Ars Goetia
Ars Goetia is a vanilla-based content mod for the game Balatro that I created from Jan 2026 – Jun 2026.
You can download it on GitHub here!
- Developed, rescoped, and bugfixed 72 joker and 9 deck mechanics via LUA scripting
- Collaborated with peers to solve complex scripting problems and recieve feedback on mechanics & balancing
- Published mod via the Balatro Discord
Adding to a “Perfect” System
Balatro is, in fact, a very well-balanced game. However, there are certain strategies that are generally stronger than others (ie. held-in-hand). My goal with the Ars Goetia was to buff some of the weaker strategies while leaving the stronger ones mostly alone.
- Added 72 Jokers with the goal of increasing the viability of certain strategies and card types, notably five-card hands, lategame Flushes, Aces, and 7s
- Added 9 decks, adding interesting mechanics that encourage different play
Ars Goetia’s third Jokers page
Ars Goetia’s seventh Deck
Mod Implementation
For script-loading, I used the usual combo of Lovely-Injector and Steammodded
- Implemented 72 Joker effects, 9 deck effects, 1 Enhancement effect, 1 Sticker effect, and 1 Tarot effect via LUA, and commented most code for usability
- Consulted friends & Balatro Discord for implementation assistance & assisted others on their projects