The paper foes aren’t going to slay themselves. With Hellcard now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, thousands of players are discovering just how dangerous the Paperverse can be. If you’re finding your runs ending faster than you’d like, we’ve gathered some essential tips and card combinations to help you survive the dungeon and come out on top.

Know Your Class

Every run in Hellcard starts with a choice: Warrior, Rogue, Mage, Tinkerer, or Bruja. Each brings a unique flavor of cards that can dramatically shape your strategy.

Warrior
A battle-worn fighter who trusts muscle and blunt honesty more than clever tricks. He thrives in head-to-head clashes with the fiercest beasts, and while his swagger suggests fearlessness, his true drive is shielding his allies from harm.

Rogue
A shadow in the trees and a whisper on the wind. She favors distance, snares, and nimble footwork over brute force. Quick with a biting quip or with the coin pouch she lifted off your belt, she’s as dangerous in wit as she is with her bow.

Mage
Scholars say wielding firestorms and bending reality invites madness. Whether his sharp tongue is proof of that descent or a defense against it, who can tell? Mages live with one foot in brilliance and the other dangling over the abyss.

Tinkerer
Graduate of the same academy as the Mage, though proudly from the workshops, not the lecture halls. He champions gears, gadgets, and schematics over the “shortcuts” of spellcraft. A meticulous planner with a knack for clever constructs—and a guilty love of wordplay.

Bruja
An enigmatic spell-weaver walking the line between sacrificial blood rites and infernal pacts. Her power heals as easily as it curses, but each gift carries a shadowed cost. To cross her path is to gamble with both salvation and damnation.

Combos That Carry Runs

It’s not just about drawing strong cards—it’s about building synergies that snowball into victory. Here are a few player-favorite combos:

Stamina Surge (Warrior) Focus on executing powerful attacks to gain stamina. Once you get ten stamina, your next card is free and executes twice. A strategically picked card and moment can turn the battle.

Card Mill (Rogue & Mage): Pair Finesse with Wave Laylines to keep drawing more cards for yourself and teammates while getting free mana. A well-executed build can clear a level in one or two turns.

Hammer Time (Tinkerer): Stacking Sharp Matter for resource generation with a resource boosted attack like Hammer Time ensures you can fire off devastating attacks without running dry. As a bonus, keep buffing your team with Solidarity.

Infinite Draw and block (Bruja & Warrior): Bruja’s Wendigo draws each time you kill, Wrathstealer gives loads of block to other team members, while Warrior’s Ox doubles it. In co-op, coordination like this wins runs.

Think Positionally (and Positively!)

Unlike many deck-builders, Hellcard isn’t only about the hand you’re dealt—it’s about where enemies are placed. Sometimes the best defence is to kick a powerful enemy back so they have to waste trudging back to you. Or pull a ranged monster close, so they have to skitter back while taking hits from your team.  Always prioritize threats based on distance, and use movement or control cards to reposition the battlefield in your favor.

Don’t Hoard, Adapt

It’s tempting to hold onto every powerful card you find, but Hellcard rewards adaptability. Sometimes discarding or cycling cards is the best play to find what you need. Building flexible decks with both single-target and AOE options helps you pivot when the dungeon throws a curveball. It pays to check the end boss you got for the run and adjust the deck accordingly. Each boss counters a specific strategy. Learn and master them all.

Co-Op is Your Secret Weapon

Solo runs are fun and give you total control over strategy, but Hellcard truly shines in co-op. Don’t just play your own cards—think about how your deck complements your allies’. Warriors shielding Rogues, Rogues finessing more cards for teammates, casting these cards for no cost after a couple of turns. Communication is your strongest card in multiplayer.

One Last Tip: Risk Brings Reward

Artifacts can completely change your run, but they often come with drawbacks. Don’t shy away from risks. That seemingly cursed artifact that disables your block but massively increases damage output? Your mates can still give you block while you become an unstoppable engine of destruction. The best Hellcard runs often come from daring choices that pay off big.

Hellcard is available now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Shuffle your deck, grab some friends, and dive into the abyss—you’ve got the tips, now all you need is the courage to play your hand.