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Breaking into a trading card game like Disney Lorcana can be one of the hardest things about it. Forget deck color combinations, advanced mechanics, or the competitive scene; just knowing where to start is probably the biggest hurdle.
I've been playing and reporting on the best card games for a long time now, and Disney Lorcana is near the top of my favorites list (it's beaten only by Magic: The Gathering in my eyes). That means I've been where you are now – struggling to work out how to start a collection, or begin playing. Here's what really helped me navigate the Disney-based trading card game.
Are you a complete beginner who wants to learn the ropes? Gateway is the product to buy. It lays out the basics in a really easy-to-understand, comprehensive way. Although it begins by drip-feeding the basics, it gradually increases in complexity until you should be ready to spring-board into the full game. I wish I had this back when Lorcana launched; while I learned via single-player starter decks, this is a much easier method.
This newer box set just dropped onto my desk, and honestly, I love it – it's perfect for anyone wanting to kickstart a collection. Yes, providing a handful of boosters is helpful. A special edition promo Stich card is cool too. But the inclusion of a small collector portfolio elevates the pack for me, as does the little booklet laying out exactly how this all works. It breaks down exactly what a card's symbols mean and how that reflects rarity too, which, if I'm honest I didn't fully understand until now. There are plenty of handy tips on your next steps too, so this is a borderline essential purchase.
Looking to create a deck of your own, and provide a really solid foundation to build on? These box sets are what I'd prioritize. Besides getting you a sturdy box in which you can store everything (complete with color-based dividers), it features a selection of eight booster packs with 12 cards each, themed dice, and a spindown counter for easy tracking. That's enough to start forging your own competitive deck, especially when combined with the Collection Starter Set listed above or cards from Gateway.
All of the above aside, I'd also highly recommend grabbing the Disney Lorcana app for your phone. This lets you track the cards you have and allows you to make test decks in-app, so it's a great way of getting stuck in without the hassle of wrangling all your real-life cards.
Anyway, hopefully that helps. Lorcana is a great game that keeps going from strength to strength, so it's well worth sinking your teeth into. See you out there, Illumineers!
- See all Disney Lorcana at Amazon
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