Balatro's captivating gameplay has quickly hooked many, but a key element often gets overlooked: Tarot cards. Let's dive into how to harness their power.
Getting Tarot Cards in Balatro
Before you can utilize Tarot cards, you need to acquire them. The most common method is purchasing Arcana Packs from the in-game Shop. You can also often buy individual Tarot cards directly from the Shop. Finally, keep an eye out – discarding a card with a Purple Seal can also reward you with a Tarot card.
Using Tarot Cards
Tarot cards are single-use items. Once obtained, select a card from the top-right corner of your screen. You’ll then see which cards the selected Tarot card can affect; choose the indicated number of cards. Confirm your selection to apply the Tarot card's effect.
All Tarot Cards and Their Effects
There are 22 unique Tarot cards, each with a distinct effect:
| Card | Effect |
|---|---|
| The Fool | Creates a copy of the last Tarot or Planet card used in your current run. |
| The Magician | Transforms two cards into Lucky Cards. |
| The High Priestess | Creates up to two Planet cards (if you have space). |
| The Empress | Transforms two cards into Mult Cards. |
| The Emperor | Creates up to two random Tarot cards (if you have space). |
| The Hierophant | Transforms two cards into Bonus Cards. |
| The Lovers | Transforms one card into a Wild Card. |
| The Chariot | Transforms one card into a Steel Card. |
| Justice | Transforms one card into a Glass Card. |
| The Hermit | Doubles your money (up to $20). |
| The Wheel of Fortune | 25% chance to add Foil, Holographic, or Polychrome to a random Joker. |
| Strength | Increase the rank of up to two cards by one. |
| The Hanged Man | Destroy up to two cards. |
| Death | Convert one selected card into another. |
| Temperance | Receive the total sell value of all current Jokers (up to $50). |
| The Devil | Transforms one card into a Gold Card. |
| The Tower | Transforms one card into a Stone Card. |
| The Star | Convert up to three cards into Diamonds. |
| The Moon | Convert up to three cards into Clubs. |
| The Sun | Convert up to three cards into Hearts. |
| Judgement | Creates a random Joker (if you have space). |
| The World | Convert up to three cards into Spades. |
While the suit-changing cards might not always be immediately beneficial, mastering Tarot cards is key to a successful Balatro run. Their strategic use can significantly impact your gameplay.
