Clash Royale Merge Tactics: Inspiration or Imitation?
Clash Royale is making moves again in the competitive world of mobile gaming. Its new mode, Merge Tactics, has sparked mixed opinions within the community. Is it a natural progression for the game, or an overly blatant adaptation of Teamfight Tactics, Riot Games’ autochess hit?
With an increasingly crowded market of similar titles, Supercell is seeking reinvention by embracing new mechanics that blend genres. Enter Merge Tactics, a formula that fuses Clash Royale’s classic DNA with the fundamental rules of auto-battle strategy games.
What exactly is Merge Tactics?
Unlike traditional matches where players deploy troops in real time, in Merge Tactics battles play out automatically. Players need to position units on a tile board, merge matching cards to level up, and carefully plan troop placement to maximise their damage output.
Each round is quick, involving phases where you can buy, rearrange, or upgrade your units. As you progress, you earn more gold, unlock more cards, and face tougher challenges. Eight players compete, but only one is left standing at the end, in a format clearly inspired by auto-battler titles.
Why is it compared to TFT?
The similarities to TFT were soon noticed.
- Tile grid: Both games use a system of squares for troop placement.
- Card/unit merging: In TFT, you combine three identical units to get a stronger one. Merge Tactics uses an identical system.
- Automatic combat: In both, once the round starts, you lose direct control. The outcome relies on unit placement and synergies.
- Progressive rounds and a gold system: Progress is similar, collecting resources to improve your line-up.
However, Supercell puts its own spin on things—keeping characters from the Clash universe and a faster pace, ideal for short mobile sessions.
Community Reactions
On forums such as Reddit and Discord, many players have welcomed the new mode, appreciating that Supercell is experimenting beyond classic PvP. However, others accuse the studio of lacking originality, arguing that the mechanic is almost a direct copy of TFT and brings no real innovations.
Some even believe these types of modes fragment the game experience, moving away from what made Clash Royale special in its early years.
Strategy or Forced Adaptation?
It’s not the first time Supercell has introduced modes inspired by other successful titles. We already saw with Clash Mini (another autochess) that the studio was interested in exploring these dynamics. Merge Tactics, however, seems to target TFT fans who want a quicker, more direct experience on mobile devices.
The big question is whether it will stand the test of time or prove a passing fad. For this, it will be crucial to:
- Maintain card balance and synergies.
- Deliver regular updates with new challenges.
- Encourage a strategic meta that rewards planning over luck.
Imitation or Evolution?
Merge Tactics isn’t simply a clone, but nor can it separate itself from the autochess formula popularised by TFT. It’s a hybrid that adapts the best of both worlds: the visual identity and familiar universe of Clash Royale, with the strategic mechanics of a growing genre.
If it manages to build a loyal player base and enough tactical depth, Merge Tactics could become a new pillar in the Clash ecosystem.
