Clash Royale’s January Balance Changes: Archer Queen, Ram Rider, and More

The start of 2025 brings significant balance updates to shake up the META, as several cards see adjustments in their effectiveness. These changes aim to balance overpowered and underperforming cards, while addressing design inconsistencies. Let's dive into the most impactful tweaks coming live after maintenance on January 8.

NERFS

• Archer Queen: The Cloaking Cape cooldown increases from 15s to 17s, limiting her ability to perform both defense and offense during a single deployment.

• Cannon Cart: Shield hitpoints drop by 8%, from 892 to 824, making it easier to manage without affecting its damage-dealing role.

• Fisherman: Slow duration from his Anchor is reduced by 40%, from 2.5s to 1.5s, curbing excess power while maintaining interaction consistency.

• Goblinstein: Doctor hitpoints fall by 19%, from 885 to 721, making it easier to destroy and aiming to restore spell diversity.

• Ram Rider: Hitpoints decrease by 4%, from 1767 to 1696, to reduce her ability to easily reach towers.

• Spear Goblins: The first hit speed is delayed, increasing from 3s to 4s to indirectly nerf Goblin Gang and Goblin Giant.

• Electro Dragon Evolution: Extra chain damage is reduced by 33%, from 192 to 128, decreasing its overwhelming ability to shut down pushes.

• Ice Spirit Evolution: Ice Blasts drop from 3 to 2, with an increased blast damage from 110 to 163 to balance its defense power.

• P.E.K.K.A Evolution: The healing per death scales with the troop’s health. Smaller troops will heal her less, making her more vulnerable to swarm units.

BUFFS

• Dark Prince: Charge range reduced by 14% to align with other similar units, ensuring balance across the board.

• Baby Dragon: Splash radius increases by 25%, from 1.2 tiles to 1.5 tiles, improving its utility.

• Goblin Demolisher: Lifetime post-50% HP is extended by 14%, from 7s to 8s, enhancing its offensive potential.

• Goblin Machine: A 57% damage increase and slower attack speed make this unit stronger in the current meta.

• Mini P.E.K.K.A: Damage increases by 5%, improving its punch against high-health units like the Wizard.

• Wall Breakers Evolution: Death damage to troops and buildings is significantly buffed by 50%, increasing its offensive potential.

REWORK

• Lumberjack: Rage duration is slightly reduced from 6s to 5.5s, while damage is increased by 6%, balancing its role in the game.

Also Read: Clash Royale January Events: Evolved Cards, New Challenges, Exclusive Rewards & More!

January rearrangement of balances indicates determination to not only develop the game but also address the current META but without compromising cards' unique roles. Now players are required to adapt to these changes, with consequences that may possibly shift the whole arena's dynamics in the future.