Every Balatro Deck Ranked By Difficulty

Throughout my playing career, I seldom encountered a spectacle as exceptional and captivating as Balatro – one of the top-tier deckbuilding roguelike games ever made.

As someone who appreciates that particular genre, I’m accustomed to encountering engaging and compelling gameplay mechanics. However, the experience offered by LocalThunk’s creation stands out distinctly, with hardly any parallel examples, particularly following its transition to mobile platforms.

For several months now, I’ve been immersed in this game, and my enjoyment of it hasn’t waned one bit even after completing it on every level of difficulty and exploring all its hidden corners – it feels like playing it for the very first time again and again.

Consequently, there’s no more fitting method to convey my affection for this title than by compiling a list, specifically one that refers to all Balatro decks arranged in order of difficulty.

15. Blue Deck

More Hands, More Points

Effect +1 hand every round
Unlock Requirement Discover at least 20 items from your collection

As a dedicated admirer, I’d like to express that simplicity sometimes packs the greatest punch, and this sentiment rings true when considering the might of Balatro’s Blue Deck.

It might not appear so initially, but having an extra hand can significantly boost your chances of attaining high scores, and it also simplifies the process of capitalizing on interest earnings.

While it might not be the most visually appealing or exciting, its blend of ease-of-use and practicality is quite sufficient to conquer the game at any level of difficulty.

In simpler terms, if you’re skilled at boosting interest and employing builds that earn additional points with each hand played, then the Blue Deck offers an effortless experience where you can let instinct guide your gameplay.

14. Plasma Deck

No Mult, Just Chips

Effect Balance Chips and Mult when calculating score for played hand (X2 base Blind size)
Unlock Requirement Win a run with any deck on the Blue Stake difficulty or harder

When it comes to simplifying tasks and operating effortlessly, the Plasma Deck is ideal for individuals who prefer not to deal with any calculations whatsoever.

Enlarging the blind sizes might make the game easier to grasp, as solely concentrating on boosting the number of points you earn significantly streamlines your strategy.

Additionally, this deck is simple to use and can potentially score extremely high, with minimal additional setup required.

In most situations, reaching the final Ante isn’t a complicated process or the result of intricate constructions.

It’s not difficult or convoluted to get to the final Ante because it doesn’t necessitate complex builds.

Or even more simply:

You can easily reach the last Ante without needing to build something complex or combine things in a confusing way.

13. Abandoned Deck

The King of Consistency

Effect Start the run with no Face Cards in your deck
Unlock Requirement Win a run with the Green Deck on any difficulty

A fundamental aspect to grasp when dealing with Balatro is ensuring consistency within the decks, which means they should facilitate drawing desired hands frequently.

Among all options, the Abandoned Deck stands out as a particularly fitting choice for this purpose, since its absence of face cards broadens the possibilities for various builds.

Despite having fewer chips initially, making the early rounds more challenging, this setup significantly eases the process of drawing Straight hands or Four of a Kind , which is a substantial advantage.

Furthermore, it enables a faster concentration on a single hand, as the initial choices are limited, resulting in a consistent focus.

12. Checkered Deck

Flush All The Way

Effect Start run with 26 Spades and 26 Hearts in deck
Unlock Requirement Win a run with the Black Deck on any difficulty

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the Checkered Deck isn’t the most powerful one out there. It’s vulnerable to multiple Boss Blinds that can wipe it off the board swiftly. Yet, this deck embodies pure simplicity in every card.

This deck maximizes the strength of a Flush, a hand that holds significant power in the game, by enabling you to play it nearly every turn. Unlike other decks, this consistency is achieved without requiring extensive planning.

Since the game is simple to understand and allows for quick identification of its main flaws, it accelerates the pace significantly. This is because you are well-versed in which opponents you can outsmart and which ones present an insurmountable challenge.

Compared to other games, those using the Checkered Deck are significantly quicker to play, providing ample opportunities for multiple rounds and a higher probability of discovering a successful strategy.

11. Ghost Deck

Free Polychrome Joker Is All You Need

Effect Spectral cards may appear in the shop, start with a Hex card
Unlock Requirement Win a run with the Yellow Deck on any difficulty

The “Ghost Deck” was the first one I managed to win a game with, even at high stakes like Gold. This deck significantly reduces the challenge level in each match, making it more manageable for players.

In the initial round, it’s crucial to find a strong Joker, and if you do, the game is almost certainly yours because Polychrome’s power becomes active right from the start.

