Advanced Strategies And Deck-Building Tips For Disney Lorcana

We’re huge fans of collectibles and TCGs like Lorcana, and we’re cooking up a special project that is inspired by our love of collectibles.

If you’re ready to take your Disney Lorcana experience beyond the beginner stage, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll delve into the advanced concepts that define high-level Lorcana play - and if you need a refresher on the basics first, check out our Absolute Beginner’s Guide To Disney Lorcana to get up to speed!

Advanced Lorcana play goes beyond simply knowing the rules and putting cards on the table. 

At a higher level, you’ll begin to anticipate your opponent’s moves, plan your resource usage (ink) more precisely, and build your deck to not only function well on its own but to exploit common patterns in the metagame. This means you need to keep track of several elements at once:

• Resource (Ink) Efficiency: Ensuring that each turn, you’re using as much of your available ink as possible without sacrificing critical cards.

• Board Presence: Maintaining enough characters on the board to threaten challenges or achieve consistent lore gain.

• Card Advantage: Finding ways to keep your hand replenished while diminishing your opponent’s resources.

• Strategic Flexibility: Pivoting between aggressive questing and defensive challenges depending on the situation.

In a nutshell, advanced Lorcana is all about optimizing your decisions so that nearly every action you take moves you closer to victory while minimizing opportunities for your opponent to counterplay. You might discover, for instance, that it’s sometimes better to hold off on playing a powerful card immediately if it means you can lure your opponent into exerting a key character, setting them up for an efficient removal on your next turn. The capacity to weigh these pros and cons and to adapt your game plan on the fly is the hallmark of an experienced Lorcana player.

Two foundational concepts that separate intermediate and advanced TCG players (in Lorcana or otherwise) are tempo and card advantage. These concepts interweave constantly, forming the backbone of nearly all high-level play.

Understanding Tempo

Tempo in Lorcana describes how efficiently you’re using your resources and turns relative to your opponent. If you’re able to make strong plays early on - for example, summoning cost-effective characters that quickly generate lore or remove your opponent’s threats - you can build a tempo advantage. A tempo advantage forces your opponent to react defensively, potentially stalling their quest for lore while you keep advancing yours.

Key Aspects of Tempo in Lorcana:

• Early Deployment: Summoning low-cost characters that can challenge effectively or quest for immediate lore.

• Removal/Banish

 Timing: Using removal songs or actions before your opponent can take advantage of a character’s synergy or ability.

• Quest/Challenge Balance: Knowing when to exert your characters for lore points versus leaving them upright (ready) to challenge your opponent’s next move.

A classic “tempo deck” might feature a slew of 2- and 3-cost characters that each have an immediate impact on the board. You aim to snowball your advantage by always having at least one more character than your opponent, thereby threatening to out-quest them. Meanwhile, you hold a few efficient removal cards to pick off their key threats if they manage to stabilize.

Understanding Card Advantage

Card advantage measures how many “resources in hand” you have relative to your opponent. If you end your turn with five or six cards in hand while your opponent is down to two, you’re in a stronger position (assuming those cards are relevant and playable) because you have more options. In Lorcana, ways to achieve card advantage include:

• Character Abilities: Some characters may let you draw a card upon entering play or each time they quest.

• Action Cards: Certain actions specifically say “draw two cards” or allow you to recycle resources.

• Removing Multiple Opponent Characters With One Card: If you can banish two or three enemy characters with a single removal card, you effectively gain advantage because you used fewer resources to handle multiple threats.

Combining tempo and card advantage can be lethal. If you’re drawing more cards than your opponent and you’re using those extra resources to stay one step ahead on the board, you control the flow of the game. Conversely, if you’re behind in tempo, you may need to rely on powerful card advantage tools (like area-of-effect banishing or big draw actions or songs) to claw back into contention. The interplay between playing quickly for a tempo advantage and playing methodically for card advantage is what makes advanced Lorcana gameplay so deep and rewarding.

In Lorcana, every card you play has an ink cost that must be paid by exerting an equal amount of ink resources in your inkwell. Since you can place one card per turn in your inkwell (provided it has an ink symbol), the pace at which your deck can accelerate depends on the number of cards you can comfortably ink without regretting the loss of those cards from your hand.

