Last updated: 2026-09-30
In Clash Royale, every level makes a card noticeably stronger. Since resources (gold and cards) are limited, choosing what to upgrade matters as much as choosing which deck to play. This guide explains the basic logic of upgrading cards.
As a card levels up, its hit points and damage increase. One level may look small, but a few levels' difference decides whether a card can beat your opponent's copy of the same card. Even more important, some interactions depend on levels: a higher-level spell may kill a lower-level troop in one hit but fail to kill the same troop at an equal level.
That's why the best deck on paper can be the worst deck if your cards are under-leveled. Matchmaking pairs you with opponents at a similar trophy count; if your cards are behind the average in your arena, you start every match at a disadvantage.
The most common mistake is spreading resources across too many cards. Pick the deck (or two) you play and spend your resources on those eight cards. Upgrading a card you don't use is an investment that won't win you matches.
The card that damages towers is the heart of your deck. If your win condition is under-leveled, your opponent's defensive cards stop it easily, and even when it reaches the tower it doesn't deal enough damage. The levels of cards like Hog Rider, Balloon and Miner directly affect your deck's success.
Spells are used both on defense and to finish towers, and many interactions depend on spell level. Your spell needs to be high enough to one-shot your opponent's cards. Commonly used spells like Fireball, Poison, The Log and Zap are especially good investments.
A deck with seven high-level cards and one very low card falls apart whenever it depends on that weak card. Upgrading the lowest card in your deck usually makes more difference than making an already strong card slightly stronger.
Wild cards can be used to upgrade any card. Instead of random cards, save them for your main deck, especially hard-to-find legendary and champion cards. The special resources needed for the highest levels are even more valuable; spend them only on cards you're sure you'll play for a long time.
The ElixirDeck deck builder takes card levels into account directly. When you enter your player tag:
That way, before deciding which deck to invest in, you can see which deck is stronger with your own cards.