Unlocking the Magic: Mastering Disney Lorcana with Ease

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Disney Lorcana - How to Win

Disney Lorcana - Beginning Phase

Disney Lorcana - Main Phase

Disney Lorcana - Bringing the Game to a Close

Mastering a new card game can be a challenge, and Disney Lorcana is no exception. Novice players may feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar card game conventions, while seasoned trading card game enthusiasts may be taken aback by the innovative concepts introduced in Disney's latest sensation. However, although the rules may initially appear complex, they are actually quite straightforward once players become familiar with them. The true test lies in comprehending the intricacies of one's own deck as well as that of their adversaries.

Deck building in Disney Lorcana is a topic that won't be extensively covered here. However, it is essential to note the three main rules involved in deck construction. Firstly, every player must have a deck comprising a minimum of 60 cards. Additionally, each deck can only consist of two types of Ink, namely Amber, Amethyst, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Steel. Lastly, no more than four copies of a card can be included in any given deck.

Disney Lorcana - Setup

Once all players have prepared their Lorcana decks, it is time to proceed with the game setup. Each player is required to thoroughly shuffle their deck and then draw a hand consisting of precisely seven cards. In Disney Lorcana, an additional rule permits players to modify their starting hand once at the onset of the game.

To accomplish this, players have the option to place an unlimited number of cards from their hand onto the bottom of their deck. Subsequently, they can draw replacement cards prior to reshuffling the deck. Finally, it is necessary to determine the player who will commence the game.

Disney Lorcana - How to Win

Unlike other trading card games, Disney Lorcana offers a unique gameplay experience. The objective is not to defeat the opponent, but rather, to be the first player to accumulate 20 Lore points. To keep track of your progress, you can use a variety of methods, such as a piece of paper, an app, or any tool capable of counting from 0 to 20. As the game progresses, players will earn Lore points through their actions. Once a player reaches the milestone of 20 Lore points, the game concludes immediately.

Disney Lorcana - Beginning Phase

At the beginning of each player's turn, they go through a two-part phase consisting of a Beginning Phase and a Main Phase. The Beginning Phase is further divided into three steps: Ready, Set, and Draw.

Ready: This step involves turning all the cards on the player's field upright, preparing them for use.

Set: Resolve any card effects that take place at the start of the player's turn.

Draw: Draw a card from the deck.

The first player does not draw a card on their first turn.

Disney Lorcana - Main Phase

During the Main Phase of Disney Lorcana, players can engage in various actions in any sequence they prefer. There are no restrictions on the number of times an action can be taken, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Typically, the availability of Ink determines the extent to which players can perform these actions.

Once per turn, players can put a card facedown in their Inkwell. This allows it to be used as Ink to play other cards.

Play a card

Use a character ability

Use an item ability

Send a character on a quest

Use a character in a challenge.

Disney Lorcana - Understanding the Inkwell

The Inkwell is an essential component of playing Disney Lorcana as it enables players to utilize cards and abilities. Once per turn, players have the option to select any card with a gold ring around its cost and place it facedown in the Inkwell, where it will remain for the duration of the game.

During their Main Phase, players are required to Exert (turn sideways) a certain number of cards in their Inkwell if a card or ability has an Ink cost, in order to play or use it. All cards in the Inkwell are Readied (flipped back upright) during the Beginning Phase.

Disney Lorcana - Play a Card

To play a card, players need to pay the Ink cost indicated in the upper left corner of the card. They must then remove the same number of cards from the Inkwell and place the card in the Ready position above it. There are three types of cards, each with its own unique gameplay when played.

Character Cards such as Rapunzel, Letting Down Her Hair, are placed in the Ready position but cannot be Exerted during the turn they are played. This prohibits them from challenging opponents, embarking on quests, or utilizing any abilities that necessitate Exertion.

Item Cards such as Dinglehopper are placed in the Ready position, allowing for immediate use upon being played.

Effect Cards like Dragon Fire are played and promptly discarded, with their effects being resolved immediately upon play.

Song Cards are Effect Cards with an extra rule. Instead of paying the Ink cost, players have the option to use a character's singing ability as payment, free of charge. However, the character's cost must meet or exceed the specified value.

Disney Lorcana - Use Character and Item Abilities

Card abilities provide a clear explanation of their actions and associated costs directly on the card. To activate an ability, simply pay the required cost beforehand. The ability may involve spending a specific amount of Ink and/or Exerting the card.

Just keep in mind that Character cards cannot be used on the turn they are played. While there are currently not many character cards with active abilities, this may change with the introduction of new sets of cards by Lorcana.

Disney Lorcana - Questing

In Disney Lorcana, completing quests is the primary method for acquiring Lore and achieving victory. To embark on a quest, players must exert one of their character cards. This action grants the player a certain amount of Lore, indicated by the diamond-shaped symbol on the side of the card, typically ranging from one to four.

Disney Lorcana - Challenging

The Mickey Mouse card above yields four Lore from each quest, while the Olaf card only receives one. Please remember that Character cards cannot exert themselves for quests or any other purpose on the same turn they are played.

Challenges provide an avenue for Lorcana players to engage in interactive gameplay. To initiate a challenge, players must Exert one of their Character Cards and select an opponent's Character Card that is already Exerted. Both cards will inflict damage equal to their respective Strength values on each other. If any card accumulates damage equal to or surpassing its Willpower, that card will be banished and relocated to the Discard Pile.

IMPORTANT: Players cannot challenge a card in the Ready position. Only Exerted cards may be challenged.

Disney Lorcana - Ending the Game

Players will alternate their turns, progressing through the Beginning Phase and the Main Phase, in a clockwise direction around the table. If a player is unable to draw a card when required to do so, they will be instantly eliminated. Conversely, the game will conclude as soon as any player accumulates 20 Lore.

Disney Lorcana releases on August 18th.