Ronin is one of the strongest Legendary cards introduced in Clash Royale, thanks to his powerful Parry Damage ability that completely blocks one melee attack and reflects double the damage back to the attacker. He excels against heavy melee troops like PEKKA, Mega Knight, Prince, and Mini P.E.K.K.A., making him a fantastic defensive unit that can quickly turn defense into offense.
If you’ve unlocked Ronin, here are five of the best decks to try in the current meta.
1. Ronin Mortar Bait Deck
Deck
- Ronin
- Mortar
- Skeleton Barrel
- Goblin Gang
- Spear Goblins
- Fireball
- The Log
- Ice Spirit
Why It’s Good
This fast-cycle Mortar deck keeps constant pressure on your opponent while Ronin handles dangerous melee threats. Previously, Mortar Bait struggled against cards like Prince, Boss Bandit, and Mini P.E.K.K.A., but Ronin fills that defensive gap perfectly.
Whenever your opponent commits an expensive melee troop, Ronin can often eliminate it while giving you a positive Elixir trade. After defending, you can immediately pressure with Mortar or Skeleton Barrel.
Best Against
- PEKKA
- Mega Knight
- Prince
- Boss Bandit
- Bridge Spam
2. Ronin Royal Giant Deck
Deck
- Ronin
- Royal Giant
- Mega Minion Hero
- Fisherman
- Phoenix
- Fireball
- Barbarian Barrel
- Electro Spirit
Why It’s Good
Royal Giant remains one of the safest win conditions in Clash Royale, and Ronin makes the defense even stronger.
Ronin deals with high-damage melee troops that normally threaten your Royal Giant, while the Mega Minion Hero quickly removes support troops behind enemy tanks. After a successful defense, place Royal Giant at the bridge to launch a strong counterpush.
Tips
- Don’t rush your Royal Giant.
- Defend first with Ronin.
- Counterpush once you’ve gained an Elixir advantage.
Best Against
- Beatdown
- Giant decks
- Goblin Giant
- PEKKA
- Mega Knight
3. Ronin Goblin Drill Cycle
Deck
- Ronin
- Goblin Drill
- Tesla
- Fire Spirit
- Skeletons
- The Log
- Poison
- Ice Spirit
Why It’s Good
If you enjoy fast-cycle control decks, this is one of the strongest Ronin archetypes available.
Goblin Drill constantly pressures your opponent while Ronin shuts down heavy melee troops. Tesla covers air units, and Poison helps control swarms and support troops.
This deck requires precise placements and smart Elixir management but rewards skilled players with excellent defensive potential.
Best Against
- Mega Knight
- Bridge Spam
- PEKKA
- Prince decks
Weak Against
- Lava Hound
- Heavy air decks
4. Ronin Miner Bridge Spam
Deck
- Ronin
- Miner
- Inferno Tower
- Bandit
- Royal Ghost
- Spear Goblins
- Poison
- Barbarian Barrel
Why It’s Good
This deck combines the pressure of Miner Control with Bridge Spam.
Ronin serves as your primary melee defender, while Inferno Tower melts tanks and win conditions. Miner continuously chips away at towers while Bandit and Royal Ghost force your opponent to defend from multiple directions.
Although Miner received a small balance adjustment, this archetype remains highly effective.
Tips
- Keep constant pressure with Miner.
- Use Ronin to stop expensive ground troops.
- Save Inferno Tower for tanks.
Best Against
- Giant
- Royal Giant
- PEKKA
- Mega Knight
5. Ronin Control Deck
Deck
- Ronin
- Miner
- Poison
- Electro Wizard
- Tornado
- Skeletons
- Cannon
- Ice Spirit
Why It’s Good
This balanced control deck focuses on defending efficiently before slowly wearing down enemy towers with Miner and Poison damage.
Ronin dominates ground melee troops, while Electro Wizard and Tornado help control enemy support units. Cannon provides a reliable building for distracting tanks and Hog Riders.
If you enjoy patient gameplay and winning through strong defense, this is an excellent choice.
Best Against
- Hog Rider
- Bridge Spam
- Beatdown
- Royal Hogs
Which Ronin Deck Should You Play?
| Deck | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ronin Mortar Bait | Easy | Fast pressure and positive Elixir trades |
| Ronin Royal Giant | Easy | Beatdown and counterpush strategies |
| Ronin Goblin Drill | Hard | Skilled cycle players |
| Ronin Miner Bridge Spam | Very Hard | Aggressive pressure and control |
| Ronin Control | Medium | Defensive and consistent gameplay |
Ronin is already shaping up to be one of the strongest defensive Legendary cards in Clash Royale. His ability to completely negate powerful melee attacks makes him an excellent addition to many archetypes, especially control, cycle, and counterpush decks.
Whether you prefer Mortar Bait, Royal Giant, Goblin Drill, or Miner Control, Ronin can provide incredible value by shutting down expensive ground troops and creating opportunities for devastating counterattacks. As the Season 85 meta develops, expect Ronin to become a staple in many competitive decks.