Constructing A Balanced Ink Curve

A well-planned “ink curve” means you have a healthy distribution of cards across different costs (1, 2, 3, up to 7 or 8). The idea is to have playable cards at every stage of the game, from early aggression to midgame board-building to late-game finishers. Many advanced Lorcana decks aim for something like:

• 8–10 cards in the 1–2 cost range

• 10–12 cards in the 3–4 cost range

• 8–10 cards in the 5–6 cost range

• 2–4 big cards at 7+ cost

This distribution isn’t a strict rule; it varies based on deck archetype. For example, an aggressive deck might run 12–14 low-cost cards and fewer big drops, whereas a control deck may prefer several expensive bombs at the expense of smaller minions. 

The critical point is ensuring you don’t get stuck with a hand full of high-cost cards you can’t afford to play. If your deck is heavily loaded with 5+ cost characters, you may find yourself forced to ink them early, losing out on their powerful effects.

The “Can This Be Inked?” Dilemma

Not all Lorcana cards can be placed in your inkwell. Some will have the necessary ink symbol, while others will not. Cards that cannot serve as ink are typically more powerful or specialized. If your deck is packed with too many “uninkable” cards, you’ll struggle to ramp up your resources. Therefore, advanced deck-builders often do the following:

1. Assess Card Utility: If a card is crucial to your strategy but can’t be inked, you probably want multiple copies - but not so many that your opening hand might be full of un-inkable bombs.

2. Include Inkable Removal: Having removal cards that can also become ink if necessary gives you flexibility. If you don’t need to utilize the action of a specific card at that moment, you can ink it. If you need it to banish a threat, you hold onto it.

3. Check Ratios: Some top players aim for around 40–50% of their deck to be ink-eligible. This ensures that across the game, they’ll reliably be able to place something in the inkwell without sacrificing synergy or power.

Ultimately, you want your deck to run smoothly from turn one to turn ten. That consistency is the hallmark of a well-tuned advanced deck.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Lorcana is the presence of keywords (like Evasive, Bodyguard, Shift) and traits(like Princess or Villain). Advanced decks often revolve around these features because they can create powerful combos or overarching gameplans.

Keyword Synergy

Evasive characters, for instance, can only be challenged by other Evasive characters. A deck focusing on Evasive might rely on rushing out multiple Evasive units, forcing your opponent to either run Evasive themselves or rely on direct removal songs or actions. Meanwhile, a Bodyguard character can redirect challenges, protecting key questers. If you notice your local metagame is full of decks that run minimal removal, an Evasive strategy can dominate.

Shift is another potent mechanic that allows you to play advanced versions of a character at a reduced cost if you already control a related version. This can accelerate your tempo significantly. Advanced players look for ways to exploit Shift by playing multiple copies of both the base character and the upgraded version, ensuring a smooth progression from mid-cost to high-cost forms.

Trait-Based Archetypes

Some Lorcana sets provide special buffs or synergy for certain traits. A Princess-themed deck might include actions granting extra lore or protective effects to “Princess” characters. A Villain deck could revolve around controlling the board with cunning removal and debuffs. As expansions release, we may see more trait-focused synergy that can anchor entire deck strategies.

Key Considerations for Trait/Keyword Decks:

• Card Overlap: Are there enough synergy cards to consistently draw into your theme, or are you sprinkling synergy so thinly that it rarely shows up?

• Standalone Power: If your synergy piece doesn’t appear, can your deck still function? Or does everything fall apart without that one “lynchpin” card?

• Supporting Removal and Utility: Even synergy-heavy decks need universal tools like removal or draw. Don’t neglect staple effects just to jam in more synergy.

No deck operates in a vacuum. Advanced Lorcana players consider the local or global metagame, meaning the array of popular decks and strategies that they’re likely to encounter. For instance, if a certain deck type is winning a lot of tournaments, you’ll want to prepare either by playing that deck or by including cards that specifically counter it.

Meta Analysis 101

1. Identify Common Decks: Are you seeing a wave of Ruby/Amethyst control lists in your area? Or maybe Princess synergy is rampant online?
   

2. Spot Their Weaknesses: If Ruby/Amethyst relies heavily on expensive bombs, can you run cheap disruptive cards that exploit their slow start? If Princess decks revolve around synergy characters, maybe you can run more removal to pick off those lynchpins.

