Wondering what all the fuss is about with Disney Lorcana? We’ve got you covered!

From viral social media content to hours-long lines at Disney Springs for new releases, Disney Lorcana has been getting some serious hype recently. But if you’re not familiar with Lorcana and have tons of questions (maybe even starting with, “What is it??”), don’t worry, we’re here to help!

I asked a member of the DFB team who’s a certified Lorcana superfan to break it down as simply as possible and answer the most common questions they get. Get ready, because it’s time for Disney Lorcana 101!

What IS Disney Lorcana?

Disney Lorcana is an official trading card game (TCG) made by Ravensburger in which players take on the role of “Illumineers,” powerful wizards who use magical ink to summon Disney characters known as glimmers.

The game has a focus on deckbuilding and customization, with players building custom decks of at least 60 cards using up to two ink colors that they use for gameplay. The objective is to reach 20 lore (think of “lore” as “points”) before your opponents.

So, Is It Like Pokémon?

Kind of! It’s similar to other popular games like Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering in a few ways — Lorcana is also a trading card game, there are different card rarities, and you get to battle other players’ decks.

But it’s definitely not identical! There’s also an overarching story at play in Lorcana, and the gameplay itself works differently than Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering.

How Do I Get Started With Lorcana?

For someone brand-new to the game, the easiest way to get started is with the Lorcana Gateway Board Game Box. It includes everything you need as a newbie, and it literally feels like Disney is holding your hand and walking you through each step!

Starting off with the Lorcana Gateway is super helpful since it’s so easy to follow the steps laid out in the game. The Ravensburger YouTube channel also has a walkthrough guide that breaks it down pretty simply as well!

Get the Gateway Box on Amazon

Do the Card Colors Matter?

Yes! There are six different “ink types” (AKA colors) that each card could potentially sport: amber, amethyst, emerald, ruby, sapphire, or steel.

When you build a deck, you’re only allowed to use two ink types. Each one has strengths and weaknesses, so the idea is to strategize how you plan to win and make choices that support their strengths and cover their weaknesses!

How Many Cards Do I Need?

Your deck MUST HAVE at least 60 cards. You can go bigger than that as well, but that can be tricky if there are certain actions/characters/items, etc., that you want to increase your chance of pulling each round.

In other words, 60 cards is the minimum, and from there, you’ll have to weigh the risks and rewards to decide if you want to go bigger!

Can I Have Duplicate Cards in My Deck?

Yes, duplicate cards are allowed in your deck, but there is a maximum number of repeat cards allowed.

You’re only allowed a maximum of four of the same card in your deck.

Is the Game Competitive?

Yes, the main Lorcana game is competitive. But there are also cooperative sets that you can purchase to shake things up! The most recent cooperative game on the market is The Great Hunny Rescue.

In The Great Hunny Rescue, you get to team up with other Lorcana players to take down the big baddie…. The VINE!

Get It On Amazon

What Are the Rarity Levels of the Cards?

Like we mentioned earlier, similar to Pokémon, there are different rarity levels for each of the Lorcana cards. From most common to least common, the rarity levels are: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Super Rare, Legendary, Enchanted, Epic, Iconic. 

If you find a Legendary card, you’ve got a good pull. But if you hit Enchanted and above, you’re LIVING LARGE!

How Can I Tell the Rarity of a Card?

The rarity is indicated by a small symbol at the bottom middle of the card.

For example, the gold pentagon at the bottom of the Goofy card in the above photo indicates the rarity is Legendary, and the silver square (partially under our thumb) on the Bolt card means Super Rare.

Can I Get Into Lorcana Casually?

Sure! The artwork on the cards is genuinely really cool, and some people might prefer collecting just for the neat Disney character art and the thrill of seeing which cards you pull.

But if our experience is any indication… you will go into this thinking you will not get hooked. You will be wrong. Just look at our ever-expanding decks for the evidence!

We’ll be on the lookout for future Lorcana news and upcoming drops, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates!