Clash Royale is gearing up for a major change with many improvements coming with the December 2025 update, and alongside Level 16, Hero Cards is another big addition. They can be compared to Champions, but Heroes take that formula and twist it into something entirely new.
In this article, I will break down everything we know so far: how Heroes work, their abilities, how to unlock them, and my early impressions based on what I’ve seen.
Understanding Heroes in Clash Royale
Heroes are essentially powered-up evolutions of classic Clash Royale troops, but with their own identity, visuals, and ability mechanics. Visually, they look like “golden-tier versions” of existing cards, but in practice, they feel more like gameplay-breaking wild cards that open up new combinations.
Unlike Champions, which re-enter your cycle after defeat, Heroes function like traditional troops but carry a unique ability button, similar to Champion abilities, but with a more exaggerated effect. Each Hero has a defined role, a thematic twist, and an ability that triggers immediately when used.
Some abilities can be used once per deployment, while others grow stronger as they stay on the field. What makes Heroes interesting is that they share deck slots with Champions. This means you choose between Heroes and Champions for your dedicated ability slots.
Your first Hero slot unlocks at Arena 15, while a second slot unlocks later at Arena 25. Deck layouts will automatically adjust once the update rolls out so that any Champion you previously used moves into these new Hero slots.
List of Hero Cards in Clash Royale
Hero Mini P.E.K.K.A
- Elixir Cost: 4
- Special Ability: Breakfast Boost
Something similar to the Super PEKKA, we have Pancakes involved here, too. This Hero becomes stronger the longer it stays on the field by “eating pancakes,” which acts like a level boost. Each pancake adds +1 level, and it can stack up to five pancakes, meaning it can temporarily jump five levels above its base.
Hero Musketeer
- Elixir Cost: 4
- Special Ability: Trusty Turret
Hero Musketeer deploys a small auto-turret in front of her. This turret deals a burst of area damage when placed and then continues targeting both air and ground units. You can say this turret acts like a mini-defense building.
Hero Knight
- Elixir Cost: 3
- Special Ability: Triumphant Taunt
Hero Knight is a strong defensive card here. When you activate his ability, he taunts all nearby enemies, including Crown Towers, and they will start attacking him. While this happens, his temporary shield must be broken first before he takes damage.
Hero Giant
- Elixir Cost: 5
- Special Ability: Heroic Hurl
Hero Giant might have the most entertaining ability of the bunch. With Heroic Hurl, he picks the highest-HP enemy troop in his range and throws it into the opposite lane. This throw deals landing damage and a stun. You can even throw the Evo Mega Knight as well!
How to unlock and get Heroes in Clash Royale
Heroes don’t unlock like normal cards. Instead, you need to collect 200 Hero Fragments to summon a random Hero. These fragments come from the new Hero Boxes, event rewards, and Pass Royale rewards that can directly unlock a Hero or boost your fragment progress.
Also do play the December Crown Chase event, which guarantees your first Hero for free. If you pull a Hero you already own, you’ll receive cards for that Hero along with 60 extra fragments as a bonus.
Read other related Clash Royale articles:
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- Clash Royale Undead March Game Mode best decks guide
- Clash Royale Season 76 “Rock & Role” October 2025 Update and Balance Changes
- Clash Royale Wizard Evolution best decks guide
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