News about Using Tarot Cards Effectively in Balatro: A Guide

It didn’t take long for Balatro to carve out a niche in the gaming community, captivating players with its addictive gameplay. While many aspects of the game have been explored, the use of Tarot cards often flies under the radar. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to harness the power of Tarot cards in Balatro.

Getting Tarot Cards in Balatro

Balatro Arcana Packs in Shop

Screenshot by The Escapist

Before you can wield the mystical power of Tarot cards, you need to acquire them. The primary method is through Arcana Packs, available for purchase in the in-game Shop. You can also opt to buy individual Tarot cards directly from the Shop. Lastly, keep an eye out for cards marked with a Purple Seal; discarding these will reward you with Tarot cards.

Using Tarot Cards

Tarot cards are consumable items, ready for use as soon as you acquire them. To activate a Tarot card, simply select it from the top right corner of your screen. A selection of cards that the Tarot card can affect will appear, and you'll choose the number of cards specified by the Tarot card. Once you confirm your selection, the Tarot card's effects will be applied to the chosen cards.

All Tarot Cards

There are 22 unique Tarot cards in Balatro, each with distinct effects that can significantly alter your gameplay. Below is a detailed 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 distinctive feature that sets Balatro apart from traditional poker games. While some players might overlook their potential, especially the cards that change the suits of cards in your deck, mastering these can be crucial. Suit-changing cards may not always be beneficial, depending on your current strategy, but understanding and utilizing Tarot cards can significantly enhance your Balatro runs.