Hearthstone deck types & archetypes
Learn how a deck wins, where it is vulnerable and how to pilot it.
Find the plan behind a deck
A deck archetype is a shared plan. Aggro pushes early damage, control answers threats and wins later, and combo brings key cards together. Other labels describe an engine, card rule or finishing move. Read how archetype labels fit together to tell them apart.
Build your own version
Use the Hearthstone deckbuilding guides to turn that plan into a list. Start with a clear way to win, then check card roles and your mana curve. After a few games, use the playtest log to find problems worth fixing.
How archetype labels fit together
Compare aggro, tempo, midrange, control, and combo. Learn how deck labels overlap, choose a winning plan, and give each card a useful job.
Aggro
Build early pressure, protect useful attackers, and count your finish. Learn when trades or a saved threat give aggro a better chance to win.
Tempo
Keep a board lead with threats and cheap answers. Learn how tempo decks turn that lead into damage and choose plays that help the next turn.
Midrange
Use strong threats at several costs and change roles with the matchup. Learn when a midrange deck should defend, trade, or attack the hero.
Control
Stay alive with removal and defense, then turn safe turns into a win. Learn how control decks choose answers, save resources, and finish games.
Combo
Build toward a powerful group of cards and survive until it works. Learn how combo decks find pieces, plan the big turn, and handle disruption.
Burn
Count damage from hand and future attacks before choosing a play. Learn when a burn deck should spend damage on defense or save it to finish.
Token / Flood
Build many small minions, use buffs well, and leave room to summon. Learn how token and flood decks trade, manage space, and rebuild after clears.
Value / Attrition
Use cards well so the enemy runs out of useful plays first. Learn how value and attrition decks save answers, manage draw, and turn resources into wins.
Mill / Fatigue
Plan around empty decks and lost draws while keeping your hero safe. Learn why forced draw can help the enemy and how to count fatigue damage.
Ramp
Reach useful high-cost plays sooner without giving up too much early safety. Learn how ramp decks connect setup, defense, and their next big play.
Miracle
Chain cheap cards, draw, and discounts into a powerful turn. Learn how Miracle decks plan the order, keep options open, and know when to stop.
OTK
Check every step of a one-turn kill, from mana and damage to targets and space. Learn how OTK decks save pieces and plan around enemy defenses.
Resurrect / Deathrattle
Plan which minions can return and what their deaths provide. Learn how Deathrattle and resurrection decks manage space, setup, and enemy answers.
Herald
Connect early Herald plays to a useful later reward. Learn how to count progress, plan board space, and keep enough defense to reach the finish.
Tribal
Use shared minion types to support useful card groups. Learn how tribal decks check bonus conditions, handle awkward draws, and keep early plays.
Voltron / Tall
Build one large threat without risking every card on it. Learn how tall and Voltron decks choose buffs, protect attacks, and prepare a follow-up.
Zoo
Turn low-cost minions into a lasting board lead and hero damage. Learn how Zoo decks use trades, buffs, and draw while saving a way to rebuild.
Hand / Handlock
Balance a large hand with the need to stay alive and make useful plays. Learn how hand-based decks plan draw order, rewards, and Health costs.
Highlander / Singleton
Fill needed card jobs with different names in a no-duplicates deck. Learn how singleton decks balance rewards, reliable draws, and missing copies.
Pure
Build around the exact class-card rule rather than a deck name. Learn how Pure decks weigh their reward against the tools the restriction removes.
Hybrid
Combine a main plan with a useful backup that shares support. Learn how hybrid decks avoid split card groups and choose a role for each matchup.