The once popular but a bit OP card X-Bow got nerfed again by Supercell, however, another card becomes quite popular after the March 23 update. Yeah, you got it - Mortar! We've already introduced two Mortar decks for you (click here and here) but still I'd like to share a more budget but also powerful Mortar deck for you. Just you have to be very familiar on how to use those common cards to counter the current popular decks.
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As you can see, the average Elixir cost is pretty low with only 3.1, which means this deck has a pretty high error-tolerant rate. Besides the 5 Elixir cost Minion Horde, the other cards are all low Elixir cost. Thus, it will have a powerful damage output in the double Elixir period.
Card Analysis
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How to play:
The main strategy is same as the traditional X-bow or Mortar deck: focusing on defending in the early game. If you don't know how to play, just put the Mortar in the middle of your King Tower and it should be able to counter all your opponent's ground troops.
So how to attack? Put Mortar in the front of the river and then put Tesla beside and Knight can be placed before Mortar as a tank. Play Minon Horde if your opponent plays Baby Dragon while Arrows can counter your opponent's Minion Horde if he tries to use them to counter your Mortar. Bomber can be used if yoru opponent plays Barbarians. All in all, wait for your opponent to play first so we can counter him according to what he plays.
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10 Mistakes Beginners Would Make· 6 Tips and Hints·14 Tips for Beginners
How to Deploy Troops · Deck Building Strategies· 10 Tips to Win Arena Battle
How to Spend Gems (Free Player)·Card Counter Strategies
Pros & Cons of 4 Different Tactics· Card Counter Guide ·CR's Cheating Tool
How to Counter X-Bow
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Top 5 Decks for New Players
Arena 1-3: ·Best Deck for Arena 1 - 2· Deck Recommendation
Arena 3-4: · 3-Building Zerg·Max Arena 2 Deck· Best Deck for Arena 3 - 5
· Giant Skeleton Tank
Arena 4-5: · Aggro Prince· Hog Rider + Freeze Combo· Goblin Barrel Sudden Attack
· Cheap Aggro Push· Prince + Baby Dragon Control Deck
· Push to 2300 Trophies Without Epic ·Rocket 'em out Deck
· Derek Cheung's Budget Deck
Arena 6-7: · Mortar Deck after X-Bow Nerf · 6 Building All-round Deck
· Mortar, and Mortar! ·Cheap X-bow Deck
· Hog Rider + Freeze Combo· Hog Rider & Mini PEKKA Combo
·Recommended Decks· Mirrored Goblin Barrels· Baby Dragon + Giant Skeleton
Legendary: · No Epic, No Rare, No Pay-to-Legendary

As you can see, the average Elixir cost is pretty low with only 3.1, which means this deck has a pretty high error-tolerant rate. Besides the 5 Elixir cost Minion Horde, the other cards are all low Elixir cost. Thus, it will have a powerful damage output in the double Elixir period.
Card Analysis


Mortar is indeed an annoying card with only 4 Elixir cost but powerful effect. Your opponent will be in disadvantage if he uses a lot of resources to counter it but he also can't just play some random troops to deal with Mortar. While Knight is the most balanced and valueable card players can get in the early game. While his attack is not high as Barbarians but Knight is at low Elixir and also higher HP.


One of the main jobs Tesla does is to counter your opponent's air troop but also Tesla is good at dealing with some aggressive ground troops, such as Prince and Hog Rider. As for Bomber, his job is kinda easier. He is used to counter many grouped ground troops such as Barbarians or Spear Goblins.


Before adding Minion Horde, this deck is weak in dealing with air troops (only Tesla and Spear Goblins) so Minion Horde is added for defense while Arrows is used to counter Boblin Barrel or Minion Horde or Goblins.
How to play:
The main strategy is same as the traditional X-bow or Mortar deck: focusing on defending in the early game. If you don't know how to play, just put the Mortar in the middle of your King Tower and it should be able to counter all your opponent's ground troops.
So how to attack? Put Mortar in the front of the river and then put Tesla beside and Knight can be placed before Mortar as a tank. Play Minon Horde if your opponent plays Baby Dragon while Arrows can counter your opponent's Minion Horde if he tries to use them to counter your Mortar. Bomber can be used if yoru opponent plays Barbarians. All in all, wait for your opponent to play first so we can counter him according to what he plays.

10 Mistakes Beginners Would Make· 6 Tips and Hints·14 Tips for Beginners
How to Deploy Troops · Deck Building Strategies· 10 Tips to Win Arena Battle
How to Spend Gems (Free Player)·Card Counter Strategies
Pros & Cons of 4 Different Tactics· Card Counter Guide ·CR's Cheating Tool
How to Counter X-Bow

Top 5 Decks for New Players
Arena 1-3: ·Best Deck for Arena 1 - 2· Deck Recommendation
Arena 3-4: · 3-Building Zerg·Max Arena 2 Deck· Best Deck for Arena 3 - 5
· Giant Skeleton Tank
Arena 4-5: · Aggro Prince· Hog Rider + Freeze Combo· Goblin Barrel Sudden Attack
· Cheap Aggro Push· Prince + Baby Dragon Control Deck
· Push to 2300 Trophies Without Epic ·Rocket 'em out Deck
· Derek Cheung's Budget Deck
Arena 6-7: · Mortar Deck after X-Bow Nerf · 6 Building All-round Deck
· Mortar, and Mortar! ·Cheap X-bow Deck
· Hog Rider + Freeze Combo· Hog Rider & Mini PEKKA Combo
·Recommended Decks· Mirrored Goblin Barrels· Baby Dragon + Giant Skeleton
Legendary: · No Epic, No Rare, No Pay-to-Legendary