Quick answer: The most reliable way to counter Hog Cycle is to stop every 4-elixir Hog Rider with a troop it cannot hit back, such as Mini P.E.K.K.A, Valkyrie or Electro Wizard, and then punish the elixir they just spent — Mini P.E.K.K.A (4 elixir, 755 damage per hit) kills a Level 11 Hog Rider (1,697 hitpoints) in two hits plus two Princess Tower shots.
Hog Cycle is the most-played archetype in five of TrophyCoach's six trophy bands in the October 12, 2026 meta_trends snapshot. It holds 16.41% popularity under 5,000 trophies (sample 30,490) and between 8.74% and 13.30% in every band above that. Only at 5,000–6,000 does Goblin Barrel Bait edge it into second place. Two narrower Hog Rider labels sit alongside it: Hog 2.6 (1.79% to 2.65% in every band) and Hog EQ (2.51% at 9,000+). Four building-only hogs split across two lanes are a different matchup, covered in the Royal Hogs counter guide.
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Which cards counter Hog Cycle?
Mini P.E.K.K.A, Valkyrie, Electro Wizard and Skeleton Army are the counters this guide recommends first, because each stops a Hog Rider for 3 to 4 elixir. Mega Knight (7 elixir) is better read as a deck-level answer than a Hog stopper. The tables below list a selection of measured counters with their battle counts.
How to read the tables: each lists a selection of measured counters, most-played first (win-rate and impact figures are withheld), and "Battles with counter" counts the October 6–12, 2026 battles in which a Hog Rider deck faced that card. They cover Hog Cycle, Hog 2.6 and Hog EQ together. Counter Lookup shows the live version.
Under 5,000
| # | Counter card | Battles with counter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Wizard | 10,855 |
| 2 |  Skeleton Army | 9,739 |
| 3 |  Mini P.E.K.K.A | 9,390 |
| 4 |  Valkyrie | 9,288 |
| 5 |  Mega Knight | 3,300 |
| 6 |  Princess | 2,848 |
| 7 |  Electro Wizard | 2,476 |
| 8 |  Firecracker | 1,784 |
| 9 |  Executioner | 401 |
| 10 |  Electro Dragon | 372 |
Listed most-played first (by battles with the counter) on Hog Rider results.
5,000–6,000
| # | Counter card | Battles with counter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skeleton Army | 5,465 |
| 2 | Wizard | 5,092 |
| 3 | Mini P.E.K.K.A | 4,628 |
| 4 | Valkyrie | 4,617 |
| 5 | Mega Knight | 3,759 |
| 6 | Electro Wizard | 2,654 |
| 7 | Firecracker | 2,112 |
| 8 |  Dart Goblin | 2,059 |
| 9 |  Zap | 1,986 |
| 10 |  Archers | 1,801 |
Listed most-played first (by battles with the counter) on Hog Rider results.
6,000–7,000
| # | Counter card | Battles with counter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skeleton Army | 6,078 |
| 2 | Valkyrie | 5,527 |
| 3 | Mini P.E.K.K.A | 5,416 |
| 4 | Mega Knight | 4,471 |
| 5 |  Arrows | 3,591 |
| 6 | Electro Wizard | 3,554 |
| 7 | Firecracker | 2,747 |
| 8 |  Goblin Gang | 2,426 |
| 9 | Zap | 2,360 |
| 10 | Archers | 1,996 |
Listed most-played first (by battles with the counter) on Hog Rider results.
7,000–8,000
| # | Counter card | Battles with counter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skeleton Army | 6,567 |
| 2 | Valkyrie | 6,198 |
| 3 | Mini P.E.K.K.A | 5,460 |
| 4 | Mega Knight | 5,272 |
| 5 | Electro Wizard | 4,258 |
| 6 | Firecracker | 3,693 |
| 7 | Dart Goblin | 3,036 |
| 8 | Zap | 2,659 |
| 9 | Goblin Gang | 2,571 |
| 10 | Archers | 2,056 |
Listed most-played first (by battles with the counter) on Hog Rider results.
