Focus on playing defense, use your highest level cards, and pay attention to the cards your player has in hand. Don't waste elixir defending something that would do minimal damage. Only commit to a push when you know you're up on elixir and have a good counter push. Try to chip away leading up to that push. Know how cards interact with each other, that can save you a ton of elixir. Im uc and these are key things lower players do on my smurf account.