What is Disney Lorcana, and How Does You Play It?

Disney is one of the biggest companies in the world, synonymous with it’s epic theme parks, movie franchises, and broadcasting empire… but did you know it also has quite a large footprint in the gaming space. Obviously, by owning Marvel & Star Wars, Disney would have a footprint in the gaming space - but in September of 2023, it worked alongside Ravensburger to launch it’s own Trading Card Game, called Lorcana.

What Is Lorcana?

Disney Lorcana is a collective trading card game where players aim to collect “lore” by summoning characters, completing quests, and challenging opponents. The entire game is coated in a Disney theme, with characters, locations, and illustrations all revolving around the wide world of Disney.

Players use an Ink system (resources) to play cards, with each card requiring a specific amount of Ink to play. There are six Ink colors, each with unique strategies, like aggressive combat, defensive plays, or powerful items. The game combines deck-building and strategic decisions, offering a mix of questing, battling, and resource management.

The Rules of Lorcana

Each player builds a 60-card deck using up to two Ink colors and starts the game by drawing a card, with the first player not drawing on their first turn. The turn consists of five phases: Start of Turn (draw a card), Ink Phase (place a card into your Inkwell for resources), Main Phase (play cards or activate abilities), Questing & Challenges (assign characters to quests for Lore or challenge opposing characters), and End of Turn (pass play to the opponent).

Cards cost Ink to play, and Songs allow characters to use abilities instead of spending Ink. Players win by collecting 20 Lore, mainly through quests, and the game can be won by either aggressive play, careful resource management, or strategic challenges.

How Do You Win A Round of Lorcana?

To win a round of Lorcana, you need to be the first player to collect 20 Lore. Lore is gained by sending your characters on quests, which are actions that give you Lore points. You can also hinder your opponent's progress by challenging their characters, reducing their ability to quest effectively. If you gain 20 Lore first - you win the round!

What Type of Players Would Love Lorcana?

Don’t be fooled by the Disney coating - Lorcana is not just for children. It offers some in-depth deck building mechanics, and complex rules & strategies that many TCG fans will enjoy.

Definitely give it a try if you’re a fan of Magic: The Gathering, Hearthstone, KeyForge, and even Yu-Gi-Oh! Fans of Pokémon will certainly feel right at home with Lorcana, as it utilizes some fairly similar mechanics as well.

How Long Does A Round of Lorcana Take?

A typical round of Lorcana generally takes around 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the experience level of the players and the complexity of the decks. Games can be faster if both players are familiar with the rules and play aggressively, but it can also take longer if players are more strategic or use control-oriented decks.

How Many Players Can Play Lorcana At Once?

Lorcana is designed for 2 players per game, however, it's possible to adapt the game for multiplayer formats by using house rules or specific community variants. Some players set up multi-player games where players form teams or create a free-for-all style, but the official rules are for 2-player matches.

Disney’s Presentation Touch

Lorcana stands out among it’s TCG competitors with its impressive presentation, blending Disney’s beloved characters with a rich fantasy world. The artwork is visually stunning, and features detailed illustrations that bring the iconic Disney characters to life in new and imaginative ways, while maintaining a sense of nostalgia for fans.

Lorcana cards themselves have a premium feel, with foil details and unique card frames that add to their collectibility. The overall aesthetic of Lorcana creates an immersive experience that feels both familiar and fresh, making it an appealing game for both Disney fans and card game enthusiasts.

Lorcana Expansions

Similarly to many TCGs, Lorcana utilizes timed expansions to release new cards, rules, and tactics in the universe. There are currently 6 expansions of Lorcana (when you include the original set!) but there are certainly more on the horizon. As Lorcana continues to grow, you can be certain that more and more themed expansions will be releasing - with plenty of new cards to collect and add your deck.

Lorcana Boosters & Starter Boxes

Lorcana Booster Packs contain 12 cards each, including a mix of rare, uncommon, and common cards, as well as potential foil cards. These packs allow players to expand their decks with new characters, actions, and items from the current expansion. Each expansion introduces it’s own set of booster packs with different themes and cards.

Lorcana Starter Decks come ready to play featuring 60 cards and a balanced deck, built around specific characters or strategies. These decks typically include a mix of basic and more powerful cards, making them great for newcomers or players looking to jump into the game without building a deck from scratch.