3. Adjust Your 2–3 Flex Slots: Many advanced lists reserve a few “flex slots” to swap in meta-dependent tech cards. For example, if Evasive decks are on the rise, you might want an action or item that specifically punishes exerted Evasive characters.

The Art Of Sideboarding (If Allowed)

Some local or special events may allow sideboards (extra cards you can swap into your main deck between games). While not always an official format, if you do have sideboards, advanced players treat them as a targeted solution kit. 

If you face an aggressive deck, you bring in more early-cost blockers or healing actions. If you face a slow control deck, you might add more card draw or bigger finishers. Knowing precisely which 8–15 cards help in various matchups is an art that experienced players hone over time.

Let’s illustrate some of these ideas with hypothetical Lorcana deck outlines. While not exhaustive, these examples showcase how advanced thinking shapes your 60 cards.

Example 1: Ruby/Amethyst Aggro-Control Hybrid

• Core Idea: Use Ruby’s aggressive minions and direct damage to pressure early lore, while Amethyst provides draw and shift mechanics for sustained pressure.

• Notable Cards:

  • Low-cost Ruby characters with 2 lore icons, enabling quick questing

  • Amethyst shift characters that can upgrade cheaply to outscale your opponent

  • Removal songs or actions that double as ink if you’re ahead or can be used to banish big threats if you’re behind
    

• Key Decision Points:

  • Knowing when to quest aggressively vs. saving characters to challenge

  • Timing your shift upgrades so you don’t lose tempo

  • Balancing your ratio of uninkable vs. inkable cards

Example 2: Emerald/Sapphire Midrange Control

• Core Idea: Stall the game with sturdy Sapphire characters, occasionally healing or buffing them, then deploy mid-cost Emerald units that debuff the opponent’s board.

• Typical Curve:

  • Early game: 1–2 cost defensive minions or item-based draw

  • Mid game: 3–5 cost characters that remove or hamper enemy threats

  • Late game: 6–7 cost bombs like a Legendary that flips the board state or collects lore in big chunks

• Matchup Strengths:

  • Good at grinding out value-based decks by outlasting them

  • If faced with hyper-aggressive decks, you have enough midrange taunts and removals to survive until your big finishers come online

Example 3: Thematic Princess Synergy

• Core Idea: Leverage the synergy cards that specifically buff “Princess” characters. Some might get extra lore icons or have protective aura-like effects.

• Gameplay Nuances:

  • You’ll want enough Princess characters to ensure synergy triggers are consistent

  • The deck might struggle if key synergy pieces are banished early, so consider including Bodyguard or Evasive support

• Advanced Tactics:

  • Decide which synergy triggers are worth building around. One synergy effect might add a lore icon, while another might heal or grant a bonus when your princess quests.

  • Don’t forget universal removal options. Even a synergy deck can’t ignore staple answers to big threats.

Regardless of archetype, advanced Lorcana players constantly weigh each card’s synergy potential against its raw power. A card that’s amazing with synergy but dead on its own might hurt your overall consistency. 

Conversely, a potent standalone card that doesn’t help synergy could sabotage your game plan if synergy is crucial to your deck’s success. Striking that balance is key.

Below are two YouTube videos that provide helpful insights into advanced Lorcana gameplay strategies:

• “The Secrets to Mastering Lorcana Deck Building | Advance Guide How To Build Better Lorcana Decks” – This video is a perfect way to visualize the construction of various styled decks. Watch it here:

• "3 Tips To Improve With Tempo" – Want to gain a better understanding of what Tempo is in Lorcana and how to better master it? This video breaks things down in 3 digestible steps. Watch it here:

(If the embedded videos don’t load, you can click the links to view them on YouTube.)

Reaching an advanced level in Disney Lorcana involves a blend of strategic depth, deck refinement, and a keen awareness of your evolving metagame. When you start weaving tempo plays with strong card advantage mechanics, polish your ink curve to guarantee smooth turn-by-turn operations, and build around synergy without sacrificing versatility, you’ll find yourself consistently outmaneuvering opponents.

As you continue your Lorcana journey, focus on:

Remember, advanced Lorcana is as much about anticipation as it is about reaction. By learning the nuances of tempo, card advantage, synergy, and matchup adaptation, you’ll be prepared to face any foe with confidence.

And don’t forget to sign up for early access at the top or bottom of this post if you want exclusive Antsy Labs updates on new TCG innovations designed with collectors like you in mind!

Getting into Lorcana doesn’t require a ton of gear, but a few essentials will make your experience much better. Here’s a curated list of items to start with (we’ve included links for easy reference):

• Disney Lorcana Starter Deck –The best entry point is an official starter deck. Each starter deck comes with a ready-to-play 60-card deck plus a booster pack and rulebook. For example:
  • From the Archazia's Island chapter, you could grab the “Amethyst & Steel Starter Deck” or “Ruby & Sapphire Starter Deck” 
  • From the Azurite Seas chapter, you could grab the "Emerald & Sapphire Starter Deck" or "Amber & Ruby Starter Deck" 
  • From the Shimmering Skies chapter, you could grab the "Emerald & Steel Starter Deck" or "Amethyst & Ruby Starter Deck" 
  • From the Ursula's Return chapter, you could grab the "Amber & Amethyst Starter Deck" or "Sapphire & Steel Starter Deck" 

These are just from the 4 most recent Lorcana chapter releases, and each of these contain balanced card sets themed around certain characters and inks. Starter decks let you learn the game without worrying about deck construction, and you can always customize them later.

• Booster Packs – Once you have a starter, you’ll likely want to expand your collection with booster packs. Booster packs contain 12 random cards (with a guaranteed mix of common, uncommon, and at least one rare or higher - with the final card of the pack being a foil). Opening boosters is a fun part of the hobby – you never know if you’ll pull a powerful Legendary card or even an Enchanted! You can buy single packs or a whole booster box (24 packs) if you’re feeling lucky.
  • Archazia's Island - Single Booster Pack (12 cards) - Disney Lorcana
  • Ursula's Return - Single Booster Pack (12 cards) - Disney Lorcana
  • Archazia's Island - Booster Box (24 Packs with 12 Cards each) - Disney Lorcana
  • Ursula's Return - Booster Box (24 Packs with 12 Cards each) - Disney Lorcana
  • Azurite Sea - Booster Box (24 Packs with 12 Cards each) - Disney Lorcana
  • Into The Inklands - Booster Box (24 Packs with 12 Cards each) - Disney Lorcana

• Card Sleeves – Protect your cards! Lorcana cards are collectible and can be valuable, so you don’t want them getting scuffed or bent from shuffling and play. Invest in standard size card sleeves (the same size used for Magic/Pokémon cards). Sleeves are transparent plastic covers for each card. There are many brands – Dragon Shield, Ultra Pro, TitanShield, etc. – all will do the job. You might choose clear sleeves or ones with cool colors or Disney-themed backings. Our personal favorites are:
  • TitanShield Premium Clear Card Sleeves (Dual Texture)
  • TitanShield Perfect Fit Inner Card Sleeves (For Double Sleeving)

• Playmat –While not strictly required, a playmat greatly enhances your playing surface. It’s basically a large mousepad-like mat that lays on the table and has a nice fabric surface to protect your cards. Lorcana has official playmats featuring Disney art (like a Mickey Mouse or Elsa design), or you can use any generic TCG playmat. It helps define your space (deck here, inkwell there, etc.) and prevents cards from sliding around on a slick table.
  • Moana & Te Fiti Playmat - Disney Lorcana
  • Tigger Playmat - Disney Lorcana
  • Elsa (Frozen) Playmat - Disney Lorcana
  • Mirabel (Encanto) Playmat - Disney Lorcana

• Dice or Counters – You’ll need some way to track damage on characters and possibly lore or other counters. Many players use small six-sided dice for this purpose. For example, if a character has taken 2 damage, you can place a die showing “2” on that card. You can also use glass beads, tokens, or the punch-out counters that come with some starter sets. A couple of standard d6 diceor a set of dedicated TCG counter dice (often sold in packs) is inexpensive and very useful.
  • Counter for TCG and tabletop games
  • d6 Dice Set (For counting damage)
  • d20 Dice Set (For counting Lore)

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