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Best Mobile Games Like Hearthstone for Deck Builders

Best Mobile Games Like Hearthstone for Deck Builders

by Andrea Knezovic

If you love Hearthstone, you probably love the whole loop. Building a deck, tweaking one card at a time, and chasing that perfect game where every draw feels planned.

The good news is there are plenty of mobile games like Hearthstone that hit the same itch, even if they do it in different ways. Some are pure ranked PvP with deep metas and constant outplay moments. Others are single player deckbuilders that turn the card combo hunt into a full-on puzzle.

Either way, if you want more card battles on your phone, these picks are a great next step.

Quick List of Games Like Hearthstone

  1. MARVEL SNAP: Super fast card battles where clever plays and last-second flips decide the whole match.
  2. Legends of Runeterra: Tactical back and forth card fights with champions, reactions, and lots of room for outplays.
  3. Magic: The Gathering Arena: The deep strategy pick, build real decks, learn tight sequencing, and get rewarded for smart play.
  4. GWENT: The Witcher Card Game: Win across rounds by managing resources, bluffing, and setting up big point swings.
  5. Shadowverse: Flashy anime style card battles with classes, big turns, and a solid story mode on the side.
  6. Eternal Card Game: A great middle ground between simple and deep, with plenty of interaction and strong deck variety.
  7. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel: Competitive deck building with huge card pools and combo lines that can get wild fast.
  8. Pokémon TCG Pocket: Quick battles plus daily pack opening vibes, perfect when you want something lighter.
  9. Slay the Spire: Single player deck building where every run is a puzzle and broken combos feel amazing.
  10. Monster Train: Single player deckbuilder with multi-lane battles and synergy-heavy builds that snowball hard.

marvel snap

1. Marvel Snap

Marvel Snap is a super quick collectible card game that feels made for phone sessions. You build tiny decks full of Marvel heroes and villains, then slam out matches while waiting for your food or pretending to listen in a meeting.

Matches are about 3 minutes, decks are only 12 cards, and you fight over 3 locations across 6 turns. The signature twist is snapping, where you raise the stakes for more cubes, or retreat when things look doomed so you lose fewer.

How Marvel Snap is like Hearthstone

✅ Deck building and combo hunting is the whole obsession.
✅ You still get that mind game of reading your opponent and planning turns ahead.
✅ Climbing rank feels familiar, with a clear win and loss loop.
❌ Way shorter matches and smaller decks, so it’s more about tight decisions than long value battles.
❌ The board is 3 locations you are trying to win, not one big lane where everything piles up.
❌ Snapping and retreating changes the vibe, since sometimes the smart play is leaving early, not fighting to the bitter end.

My Take: If Hearthstone is your sit down and grind game, Marvel Snap is your hit and run fix. It’s smart, it’s snappy, and the snap mind games are addicting once they click.

legends of runeterra

2. Legends of Runeterra

Legends of Runeterra is Riot’s digital card game set in the League of Legends universe, and it plays great on mobile. You’ve got PvP if you want ladder games, plus a chunky single player roguelite mode called Path of Champions if you want a more relaxed grind.

The big gameplay hook is how interactive it feels. You can bank up to 3 mana as spell mana, so you’re rarely forced to waste turns, and the back and forth action system means you’re constantly reacting instead of waiting forever for your next turn. Champions also level up mid-match, which gives you those hype swing moments.

How Legends of Runeterra is like Hearthstone

✅ You build decks around strong synergies and big payoff turns.
✅ You still get that brainy mind game of baiting removal and planning around what your opponent can do.
✅ The animations and “big moment” card reveals hit the same itch.
❌ It’s more reactive and back and forth, so it feels less like Hearthstone’s longer “I do my whole turn now” flow.
❌ The game’s biggest focus lately has leaned more toward Path of Champions than constant PvP shakeups, so ladder diehards might feel that.

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone because you enjoy smart trading and clutch answers, Runeterra rules. If you mostly liked Hearthstone for goofy RNG chaos, this one is a bit more serious and skill-first.

magic the gathering mobile game

3. Magic: The Gathering Arena

MTG Arena is the official digital version of Magic, and yeah, it absolutely scratches the same itch as Hearthstone if you’re into smart card battles and deck tech. It’s on mobile (iOS and Android) and also on PC and Mac, so it’s easy to keep playing wherever.

The core loop is classic Magic: you play lands to generate mana, drop creatures, sling spells, and win through combat and big swings. Arena also gives you a buffet of modes, like Standard and other constructed formats, plus Limited modes like Draft and Sealed when you want that fresh, build-as-you-go feeling.