8,000–9,000
| # | Counter card | Battles with counter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valkyrie | 6,603 |
| 2 | Skeleton Army | 6,100 |
| 3 | Mega Knight | 5,715 |
| 4 | Wizard | 5,559 |
| 5 | Mini P.E.K.K.A | 5,413 |
| 6 |  Knight | 5,226 |
| 7 | Arrows | 5,007 |
| 8 | Firecracker | 4,561 |
| 9 | Dart Goblin | 3,448 |
| 10 | Zap | 2,953 |
Listed most-played first (by battles with the counter) on Hog Rider results.
9,000+
| # | Counter card | Battles with counter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Barbarian Barrel | 6,558 |
| 2 | Zap | 5,107 |
| 3 | Mini P.E.K.K.A | 4,501 |
| 4 |  Tornado | 4,194 |
| 5 | Mega Knight | 3,919 |
| 6 |  Poison | 2,670 |
| 7 |  Bowler | 2,430 |
| 8 |  Golem | 1,668 |
| 9 |  Goblin Cage | 1,444 |
| 10 |  Hunter | 1,096 |
Listed most-played first (by battles with the counter) on Hog Rider results.
What does each Hog Rider counter actually do?
Hog Rider counters do one of four jobs: deal heavy damage before the Hog connects, splash the Hog and its support at once, swarm a unit that never hits back, or punish the 4-elixir commitment on offense. It lists every card in at least one band's table above; the roles are editorial.
| Counter card | Elixir | Job against Hog Rider |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Knight | 7 | Splash on the push, then a counter-push |
| Mini P.E.K.K.A | 4 | Kills the Hog in two hits with tower help |
| Valkyrie | 4 | Spins through Hog, Ice Golem and Skeletons |
| Electro Wizard | 4 | Stuns reset the Hog; hits air |
| Skeleton Army | 3 | Swarm the Hog never attacks |
| Wizard | 5 | Ranged splash from behind the tower |
| Executioner | 5 | Returning axe hits the Hog twice |
| Princess | 3 | Long-range splash on cycle cards |
| Firecracker | 3 | Long-range splash; hits air |
| Electro Dragon | 5 | Chain stun from the air |
| Dart Goblin | 3 | Fast long-range chip |
| Archers | 3 | Shoot the Hog from both sides |
| Zap | 2 | Stun reset; clears Skeletons |
| Arrows | 3 | Clears Skeletons, Goblins, Spirits |
| Goblin Gang | 3 | Cheap swarm with spears |
| Knight | 3 | Cheap body-block and tank |
| Goblin Cage | 4 | Building the Hog must stop for |
| Tornado | 3 | Pulls the Hog to the centre or King |
| Bowler | 5 | Knocks the Hog back |
| Poison | 4 | Wins the spell trade on cycle cards |
| Hunter | 4 | Point-blank burst |
| Barbarian Barrel | 2 | Ground clear plus a blocker |
| Golem | 8 | Not a defender: out-pushes Hog decks |
Two cautions apply. Goblin Cage is the only building listed in any table, and Hog decks often carry Earthquake or Fireball for buildings. And Mega Knight and Golem are better read as deck-level answers than Hog stoppers. A table listing says nothing about how well a card counters Hog Cycle, so placement and timing matter as much as the card choice.
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Where do you meet Hog Cycle?
Hog Cycle peaks at the bottom of the ladder (16.41% under 5,000) and dips to 9.90% at 5,000–6,000 before climbing to 13.30% at 8,000–9,000.
— = not among that band's 30 most-played archetypes in the latest snapshot (not zero; meta_trends stores the top 30 only).
Why does TrophyCoach split Hog decks into three labels?
TrophyCoach labels every deck with one classifier. Unless an earlier rule already named the deck for another win condition (Golem, Giant, Graveyard, Miner, X-Bow and others take priority), a Hog Rider deck gets one of three labels, in this order:
- Hog EQ: the deck carries Earthquake.
- Hog 2.6: at least three cheap cycle cards (Skeletons, Ice Spirit, Electro Spirit, Cannon, Tesla, Firecracker and similar) and an average of 3.0 elixir or less.
- Hog Cycle: every other Hog Rider deck.
That makes "Hog Cycle" the broad bucket: Hog Exe Nado and any mid-ladder deck that happens to include Hog Rider. The counters work against all three, because only the support changes.
What is Hog Cycle and why does it win?
