Introduction: Clash Royale's October 2025 update brings massive changes to the game with the introduction of Merge Tactics as a seasonal mode, a complete Champion cycle rework, Lucky Chests replacing Lucky Drops, and two powerful new evolutions. This is one of the biggest updates in Clash Royale history!
Champion Cycle Rework - Game Changing Update
The biggest competitive change in this update is the complete overhaul of how Champions work in Clash Royale:
No More 3-Card Cycle
Champions now cycle just like normal cards instead of the restrictive 3-card cycle.
Multiple Champions
You can now have more than one Champion in the Arena at the same time!
Ability Reset
Each time a new Champion is placed, ability cooldowns reset for tactical plays.
Why This Matters
The old 3-card cycle made Champions extremely difficult to balance. Competitive players could exploit the fast cycling, while average players rarely took advantage of it. This change makes Champions more accessible and easier to balance across all skill levels.
Merge Tactics - Now a Seasonal Game Mode
Merge Tactics has been completely redesigned as a seasonal game mode that resets monthly:
Key Changes to Merge Tactics
- Monthly Resets: Your Starsteel (Merge Tactics Trophies) and road progress reset with each monthly update
- Throwers → Blasters: Thrower units have been reworked into Blasters with new mechanics
- New Trait System: Three new Traits added, and Traits now activate in groups of 2, 4, or 6 units
- Fresh Competition: Everyone starts on equal footing each season
What are Blasters?
The new Blaster unit type replaces Throwers with improved mechanics designed for better balance and more strategic gameplay. Blasters excel at dealing area damage while maintaining safer positioning on the battlefield.
Lucky Chests Replace Lucky Drops
The entire Lucky Drop system has been replaced with a new Lucky Chest mechanic featuring three distinct types:
Common Lucky Chests
- Contains Cards and Gold
- Three spins per chest
- Most common drop type
Magic Lucky Chests
- Contains Cards, Gold, Magic items, and cosmetics
- Four spins per chest
- Rare and valuable rewards
Seasonal Lucky Chests
- Themed rewards based on the current season
- Exclusive seasonal cosmetics and items
- Changes monthly with new seasonal content
New Evolutions - Royal Ghost & Skeleton Army
Royal Ghost Evolution
When evolved, Royal Ghost summons two powerful Souldiers who:
- Deal damage when they spawn
- Guard Royal Ghost's spirit as he materializes
- Create a protective barrier for Royal Ghost
- Add extra offensive pressure
Skeleton Army Evolution - General Gerry
The Skeleton Army Evolution introduces General Gerry, who commands the skeletal forces:
- Invisibility: All Skeletons become invisible while General Gerry is alive
- Indestructible: Skeletons cannot be destroyed while the General lives
- Priority Target: Opponents must eliminate General Gerry first to deal with the army
- Strategic Depth: Creates interesting counterplay decisions
Balance Changes
Alongside these major features, the October update includes numerous balance changes to ensure fair gameplay:
- Trait activation thresholds adjusted to 2, 4, and 6 units
- Blaster damage and range rebalanced
- Champion ability cooldowns adjusted for the new cycle system
- Various card tweaks to accommodate the new evolutions
What This Means for Players
Competitive Players
The Champion rework opens up entirely new deck archetypes. Expect to see:
- Dual-Champion control decks
- Fast-cycle Champion strategies
- More diverse tournament meta
Casual Players
Merge Tactics as a seasonal mode gives everyone a fresh start each month, making it easier to compete without months of grinding. Lucky Chests provide better value and more exciting rewards.
Collection Builders
The new evolutions add exciting cards to chase, while Seasonal Lucky Chests offer exclusive cosmetics that rotate monthly.
Getting Started with the Update
Here's how to make the most of the October 2025 update:
- Try the New Evolutions: Experiment with Royal Ghost and Skeleton Army in friendly battles
- Rebuild Your Decks: The Champion changes mean old decks need updating
- Jump into Merge Tactics: Fresh season means everyone starts equal
- Open Lucky Chests: Check out the new reward system
- Read the Full Patch Notes: Understand all balance changes