It didn’t take long for Balatro to make a place for itself in the gaming world, captivating players with its unique blend of strategy and chance. One of the game's standout features is the use of Tarot cards, which can significantly enhance your gameplay. Here’s a detailed guide on how to effectively use Tarot cards in Balatro.
Recommended Videos
Getting Tarot Cards in Balatro
Screenshot by The Escapist
Before you can harness the power of Tarot cards, you need to acquire them. The primary method is through purchasing Arcana Packs available in the Shop. Additionally, you can often find individual Tarot cards for sale within the Shop. Another way to obtain these cards is by discarding a card with a Purple Seal during gameplay.
Using Tarot Cards
Tarot cards in Balatro are consumable items, meaning you can use them immediately upon acquisition. To use a Tarot card, select it from its designated spot in the top right corner of your screen. Once selected, a set of cards that the Tarot card can affect will appear. You then choose the number of cards specified by the Tarot card, confirm your selection, and watch as the Tarot card's effects are applied to your chosen cards.
All Tarot Cards
There are 22 Tarot cards in Balatro, each with unique effects that can dramatically alter your game strategy. Below is a comprehensive list of all Tarot cards and their effects:
| Card | Effect |
|---|---|
| The Fool | Creates the last Tarot or Planet card used during your current run. |
| The Magician | Two cards are enhanced to Lucky Cards. |
| The High Priestess | Creates up to two Planet cards if you have the space for them. |
| The Empress | Two cards are enhanced to Mult Cards. |
| The Emperor | Creates up to two random Tarot cards if you have the space for them. |
| The Hierophant | Two cards are enhanced to Bonus Cards. |
| The Lovers | One card is enhanced to a Wild Card. |
| The Chariot | One card is enhanced to a Steel Card. |
| Justice | One card is enhanced to a Glass Card. |
| The Hermit | Doubles Money (up to $20). |
| The Wheel of Fortune | 1 in 4 chance to add Foil, Holographic, or Polychrome to a random Joker. |
| Strength | Pick up to two cards to increase their rank by one. |
| The Hanged Man | Pick up to two cards to destroy. |
| Death | Pick two cards and convert the left card into the right card. |
| Temperance | Receive the total sell value of all current Jokers up to $50. |
| The Devil | One card is enhanced to a Gold Card. |
| The Tower | One card is enhanced to a Stone Card. |
| The Star | Pick up to three cards to convert to Diamonds. |
| The Moon | Pick up to three cards to convert to Clubs. |
| The Sun | Pick up to three cards to convert to Hearts. |
| Judgement | If you have room, it creates a random Joker. |
| The World | Pick up to three cards to convert to Spades. |
Tarot cards are a key element that sets Balatro apart from traditional poker games. While some players might initially overlook their potential, especially those cards that change the suits of cards in your deck, they can be incredibly beneficial once you understand their strategic applications. Whether you're enhancing cards, generating new ones, or altering your deck's composition, Tarot cards offer a dynamic way to tailor your gameplay and improve your chances of success in Balatro.