How Magic: The Gathering Arena is like Hearthstone

✅ Deckbuilding, synergy hunting, and meta chasing are the whole obsession.
✅ Ranked play and climbing feels familiar if you liked ladder in Hearthstone.
✅ Limited-style play exists too, so you can jam Draft when you want variety.
❌ More complex rules and way more interaction, since instants and responses matter constantly.
❌ Mana can screw or flood you sometimes because of the land system, which is a very Magic kind of pain.
❌ The economy has more moving parts, like gold, gems, and wildcards, so planning your collection matters more.

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone for the strategy and mind games, MTG Arena is a deep rabbit hole in the best way. If you liked Hearthstone mostly for fast, goofy chaos, this one can feel heavier, but it’s insanely rewarding once it clicks.

gwent game

4. GWENT: The Witcher Card Game

GWENT is a tactical Witcher-themed card battler that’s all about outsmarting your opponent, not just high-rolling the perfect draw. It’s free on iOS and Android, with in-app purchases.

Matches are a best-of-three rounds duel. You play units onto two rows, stack points, and the real mind game is knowing when to pass and save resources for later rounds. It feels more like a poker-style bluff than a pure damage race.

How GWENT is like Hearthstone

✅ Deckbuilding and matchup knowledge matter a ton, same “I built this combo for a reason” energy.
✅ Strong PvP ladder vibes if you like climbing and learning the meta.
✅ Big swings exist, but they usually come from planning, not pure randomness.
❌ The win condition is rounds and points, not smashing a hero’s health to zero.
❌ Passing and resource management are central, which changes the whole flow compared to Hearthstone’s steady curve turns.
❌ New card releases stopped after 2023, with the game moving into a more community-driven future, so you’re not getting the same constant expansion hype as peak Hearthstone.

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone for smart reads, clutch sequencing, and that feeling of outplaying someone, GWENT rules. If you mostly lived for silly RNG blowouts, GWENT is calmer and more serious, but in a really satisfying way.

shadowverse

5. Shadowverse

Shadowverse is a fast, anime-styled digital card game from Cygames where you build decks around big combos, flashy finishers, and midgame power spikes. It’s free on iOS and Android, and it also exists on PC if you ever want to swap devices.

The signature hook is Evolution. You spend evolution points to power up a follower, which is where a ton of matches swing hard in one turn. Going second also gets an extra evolution point, so you’re not doomed just because you lost the coin flip.

You’ve got eight classes with different vibes, plus a fully voiced story mode if you want something chill between ladder sessions.

How Shadowverse is like Hearthstone

✅ Deckbuilding and synergy hunting feels very familiar.
✅ Big tempo turns and win conditions that “pop off” are a core part of the fun.
✅ Ranked PvP is a major focus, so you can grind and improve the same way you did in Hearthstone.
❌ Evolution points create a different pacing, since the midgame evolve turns are a huge deal.
❌ The art style and vibe lean harder into anime fantasy, which is either a plus or a hard pass depending on your taste.
❌ It can feel more combo-heavy than Hearthstone at times, especially when the meta favors explosive decks.

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone but sometimes wished there were fewer “I lost to pure nonsense” moments, Shadowverse is worth a shot. The evolve turns are hype, and the game rewards planning like crazy.

eternal card game

6. Eternal Card Game

Eternal Card Game is a mobile-friendly collectible card game that mixes Hearthstone-style pacing with some Magic-like ideas, like power cards and lots of interaction. It’s free-to-play on iOS and Android, and it also supports cross-play with other platforms so your account follows you around.

The feel is quick but tactical. You can mix factions when deckbuilding, and games often come down to smart sequencing, playing around removal, and knowing when to push damage versus holding up answers.

How Eternal Card Game is like Hearthstone

✅ Clean, readable digital card battles that feel built for quick sessions.
✅ Lots of deck archetypes, synergy hunting, and meta learning.
✅ Good mix of PvP and PvE modes, so you’re not forced to grind ladder every day.
❌ More interaction and rules depth than Hearthstone, so it can feel a bit sweatier at first.
❌ The resource system uses power cards, so you can still get unlucky draws sometimes, even if the game gives you tools to smooth it out.

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone’s brainy side but sometimes wished you had more chances to respond on your opponent’s turn, Eternal is a strong pick. It’s the kind of card game where smart fundamentals actually carry you.

yu gi oh master duel

7. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

Master Duel is the official Yu-Gi-Oh digital card game on mobile, and it’s built for competitive play. It’s free-to-play with in-game purchases, and you can link your account across platforms so you can swap between phone and other devices.

The big deal is the rule set. There’s no mana curve like Hearthstone, so games are more about combo lines, timing, and reacting with quick effects. Duels can get wild fast, especially once you run into stuff like chain interactions and hand traps.

You also get a solid Solo Mode that teaches rules and archetype stories, plus rotating events like Festivals that shake up what decks can be played.

How Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is like Hearthstone

✅ Deckbuilding and meta learning are a huge part of the fun.
✅ Ranked PvP is a main draw, so you can grind and improve over time.
✅ It has tutorials and solo content for learning and warming up.
❌ No mana system, so you won’t get that familiar curve play where turns feel neatly paced.
❌ Turns can feel longer and more complex because combo chains and responses matter a lot.
❌ The learning curve is steeper than Hearthstone, especially once you hit modern summoning types and fast disruption.

My Take: If you loved Hearthstone for clean, readable turns, Master Duel might feel like getting tossed into the deep end. If you love big brain combo planning and outplaying people with timing, this one can become your new obsession.

pokemon tcg pocket

8. Pokémon TCG Pocket

Pokémon TCG Pocket is a mobile-first card game that puts collecting front and center, with quick battles on the side. The big hook is that you can open two booster packs a day for free, so it scratches that pack-opening itch hard.

Battles are streamlined compared to the tabletop game. Decks are smaller, and the rules are tuned for faster matches, so it feels more like a snackable card battler than a long sit-down session.

How Pokémon TCG Pocket is like Hearthstone

✅ You’re still chasing that loop of collecting cards, building decks, and upgrading your list over time.
✅ Quick matches that fit phone play, like Hearthstone on the go.
✅ Lots of satisfying “I drew the thing” moments when your plan comes together.
❌ More simplified battle rules and smaller decks, so you get less of Hearthstone’s long value fights.
❌ If you love Hearthstone for wild mode variety, Pocket is more focused on collecting and shorter battles.

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone but you want something you can play in tiny bursts while still feeling like you’re making progress, this is a really nice fit. Just be ready for the collecting side to be the main event.

slay the spire

9. Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire is the king of single-player roguelike deckbuilders on mobile. You climb a tower run by run, picking cards, snagging relics, and trying to survive long enough to bully the final boss.

Instead of bringing a finished deck like Hearthstone, you build your deck during the run. After each fight you choose a new card, hit shops, take events, and plan your route on the map. The game has four characters with totally different card pools, plus a ton of relics that can flip your whole strategy.

It also has extra modes like Daily Climb and Custom Mode for goofy challenge runs when you want something fresh.

How Slay the Spire is like Hearthstone

✅ Card synergies and combo planning are the whole thrill
✅ You win by smart sequencing and knowing when to save resources
✅ You get that same rush when your plan comes together

❌ Single-player, not a PvP ladder game
❌ No card collecting grind like packs and dust, it’s run-based drafting instead
❌ A run can take a while, so it’s less of a 3-minute match kind of game

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone for deck ideas and outplays, Slay the Spire is an easy yes. Just know it’s more thinky and more punishing, and that’s exactly why it’s so addictive.

monster train

10. Monster Train

Monster Train is a roguelike deckbuilder where you defend a literal train headed into the frozen depths of Hell. The hook is that battles happen on three vertical floors, so positioning matters as much as card combos.

You pick clans, grab new cards after fights, and stack upgrades and relic-style buffs that can turn your deck into a ridiculous machine. On mobile, it’s a paid game and includes content updates like Wild Mutations and Friends & Foes.

How Monster Train is like Hearthstone

✅ You still get that deck synergy brain buzz, where one smart combo can swing a whole match.
✅ Cards are simple to read, but the decisions get deep fast.
✅ Building around “signature” units feels like building around Hearthstone win conditions.

❌ It’s run-based and mostly single-player, not a PvP ladder duel vibe.
❌ Combat is about defending three floors and protecting your Pyre, not hitting face until someone explodes.
❌ Less about owning a huge collection long-term, more about drafting and upgrading on the fly each run.

My Take: If you liked Hearthstone for big swings and clever turns, Monster Train is an easy win. The three-floor defense twist makes you feel smart when a plan comes together, and it stays fresh for a long time.

Final Thoughts

The best part about mobile games like Hearthstone is you can pick your flavor. If you want ladder pressure and mind games, go for the competitive CCGs. If you want to relax but still use your brain, the single player deckbuilders are perfect for one more run at night.

Try a couple, stick with the one that feels good in your hands, and you will get that same feeling Hearthstone does so well. One more match. One more tweak. One more win.

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