Hog Cycle is a deck built to send Hog Rider at your tower as often as possible while defending with cheap cards. Hog Rider is a 4-elixir troop that targets buildings only, runs at very fast speed and jumps the river. At Level 11 it has 1,697 hitpoints and hits for 317 every 1.6 seconds.
Hog Cycle wins through three mechanics:
- Cycle speed. A played card returns to hand after exactly 4 more plays, so with 1- and 2-elixir cards the Hog is back before you can rebuild an expensive defence.
- Elixir trades. If each Hog costs you 5 or 6 elixir to stop, they gain elixir every cycle.
- Spells for your answer. Earthquake removes your building; Fireball and The Log clear Skeleton Army, Goblin Gang and Princess.
What does the classic Hog 2.6 list look like?
The classic Hog 2.6 list is the one Hog deck TrophyCoach tracks in all six trophy bands, under the name "Hog 2.6 Cycle".
| Card | Elixir | Role in the deck |
|---|---|---|
 Hog Rider | 4 | Win condition |
 Musketeer | 4 | Ranged defence; anti-air |
 Fireball | 4 | Kills support troops, finishes towers |
 Cannon | 3 | Defensive building |
 Ice Golem | 2 | Mini tank; slows on death and can push the Hog |
 The Log | 2 | Clears swarms and Princess |
 Ice Spirit | 1 | Freeze and cycle |
 Skeletons | 1 | Cheapest defence and cycle |
The average is 2.6 elixir (21 ÷ 8, exactly 2.625). The four cheapest other cards (Ice Spirit, Skeletons, Ice Golem and The Log) cost 6 elixir, so a player who only cycles can replay Hog Rider every 10 elixir: 28.0 seconds in single elixir, 14.0 in double. The Hog 2.6 Cycle Lab animates that loop, and the Hog 2.6 deck guide covers it from the attacker's side. Common swaps are Knight for Ice Golem, Electro Spirit for Ice Spirit, and Zap or Barbarian Barrel for The Log.
What does the Hog EQ list look like?
Hog EQ swaps the Musketeer-and-Fireball core for Earthquake and a sturdier defender. The highest-ranked tracked version at 9,000+ runs Mighty Miner:
| Card | Elixir | Role in the deck |
|---|---|---|
| Hog Rider | 4 | Win condition |
 Mighty Miner | 4 | Champion; tanks and melts defenders |
 Tesla | 4 | Hiding defensive building |
| Firecracker | 3 | Long-range splash; anti-air |
 Earthquake | 3 | Destroys your building, chips the tower |
| Barbarian Barrel | 2 | Ground clear and a Barbarian |
 Electro Spirit | 1 | Chain stun and cycle |
| Skeletons | 1 | Cheap defence and cycle |
The average is 2.75 elixir (22 ÷ 8). The four cheapest other cards cost 7 elixir, so the loop is 11 elixir: 30.8 seconds in single elixir, 15.4 in double. Cannon replaces Tesla in several tracked versions, and another tracked version runs Valkyrie, The Log and Ice Spirit in place of Mighty Miner, Barbarian Barrel and Electro Spirit (also 2.75 elixir). Earthquake is a 3-elixir spell with a 3.5-tile radius that lasts 3 seconds and deals extra damage to buildings; its Crown Tower damage has been 147 since the June 1, 2026 patch.
What do the other Hog Cycle lists look like?
Inside the broad Hog Cycle label, the list TrophyCoach tracks in the most bands (four) is Hog Exe Nado: Hog Rider, Executioner, Valkyrie, Tornado, Rocket, Goblins, The Log and Ice Spirit. It averages 3.4 elixir (27 ÷ 8), and its 12-elixir loop takes 33.6 seconds in single elixir and 16.8 in double. Under 5,000, the tracked Hog Cycle lists pair Hog Rider with heavier cards such as Witch, Prince, Minion Horde and Wizard; those decks are slow, and the splash counters in the tables handle them comfortably.
How do you place a building against Hog Rider?
The 4-3 plant is the standard building placement against Hog Rider: 4 tiles below the river and 3 tiles in from your Princess Tower, toward the centre line, on the side the Hog is attacking. Sideways, it has to sit close enough to the middle that the Hog turns to it before reaching your tower, and close enough to the tower that the tower keeps shooting the Hog while it hits the building. The Clash Royale glossary explains pulling in general.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ river ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [bridge] : [bridge] | Hog lane : | 4 tiles down : v : [Building] : <- between tower and centre line [Princess Tower] : [Princess Tower] [King Tower]
Two rules:
- Place it as the Hog reaches the river, not before. An early building gives them time to line up Earthquake or a pushing troop.
