If you’re a fan of Magic: The Gathering, or other trading card games (TCG) it’s time to get your diary out and clear some space. LorcanaFest has arrived in the UK from 15th to 16th March with everything that you love about Disney Lorcana together under one roof for a fun filled weekend for everyone.
With an age range of 8 and up Lorcana is a great game that is suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it the perfect game to play as a family. Whether you are an experienced Lorcana player with your own deck or Lorcana curious why not go along to take down the competition or try something different? In addition to plenty of gameplay there will also be a whole host of Disney activities going on over the weekend.
What is Lorcana?
If you are new to the world of trading card games, you may not yet be familiar with Lorcana so let’s take a look at the game itself.
A relative newcomer to the world of trading card games (TCG), Lorcana is Ravensburger’s first game of this genre and features characters from across Disney’s extensive content. It burst onto the scene in August 2023 and has been gaining traction with a diverse fanbase ever since. In fact, it is becoming one of the biggest TCGs out there, something which is being attributed to its simple rules, Disney characters, and good brand management.
Let’s take a look at some of the basic information you will want to know before playing:
- Age range 8 and up, although some younger children may be capable of learning the basics
- 2-6 player game
- Each player needs a minimum of 60 cards
- Play time is around 30-45 minutes per game
Lorcana: The basics
As we have already mentioned, this isn’t a complex game to play, so learning the basics is relatively easy. This, and the artwork, are what make it a popular game for those who might be looking for a TCG to play as a family.
In its most basic form, the game is a two-player duelling game with a best of three rounds winner. Each round of the game is a race towards 20 points, referred to as a lore. The aim is for a player to reach that total before their opponent.
Cards for the game come in starter decks of 60 cards with booster packs of 12 cards. The starter sets are preconstructed, which means that what you get is a carefully put-together set of cards that all work together and contribute to a shared strategy. There are over 200 cards in the game and booster packs offer you the chance to find more cards that you can use to alter or upgrade your deck. However, they are not necessary when you are just getting used to the game basics.
Each starter deck also includes a series of tokens marked -1 and -3 (some players swap these for other tokens like bottle tops, glass beads – whatever they have to hand). There is also a large token for keeping score or for the tech savvy an app that can be used to keep score easily.
Gameplay
The rules are simple, in fact so simple they fit on a single sheet of paper which is always a plus with any game!
The premise is a simple one, players need to collect lore points by using their characters to quest, which allows them to gather lore fragments before their opponent does. Each card clearly shows how much “ink” is needed to play it, as well as other details such as strength, willpower, and card type.
Meet other Lorcana enthusiasts!
Whether you are an experienced player or Lorcana sounds like the right Trading Card Game for you, LorcanaFest ’s the perfect opportunity to get together with other game enthusiasts and take down the competition, learn more about the game and enjoy events dedicated to the game. At LorcanaFest there are also a number of free events taking place across the weekend with quizzes, teaching sessions to help you learn more and, of course, the opportunity to cosplay as your favourite Lorcana characters i.e. dress up as a character from a film, book, or video game.
