Every new player asks the same question: what is the best GNG starter deck? The honest answer is that the strongest beginner deck is the one whose game plan you understand, because Goblins and Gunslingers rewards knowing your lines more than owning rare cards. That said, some faction pairings are far easier to pilot than others while you are still learning the two-resource economy and open combat. This guide ranks the most beginner-friendly starter decks, explains why each one works, and gives you a clear plan for piloting it to your first wins.
What makes a good starter deck
Before we pick factions, remember the constraints. A legal deck is 52 cards built from a maximum of two main factions, plus your 2 Deputy cards kept off to the side. Beasts are neutral, so you can splash them into any deck without using up a faction slot. You draw 7 to open and your hand caps at 10.
A good starter deck does three things: it has a low, smooth mana curve so you always have a play, it deals damage to the enemy hero early to build gold (gold is flat at 1 per turn plus 1 for each instance of damage you land, and it carries over), and it does not rely on tricky sequencing to function. If keyword soup is slowing you down, keep the keyword glossary handy as you build.
1. Humans plus Beasts — the lawful control starter
Humans are the most forgiving faction for new players because they tell you exactly how combat should go. Their Warrant creatures force enemies to attack them first, and many pair Warrant with Quickdraw so they strike before they take damage. That combination lets you absorb attacks, win the trade, and protect your fragile shooters behind the wall.
Splash neutral Beasts for clean, splashable bodies like big Overshot and Double Barrel creatures, and you have a deck that controls the board and grinds out wins. Pilot tip: drop a Warrant body, dare them to swing into it, and keep chipping face for gold so your bigger lawmen come online. You can browse the full faction roster to see who fits your style.
2. Goblins plus Beasts — the aggressive starter
If you would rather race than grind, Goblins are your huckleberry. They are chaotic, explosive, and built to deal damage now. Their creatures lean on Double Barrel (attack twice), Overshot (excess damage spills over), and Last Stand effects that blow up when they die, so even your dead creatures deal damage.
Goblins teach you the most important beginner lesson fast: aggression funds itself. Every point of face damage is a gold coin for next turn. Add a Beast splash for reliable muscle and you have a deck that closes games before your opponent's expensive plans matter. Pilot tip: do not overthink it. Develop early, attack the hero relentlessly, and use Overshot creatures to punch through weakened blockers into the face.
3. Dwarves plus Beasts — the fortress starter
Dwarves are the starter deck for patient players. They stack high Defense, lock down the board, and grind opponents out from behind a wall. Their Fortify keyword bumps Defense the moment a creature lands, and Cover Tokens keep the enemy off your hero while you set up.
This deck is beginner-friendly because it punishes mistakes rather than requiring perfect play. You can stabilize from behind, which is forgiving while you are still learning combat math. Pilot tip: build your wall, keep Cover Tokens up to deny face damage, and win the long game once your big Dwarves are immovable.
A note on the Deputies
Whichever pairing you choose, do not forget your 2 Deputy cards. They live outside your deck, only one can be on the field at a time, and you summon them with specific effects and gold. Treat them as a reliable safety valve: a body you can always reach for when you need to stabilize or close. New players often ignore Deputies entirely and leave value on the table.
How to actually build it
Open the in-game deck builder and start with a 52-card list that curves out: plenty of cheap creatures, a solid middle, and just a few expensive bombs. Use the 5 Middle lanes for your attackers and the 2 High-Rise lanes to protect a key creature, since High-Rise creatures cannot be targeted by single-target spells. Browse the full card gallery to find creatures that match your two factions, and lean on neutral Beasts to fill any gaps in your curve.
The best starter deck is the one you play
Pick the pairing whose plan sounds fun to you: control with Humans, aggression with Goblins, or fortress grind with Dwarves. All three are beginner-friendly, all three win games, and all three teach you the fundamentals you will carry into every future deck. Goblins and Gunslingers is free to play in your browser with no download, so build your first starter deck, test it against the AI, and start collecting. Visit the store to grab booster packs and round out your collection as you go.