Build your first Lorcana deck: step by step

Never played Disney Lorcana? How to turn your cards into a playable deck: 60 cards, 2 ink colours, the inkwell, cost curve and common mistakes.

Many people collect Lorcana for the Disney artwork. It is also a very beginner-friendly game. This guide takes you in 7 steps from “I have cards” to “I have a playable deck”. No prior knowledge needed.

Lorcana in one minute

• Whoever gathers 20 lore first wins.
• Once per turn you may put a card with the inkwell symbol face down into your inkwell. Each card there is 1 ink, the currency of the game.
• Characters have to “dry” after being played. From your next turn they can quest (gain lore) or challenge (attack an exerted opposing character).
• There are also actions (including songs that characters can sing for free), items and locations.
• You start with 7 cards and may once put any number of them on the bottom of your deck and draw back up. The player going first does not draw on their first turn.

Step 1: How do you want to play?

To start, a deck for playing with friends is enough. Stores and tournaments also have formats that only allow newer sets. You don't need to worry about that for your first deck.

Step 2: Pick 2 ink colours

A deck may use 1 or 2 ink colours. Almost all decks use 2. Each colour plays differently:

Tip for collectors: check which two colours you own the most cards in.

Step 3: Enough cards for the inkwell

Not every card has the inkwell symbol. So that you can add ink every turn, at least 45 of your 60 cards should be inkable. Otherwise you get stuck with expensive cards.

Step 4: The 60-card skeleton

Step 5: The cost curve

You usually add 1 ink per turn, so you need plenty of cheap cards:

Step 6: 4 copies beat lots of singles

Each card may be in your deck at most 4 times. Your best cards belong in it 3 or 4 times, so you actually draw them.

Step 7: Test and adjust

• Draw 7 cards. A good opening hand has cheap characters and cards to ink. Do this 10 times.
• Play a few games and swap out cards that never did anything.

The shortcut: a starter deck as a template

Every set comes with starter decks in 2 ink colours that are playable right away. Their card lists are online. Paste such a list into TCG-Completist and see what is already in your collection.

How TCG-Completist helps

1. Open 🃏 Decks in the account menu and click “New deck”. Choose Lorcana as the game.
2. Paste a list, for example “4 Elsa - Snow Queen”. English and German names are recognised.
3. You see right away which cards you own, which are missing and roughly what the rest costs.
4. If you want to play a card as foil or Enchanted, set the print with one click. Add missing cards to your wishlist with one click.

The deck builder is free.

The 5 most common beginner mistakes

1. Too few inkable cards. At least 45.
2. Too many expensive cards. Follow the cost curve.
3. Only questing. Without challengers your opponent clears your board.
4. Three colours. At most 2 are allowed.
5. Only single copies. Better 4 copies of your best cards.

That's all your first deck needs. Build it, play it and improve it after every game.