Lorcana

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After Magic: The Gathering, my friends and I spent years searching for the next trading card game that could bring the same sense of connection and excitement. Like many groups, we tried a lot of contenders along the way. There was Legend of the Five Rings, the original Middle-earth card game, the World of Warcraft trading card game, and others that came and went. Each one had something interesting to offer, but none of them quite settled into the role Magic once held for us.

Then Disney’s Lorcana appeared on the horizon.

A Familiar Feeling, Returned

This time felt different almost immediately. Even before Lorcana officially launched, there was a buzz around it that we hadn’t felt in a long time. Conversations started early. Speculation followed. We were gearing up to try a new TCG before it even existed in players’ hands, and that alone was exciting.

Part of that excitement came from confidence in the source material. Disney’s catalog of characters, stories, and worlds is vast. The lore was already there, deeply embedded in multiple generations. We knew that if the gameplay held up, the foundation was strong enough to sustain something long-term.

Launch Energy and Shared Chaos

Being there for the very first chapter of Lorcana felt like stepping into a shared moment in time. They don’t call them expansions — they call them Chapters — which already gave the game its own rhythm and identity.

We witnessed everything that comes with a high-demand launch: supply shortages, misprints, and people scrambling to get their hands on product. It wasn’t always smooth, but it was memorable. Those early pains became part of the story, something players talked about together rather than quietly endured.

There was a sense of “we were there when it started,” and that carries weight for collectors.

Community Over Competition

Lorcana inevitably invites comparison. It exists in a world where Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon already dominate shelf space and attention. But rather than trying to replace those games, Lorcana feels like it’s carving out a space of its own.

For our local group, it became less about competition and more about shared momentum. We weren’t chasing value or racing to optimize decks immediately. We were exploring a new system together, learning its rhythm, and letting it grow naturally.

That slower, collective pace made a difference.

Completing the First Year

My local group was able to complete the first year’s sets from Chapters 1 through 4, along with some additional releases. We’re still catching up on everything, but the frenzy has eased. The pressure is gone, replaced by a more comfortable pace that allows the game to be enjoyed rather than chased.

That shift matters. It transforms Lorcana from an event into a habit — something you return to rather than something you feel behind on.

Collecting as Experience

Lorcana also introduced new layers to collecting. Promotional cards tied to specific places or experiences — cruise ship cards, special collector sets at Disneyland — add texture without turning the game into a pure chase. They feel like souvenirs rather than trophies.

Those kinds of cards fit naturally into how I think about collecting. They’re not just about ownership; they’re tied to where you were and what you were doing when you got them.

Nostalgia That Hits Home

One of the most personal moments for me came with the ninth Chapter, which devoted space to A Goofy Movie. That film has always been my favorite Disney movie, and seeing characters like Max, Goofy, Powerline, and the rest of the crew represented felt unexpectedly meaningful.

That’s where Lorcana really shines. It doesn’t just pull from Disney’s most obvious properties — it reaches into corners of nostalgia that resonate deeply for specific people. Those connections turn cards into memory triggers rather than just game pieces.

How Lorcana Fits Into Collecting

Lorcana represents a new chapter in how I collect trading card games. It’s not about replacing Magic or chasing the next big thing. It’s about being present for the beginning of something, experiencing its growth, and sharing that experience with others.

The cards matter, but the moments around them matter more: the conversations, the anticipation, the shared discoveries, and the gradual settling into something sustainable.

Looking Ahead

Whether Lorcana grows into a long-standing giant or remains a smaller, beloved space doesn’t matter as much as the experience it’s already provided. Being there at the start — seeing the excitement, the challenges, and the evolution — is what makes it worth holding onto.

For me, Lorcana isn’t just the next TCG. It’s a reminder that the magic of collecting doesn’t disappear with time. It changes form. And when it’s rooted in community, nostalgia, and shared experience, it still feels just as meaningful as it did back in the ’90s.

You can see my suggested products for your everyday card needs here.

My local group was able to complete the first year’s set from Chapter 1 through 4 and some of the others. We’ll catch up soon, but at least the frenzy have died down a bit and it’s more of a comfortable pace. There’s even promotional cards (e.g., cruise ship cards, special collector sets at Disneyland, etc.) that keeps it interesting. My favorite Disney movie is The Goofy Movie and I’m glad to see that the 9th Chapter devoted some space to Max, Goofy, Powerline, and the rest of the crew.

The best way to start is with Lorcana Gateway, you can get it here: https://amzn.to/4gBT0oM

Just be sure NOT to open all the cards right away and shuffle because it is in a predestined order to help you understand the flow and rules of the game.