Getting Started with Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game 

This year, the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game is celebrating its 2^nd anniversary. Since the game launched in 2023, Illumineers have journeyed through ten different sets featuring many iconic Disney characters, seen the introduction of dual-ink cards in February, discovered two new card rarities (Epic and Iconic) in August, and witnessed the crowning of the first Disney Lorcana TCG World Champion in June.  

Whether or not you’ve already gone on a quest, now is a great time to learn the lore behind Disney Lorcana TCG! In honor of the anniversary celebration, we’re walking you through everything you need to know before you step into your first adventure.    

Disney Lorcana is a thrilling trading card game that takes place in a magical realm where you team up with versions of beloved characters, called glimmers. In some cases, glimmers will appear exactly like the characters you know and love, while others will be fantastically reimagined.  

You’ll summon these character glimmers using magical ink then embark on a quest to be the first to gain 20 lore. Players, called Illumineers in Disney Lorcana, can think of lore as a race to reach 20 points before their opponent(s). 

In addition to character glimmers, Illumineers will also encounter other types of glimmers, including iconic items, timeless songs, and even famous Disney locations. Just like their character counterparts, these glimmers can also be summoned using magical ink. 

Disney Lorana TCG has released ten different sets of cards. A “set” or “expansion” is a dedicated number of cards that introduces new glimmer, item, action, and location cards to the game. Each set consists of more than 200 new standard cards and is typically set to a theme designed to expand the Lore or story. Typically, there are four new “sets” of Disney Lorcana TCG released annually.  

The first Disney Lorcana TCG set, The First Chapter, released in 2023 and is where the story begins. The set contains 204 standard cards and every single one has a foil (a shiny card) and non-foil version – meaning there are 408 cards in total from the standard set of The First Chapter alone. There were also 12 cards of the Enchanted rarity with numbering that goes past 204. These are alternate art versions of standard cards in the set that contain no borders. At the release of The First Chapter, Enchanted was the highest rarity in the game.  

Up until the release of Fabled in August 2025, all sets followed the same format as The First Chapter, with 204 standard cards with foil versions, as well the special full-art Enchanted cards. 

Starting with Fabled, Disney Lorcana TCG added two new rarities, Epic and Iconic, increasing the number of cards available for fans to find each set. 

There are four basic types of cards in Disney Lorcana. 

Glimmer Cards  

Glimmer cards representing favorite Disney characters are at the core of the game, as they help Illumineers (players) quest to gain lore. Additionally, glimmers can also challenge opponents, which is often a key strategy for ensuring victory. 

Item Cards  

Item cards are also incredibly helpful. These versatile objects offer varying benefits from providing additional abilities every turn, helping you gather lore, or slow down your opponent.  

Action Cards 

Actions are one-time use cards. Providing quick gameplay benefits, they can help turn the tide in your favor. Songs are a special type of action card, which, if desired, can be “sung” by character glimmers. 

Location Cards  

These cards can provide additional abilities to glimmers who travel to them. Some locations even give you lore at the start of your turn.  

No matter the type, each card in Disney Lorcana TCG is assigned a particular rarity, indicating how difficult they are to find.  

From easiest to hardest, these are:  

Every card is a work of art, but the harder the card is to find, the more spectacular the card design and elements are. Epic, Enchanted, and Iconic cards sport foil treatments, foil stamping, and many more deluxe embellishments. 

Ink is the magical element that powers the realm of Lorcana. It flows through the realm and is what makes summoning glimmers possible. 

There are six different inks: Amber, Amethyst, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Steel.  

Each has its own unique personality, and every glimmer fits into one (or two) of the inks.  

Disney Lorcana TCG is designed to be easy to learn, even for those who have never played a trading card game . Once you understand the parts of the card and the gameplay basics, you can quickly jump into your first quest.  

To play, each player needs their own deck of at least 60 cards, damage counters, and a way to track how much lore they have such as lore-counters found in an Illumineer’s Trove (more on the Trove below) or a pad of paper. 

Pick up a pre-constructed single player deck that is ready to go right out of the box. For many, deckbuilding is an enjoyable part of the game, because each player can make a deck completely their own.  

From filling it with all the cards from a favorite Disney story to assembling all the villains and their allies to compiling a deck of Mickey Mouse and his best pals, the possibilities are endless. 

For more detailed information on how to play, visit DisneyLorcana.com for instructional videos and guides. 

In Disney Lorcana TCG, each card is its own mini piece of Disney artwork, making the thrill of collecting cards just as exhilarating as playing.  

Whether you’re on the hunt for your favorite characters, or seeking out the elusive Epic, Enchanted, or Iconic cards, trading with friends and family is a great way to experience the fun of Disney Lorcana.  

To get your collection started, all you need is a couple booster packs and a card portfolio to keep your new collection safe and protected. 

If you know someone who is a fan of Disney Lorcana, you could gift them an Illumineer’s Trove which contains 8 booster packs, as well as a full-art storage box with six card dividers to keep the cards safe and organized by ink color. For players, the Illumineer’s Trove also includes a special lore-counter and  set of six dice that can be used as damage counters.  

For friends and family just starting out on their Disney Lorcana journey, look no further than the new Collection Starter Set. This new bundle has  everything you need to kick-start your collection including, you’ll find 4 Fabled booster packs with 48 beautifully illustrated cards and a glitter-promo card of the card, Tinker Bell – Giant Fairy. The included 4-pocket Mickey Mouse – Brave Little Tailor portfolio holds up to 80 cards; perfect for storing a new collection at home and on-the-go.  

The Disney Lorcana TCG Companion App, available for free on iOS and Android devices, has everything fans need to collect or play.  The  app not only allows fans to track their card collection with an extensive visual card catalog but also provides access to gameplay tools including a built-in lore counter and how-to-play guides. It can also be used to check in on the latest news and the most recent Weekly Lorecast livestreams, making sure you never miss a moment of the magic.   

Disney Lorcana TCG: Whispers in the Well sets, accessories, and more are available at DisneyStore.com and participating shops across select Disney Resorts worldwide. You can also find Disney Lorcana TCG: Whispers in the Well sets and accessories wherever Disney Lorcana products are sold. Visit DisneyLorcana.com to see more information about participating locations.