Lorcana is the best new collectible card game since Pokemon

As an avid CCG/TCG player, a new game rarely impresses me. I’ve played a LOT! Legend of the Five Rings, Initial D, Spycraft, Warlord, Pokemon, and Magic the Gathering to name a few. And if they are going to try and use my love of Disney as a tool against me, I’m going to be especially critical! But Ravensburger (as they often do) got it just right. Lorcana is an easy to play game for people who have little to no experience at collectible card games (CCG) and takes the very best mechanics and improves upon them and then adds some fun new ones.

Lorcana will be releasing its eighth set this month (May 2025) with Reign of Jafar! It will be the second full year of Lorcana product to hit the stores and while Ravensburger was unprepared for the wave of Disney fans who wanted their hands on this product with the first set (appropriately titled “The First Chapter”), they have made adjustments over these eight launches and now they have hit a sweet spot where demand and supply are just right and local game stores are no longer gouging customers to collect or play their new favorite CCG.

One of the terrific things about Lorcana is you never need the prize collectible Enchanted level cards to play the game or any of the promos. All of these special cards (soon to include Epic and Iconic level cards) are fancy reproductions of existing cards with new artwork and some very fancy bling. Sure some of the Legendary cards are hard to find, but Ravensburger makes it much more about gameplay and skill than about how much money you have to sink to build a competitive deck. Like most TCGs, Lorcana has different levels of rarity for their cards. In an average pack, you’ll find 6 common, 3 uncommon, 1 foil (of any rarity), and TWO rare/super rare/legendary cards. Most TCGs give you one rare or higher per pack, but Lorcana gives you two (and sometimes THREE) in every pack. It’s still tough to get a playset (four of the same card) for some of the most collectible cards out there, but it’s much easier than many other games.

One of the biggest distractions from the game is when it becomes impossible to play cards because you don’t have the currency to pay the cost. In many other games, that currency takes up deck space, but in Lorcana the “ink” you need to dip to play a card is easily found and is part of the strategy of the game! Do you save your high powered card for later and put a different card in your inkwell? Or do you use that card for ink and immediately play a lower cost card? It’s all part of the fun of the game.

As a collector, I love the brand new artwork on every card. Ravensburger doesn’t just lift art from a movie or a book. Instead they commission artists to create brand new art that fits the fun and flow of the game. Plus, they pull from every area around the Disney franchise. You have the main Disney characters like MIckey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy and Goofy, but you also have many of the Disney princesses and their assorted characters as well as characters from The Great Mouse Detective, Big Hero 6, Encanto, and so much more. If you haven’t seen your favorites come to life in the game, it’s likely only a matter of time.

In terms of financial value, if you’re looking to make a quick buck, this game isn’t for you. Sure the Enchanted level cards and select promos are worth a TON…but not always. Enchanted lands are around just $20-$30 according to TCG Player. Most of the Legendary cards and below are typically less than $10 each. That’s great if you’re building a deck to play, but Lorcana isn’t meant for scalpers to make a huge profit on – which is also great for the game and for the players. Ravensburger has worked hard to make a player friendly game that is fun, beautiful to look at, and easy to access. If you haven’t played Lorcana yet, get in the game!