As a seasoned player, I can confidently say that few experiences are as captivating as Balatro. This game stands tall as one of the premier deckbuilding roguelikes available today.
Months of gameplay have shown me that even after conquering every difficulty and exploring its depths, the thrill remains unchanged, reminiscent of the excitement from day one.
To share my enthusiasm, I present a comprehensive list that ranks every Balatro deck according to their difficulty level.
15 Blue Deck
More Hands, More Points
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The Blue Deck illustrates how sometimes, the simplest effects can lead to the most significant impact. Adding an extra hand can dramatically enhance scoring potential.
Though it may not dazzle with flashy gameplay, its straightforwardness and practicality provide a solid foundation for success across all difficulties.
By efficiently maximizing interest and employing strategies that reward the use of extra hands, players can effectively “switch off”and enjoy effortless gameplay.
14 Plasma Deck
No Mult, Just Chips
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Balance Chips and Mult when calculating score for played hand (X2 base Blind size) |
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The Plasma Deck is tailor-made for those who prefer uncomplicated gaming experiences devoid of arduous calculations.
While the blind size doubles, the emphasis on accruing chips streamlines gameplay, allowing players to achieve remarkably high scores with minimal effort.
It promotes a playable style that easily encourages victory, making it a popular choice among gamers.
13 Abandoned Deck
The King of Consistency
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In Balatro, deck consistency is crucial. The Abandoned Deck excels in providing regular access to favorable hands by omitting face cards.
While its chip count may be lower initially, its structure promotes easier access to valuable hands like Straights or Four of a Kind.
This enhances the ability to hone in on successful hand types quickly, establishing a consistent pathway to success.
12 Checkered Deck
Flush All The Way
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Though the Checkered Deck isn’t one of the strongest options available, its simplicity is its charm.
Flush hands are among the most powerful in the game, and this deck allows for their frequent occurrence, which is unmatched.
Players can quickly gauge their strengths and weaknesses, resulting in a more streamlined gameplay experience.
11 Ghost Deck
Free Polychrome Joker Is All You Need
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The Ghost Deck was my initial choice to conquer the game at Gold Stake, providing a manageable entry point into each match.
Securing a strong Joker early in the game can lead to a swift victory, aided by Polychrome’s abilities.
The option to acquire Spectral Cards in the shop offers a tactical advantage, though players must be calculated in their approach due to inherent risks.
10 Red Deck
More Discards, More Points
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The Red Deck mirrors the Blue Deck’s philosophy, presenting a straightforward yet effective mechanism for enhancing score potential.
Additional discards increase the likelihood of drawing scoring hands, complemented by numerous Jokers that can significantly boost play opportunities.
Despite some limitations with specific Jokers, the overall synergy and enhanced hand possibilities make it a strong choice.
9 Yellow Deck
Economy Is Underrated
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Unlock Requirement |
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A common oversight among Balatro players is neglecting financial management, which leads to an underestimation of the Yellow Deck.
This deck’s distinctive advantage of starting with additional funds simplifies early game challenges and promotes financial growth.
Although the benefit is subtle, it ultimately paves the way for greater opportunities and strategic enhancements as gameplay unfolds.
8 Painted Deck
Everything Is Possible
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+2 hand size, -1 Joker slot |
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While the mechanics of Balatro primarily focus on Jokers, the Painted Deck shows that other strategies can hold significant weight.
Although the absence of a Joker slot poses a challenge, the increase in hand size allows for diverse hand potentials as you can nearly draw the complete deck.
Strategically, efficiency becomes critical, as the quality of hand composition significantly impacts victory chances.
7 Erratic Deck
Hard to Master
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The Erratic Deck injects unpredictability into gameplay, encouraging adaptability among seasoned players.
This deck is among the most complex due to its lack of predetermined builds, necessitating an in-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses.
Despite the unpredictability, mastering this deck can deliver fun and rewarding gameplay experiences, particularly for confident players.
6 Green Deck
A New Way to Make Money
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At end of each Round: $2 per remaining Hand, $1 per remaining Discard, Earn no Interest |
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Unlock Requirement |
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Understanding the game’s economy is essential, and the Green Deck introduces a uniquely demanding approach to financial management.
Players must efficiently score hands while minimizing moves, resembling a strategic chess game.
Although it offers significant rewards, mastering the Green Deck is undoubtedly a challenge due to its complicated financial framework.
5 Nebula Deck
For Planet Fans
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Start run with the Telescope voucher, -1 consumable slot |
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Unlock Requirement |
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The powerful Telescope voucher in the Nebula Deck can deliver exceptional potential, but inconsistency remains a challenge.
Reducing consumable slots limits tactical options, coupled with a reliance on having planet cards available in shops.
Success requires a delicate balance of luck and strategy, as players navigate through obstacles to achieve optimal results.
4 Zodiac Deck
An Ambivalent Effect
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The Zodiac Deck offers multiple vouchers at the beginning, creating mixed opinions within the Balatro community.
While Overstock enhances shop opportunities, it simultaneously diminishes the likelihood of finding cards beneficial for your strategy.
As players navigate the complexities of the Zodiac Deck, its overall effectiveness and enjoyment may vary greatly.
3 Magic Deck
Zero Impact
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The Fool’s ability to duplicate effects offers intriguing gameplay opportunities, but the Magic Deck can be challenging to navigate.
While initial consumable benefits are appealing, the overall impact of the deck can be limited, relying heavily on luck.
Building a successful strategy is demanding, as the potential for inconsistency looms large throughout the run.
2 Anaglyph Deck
The Skips Aren’t Worthy
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The Anaglyph Deck offers a compelling concept with Double Tags, but may fall short in effectiveness for most players.
The unpredictability and potential low impact of its features can lead to challenging gameplay that outweighs its benefits.
Most players find that opting out of bosses for shopping opportunities is a more strategic choice that delivers better results.
1 Black Deck
Hellish On All Levels
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+1 Joker Slot, -1 Hand every round |
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Unlock Requirement |
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The Black Deck represents the apex of difficulty in Balatro—making it notorious among players aiming for the platinum trophy.
Though the extra Joker slot appears advantageous, the constant reduction of a hand slot spells peril for players throughout the game. The early phases become a constant struggle to navigate.
Overcoming initial challenges requires not only skill but astonishing luck, as early advantages must be seized to secure future success.
In later stages, the extra Joker may not provide a noticeable advantage, especially if players aren’t adequately prepared.
For those seeking an extreme challenge, the Black Deck offers a gaming experience unrivaled in difficulty and intensity.
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