- Watch for the pig push. An Ice Golem or Skeletons placed right behind the Hog can shove it past a 4-3 building and onto the tower. When you see the pusher, defend with a troop instead.
Which building is best against Hog Rider?
Goblin Cage is the only building listed in the Hog Rider tables, at 9,000+ (1,444 battles). Cannon, Tesla and Inferno Tower still stop a Hog that runs into them.
| Building | Elixir | Strength against Hog Rider | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goblin Cage | 4 | Hog must stop for it; the Goblin Brawler it releases keeps fighting after the Cage falls | 4 elixir, slower to cycle than Cannon |
| Cannon | 3 | Cheapest pull; takes 3 Hog hits to destroy (824 hitpoints at Level 11) | Earthquake's building bonus plus Hog hits removes it fast |
| Tesla | 4 | Hides underground, hits air, more hitpoints than Cannon (1,182 vs 824 at Level 11) | 25-second lifetime since June 1, 2026 |
 Inferno Tower | 5 | Melts Hog and any tank | Reset by Electro Spirit, Zap or Ice Spirit freeze |
If you run a building, treat it as your cheapest answer, not your only one.
What do you do when they Earthquake your building?
Earthquake is Hog EQ's answer to every building, so make the building a decoy:
- Bait it first. Build only when you also have a troop ready; if they Earthquake, the troop takes the next Hog.
- Count the cycle. Earthquake returns to hand after exactly 4 more plays. Build only once you have seen it played and fewer than four cards have followed.
- Switch to troops. Mini P.E.K.K.A, Valkyrie, Electro Wizard and Mega Knight take far less from Earthquake than a building does.
Which troops stop Hog Rider without a building?
Troops stop Hog Rider because the Hog never fights back: it targets buildings only, so a troop in its path takes no Hog damage. Place the defender in the Hog's path on your side of the river so it starts hitting as the Hog lands.
How does Mini P.E.K.K.A stop Hog Rider?
Mini P.E.K.K.A stops Hog Rider in two hits with tower help. At Level 11 it deals 755 damage per hit; two hits do 1,510 against the Hog's 1,697 hitpoints, and two Princess Tower shots (109 each) cover the rest. Mini P.E.K.K.A costs 4 elixir, an even trade, and survives to counter-push: Fireball alone does not kill it (689 damage against 1,390 hitpoints at Level 11).
How does Valkyrie stop Hog Rider?
Valkyrie stops Hog Rider by spinning through the Hog and whatever cycle card came with it. She is listed in five bands (9,288 battles under 5,000). At 4 elixir she clears Ice Golem, Skeletons and Goblins with the Hog, then tanks for a counter-push.
How does Electro Wizard stop Hog Rider?
Electro Wizard stops Hog Rider with stuns that reset its run and its hits. He is listed in four bands (7,000–8,000: 4,258 battles), and he is one of Season 88's boosted cards, so he plays at Level 16 this season. His deploy zap and every attack stun the Hog, so it takes extra Princess Tower shots before it lands a hit. Hog 2.6 answers him with Fireball, so keep him out of range of a Fireball that also reaches your tower.
How do Skeleton Army and Goblin Gang stop Hog Rider?
Skeleton Army stops Hog Rider for 3 elixir when the opponent cannot clear it, and it is the most-played counter listed in four bands (9,739 battles under 5,000). The Hog never attacks Skeletons, so a full army kills it with no losses. The catch is spells: The Log in Hog 2.6, Barbarian Barrel and Earthquake in Hog EQ, The Log in Exe Nado. Track them:
- Spell in hand: use a building or a single sturdy troop instead.
- Spell just played: Skeleton Army or Goblin Gang is a near-free stop.
Higher-trophy Hog players hold The Log for it, so a Skeleton Army into a held Log is a 3-for-2 loss.
How do Tornado and the King Tower beat Hog Cycle?
