Disney Lorcana is a TCG with a very well-known theme.

I can feel the Magic Gathering.

A trading card game (TCG) that features Disney characters in both original and reimagined art styles that live in an all-new world with unique and magical gameplay.

Disney Lorcana Game Overview

Quick Rules Summary

Ok, so we played a very quick demo at UK Games Expo and I’ve since learned we were taught the rules wrong so I’ll do my best. There is also a bunch of terminology I’m not going to remember all of it so I’ll do what I can.

So players each build a deck of cards.

On a player’s turn, they put a card (those with a gold circle in the top right) face down to use as mana. They then tap the mana to play cards into play.

Characters can ‘attack’ the turn after they are played. They can attack the player for points (called Questing I think?) or attack an opponent’s characters (Called challenging) to try and remove them from the board.

We were taught attacking wrong so I’m not sure if you Challenge th player and they choose who to “block” with or if you challenge a character directly.

There are also non-character cards that have various abilities such as the frying pan that can stop a character from questing on their next turn.

How do you win?

Get to 20 points first and win.

Main Mechanisms

Collecting cards, building decks and the rest is standard TCG stuff.

USP

Disney’s Magic the Gathering is not unique on 2 levels.

It was the third Disney and the third 1v1 combat game I played just at this one UK Games Expo so to call it unique would be harsh.

Theme

Yeah, it’s Disney… If you know the characters great, if not… then I don’t know what you can do. In the image below, I know Captain Hook and Jasmine so I had fun with them. I don’t know Aurora but they were the best card in my hand at the time.

Setup

Build a deck and shuffle.

Components & Artwork

The cards were sleeved so I didn’t get a feel for them. But, the artwork and graphic design are really nice.

I really like the design on the back of the cards so I’d want to play with clear sleeves if I ever bought this game.

Ease of Teaching

Teaching TCGs is a nightmare. I mean, this isn’t as complicated as MTG but with so many cards, hidden hands etc it would be a pain.

Similar Games

Magic the Gathering is the main one as the gameplay is so similar. Pokemon, YuGiOh etc as collectable games all count too.

Disney Lorcana Review

Positives

It looks really nice.

The gameplay is fun and could be addictive.

If ‘fun’ decks can be competitive at tournaments, it’s a game I can see myself playing competitively, however…

Negatives

…I don’t want to get sucked into buying (probably) expensive chase rares just so I can win.

Where will Disney Lorcana be sold?

At all good board game shops, and some bad ones too. I’m guessing this will be big enough to be available in supermarkets.

Disney Lorcana Release Date

August 18th 2023! That’s when the first chapter will be available in game stores, on 1st September for wider retail.

Will Lorcana be competitive?

TCGs live and die in their competitive tournament scene. So yes, Disney Lorcana will be competitive and will no doubt have prizes for winning and being competitive.

Will Lorcana have rare cards?

Sadly, yes. There will be at least 5 levels of rarity ranging from common to legendary.

How big is the deck in the Lorcana?

The minimum deck size is 60 cards and you can’t have more than 4 copies of the same card.

What does Lorcana mean?

It’s a portmanteau of Lore and Arcana.

Summary

It’s OK, but it’s collectable and it’s been done before… a lot.

Jesta ThaRogue