The current Merge Tactics meta has shifted significantly following the recent update, which introduced new traits (like Electric, Blaster, Fire) and adjusted activation thresholds. As a result, many troops have moved up or down in viability depending on their trait combinations and synergy flexibility.
This Merge Tactics Tier List Update 1 ranks each troop based on:
- Trait synergy activation (how easily they enable traits)
- Performance across rulers
- Raw strength and impact
- Meta relevance in competitive builds
Merge Tactics Tier List Ranking (Season 1)
[mt_tier_list]
Tier S – Meta-Defining Troops
These troops dominate in almost every build due to their synergy flexibility, strong base stats, and consistent value regardless of the ruler or trait spread. They are central to most competitive comps.
Archer Queen
Traits: Clan, Ranger
Cost: 5 Elixir
The Archer Queen continues to be one of the strongest DPS carries in Merge Tactics. The recent buff to the Ranger trait makes her even more dangerous when activated at (2) or (4), and her synergy with Clan rulers like Goblin Queen or Elixir Loong makes her a safe pick in nearly every deck. She thrives in builds that favor range stacking and quick elixir generation.
Royal Ghost
Traits: Undead, Assassin
Cost: 4 Elixir
With the Undead trait reworked to include (2), (4), and (6) thresholds, Royal Ghost now benefits from revives more reliably. His Assassin burst allows him to eliminate backline threats quickly. Often seen paired with Skeleton King or Witch in high-damage Undead builds.
Princess
Traits: Noble, Ranger
Cost: 4 Elixir
Princess excels with double-trait synergies and strong early-game presence. She’s especially potent in Ranger builds where her long range and splash hit multiple targets. Her synergy with Noble makes her viable under rulers like Royal King, and she contributes to two high-tier trait activations with minimal energy cost investment.
Goblin Machine
Traits: Goblin, Blaster
Cost: 4 Elixir
A standout in the recent patch due to the Blaster trait introduction. Goblin Machine thrives in decks that want early AoE pressure while still enabling Goblin for extra movement speed and economy. Often seen in aggressive comps with Goblin Queen where troop count and merge levels rise fast.
Witch
Traits: Undead, Avenger
Cost: 4 Elixir
Witch has emerged as a powerhouse in the Undead archetype. Her scaling synergy with fallen allies through Avenger makes her deadly in longer fights. She’s often used in (4) or (6) Undead builds where she becomes unkillable once revives start to trigger.
Tier A
A-tier troops are solid performers in most situations. They aren’t mandatory in every build, but they bring strong stats and enable crucial traits when used correctly.
Valkyrie
Traits: Clan, Brawler
Cost: 3 Elixir
Valkyrie is a durable frontliner who helps activate Brawler and Clan, both of which saw improved synergy bonuses in the recent update. She fits into comps where sustain and synergy stacking matter, and pairs well with early elixir-focused rulers.
Bandit
Traits: Ace, Assassin
Cost: 4 Elixir
Bandit shines in Assassin builds, especially under Ace synergy. She’s often played in combo decks where front-to-back skirmishes favor burst eliminations. Recent updates to Assassin stealth bonuses pushed her slightly above average.
Skeleton King
Traits: Undead, Juggernaut
Cost: 5 Elixir
A ruler-favored carry and a frontline juggernaut. Skeleton King benefits from the new Juggernaut synergy at (2), (4), and (6), gaining damage reduction and stun resistance. In builds that aim for heavy tank presence, he’s a natural pick.
Mega Knight
Traits: Ace, Juggernaut
Cost: 4 Elixir
Mega Knight has improved due to the rise of Juggernaut synergy and its easy activation with other tanks like Giant Skeleton and Knight. He acts as both a bruiser and an initiator in many brawler-heavy decks.
Golden Knight
Traits: Noble, Assassin
Cost: 4 Elixir
Golden Knight is flexible thanks to his dual trait support and low elixir cost. He often appears in builds that need to hit Noble (2) or Assassin (4) without sacrificing too much energy. Strong backliner killer with good mobility.
Electro Wizard
Traits: Electric, Mage
Cost: 4 Elixir
Electro Wizard took a leap in viability due to the new Electric trait, which now activates splash + stun effects more effectively. Paired with Electro Giant, he forms the core of Electric-Mage control builds.
