Hearthstone is mostly about understanding different resources and how to manage them. And that’s easy to learn… but can be super, super hard to master. And sadly, net-decking or buying a bunch of packs won’t get you to a Legend rank. But asking yourself proper questions during the game will! In this article, I’ll look into the most common mistakes beginner players make and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
If I had a guide like this back in the day, it would’ve saved me countless hours and a fair bit of salt.
Focusing Too Much on Spending All Your Mana
So, more Mana spent means more power on the board, right? Well, wrong.
It seems like every beginner follows the mantra of “If the card glows green, I should play it.” However, this is a clear road to suboptimal plays and missed opportunities, ultimately resulting in losing games.
Hearthstone isn’t about how much Mana you spend; there’s literally no bonus for emptying your Mana pool every turn. It’s really more about the impact you actually make on the board.
So, before you throw away a powerful Legendary, or rush into a combo just because you can, take a moment to evaluate its actual impact; you can do it by asking yourself things like:
- What will the board look like after I do this play?
- Does this advance my game plan?
- How does this play affect my opponent’s strategy?
- How hard it is for my opponent to counter my play with their current board setup and hand size?
All in all, it’s better to prioritize the quality of your actions over the quantity of Mana spent. Treat Mana as one of your resources, not an indicator of what card you should play.
Ignoring the Importance of the Mulligan Phase
Many beginners seem to treat the mulligan phase as a formality, where it’s actually a phase that sets the tone for the entire game. In fact, you can even win or lose a game in a mulligan phase, depending on the matchup — that’s how important it is.
A common rookie mistake is to discard cards just because you can’t play them in the first three turns, and using this pattern as a “rule of thumb.” However, let’s say you’re up against an aggressive deck, and you get a board clear in your opening hand. Sure, it costs a lot of Mana, and you won’t be able to play it right away. But when your opponent floods the board, you’ll be thanking past-you for keeping that card.
On the other hand, you might sometimes need to aggressively mulligan (i.e., throw away all cards) for a specific card that’s crucial to win a matchup. Maybe you need that one removal to deal with an early game threat, or perhaps a key combo piece that your deck revolves around — whatever it is, context is king.
Yeah, let that sink in — the mulligan phase is all about context, and there are rarely any “general rules” that you have to follow. Sure, online mulligan guides can give you general advice, but they simply won’t account for every situation you’ll face, so don’t rely on them too much.
Using Online Tier Lists for Deck Choices
Online tier lists usually focus on decks that have the highest win rates at the Legend rank — an entirely different ecosystem from where you’re starting. The Legend metagame has its own trends, player skill levels, and frankly, a card pool that is unrealistic for a new player to obtain without spending hundreds of dollars.
That’s right, Hearthstone’s meta decks are ridiculously expensive; we’re talking tons of Legendary and Epic cards, which can drain your gold, dust, and even your credit card in no time. Take a look at our Hearthstone rarity guide to get a sense of just how costly this can be.
So, instead of going down that rabbit hole, consider:
- Using the tier list as inspiration, not gospel – Tier lists are great for getting a sense of what’s out there, but you don’t have to craft every Tier-1 deck there is. For example, if you like a certain class — no matter how high it is on the tier list, see what are the viable options
- Finding a deck that simply suits your budget and playstyle – Sounds boring, I get it. But what’s the point of learning the game with an overpowered control deck, if you want to smack your opponent in the face? Even if you win a couple of games — where’s the fun aspect?
- Focusing on learning and growth – By choosing a deck that you understand and enjoy, you’re more likely to get a good idea of how the game works and learn from all the other beginner mistakes that you’ll eventually do, while also having fun. This foundational knowledge is invaluable and will serve you far better in the long run than hundreds of wins with the fancy “OP deck-of-the-month.”
Finding your own path, learning from each game, and adapting as you go — that’s where the real satisfaction is. So yeah, skip the fancy deck lists and make the experience your own, especially if you’re just starting out.
Aggressively Dusting Cards to Build a Meta Deck
Again, I know that this beautiful vision of crushing your opponents left and right is hard to resist. But dusting a considerable part of your collection to craft a single deck that does that is simply not worth it.
First off, meta decks are OP until… they’re not. Balance patches happen, nerfs roll out, and suddenly that unbeatable deck you’ve poured all your resources into is unplayable. Like, this literally happens a few times a year in Hearthstone.
Secondly, by focusing solely on an “OP meta breaker” deck, you’re missing out on the broader learning experience. Plus, let’s be honest — it gets boring playing the same deck over and over.
So, what’s the alternative?
- Building your collection gradually – Play daily quests, participate in events, and maybe jam some Arena runs from time to time. Over time, you’ll accumulate a wealth of cards without sacrificing your existing collection.
- Focusing on budget-friendly decks – There are always plenty of competitive decks that don’t require you to own every Legendary under the sun. These decks are not only easier on your wallet (or dust reserves), but also offer a solid foundation to learn the game.
- Experiment!!! – Try out different classes and archetypes and be patient about it. Look, this approach will not only keep the game fresh but will also give you a deeper understanding of various strategies, which is invaluable when you eventually face them.
Building your collection is more like a marathon than a sprint; unless the name on your credit card is Jeff Bezos, then well, I guess you couldn’t care less.
Avoiding Taking High Risks
New players often misunderstand the concept of taking risks, and that’s completely natural. Well, no one enjoys losing because of a gamble that didn’t pay off. However, taking calculated risks is a crucial part of developing strong game sense. It allows you to assess which risks are worth taking and which are better avoided.
No, it’s not about being reckless and doing “stupid” plays; it’s about understanding the risk-to-reward ratio of your plays. What truly sets professional players apart from beginners in Hearthstone is their ability to recognize the right moments to take a risk.
And every risk is an opportunity to learn. Even if it doesn’t work out once, you can uncover some insights about your strategy and your opponent’s potential responses. Over time, these experiences improve your intuition (aka “game sense”) and help you make smarter decisions in future games. It’s a process of growth, both in the game and, dare I say, in life, but let’s leave that philosophy for another time…
What’s not worth leaving for another time is checking out Donnie’s new piece from the Budget FAB deck series — Bonking on a Budget with Betsy. Be sure to check it out now, while it’s still a viable strategy.
And if you haven’t started playing Hearthstone yet, what are you waiting for? Don’t hesitate — download it here! Now that you know which beginner mistakes to avoid, you’re already ahead of the game; just make sure to stay with Card Gamer for future guides like this one.
