At first glance, the Executioner might seem like just another ranged unit with splash damage. But what separates him from the crowd is how he delivers that damage.
Instead of hitting a radius or cone, Executioner throws a giant spinning axe in a straight line, damaging everything it passes through. This makes him excellent against linear formations, clustered backlines, or setups hiding squishy troops behind tanks.
He doesn’t need to move much. He doesn’t need protection up front. He just needs a clear line of sight—and then he does his job brutally well.
Why Use Executioner?
Executioner fills a key role in compositions that struggle to reach the backline. His splash damage isn’t circular like the Witch or Princess—it’s directional, which means you can control who he hits by where you place him.
- Enemies lining up behind Skeleton King? Executioner says goodbye to all of them in one throw.
- Rangers camping in the corner? One well-placed Executioner can clip multiple in a single swing.
He also doesn’t rely on burst attacks. His consistent DPS can be trusted to chip away at formations, softening enemies for assassins or faster troops to clean up.
Traits Breakdown
Ace
When you’re running Executioner in a deck with other Ace units, you’re in luck.
- +20% attack speed at combat start (every Ace gets it now).
- Captain mechanics changed: Ace captains no longer give team-wide bonuses after kills.
- He benefits passively without needing the captain slot—which is great, because he shouldn’t be captain.
Let P.E.K.K.A., Bandit, or Golden Knight take that slot. Executioner just wants to stand still and throw axes.
Blaster (Formerly Thrower)
This trait was reworked in Q3 2025, and now it shines.
- 2 Blasters: Increased AoE damage size
- 4 Blasters: Additional range and bonus damage at longer distances
This is tailor-made for Executioner’s playstyle. Longer range and bonus impact on far enemies means his straight-line throws now hit harder and further, making him even more lethal to those backline camps.
Pairing him with Musketeer, Princess, or Dart Goblin can unlock the full potential of the Blaster synergy.
Strategic Use
Where to Place Him
- Put him in the second or third row, center or slightly off-center.
- Avoid placing him at the very back unless you’re protecting him from assassins—he needs enough visibility to let his axes cut through multiple targets.
- Don’t isolate him on a side. He’s best when positioned behind or beside a tank who keeps enemies still.
When to Pick Executioner
- You see the opponent running stacked lanes or linear comps
- You expect tanks shielding squishies
- You need predictable AoE that doesn’t rely on target-switching
He’s also great in metas where Undead summons (Witch) or multiple Ranger units are common.
Common Mistakes
- Using him as a carry – He’s support, not your damage core. Executioner sets up, others clean up.
- Placing him too far back – You lose value if his axes don’t reach far enough to hit multiple enemies.
- Overcommitting to Blaster – While 4 Blaster synergy is great, don’t force it at the cost of core synergy or tanking.
Matchups & Interactions
| Enemy Troop | Executioner Matchup |
|---|---|
| Witch | Excellent — axes cut through summons easily |
| Ranger | Good — straight-line range bypasses tanks |
| Royal Ghost | Moderate — ghost’s invisibility can dodge one throw |
| Goblin Machine | Weak — too tanky to take out quickly |
| Bandit | Risky — stuns interrupt his attack cycle |
| Mega Knight | Great support counter — Executioner softens groups for the jump |
Sample Team Core
Let’s say you’re building a comp where Executioner isn’t the hero—but the enabler.
- Executioner (Ace, Blaster)
- Musketeer (Noble, Blaster)
- P.E.K.K.A. (Ace, Brawler) – tank + captain
- Princess (Noble, Ranger) – backline AoE finisher
- Knight (Noble, Juggernaut) – frontline buffer
- Spirit Empress (Clan, Mage) – utility and merge control
This team leverages:
- Blaster (4) for boosted projectile damage
- Ace (2) for faster start
- Noble (2) for backline damage buff
- Solid frontline to hold enemy units in place
Executioner acts as a setup man, softening enemies so Princess and Musketeer can sweep them away.
Final Thoughts
Executioner is not your star, but he’s often the reason your stars shine.
He doesn’t rely on high burst. He doesn’t chase targets. He just throws massive spinning axes down straight lines—and if you’ve built around that, he will provide enormous, consistent value all game long.
Pick him when you want predictable AoE, a safe ranged option, and someone to break apart tightly packed enemy cores. Just don’t expect him to carry without support.