Tornado beats Hog Cycle by pulling the Hog away from your Princess Tower, either into the middle where both towers shoot it or into your King Tower to activate it. It is listed at 9,000+ (4,194 battles). Tornado costs 3 elixir and has a 5.5-tile radius. An active King Tower adds a third shooter to every later Hog defence. Cast it close to your King Tower, with the Hog's path inside the radius, so the pull drags the Hog onto the King.
How do you defend each Hog deck?
Each Hog deck is identified by its first few cards: Musketeer or Fireball means Hog 2.6, Earthquake or Mighty Miner means Hog EQ, and Executioner, Rocket or Tornado means Exe Nado.
How do you beat Hog 2.6?
Hog 2.6 is beaten by defending each Hog for 4 elixir or less and attacking where Cannon is not:
- Answer Hog with Mini P.E.K.K.A, Valkyrie or Electro Wizard and counter-push with the survivor.
- Keep your defenders out of Fireball range of your tower. A Fireball that hits both your troop and your tower (159 Crown Tower damage since September 8, 2026) is their best trade.
- Use the Cannon window. When they spend Cannon defending one lane, push the other lane; Cannon returns to hand after exactly 4 more plays, so it cannot answer you until then.
- Out-tank their defence. A Mega Knight or Golem push makes them spend Cannon, Musketeer and Skeletons on one lane, and none of those is back for at least 4 more plays.
How do you beat Hog EQ?
Hog EQ is beaten by defending with one sturdy troop per Hog and keeping Mighty Miner away from the push:
- Troops over buildings. Valkyrie and Mini P.E.K.K.A survive Earthquake; a Cannon is exactly what Earthquake is there to remove.
- Separate Mighty Miner from the Hog. Its damage ramps up the longer it attacks one target, so kill or kite it before it reaches your tower.
- Goblin Cage at 9,000+. It is the only building in the 9,000+ table (1,444 battles), and the Brawler it releases keeps fighting after Earthquake.
- Bowler and Poison. Both appear at 9,000+: Bowler knocks the Hog back, and Poison wins the trade on Firecracker, Skeletons and Electro Spirit.
How do you beat Hog Exe Nado and other Hog Cycle lists?
Hog Exe Nado is beaten by out-pushing it, because it defends well but attacks slowly (16.8 seconds per Hog in double elixir). Defend the Hog with Mini P.E.K.K.A or a building, keep swarms away from Executioner and Tornado, and push the opposite lane when they spend 6 elixir on Rocket.
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How do you punish Hog Cycle on offense?
Hog Cycle is punished by attacking the moment the opponent commits Hog Rider plus a support card, because the Hog cannot defend. Hog Rider plus Ice Golem is 6 elixir; Hog Rider, Mighty Miner and Electro Spirit are 9.
Three offensive rules:
- Counter-push with the defender. A Mini P.E.K.K.A, Valkyrie or Mega Knight that survives defence becomes a free push.
- Push the opposite lane in double elixir, when you can afford a defender and an attack in the same cycle.
- Bring a tank. Hog 2.6 has no Inferno Tower, and Cannon plus Musketeer struggle to stop an 8-elixir Golem with support behind it, which is why Golem (1,668 battles) is listed at 9,000+.
Do not race blindly. A Level 11 Princess Tower has 3,052 hitpoints, so ten 317-damage Hog hits take it; defend every Hog first and attack with what survives.
Which decks beat Hog Cycle?
Mega Knight, Mega Knight Bait, Golem Beatdown and Splashyard are the four tracked decks whose cards interact best with Hog Cycle, as an editorial judgment from card interactions: Trophy Road matchup results are withheld, and only the 9,000+ verdicts below are TrophyCoach's measured archetype-matchup results.
| Deck | Avg elixir | Counter cards in the list | Why it works | 9,000+ verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Knight (Valkyrie, Wizard) | 4.0 | Mega Knight, Mini P.E.K.K.A, Valkyrie, Wizard, Archers | Cheap troops take each Hog; Mega Knight counter-pushes | vs Hog Cycle: roughly even. vs Hog 2.6: slightly favourable |
| Mega Knight Bait | 3.4 | Mega Knight, Goblin Cage, Goblin Gang, Dart Goblin, Zap | Goblin Cage pulls the Hog; bait cards overload the Log | vs Hog Cycle: slightly favourable. vs Hog 2.6: favourable |
| Golem Beatdown | 4.1 | Golem, Mini P.E.K.K.A, Zap, Arrows | An 8-elixir Golem push outweighs Cannon and Musketeer | vs Hog Cycle: slightly favourable. vs Hog 2.6: favourable |
| Splashyard | 3.4 | Tornado, Poison, Barbarian Barrel, Knight | Tombstone and Knight stop the Hog; Graveyard plus Poison forces a spell trade | vs Hog Cycle: favourable. vs Hog 2.6: no result |
How does Mega Knight with Valkyrie and Wizard play against Hog Cycle?
