend efficiently.
Reactive Mortar placement: Playing Mortar after opponent's push instead of opposite-lane is passive. Proactive Mortar forces splits and prevents full commitments to one lane, creating defensive advantages.
Wasting Fireball: Don't Fireball low-value targets like lone Archers or Princess. Save it for spell-baiting their swarm clear, prediction plays on defensive troops, or finishing damaged towers in clutch moments.
Overdefending: Don't use multiple units when cycle cards suffice. Skeletons alone counter Mega Knight with correct placement, Barbarian Barrel handles most ground units. Preserve elixir for offensive pressure.
Ignoring King Tower activations: Never accidentally Fireball their King Tower. Avoid giving free activations with Skeleton Barrel or Dart Goblin misplacements—these defensive advantages lose you games against competent opponents.
Static Mortar placement: Failing to adapt placement based on their counters is predictable. Against Miner, place Mortar further back. Against Rocket, vary placements between center and corners to avoid prediction value.
Poor cycle management: Cycling Mortar without tracking their counter rotation wastes your win condition. Know when they have answers available—bait them first or apply pressure when their counter is out of cycle.
Neglecting opposite lane: When facing beatdown, always threaten opposite lane with Mortar when they invest in tanks. Failing to split their elixir lets them build unstoppable pushes that overwhelm your light defenses.