Getting Started with Hearthstone
This guide will teach you everything you need to know to start playing Hearthstone, from basic mechanics to building your first competitive deck.
Step 1: Download and Setup
Download the Game
- PC/Mac: Download Battle.net launcher from blizzard.com
- Mobile: Download from App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
- The game is free-to-play
Create a Battle.net Account
- Sign up at battle.net
- Verify your email address
- Link accounts for cross-platform play
Complete the Tutorial
- Learn basic game mechanics
- Unlock your first hero
- Earn starter cards
Step 2: Understanding the Basics
The Objective: Reduce your opponent's hero health from 30 to 0
Mana System:
- Start with 1 mana crystal
- Gain 1 additional crystal each turn (max 10)
- Mana refreshes fully each turn
- Cards cost mana to play
Turn Structure:
- Draw a card (except first turn for player going first)
- Play cards and use hero power
- Attack with minions and weapons
- End turn
Step 3: Card Types Explained
Minions:
- Creatures that stay on the board
- Have Attack (left number) and Health (right number)
- Can attack enemy minions or hero
- Cannot attack the turn they're played (unless they have Rush or Charge)
Spells:
- One-time effects
- Resolve immediately
- Removed from play after use
- Can target minions, heroes, or have board-wide effects
Weapons:
- Equip to your hero
- Have Attack and Durability
- Lose 1 durability per attack
- Your hero takes damage when attacking minions
Hero Cards:
- Replace your hero
- Provide armor
- Change your hero power
- Usually powerful late-game cards
Step 4: Key Mechanics
Taunt: Must be attacked before other minions or the enemy hero
Divine Shield: Negates the first instance of damage
Charge: Can attack immediately when played
Rush: Can attack enemy minions immediately (not heroes)
Battlecry: Effect triggers when the card is played from hand
Deathrattle: Effect triggers when the minion dies
Discover: Choose one of three random cards
Lifesteal: Restore health to your hero equal to damage dealt
Windfury: Can attack twice per turn
Stealth: Cannot be targeted by enemies until it attacks
Poisonous: Destroy any minion this damages
Spell Damage: Increases damage of your spells
Step 5: Choosing Your First Class
Beginner-Friendly Classes:
Mage (Recommended for beginners):
- Hero Power: Deal 1 damage (Fireblast)
- Straightforward spell-based gameplay
- Good removal options
- Forgiving playstyle
Hunter:
- Hero Power: Deal 2 damage to enemy hero
- Aggressive, proactive strategy
- Beast synergies
- Fast games
Paladin:
- Hero Power: Summon a 1/1 Silver Hand Recruit
- Board-focused gameplay
- Divine Shield synergies
- Versatile strategies
Step 6: Building Your First Deck
Deck Building Rules:
- Exactly 30 cards
- Maximum 2 copies of each card (1 for Legendaries)
- Only class cards and neutral cards
- Must have a hero/class selected
Starter Deck Tips:
- Use the pre-made decks initially
- Include a good mana curve (cards at different costs)
- Balance minions and spells
- Include some card draw
- Add removal for enemy threats
Mana Curve Distribution (approximate):
- 0-1 mana: 2-4 cards
- 2 mana: 4-6 cards
- 3 mana: 4-6 cards
- 4 mana: 3-5 cards
- 5 mana: 2-4 cards
- 6+ mana: 4-6 cards
Step 7: Mulligan Strategy
The Mulligan: Choose which starting cards to keep or replace
General Mulligan Rules:
- Keep 1-3 mana cost cards
- Look for early game minions
- Keep cards that curve well together
- Consider your opponent's class
- Going first: Keep 2-3 mana cards
- Going second: Can keep a 4-mana card
What to Mulligan Away:
- High-cost cards (6+ mana)
- Situational cards
- Cards that need synergy pieces
- Duplicate copies (usually)
Step 8: Basic Strategy
Board Control:
- Control the board with minions
- Trade efficiently (favorable exchanges)
- Remove enemy threats
- Protect your minions
Trading:
- Favorable Trade: Your minion survives, theirs dies
- Even Trade: Both minions die
- Unfavorable Trade: Your minion dies, theirs survives
- Generally prefer favorable trades
Going Face vs. Trading:
- Control/Midrange: Usually trade to control board
- Aggro: Often go face (attack hero) for pressure
- Combo: Survive until you assemble your combo
Resource Management:
- Don't waste cards unnecessarily
- Plan multiple turns ahead
- Save removal for big threats
- Use hero power when you have spare mana
Step 9: Understanding Archetypes
Aggro (Aggressive):
- Fast, aggressive strategy
- Low mana curve
- Aim to win by turn 6-8
- Go face often
- Examples: Face Hunter, Aggro Paladin
Midrange:
- Balanced approach
- Strong minions at 3-6 mana
- Fight for board control
- Flexible gameplan
- Examples: Midrange Hunter, Tempo Mage
Control:
- Defensive, reactive strategy
- Removal and healing
- Win in late game
- High-cost powerful cards
- Examples: Control Warrior, Control Priest
Combo:
- Win through specific card combinations
- Stall until combo pieces are drawn
- Burst damage finisher
- Examples: Miracle Rogue, OTK Demon Hunter
