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Balatro is an eclectic card game experience now available on Steam. It’s got a cozy pixelated overview of a poker-inspired roguelike where you add onto an otherwise mundane deck with impressive score modifiers. Planet Cards are one such mechanic in Balatro, but they’re a bit obscure for those just starting to play another eclectic card game.
What Are Planet Cards in Balatro?
You can use Planet Cards to increase the score multiplier and chip rewards for hands you place on the board in Balatro. Each Planet Card is consumable and can be purchased between rounds, and each affects a different hand, such as a Straight, a Full House, Pairs, or more. This can result in incredible boosts to even the weaker hands to give you a shot at massive chip windfalls.
For instance, the Uranus Planet Card adds +1 Mult (score multiplier) and levels up any Two Pair you play, while also adding 20 chips. What’s important here is that these bonuses stack with others you have in use, like equipped Jokers. Double or triple the points is great, but quadruple or higher is potentially incredible. This means you can crush a round in Balatro thanks to these Planet Cards.
Which Planet Card Should You Choose in Balatro?
This is up to the preference of the player, but I would recommend choosing Planet Cards that affect hands more likely to appear. Bonuses for stronger hands are typically better but occur far less often.
Pairs, Three of a Kinds, and Straights or Flushes are best for new players using Planet Cards, but it also depends on how well you handle discards. Uranus affects Two Pairs and Mercury affects Pairs for those seeking bonuses earlier on in the game.
How to Get Planet Cards
You can get Planet Cards commonly as randomly purchasable rewards between rounds or through Celestial Packs. As for whether you should buy them every time they’re available, that’s up to your discretion.
This depends on what your rewards screen shows. But generally speaking, there’s incredible value in spending your payouts first on Jokers, as they yield potentially greater overall bonuses you’ll need to progress. Planet Cards serve to stack onto those benefits and there are often multiple options catering to different player hand priorities.
Is There a Limit to Planet Cards in Balatro?
You can only have 2 Planet or Tarot Cards on you at a time in Balatro. Using these cards consumes them, meaning you’ll have to get more to reap their rewards in subsequent rounds. Consider carefully while choosing what to buy next.
Planet Cards are among the cheaper options along with Packs, and they often make the difference when trying to beat the next Blind. Thankfully, beating these poker-style challenges is a lot easier than trying to play other people.