Mega Knight with Valkyrie and Wizard plays Hog Cycle with cheap troop answers: Mini P.E.K.K.A, Valkyrie, Wizard and Archers each stop a Hog for 4 elixir or less. The tracked list (6,000–8,000) is Mega Knight, Valkyrie, Archers, Wizard, Bomber, Mini P.E.K.K.A, Musketeer and Goblin Barrel, 4.0 elixir (32 ÷ 8).
Mini P.E.K.K.A or Valkyrie takes each Hog while Wizard and Bomber clear the cycle cards, and Mega Knight lands on the push and walks on as a counter-push. Its weakness is the slow cycle (26.6 seconds back to Mega Knight in double elixir), so do not spend it on a lone Hog. The Mega Knight counter guide covers this deck from the other side.
How does Mega Knight Bait play against Hog Cycle?
Mega Knight Bait pressures Hog Cycle by out-baiting its Log. The tracked list (under 5,000 to 8,000) is Mega Knight, Goblin Cage, Goblin Barrel, Skeleton Barrel, Goblin Gang, Dart Goblin, Bats and Zap, 3.4 elixir (27 ÷ 8).
Goblin Cage pulls the Hog and Goblin Gang finishes it when The Log is out of cycle. Hog 2.6 has only The Log and Fireball to answer Goblin Barrel, Skeleton Barrel, Goblin Gang and Bats, so the bait cards keep landing. The Log Bait counter guide explains the bait family.
When does Golem Beatdown beat Hog Cycle?
Golem Beatdown is slightly favourable against Hog Cycle at 9,000+. The tracked 9,000+ list is Golem, Mini P.E.K.K.A, Elite Barbarians, Phoenix, Night Witch, Bomber, Zap and Arrows, 4.1 elixir (33 ÷ 8).
Mini P.E.K.K.A or Elite Barbarians kills each Hog, and a Golem with Night Witch or Phoenix behind it is more than Cannon and Musketeer can stop. The risk is the first minute: a Golem in the back while a Hog connects is a free 317 per hit, so defend the first two Hogs before you commit 8 elixir. The Beatdown counter guide covers Golem from the other side.
When does Splashyard beat Hog Cycle?
Splashyard is favourable against Hog Cycle at 9,000+, where Tornado (3 elixir), Poison (4), Barbarian Barrel (2) and Knight (3) all answer the Hog cheaply. The tracked list is Graveyard, Baby Dragon, Tombstone, Knight, Ice Wizard, Poison, Tornado and Barbarian Barrel, 3.4 elixir (27 ÷ 8).
Tombstone pulls the Hog, Knight body-blocks, and Tornado drags the first Hog into the King Tower. Graveyard plus Poison then forces the 2.6 deck's cheap defenders into a spell trade they lose. Read the Graveyard counter guide for the reverse view.
What changed for Hog Cycle in Season 88?
Hog Rider received no change in the October 6, 2026 balance patch, and Hog Cycle's core cards were left alone apart from three small changes. Figures are as published by Supercell (Level 11):
- Cannon Evolution — Impact: small. Barrage damage 281 → 261 (−7%). It affects Hog 2.6 players who run Evo Cannon, and your own Evo Cannon on defence.
- Skeletons — Impact: small. Tighter spawn spread, with no figure published, so your Valkyrie, Wizard or Zap hits all three more often.
- Barbarian Barrel — Impact: small. Damage 232 → 215 (−8%). It is in the Hog EQ list and is the most-played Hog Rider counter at 9,000+ (6,558 battles).
Electro Wizard and Electro Spirit are each one of Season 88's boosted cards, so each plays at Level 16 this season.
