Clash Royale added Star Levels to let players make their cards look cooler. If you have seen a golden, sparkly card in someone’s deck and wondered whether it deals more damage or has more health — good news: this guide will explain everything in simple words.
Short answer: It’s only cosmetic
Star Levels change how a card looks. They add golden borders, shiny deploy effects, and sparkles on the troops or their equipment. Star Levels do not change any game numbers — no extra damage, no extra hitpoints, no faster attack speed. They are purely visual. If you face a player with Star Level 3 cards, those cards will behave exactly the same in battle as non-starred cards of the same level. (Clash Royale Wiki)
Where Star Levels come from (very short)
To get Star Levels you need Star Points. Star Points are a resource you earn by doing usual in-game things like upgrading cards and sometimes from events or donations (rules have changed a little over time). Once you have enough Star Points, you can spend them to add 1, 2, or 3 star levels to a card that is already max level (or meets the game’s requirements). Each Star Level costs a set amount of Star Points. (Clash Royale Wiki)
The three visual tiers
Star Levels are usually shown in a few steps:
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Star Level 1: A golden deploy glow and a small golden border around the card.
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Star Level 2: Bigger golden changes like more particles or shiny clothing/armor on the troop sprite.
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Star Level 3: The most dramatic cosmetic changes — extra gold details, more particle effects, sometimes unique animations.
Remember: all those changes are visual only. They make the card stand out, but they don’t affect gameplay. (Clash Royale Wiki)
Why players buy or grind Star Levels
There are a few reasons players go for Star Levels:
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Show off progress: A golden card signals you’ve played a lot and invested resources in the game. For many players that’s a status thing.
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Personal taste: Some people simply like the look of golden troops — it makes their deck feel unique.
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Channeling stream/YouTube style: Content creators often like flashy visuals for streams and thumbnails.
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Completionist goals: If you like “collecting” everything in a game, Star Levels are another checklist item.
But none of these reasons will make your deck stronger in matches — they are about looks, not stats. (The Gamer)
Do Star Levels affect matchmaking or tournaments?
No. Matchmaking and official competitive rules consider card levels, trophies, and formats, but not cosmetics. If you join a tournament or ladder game, the game does not treat a starred card as stronger. Tournament rules and balance focuses remain on card level and game mechanics, not on how a card looks. (The Gamer)
Are Star Levels permanent? Can you remove them?
When you spend Star Points to add a Star Level, that cosmetic upgrade is applied to that card for your account. It’s not temporary in the sense of disappearing on its own — you keep the look until you change it (if options to revert are provided in future updates). Star Points once spent are usually not refunded, so treat them like a cosmetic purchase you want to keep. Always check the in-game notes before spending. (Clash Royale Wiki)
How to get Star Points (quick list)
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Upgrading cards (especially when you reach high card/king levels).
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Donating cards in clan (depending on current rules).
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Special events and rewards (sometimes give Star Points).
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Shop or seasonal rewards (occasionally Star Points appear in shop rotations).
Game systems can change, so check the game’s current update notes when you plan to farm or spend Star Points. For example, Supercell often updates progression systems that can adjust how cosmetics are earned. (Clash Royale Wiki)
Are Star Levels worth it?
That depends on what you want from the game.
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If you care about looks and want to stand out, Star Levels are worth it.
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If you’re focused on competitive improvement, they give no advantage, so you can skip them.
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If you like being a collector or supporting the devs through in-game purchases, cosmetic upgrades are a safe choice because they do not unbalance the game.
So “worth it” is personal — cosmetic value vs. resource cost. (The Gamer)
Common player questions — quick answers
Q: Do starred cards give any hidden bonus?
A: No. There are no hidden bonuses — visuals only. (Clash Royale Wiki)
Q: Can opponents see my Star Levels in battle?
A: Yes. The golden effects appear when the card is deployed, so your opponent sees the cosmetics in real time. (Clash Royale Wiki)
Q: Will Star Levels ever affect gameplay in future?
A: Game systems can change, but so far Supercell has kept Star Levels cosmetic. Watch official update notes for any future changes. Recent updates sometimes change progression mechanics (so always check the patch notes). (Supercell)
Tips if you want to get Star Levels
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Focus on a few favorite cards — Star Points can be limited. Upgrading one or two cards you love gives the best visual payoff. (Clash Royale Wiki)
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Check the shop and events — sometimes Star Points or discounts appear in the shop or as event rewards. (Clash Royale Wiki)
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Don’t spend if you need gold or upgrades — if you are short on core progression resources, prioritize card upgrades over cosmetics unless you want the look more than the power. (Supercell)
Final thoughts
Star Levels in Clash Royale are a well-designed cosmetic system. They let players make their cards shine and feel more personal without changing gameplay balance. If you like how your deck looks and want to show off, go for it. If you want only power, you can safely ignore Star Levels — your battle skill and smart upgrades matter far more than a sparkle.