If you’ve spent any amount of time grinding Clash Royale matches, you’ve almost certainly noticed the tiny gold star icons next to max-level cards in your collection, or spotted flashy golden card effects in battles against higher-ranked players. If you’ve ever asked what does upgrading star level do in Clash Royale, you’re not alone. Lots of new players write off star levels as a useless waste of resources, but after 6 years of playing across 3 accounts (one fully free-to-play, two mini accounts), I can tell you there’s more to these upgrades than just shiny visuals. This guide breaks down every perk, common myth, and actionable tip to make the most of your star points.
What Does Upgrading Star Level Do in Clash Royale: Core Perks Breakdown
First, let’s cover the most obvious benefit of upgrading star levels: exclusive cosmetic effects for your cards. Each card has up to 3 star levels, and each tier unlocks new visual tweaks, from small golden accents to full golden card art and particle effects. For example, a Star Level 3 Hog Rider has full golden armor, a golden hammer, and leaves a trail of gold dust as he runs to the opponent’s tower. These effects don’t just look cool, they also serve small practical purposes that many players don’t notice at first.
Star level upgrades make it easier to track your maxed cards in battle. When you’re in a fast-paced match, you can instantly tell which of your cards are maxed just by their visual effect, so you don’t have to second-guess if your card will win a specific interaction. You can also spot maxed cards in your opponent’s deck quickly, which helps you adjust your elixir spending and placement strategy on the fly.
Star level upgrades count towards your account progression profile. When other players visit your profile after a match, they can see how many star level cards you have across your collection. For many long-time players, a full set of Star Level 3 cards for their main deck is a point of pride, as it shows they’ve put in hundreds of hours grinding to max their most used cards. You also unlock special profile badges for hitting certain star level milestones, which you can display to show off your progress.
On top of card upgrades, you can also spend star points on limited-edition golden tower skins that drop during seasonal events. These skins change the look of your king and princess towers for the entire season, and many of them are only available for a few weeks before they’re gone for good.
How to Earn Star Points to Upgrade Your Card Star Levels
You unlock the ability to earn star points as soon as you hit King Level 6, though you won’t be able to use them to upgrade star levels until you have at least one max-level card in your collection. Star points are earned from a wide range of in-game activities, so even free-to-play players can earn thousands of points every season without spending a dime. If you want to farm star points fast, focus on these high-yield sources:
- Upgrade common and rare cards first when you hit King Level 14, since they cost far less gold to max and give you more star points per gold spent than epic or legendary cards
- Complete all daily and weekly clan war missions, as they give out consistent star point rewards every season, even if your clan doesn’t place high in the leaderboards
- Prioritize free pass royale tiers that give star points before spending gems on premium tiers, if you’re a free-to-play player who doesn’t want to spend real money
- Participate in special seasonal challenges, as they often offer bonus star point bundles for easy 3-win runs that take less than 10 minutes to complete
Don't waste star points on cards you never use. It’s tempting to upgrade every new max card you get, but star points are far more valuable when you spend them on cards you use in your main deck, so you get to see the effects every single time you play. I made the mistake of upgrading 10+ random cards early on, and I had to wait 2 full seasons to save up enough points to upgrade my main Hog Rider card to Star Level 3.
Common Misconceptions About Star Level Upgrades
There are a lot of false claims floating around about star levels, so let’s bust the most common ones first. The biggest myth I see is that star levels give you stat boosts to your cards. That’s 100% false. Star levels don’t affect damage, health, speed, hit speed, or any other in-game stat, so they don’t give any player a competitive edge. This is one of the only progression systems in Clash Royale that’s completely pay-to-win free, which is a big win for casual players.
Another common myth is that star levels put you at a competitive disadvantage, because your flashy golden cards are easier for opponents to spot. I’ve heard players say they avoid upgrading star levels because they don’t want opponents to react faster to their plays. That’s not based on any real data, in my experience. Most players are focused on tracking elixir counts, card placements, and their own hand cycle during matches, so they rarely notice the color of your cards. Star levels never give you a competitive disadvantage unless you intentionally choose flashy effects that distract you, not your opponent. I’ve used full Star Level 3 decks for 3 years, and my win rate hasn’t changed at all compared to when I used unstarred cards.
The last myth is that you have to spend real money to get enough star points for upgrades. That’s not true either. I’m fully free-to-play on my main account, and I have 127 Star Level 3 cards right now, plus enough star points saved up for 3 more upgrades. You just have to be consistent with completing daily missions and clan wars, and you’ll have more than enough points for the cards you care about.
Tips for Choosing Which Cards to Upgrade Star Levels First
If you’re new to star levels and don’t know where to spend your points, start with the cards in your current main deck. These are the cards you use every single game, so you’ll get the most enjoyment out of their upgraded effects. For example, if you main a Log Bait deck, upgrade your Goblin Barrel, Princess, Knight, and Log first, before you touch any cards you only use once in a while for challenges.
Next, prioritize cards with the most noticeable and fun star level effects. Some cards have tiny, barely visible changes when you upgrade their star level, while others have full makeovers that make the game feel way more fun. Some of my favorite star level effects include the Star Level 3 Pekka’s full golden armor, the Star Level 3 Balloon’s golden confetti explosion when it pops, and the Star Level 3 Electro Wizard’s golden lightning bolts. You can preview star level effects for any max card by tapping the star icon next to it in your collection, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you spend your points.
If you're a content creator or streamer, upgrading star levels for your most used cards can make your gameplay clips look more polished and engaging for your audience. Golden card effects stand out more on stream, and many viewers love seeing fully maxed out decks in action. If you don’t make content, you can also save your star points for limited time tower skins, which are only available for a few weeks each season and are far more exclusive than regular card star levels.
At the end of the day, star levels are a fun optional reward for long-time players, not a mandatory part of progression. Now you know exactly what does upgrading star level do in Clash Royale, from flashy cosmetic effects to small quality of life perks that make your matches a little more enjoyable. You don’t have to grind for thousands of star points if you don’t care about customizing your cards, but if you do, following the tips in this guide will help you get the most out of every point you earn. I’m currently saving up my star points for a Star Level 3 Miner, my most used card, and I can’t wait to see his little golden shovel pop out of the ground in my next match.