Earlier Season 86–87 changes still shape the matchup:
- Ice Golem — Impact: small. Hitpoints 1,315 → 1,228 (−7%) and slow 2.0s → 2.5s (+25%), on September 8, 2026: easier to kill, but it slows your defenders for longer.
- Goblin Cage — Impact: small. Goblin Brawler hitpoints 1,080 → 1,121 (+4%) on September 8, 2026, for the only building in the 9,000+ counter table.
- Wizard — Impact: small. Damage 281 → 304 (+8%) on September 8, 2026, for a counter listed in three bands.
- Mighty Miner — Impact: small. Base damage 40 → 43 (+6%) on August 3, 2026, enough to two-shot Skeletons at every level; it is the Hog EQ list's champion.
- Ice Spirit and Electro Spirit — Impact: small. Level 11 hitpoints 230 → 215 (−6%) on August 3, 2026, and neither connects to a Crown Tower on its own any more, so they no longer add free chip damage.
Fireball's Crown Tower damage fell 172 → 159 (−8%) on September 8, so a Fireball now takes 13 fewer tower hitpoints, which can leave alive a tower it used to finish. For the earlier post-patch view, see the Cannon nerf analysis for 7,000+ trophies and the Shocktober Season 88 guide.
What are the most common mistakes against Hog Cycle?
Mistakes against Hog Cycle mostly come from over-defending one Hog.
Mistake 1 — Over-spending on one Hog. Dropping Knight, Musketeer and Ice Spirit on a single Hog costs 8 elixir against their 4, and the Hog is back in hand 14.0 seconds later in double elixir. One defender of 4 elixir or less per Hog is the target.
Mistake 2 — Relying on a building alone against Hog EQ. Earthquake (3 elixir) deals extra damage to buildings, and a Cannon falls to 3 Hog hits even without it. Keep a troop answer for every Hog EQ push.
Mistake 3 — Placing a swarm into an unplayed spell. Skeleton Army into The Log is a 3-for-2 loss and a free Hog hit. Wait until The Log, Barbarian Barrel or Fireball has been used.
Mistake 4 — Defending at the tower instead of at the river. A Mini P.E.K.K.A placed next to the tower risks a 317-damage Hog hit before the first swing. Meet the Hog as it lands from its jump.
Mistake 5 — Never punishing the other lane. Defend without attacking and they cycle the next Hog for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best card to counter Hog Rider?
Mini P.E.K.K.A is the most reliable troop counter to Hog Rider: it costs 4 elixir, the same as the Hog. Its 755-damage hits kill a Level 11 Hog Rider (1,697 hitpoints) in two swings plus two Princess Tower shots.
Does Mega Knight counter Hog Cycle?
Mega Knight counters Hog Cycle as a whole deck rather than as a pure Hog stopper. The 7-elixir card lands on the Hog push and then counter-pushes into a deck with no heavy defender.
How do I stop Hog Rider when they Earthquake my building?
Earthquake costs 3 elixir and deals extra damage to buildings, so defend Hog EQ with a troop such as Mini P.E.K.K.A or Valkyrie. Build only after Earthquake has been played and fewer than 4 cards have followed it.
Did Hog Rider get nerfed in the October 6, 2026 patch?
Hog Rider was not changed in the October 6, 2026 patch, nor in any patch since May 4, 2026. The nearest change was Evo Cannon's barrage damage, 281 → 261 (−7%).
Is the 4-3 placement the same on both sides of the arena?
The 4-3 placement is symmetrical: 4 tiles below the river and 3 tiles in from your Princess Tower, toward the centre line, on whichever side the Hog Rider is attacking. Only the lane changes, not the tile count.
How fast does Hog 2.6 cycle back to Hog Rider?
Hog 2.6 replays Hog Rider every 10 elixir of pure cycling: every 14.0 seconds in double elixir and every 28.0 seconds in single. The card returns to hand after exactly 4 more plays, so count four cards after each Hog.
What is the difference between Hog Cycle, Hog 2.6 and Hog EQ?
Hog EQ is a Hog Rider deck with Earthquake; Hog 2.6 is one with at least 3 cheap cycle cards and an average of 3.0 elixir or less; Hog Cycle is every other Hog Rider deck not already labelled for another win condition such as Golem. Hog Cycle is the largest of the three, at 16.41% popularity under 5,000 trophies.