Step 10: Game Modes for Beginners
Ranked (Standard):
- Competitive ladder
- Climb from Bronze to Legend
- Monthly rewards
- Best for learning and improving
Casual:
- Unranked matches
- Practice new decks
- Less competitive pressure
Tavern Brawl (Unlocks at level 20):
- Weekly special rules
- Fun, experimental formats
- Free card pack for first win
Solo Adventures:
- PvE content
- Learn mechanics
- Earn cards and packs
- Practice without pressure
Arena (Costs gold/money):
- Draft a deck from random cards
- Play until 12 wins or 3 losses
- Rewards based on wins
- Great for learning cards
Step 11: Earning Cards and Gold
Daily Quests:
- Complete for 50-60 gold
- Reroll once per day for different quest
- Focus on easy quests first
Weekly Quests:
- Larger objectives
- Better rewards
- Complete throughout the week
Ranked Rewards:
- End-of-season rewards based on rank
- Card packs and golden cards
- Higher ranks = better rewards
Achievements:
- Complete for XP and cosmetics
- Permanent progression
- Explore different playstyles
Free Resources:
- Core Set (completely free)
- Free legendary from each expansion
- Returning player rewards
- New player ranks (extra rewards)
Step 12: Spending Resources Wisely
Gold Priority:
- Latest expansion packs (until you have key cards)
- Arena runs (if you average 3+ wins)
- Older expansion packs for specific cards
- Tavern Pass (if you play regularly)
Dust Management:
- Don't disenchant cards immediately
- Wait until you need dust for a specific deck
- Keep one copy of every card initially
- Disenchant nerfed cards for full value
- Craft meta decks, not random cards
What to Craft First:
- Neutral legendary cards (usable in multiple decks)
- Core cards for your favorite class
- Budget competitive decks
- Avoid crafting cards that rotate soon
Step 13: Advanced Tips
Card Advantage:
- Having more cards than opponent
- Draw cards efficiently
- Don't overextend into board clears
- Value 2-for-1 trades
Tempo:
- Mana efficiency
- Developing board presence
- Forcing opponent to react
- Maintaining initiative
Reading the Meta:
- Know popular decks
- Understand common strategies
- Tech cards for popular matchups
- Adapt your deck accordingly
Bluffing and Psychology:
- Hesitate before obvious plays
- Make opponent play around cards you don't have
- Emote strategically (or squelch opponents)
- Don't reveal information unnecessarily
Step 14: Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid:
- Playing cards just because you can
- Ignoring mana curve when building decks
- Not planning ahead
- Overextending into board clears
- Wasting removal on small threats
- Not using hero power
- Crafting cards impulsively
- Keeping high-cost cards in mulligan
- Not considering opponent's possible plays
- Giving up too early
Step 15: Learning Resources
Websites:
- HSReplay.net: Deck statistics and meta reports
- Hearthstone Top Decks: Deck guides and news
- Out of Cards: Community and deck builder
- Icy Veins: Comprehensive guides
Content Creators:
- Trump: Educational content for beginners
- Regis Killbin: Deck building and experimentation
- Kibler: High-level gameplay and analysis
- Thijs: Professional player streams
- Zeddy: Meta analysis and news
In-Game Tools:
- Replay system to review games
- Deck tracker overlays (third-party)
- Collection manager
- Practice mode against AI
Step 16: Climbing the Ranked Ladder
Ranking System:
- Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Diamond → Legend
- Each rank has 10 stars (5 in Diamond)
- Win = gain a star, lose = lose a star
- Win streaks give bonus stars (up to Diamond 5)
Climbing Tips:
- Choose a Tier 1 or 2 Deck: Use proven competitive decks
- Master One Deck: Learn all matchups deeply
- Track Your Stats: Identify weak matchups
- Play During Peak Hours: More casual players online
- Take Breaks: Avoid tilt from losing streaks
- Adapt Your Deck: Tech cards for common opponents
- Focus on Improvement: Not just wins
- Watch Replays: Learn from mistakes
Tips for Your First Legend Rank
- Commit to One Deck: Master it completely
- Understand Matchups: Know your win conditions
- Play Consistently: Regular practice improves skill
- Stay Positive: Don't tilt from losses
- Learn from Losses: Every game teaches something
- Tech Appropriately: Adjust for meta
- Manage Time: Legend push takes time
- Study Top Players: Watch how they pilot your deck
Quick Reference: First Week Goals
Day 1-2:
- Complete tutorial
- Unlock all basic cards for one class
- Complete beginner quests
- Try different classes
Day 3-4:
- Choose your main class
- Build or copy a budget deck
- Play ranked to Bronze/Silver
- Complete daily quests
Day 5-7:
- Refine your deck
- Learn common matchups
- Reach Gold rank
- Start saving gold for packs
Hearthstone rewards strategic thinking, deck building creativity, and game knowledge. Don't worry about having a complete collection immediately - focus on mastering fundamentals, and your collection will grow naturally through play. Welcome to the Tavern! ```