Similar to a Checkered Deck where the course of the game becomes clear as victories or defeats approach, it’s simple to discern when events are leaning towards success or failure. Consequently, it’s straightforward to choose to re-strategize and seek out more advantageous prospects.

Ultimately, discovering Spectral Cards in the store offers tremendous power, but it’s crucial to exercise caution while utilizing them as the potential consequences can outweigh the benefits significantly.

10. Red Deck

More Discards, More Points

Effect +1 discard every round
Unlock Requirement Unlocked from start

As a dedicated follower of the Blue Deck’s principles, I can’t help but be captivated by the straightforward brilliance of the Red Deck. It stands out as one of the top choices due to its impressive impact, all while remaining easy for anyone to grasp and enjoy.

Increasing the number of discards can help you discover high-scoring hands more frequently, and it’s advantageous to have multiple Jokers such as Banner, Delayed Gratification, Mail-In Rebate, and Hit the Road among others.

Due to its capability to enhance your choices, even challenging combinations such as Four of a Kind, Five of a Kind, and Royal Flush become relatively more attainable, boosting your strength significantly in every game.

In simpler terms, it can be said that this doesn’t function well with other types of Jokers such as the Green Joker, Ramen, or Burglar, but the benefits it provides make the compromise more than worthwhile.

9. Yellow Deck

Economy Is Underrated

Effect Start with an extra $10
Unlock Requirement Discover at least 50 items from your collection

One common error among Balatro players at the start is neglecting to manage their financial resources carefully, leading them to underestimate the importance and value of the Yellow Deck.

Instead, you might find that beginning with an additional financial headstart significantly eases the progression of challenges. This means you can start earning interest dollars earlier in your journey without encountering as many obstacles.

As a die-hard fan, I must say that while this deck’s influence might not be immediately apparent upon initiation, it truly shines when put to the test. It’s deceptively challenging, offering a balanced experience that sets it apart from many others in its category.

Once you understand the significance of saving wisely, playing Yellow Deck regularly can offer numerous opportunities, as it provides a chance to purchase a voucher for the initial Ante nearly every time.

8. Painted Deck

Everything Is Possible

Effect +2 hand size, -1 Joker slot
Unlock Requirement Win a run with any deck on the Green Stake difficulty or harder

In Balatro’s game, while Jokers play a significant role, they aren’t the only special cards, as evidenced by the Painted Deck.

Playing with an fewer Jokers definitely poses a challenge, but having a larger hand size (+2) makes most hands useful since you can potentially play through your whole deck.

Your success is largely determined by the use of planet cards, and you need to make very careful decisions to enhance your build. However, it should be noted that the most effective strategies often hinge on a few wildcards or lucky breaks.

As a player, I appreciate how easily I can score high points right from the start. This generous economy gives me an advantage, allowing me to establish more stores and, ultimately, hunt down the elusive four Jokers. With these, my game is set to be a winning one!

7. Erratic Deck

Hard to Master

Effect All Ranks and Suits in deck are randomized
Unlock Requirement Win a run with any deck on the Orange Stake difficulty or harder

When you’ve played for quite some time and the opportunities for fresh encounters diminish, the unpredictable Deck ensures things stay exciting.

Nevertheless, this collection focuses on complexity, as it lacks the typical ability to plan decks based on their inherent traits since there are no established strategies for building them in advance.

Because you never know which cards or suits you’ll draw in this deck, it’s the unpredictable one that requires the greatest agility and strategic thinking. You need to understand your deck’s strengths and limitations so you can make informed decisions as you play.

If you think you’re up for it, this could be an enjoyable and promising choice to explore further once you’re more comfortable with your Balatro abilities.

6. Green Deck

A New Way to Make Money

Effect At end of each Round: $2 per remaining Hand, $1 per remaining Discard, Earn no Interest
Unlock Requirement Discover at least 75 items from your collection

In the world of Balatro, where the economy holds significant importance since it enables one to buy goods and visit various stores, the Green Deck is famously tough to please.

Transforming your income source significantly affects how you approach games, as you need to focus on achieving winning combinations with the least number of actions taken.

The Green Deck nearly transforms Balatro into a game of chess, as its core idea revolves around being a highly efficient system where each played hand and discarded card is inevitably crucial.

The power it possesses is quite impressive, yet its skill to harness that power is truly remarkable. Managing its financial aspects proves challenging, making the game more difficult to navigate.

