Balatro quickly carved a niche in the gaming community, captivating players with its addictive gameplay. One often-underutilized feature is Tarot cards. Here’s how to master their use in Balatro.
Acquiring Tarot Cards in Balatro
To use Tarot cards, you first need to obtain them. The primary method is purchasing Arcana Packs from the Shop. You can also buy individual Tarot cards directly from the Shop. Another way to acquire them is by discarding a card with a Purple Seal.
How to Use Tarot Cards
Tarot cards are single-use items. Activate them by selecting them from the top-right corner of the interface. Upon selection, compatible cards will appear, and you can choose the number of cards specified by the Tarot card. Confirm your choice to apply the Tarot card’s effects to the selected cards.
Complete List of Tarot Cards
Balatro features 22 unique Tarot cards, each with distinct effects.
| Card | Effect |
|---|---|
| The Fool | Duplicates the last Tarot or Planet card used in your current run. |
| The Magician | Upgrades two cards to Lucky Cards. |
| The High Priestess | Generates up to two Planet cards if space is available. |
| The Empress | Upgrades two cards to Mult Cards. |
| The Emperor | Produces up to two random Tarot cards if space is available. |
| The Hierophant | Upgrades two cards to Bonus Cards. |
| The Lovers | Upgrades one card to a Wild Card. |
| The Chariot | Upgrades one card to a Steel Card. |
| Justice | Upgrades one card to a Glass Card. |
| The Hermit | Doubles your money (up to $20). |
| The Wheel of Fortune | Has a 1 in 4 chance to add Foil, Holographic, or Polychrome to a random Joker. |
| Strength | Increases the rank of up to two selected cards by one. |
| The Hanged Man | Destroys up to two selected cards. |
| Death | Converts one selected card into another selected card. |
| Temperance | Grants the total sell value of all current Jokers, up to $50. |
| The Devil | Upgrades one card to a Gold Card. |
| The Tower | Upgrades one card to a Stone Card. |
| The Star | Converts up to three selected cards to Diamonds. |
| The Moon | Converts up to three selected cards to Clubs. |
| The Sun | Converts up to three selected cards to Hearts. |
| Judgement | Generates a random Joker if space is available. |
| The World | Converts up to three selected cards to Spades. |
Tarot cards set Balatro apart from traditional poker, offering unique strategic depth. Many players underestimate their potential, particularly cards that change deck suits, which may not always suit your run’s needs. With practice, Tarot cards can significantly enhance your Balatro gameplay.