Musketeer
Traits: Noble, Blaster
Cost: 3 Elixir
A flexible DPS troop who now benefits from Blaster synergy’s recent buff to AoE radius and damage. She’s useful in both Blaster control and Noble synergy decks. Reliable and efficient.
Tier B
B-tier troops can perform well in specific builds, especially when used to activate traits or fill a particular role. They may be trait-dependent or slightly outclassed by higher-tier options.
Giant Skeleton
Traits: Undead, Juggernaut
Cost: 3 Elixir
A durable tank that helps trigger Juggernaut and Undead. While not dominant on his own, he fits into bulk-focused comps that need revive + durability.
Goblin
Traits: Goblin, Assassin
Cost: 2 Elixir
Useful as a low-cost enabler of Goblin and Assassin. Great filler in trait-heavy decks, especially if you need to reach (4) Goblin for economy boosts. Lacks punch on his own, but synergizes well.
Dart Goblin
Traits: Goblin, Ranger
Cost: 3 Elixir
Dart Goblin is primarily played to support Ranger and Goblin traits. With Ranger now activating at (2) and (4), he helps complete trait chains, especially for Archer Queen builds.
Executioner
Traits: Ace, Blaster
Cost: 3 Elixir
Executioner deals splash damage and activates Blaster, but he’s often swapped out for more mobile or higher-impact units. Still useful in AoE-heavy comps or when trait slotting demands it.
P.E.K.K.A
Traits: Ace, Avenger
Cost: 3 Elixir
A tanky damage-dealer who thrives in Avenger builds. Works best when you expect casualties and can scale damage in response. Less versatile than others but powerful in narrow cases.
Archers
Traits: Clan, Ranger
Cost: 2 Elixir
Cheap troop for early Ranger and Clan support. Useful when building around Ranger (4) or filling gaps in low-cost decks. Easily outscaled later.
Barbarians
Traits: Clan, Juggernaut
Cost: 2 Elixir
Barbarians are a decent budget frontline. They help with early Clan activation and Juggernaut layers, but their overall impact is minimal unless the build is specifically focused on tank traits.
Baby Dragon
Traits: Fire, Blaster
Cost: 4 Elixir
One of the few Fire trait units available. Strong AoE, especially when Blaster is activated. Fits well in control builds and decks looking to punish clumped units.
Tier C
These units only shine in specific builds or under very specific rulers. They are not bad, but require a lot of support to perform well.
Knight
Traits: Noble, Juggernaut
Cost: 2 Elixir
Basic tank with some synergy utility. Used for cheap Noble or Juggernaut activations, but rarely picked otherwise.
Prince
Traits: Noble, Brawler
Cost: 3 Elixir
Prince works in Brawler comps and Noble-heavy decks. Occasionally appears in Royal King builds but lacks flexibility.
Electro Giant
Traits: Electric, Avenger
Cost: 3 Elixir
Large AoE tank with synergy potential, but usually outclassed by Electro Wizard and Baby Dragon in Electric comps.
Skeleton Dragons
Traits: Undead, Ranger
Cost: 2 Elixir
Decent ranged DPS for Undead or Ranger support. Weak on its own, but okay in decks that need filler.
Tier D
These troops are mostly out of the current meta. They’re used only if needed to hit synergy numbers, or under specific build constraints.
Spear Goblins
Traits: Goblin, Blaster
Cost: 2 Elixir
Filler troop to reach (4) Goblin or (2) Blaster. Very low impact otherwise.
Bomber
Traits: Blaster, Assassin
Cost: 2 Elixir
Legacy troop that is currently not in active rotations. Still shows up in older builder tools but has fallen out of competitive use
The current meta favors troops that:
- Enable double traits at low elixir
- Work well in Undead, Ranger, and Blaster builds
- Scale with synergy activations (2/4/6)
Troops that lack synergy flexibility or are too expensive for what they offer have dropped in usage. New traits like Electric, Blaster, and Fire are shaping team comps and pushing out older picks.
This tier list will be updated regularly with new patch notes, trait buffs/nerfs, and ruler synergy shifts. If you’re building a deck, always check how your troops interact with the current synergy system — raw stats matter, but synergy wins matches.