5. Nebula Deck

For Planet Fans

Effect Start run with the Telescope voucher, -1 consumable slot
Unlock Requirement Win a run with the Blue Deck on any difficulty

Although the Telescope voucher offers a full return on investments for planet card packs due to its power, the Nebula Deck tends to be unpredictable.

Reducing the number of available slots for consumables significantly impacts the effectiveness of tarot cards, and the most significant challenge lies in the necessity to rely heavily on planet cards.

To acquire blue seals from the shop, you can’t first generate them; instead, they should naturally appear there. Since the game deck lacks substantial means for swiftly earning money or points, your success will largely depend on luck.

To consistently emerge victorious with the Nebula Deck, it’s essential to navigate situations where luck isn’t usually in your favor. This can be quite challenging indeed.

4. Zodiac Deck

An Ambivalent Effect

Effect Start run with Tarot Merchant, Planet Merchant, and Overstock
Unlock Requirement Win a run with any deck on the Red Stake difficulty or harder

The Zodiac Deck provides you with multiple tickets to begin the game, however, opinions among the Balatro community are divided as to whether this is advantageous or not.

Overstock is indispensable as it adds an extra section in stores, yet the presence of both Tarot Merchant and Planet Merchant concurrently tends to obscure the items displayed in those sections.

Due to the abundance of cards, the consistency of rolls decreases, making it more likely to encounter Tarot or Planet cards that don’t align with your strategy.

In my personal opinion, the Zodiac Deck appears to be neither effective nor enjoyable. Overstock might help resolve the conflict, but in my experience, it’s not the case.

3. Magic Deck

Zero Impact

Effect Start run with the Crystal Ball voucher and 2 copies of The Fool
Unlock Requirement Win a run with the Red Deck on any difficulty

The Fool, being a powerful tarot card due to its capacity to replicate a chosen outcome, can be effective. However, making the entire tarot deck center around it might prove challenging.

The extra usable space in the deck is beneficial, however, on its own, neither of its attributes are effective. Consequently, Creating a Magic Deck holds great potential but proves challenging to execute successfully.

Even if you transform numerous cards into one suit or produce numerous lucky cards, this alone isn’t enough to maintain a long game. Making the initial Ante less costly merely sets a base that may not lead to a structure you can effectively expand.

If you manage to take full advantage of an incredibly fortunate situation with The Fool, you might experience a game that stands out, but it’s important to note that such an outcome is highly unlikely and shouldn’t be expected consistently.

2. Anaglyph Deck

The Skips Aren’t Worthy

Effect After defeating each Boss Blind, gain a Double Tag
Unlock Requirement Win a run with any deck on the Black Stake difficulty or harder

In general, it’s not advisable to bypass stores unless there are specific circumstances. This is one of the valuable insights when it comes to understanding Balatro.

Given that assumption, the Anaglyph Deck can be seen as a less impressive choice, as its impact, in my opinion, does not fully justify the significant compromise one has to make to utilize it effectively.

As a gamer, I find myself in situations where opening two card packs at once, receiving two free Jokers, or temporarily expanding my hand size can be less than ideal. These effects are often unpredictable and may not significantly impact my strategy, making it hard to tell if they’ll boost my game or turn out to be redundant.

In most situations, it’s far more advantageous to explore first (the shop that is hidden from sight) and then make informed decisions about what to purchase and what to pass up. The randomness of the tags significantly increases the game’s challenge without adding any real value.

1. Black Deck

Hellish On All Levels

Effect +1 Joker Slot, -1 Hand every round
Unlock Requirement Discover at least 100 items from your collection

Among all Balatro’s decks, the Black Deck stands out as its most challenging, making it extremely tough to earn the platinum trophy. In simpler terms, you could say that the Black Deck is a fast track to a difficult journey.

Possessing an additional Joker slot might appear astonishing, yet lacking one card in most hands significantly weakens the game’s mid-stage, turning it into a struggle for survival.

In the early stages of Antes, you’ll need exceptional skill and a touch of good fortune to progress due to fewer chances to accumulate points and minimal opportunities for earning interest.

You’ll only truly appreciate the advantage of an extra Joker during the latter parts of the game, and ideally, you’d have grown strong enough by then that its influence wouldn’t stand out as much.

If you find Balatro too simple and crave a significant increase in complexity, try the Black Deck instead. It presents an immense leap in difficulty, offering one of the most challenging experiences I’ve encountered within this game category.

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2025-02-05 19:12