Just when you thought your kingdom was safe from those Goblins, three sneaky little blighters appear on your Princess Tower out of nowhere and start stabbing away at you. Most players rely on respites like The Log or Arrows/Zap to put a stop to it, but what happens when those cards just plain aren’t in your deck to call on?
Use Cheap Swarm Troops
One of the easiest counters is dropping a small swarm directly on top of the Goblins.
Skeletons
For only 1 Elixir, Skeletons offer incredible value. Place them right where the Goblins land. The Skeletons will distract and surround the Goblins while your Princess Tower helps eliminate them. If timed correctly, you’ll take very little damage and gain a positive Elixir trade.
Goblin Gang
Goblin Gang is another excellent choice. The extra Goblins quickly surround the attackers and remove them before they can deal significant damage. Be careful, though. Skilled opponents may predict your defence and use the Log or Zap at the same time.
Skeleton Army
Skeleton Army totally runs circles around the Goblins. Drop it right on top of the barrel and watch those Goblins vanish, for the most part, almost instantly. Just remember that this is a larger Elixir investment, so use it wisely.
Bring in the Splash Damage Heroes
Splash damage troops are often the best defence against Goblin Barrel in Clash Royale, since they can take all three Goblins down with a single swipe of their hatchets.
Valkyrie
Place her smack bang in the middle of the Goblin spawn area and let her spinning axe do the rest, the Goblins won’t stand a chance. More often than not, only one of the Goblin manages to get past the defence.
Dark Prince
Dark Prince can also be extremely effective. If he is moving toward your tower when the barrel lands, his sweeping attack can wipe out all three Goblins in a single hit. The timing takes practice, but the results are satisfying.
Executioner
Executioner is another reliable option. Place him behind your Princess Tower, and his returning axe will slice through the Goblins as soon as they appear. Plus, he’ll remain on the field ready to support a counterpush.
Use Mini Tanks to Absorb Damage
Sometimes you don’t need to kill the Goblins immediately. Instead, you can give them something else to attack.
Ice Golem
Ice Golem is surprisingly effective. Place him directly on the Goblin landing spot. The Goblins will target him instead of your tower. When the Ice Golem is destroyed, its frost explosion damages nearby enemies and helps finish off the Goblins.
Other Tanky Troops
Cards like Knight or Mini P.E.K.K.A can also distract the Goblins long enough for your tower to clean them up. The key is placing them quickly so the Goblins choose the troop rather than the tower.
Try Area Damage Units
Several low-cost troops can completely stop a Goblin Barrel when timed properly.
Bomber
Drop a Bomber behind your Princess Tower just before the Goblins land. One bomb can heavily damage or eliminate the entire group.
Fire Spirits
Fire Spirits can jump directly onto the Goblins and destroy them almost instantly. Timing matters, but when done correctly, it’s one of the most efficient defences available.
Activate Your King’s Tower
One of the smartest long-term plays is activating your King’s Tower. If you have Tornado available, pull the Goblins toward the King’s Tower as they land. The King will wake up and help defend for the rest of the match.
Although Tornado is technically a spell, many players use it primarily for defensive utility rather than direct damage.