Disney’s Lorcana is an exciting trading card game (TCG) that combines the charm of all those Disney characters we love so much with the strategic depth usually associated with collectible card games. Lorcana is perfect for adults who love a bit of Disney nostalgia, but also great for children who know the characters and want to delve into a fun game with those characters. If you’re a parent looking for a fun new hobby to play with the kids, or an adult fan of Disney eager to dive into some serious game strategy, this guide will help you start your Lorcana journey. But watch out – you could become hooked!

Let’s start with some basics…

What Is Lorcana?

Lorcana is a trading card game created by Ravensburger and Disney. Players take on the role of “illumineers”, who are magical artists who can summon versions of Disney characters. These versions of Disney characters are called “glimmers” and they help the players collect “lore,” the game’s main way of winning.

Each game is a race to reach 20 lore before your opponent. You’ll use characters, items and songs from across Disney’s history to get there. That’s enough already to tempt anyone to play! Cards feature everyone from Mickey Mouse and Elsa to Stitch and Moana so there really is something to appeal to everyone, of all ages.

How the Game Works

Each player builds a deck of at least 60 cards, focused around two of six “ink colours”, which represent different styles of play. These are:

• Amber - Teamwork and support

• Amethyst - Magic and trickery

• Emerald - Speed and cunning

• Ruby - Power and aggression

• Sapphire - Strategy and resource building

• Steel - Strength and defence

There are a number of different things you can do on your turn aimed at collecting 20 lore and winning the game, such as:

1. Play cards from your hand using ink (your resource).

2. Send characters on quests to gain lore.

3. Challenge your opponent’s characters to slow them down.

4. Use items or songs to give yourself clever advantages.

What You’ll Need to Start

You can begin with just one starter deck of cards. These are ready-to-play out of the box and include everything you need for two people to learn together.

Each starter deck contains:

• A 60 card deck

• A play guide

• A tracker for your lore

• Damage tokens

• A booster pack

Starter decks come in a range of colour combinations, and each deck will result in a different experience of the game. It's that range of different experiences each time you play that attracts so many fans. Once you are used to playing with a basic deck, you can buy booster packs to expand your collection for even more variety in the game. Once you start building your own decks you can focus on the way you prefer to play and, of course, the characters that appeal to you most.

Why Lorcana is Great for Families

Lorcana appeals to people across multiple generations because of the rich history of Disney characters. It is one of the best family-friendly games because it is both easy to learn (even for younger players), but it is also rich in strategy. That means the adults will appreciate the depth of deckbuilding and clever combos.

Parents and kids can both enjoy the familiar Disney stories and characters. And the fun of collecting cards. There’s nothing like opening boosters and discovering rare cards!

You can play casually at home, visit local game stores or attend Lorcana events across the country (or even the world!)

Tips for New Players

We’ve been there and done it so here are 5 tips we wished we’d known as beginners.

1. Start simple: Play with starter decks before diving into custom decks.

2. Learn the ink system: Knowing when to “ink” a card (to gain resources) versus when to play it is key to winning.

3. Focus on lore: It’s easy to get caught up in battles but remember, the goal is to reach 20 lore!

4. Mix and match decks: Try different ink combinations to find what suits your playstyle.

5. Play for fun: Especially when playing with kids, focus on the storytelling and character moments.

The Magic of Lorcana

What makes Disney Lorcana special is how it captures the heart of Disney storytelling within a clever, accessible strategy game. Whether you’re a collector, a competitor or just a Disney fan, every game feels like stepping into a new animated adventure.

Quick Reference

And here’s a Quick Reference to keep handy during your first few games.

Objective

Be the first player to reach 20 Lore!

Game Setup

1. Each player has a 60-card deck.

2. Shuffle your deck and draw 7 cards.

3. Decide who goes first.

Turn Structure

1. Beginning Phase

• Ready: Turn all your exhausted (sideways) cards upright.

• Draw: Draw one card. (First player skips their draw on the very first turn.)

2. Main Phase

You may do any of the following, in any order:

3. End of Turn

• Say “End of turn.”

• The next player begins their turn.

Card Types

Ink Colours & Playstyles

Some More Tips

• You can’t quest and challenge with the same character in one turn.

• Newly played characters can’t quest or challenge until your next turn.

• Keep an eye on Lore. If you attack too much you risk slowing your path to victory!

• Remember, the goal is 20 Lore, not just defeating your opponent’s characters.

Winning the Game

As soon as a player reaches 20 Lore, the game ends immediately. There’s no need to finish the turn.