How to use Deck Codes in Hearthstone

So you’re browsing the internet in search of a deck to play in Hearthstone, and you stumble upon a deck code. You copy that code, and then you go back to your game client. What do you do with it, there? The game doesn’t seem to recognize your code. You press Ctrl + V, and nothing happens. What gives?

The truth is that Hearthstone is prepared to automatically recognize deck codes directly from your clipboard, but it doesn’t do that all the time — or, in every screen. You need to go to certain specific places for deck codes to be recognized by the game, and for the import prompt to show up. So read on to learn how and where, exactly, to use your deck codes.

Regardless of whether you’re copying a code for a deck to use in Constructed mode — that’s ladder play, whether it’s Standard, Wild, or anything else — or a Tavern Brawl, the first step is, obviously, to copy the deck code. If it’s displayed as text, select it and press “Ctrl + C” or whatever the equivalent is on your computer (but some websites will also offer you buttons that you can click to automatically copy the deck code). Then, navigate to the correct place in the game client itself.

Constructed (Standard/Wild)

To use a deck for Constructed, simply click the My Collection button at the bottom of the main Hearthstone screen. Once you’re in that screen, if you have a valid deck code copied to your clipboard, the game client should automatically open a “Create Deck” popup with the question: “Would you like to create a new deck with the deck in your clipboard?” You simply click “Yes” and the game should automatically sort out your deck for you, so you just need to click “Done” afterwards.

Tavern Brawl

If you’re playing a Tavern Brawl that includes deck building, you’ll need to enter the actual Tavern Brawl screen from the “Modes” option on the main menu. Click the Tavern Brawl icon (first one to the left, a mug), and you’ll be taken to the actual Tavern Brawl screen.

Once you’re there, sometimes the game might still not automatically recognize your  simply entering the main Tavern Brawl screen. If you’ve already created a deck for the current Tavern Brawl, that deck should be displayed on the right side of the screen, and below it, you’ll se an “Edit” button. You’ll need to click Edit first, and then Delete your current Brawl deck (the Delete button will also be at the bottom). When the deck is deleted, then the game will scan your clipboard for a code again, and prompt you to import it if it finds one.

So there you have it. Hopefully you’ll no longer be confused as to how to activate your deck code in Hearthstone. Happy deck hunting!