Disney Lorcana, the exciting and accessible trading card game featuring a bevy of iconic Disney characters and worlds, might be releasing its fifth set today in local game stores, but for those of us in Australia it almost feels like the first real launch of the game. Before now, we’ve been playing catch up as the first four sets rolled through in quick succession – long after they hit stores in the US starting last year, but for Shimmering Skies we’re finally getting access to everything day-and-date with the rest of the world.
The good news is, if you’re just immersing yourself in the world of Lorcana like I am, Shimmering Skies also makes for a pretty decent jumping-in point in terms of story. The previous four releases were capped off with something of a victory for the characters of this inkbound world, and Shimmering Skies sees their celebrations cut short when a brand-new mystery arises, promising new adventures and challenges. You’ll still be able to participate in the ultimate battle of the previous story arc when the Illumineer’s Quest game, Deep Trouble, co-op game eventually launches in Australia.
Now, you’re probably not going to get a very detailed analysis or review of the new set from me, given I’ve played a total of two games of Lorcana in my life, but what I can tell you is that the exciting I’ve felt around this particular release might be the thing that gets me absolutely hooked.
And if not that, then the wonderful Illumineer’s Trove bundle that’s available alongside the usual boosters and starter decks will definitely push me over the edge. It’s the first time those have been available here, too, along with the card portfolios, playmats, deck boxes and sleeves. It’s a real, full launch and if you’re a Disney and/or TCG collector, well… good luck.
Back to that Illumineer’s Trove, though. As someone that’s always suckered into buying the Magic: The Gathering “bundles” for their gorgeous outer boxes and added goodies, this is definitely going to be the thing I gravitate to most with Lorcana. For around $100 you get 8 booster packs of 12 cards (which basically makes up the cost right off the bat) plus a handy lore counter, 6 damage-counter dice, dividers for each element to help you organise your library of cards and of course a pretty box to keep them all in along with any other cards you pick up. This is a game that you could comfortably teach to younger players or Disney fans unfamiliar with TCGs, so it’s great for gifting, too.
There’s also just something exciting about getting in on the ground floor of a TCG again. As much as I still enjoy casual games of Magic: The Gathering, there’s decades of baggage there with long-running storylines and a mountain of mechanics to learn that’s built up set-by-set. I’m sure that, with time, Lorcana will grow in complexity too, and for seasoned TCG fiends that might find it too simple in its current form that time probably can’t come soon enough, but the opportunity to get in early and grow with the game is definitely one worth taking here, I reckon.
If you’re keen to find out more about Shimmering Skies, or Disney Lorcana in general, you can visit the official website for a trove of information.
Disney Lorcana Set 5: Shimmering Skies is out now in local games stores, and coming to general retail on August 23rd. Find out more here.
