July 25th 2023.
Trading card fans have been eagerly awaiting the next few months, as Pokémon TCG and Magic: The Gathering prepare to host their first World Championship and MagicCon respectively. But Disney may be about to steal the show with their new trading card game, Lorcana.
Players are invited to take on the role of Illumineers - magical sorcerers with the power to conjure Disney characters and use magical items called glimmers. At the UK Games Expo, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the cards and mechanics, and even speak to Lorcana co-designer Ryan Miller.
The game's structure is fairly straightforward. Players must build a deck of 60 cards, with no more than four copies of any single card. It follows the same energy card system as Pokémon TCG or mana in Magic: The Gathering, with six different types of so-called ‘ink’: Amber, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst, Ruby, and Steel.
A unique objective has been introduced, where players must accumulate 20 lore points by using cards and leveraging specific abilities. The game consists of two phases - the Beginning Phase and the Main Phase - which players take turns to complete.
The real challenge in Lorcana comes from deck building and card synergies. Players must think tactically to predict their opponents' moves and plan their strategies accordingly. Miller explains that the choice of which card to play is a testing one, as once it is down, it is in for the rest of the game.
The cards are gorgeously illustrated, capturing the essence of beloved characters and their iconic landscapes. Every card exudes Disney's signature charm and artistry, with an extra special foil version of each card in every booster.
The game combines theme, art, and gameplay in a way that is both accessible and rewarding. It encourages experimentation and customisation, and provides ample opportunities for players to develop their skills. I for one am excited to see what Lorcana has to offer.
Lorcana is making a big entrance into the trading card game world this August, giving players a unique and exciting experience that draws upon 100 years’ worth of Disney characters. With the impending release of the game at GenCon and the US retail release on September 1st, the Magic and Pokémon franchises have serious competition on their hands.
I had the pleasure of previewing the cards and mechanics at the UK Games Expo back in June, and speaking to Lorcana co-designer Ryan Miller. The game structure is fairly simple, allowing for a variety of strategies to be employed. Players must construct a deck of 60 cards, with no more than four instances of any single card. These cards are categorised into six distinct types of ink: Amber, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst, Ruby, and Steel.
Beginning the game, each player draws seven cards from the top of their deck, to form their initial hands. Turns then alternate with two phases: the Beginning Phase and the Main Phase. The objective is to accumulate 20 lore points by questing with cards and leveraging specific abilities. However, the key to success lies in the deck building and card synergies. Constructing a well-rounded deck is essential, allowing players to adapt to different playstyles and counter opponents’ strategies.
The game revolves around balancing the power of iconic Disney characters. For instance, one could pair Amber/Amethyst cards Moana and Minnie Mouse to create an aggro deck or Sapphire/Amethyst cards Pascal from Tangled and Mickey Mouse to create a powerful combo deck. Cards bolster each other’s strengths and cover weaknesses, while utilising unique abilities to outmanoeuvre your opponents.
As Miller explains, ‘During gameplay, the choice of which card to play is actually a very testing choice, because once you put it down it’s in for the rest of the game. As you improve in your skills, you start to realise that, ‘Oh, wait, no, I’m actually gonna hang on to that card, because of what my opponent’s doing.’
The cards are also incredibly detailed and beautifully illustrated, capturing the essence of beloved characters and their iconic landscapes. From the vibrant colours of Aladdin’s Agrabah to the whimsical charm of Alice’s Wonderland, each card exudes Disney’s signature charm and artistry.
‘Thematically Lorcana is just so delightful. I always like to show people Ariel. Don't you remember why she got her human legs? She gave up her voice! So she’s voiceless. So her ability is you can’t sing songs. On the card we have what we call flavour text. Her flavour text is just dot, dot, dot, -because she can’t talk, right?’ says Miller. It’s this attention to detail that makes the game so captivating and enjoyable.
Lorcana is sure to be a hit at GenCon and with US retail release on September 1st. I’m eager to get my hands on the game and explore the deck building possibilities. I can’t wait to see what strategies I can come up with and how I can surprise my opponents with my decisions!
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