TOP 10: Lorcana “Shimmering Skies” Cards
It's been a year since the release of Lorcana: The First Chapter at GenCon 2023, and we've seen three dynamic booster sets since then. This week, set five, “Shimmering Skies,” is set to release. Lorcana was one of the most-anticipated collectible trading card games in recent history, featuring stunning Disney IP artwork, ingenious theming, and creative game mechanics. It was also Ravensburger's first foray into the TCG space. The initial release faced some challenges with limited supplies, but subsequent sets have improved accessibility, allowing more players to enjoy this addictive game. I, for one, stood in many lines to get my hands on these cards! Now, we're ready to welcome the new set into our gameplay. I've reviewed the new “Shimmering Skies” cards we've seen so far and curated a Top 10 list of the ones I'm most excited about.
Disclaimer: I am not a competitive Lorcana player. Honestly, I'm not even that great at the strategy. As someone who loves Disney and collecting, I approached this from the perspective of appreciating the beautiful artwork, newly introduced characters, and fun card abilities that I think will be interesting to see in action.
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10. Elsa “The Fifth Spirit”
Card Type: Character
Rarity: Super Rare
Artist: Lisanne Koeteeuw
I know what you’re thinking. We’re getting another Elsa card? Hear me out: she pretty. Just look at the breathtaking artwork here. Also, deploying Rush and Evasive together with a five-willpower character is not too shabby. Queen stays queen!
9. Remember Who You Are
Card Type: Action
Rarity: Rare
Artist: Cory Godbey
The thing I dislike more than anything when playing Lorcana is top decking with no cards in my hand. When I saw this action card featuring Mufasa, I got really excited. Executed at the right time, this card could be devastating to your opponent's game. It’s also a really handsome card to play, and I like my deck to be attractive. It’s weird, I know.
8. Snow White “Fair-Hearted”
Card Type: Character
Rarity: Super Rare
Artist: Aubrey Archer
Aubrey Archer has brought us some of the best princess cards for our decks, and this one doesn’t disappoint. I love when Lorcana flips the script on our damsels in distress and gives them real agency as these Dreamborn Knight characters. I think Snow’s “Natural Leader” ability could be really impactful in a Knight deck, if you have a large field of characters in front of you. She could be indestructible during your turn in some circumstances. The five-cost uninkable elements may keep people away, though.
7. Madam Mim “Elephant”
Card type: Character
Rarity: Super Rare
Artist: Kenneth Anderson
I am huge fan of the Merlin & Mim synergy we got from the “Floodborn” set, so I am excited to add another Mim to the pile. The fast-paced, tit-for-tat energy and the repeated bouncing of characters in and out of play, paired with the variety of animal forms, captured the essence of their iconic scenes from The Sword and the Stone. I would argue it’s the most successful theming Ravensburger has executed to date. This new four-cost inkable Mim bears the previous character-bouncing ability, but has a secondary “Sneaky Move” ability to give easy damage to your opponent. I can’t wait to incorporate this wonderfully illustrated card into my deck.
6. Mickey Mouse “Food Fight Defender”
Card Type: Character
Rarity: Common
Artist: Mariana Moreno
Generally I’m bored by any Mickey card since the “Brave Little Tailor,” but this one-cost, one-lore character is eye-catching, as it injects bright color and silliness into the game. The fact that he has “Resist +1” adds an additional buff to this card, which enhances the usefulness for overall weak character stats. I think Moreno captured a classic rendering of the legendary mouse, which put a smile on my face.
5. Taffyta Muttonfudge “Sour Speedster”
Card Type: Character
Rarity: Uncommon
Artist: Jiahui Eva Gao
One thing Ravensburger does well is create themes for fun and unique decks using multiple characters from a property, or creating alternate versions of character to fit a theme. Piglet “Pooh Pirate Captain” is a great example, for you pirate-deck lovers out there. Taffyta and the other upcoming racer characters fit this mold, like the Dwarfs, Brooms, and Dalmations. The illustration on this newly introduced character card is a standout for me, and its “New Roster” ability to gain TWO lore is really appealing. I am excited to see some “racer” decks out in the wild.
4. Belle “Of the Ball”
Card Type: Character
Rarity: Rare
Artist: French Carlomagno
I was stunned by this card. It’s drop-dead gorgeous. It's like our girl is standing there saying, “Is that applause for me? Or my gown?” Carlomagno is well known for their work with Image and BOOM! comics, but is also a fairly prolific card illustrator for Disney Lorcana and Star Wars: Unlimited TCGs. French hit the art out of the park and Ravensburger crushed it with the “Ushered Into the Party” ability, giving Ward to your entire field. It could really throw an opponent's strategy for a loop.
3. Emerald Chromicon
Card Type: Item
Rarity: Uncommon
Artist: Dustin Panzino
Okay, maybe this is from a Disney property that I haven’t seen, but I am not sure what IP the Chromicon cards are linked to. Maybe they are a Lorcana original concept, which I love. I am not much of an emerald-ink player, but I do love the ability associated with this item. With it remaining persistent on the field, it will cause your opponent to think about their banishing strategy. Downside, as with many items, is that it’s not inkable. But the ink cost is fair.
2. The Library “A Gift for Belle”
Card Type: Location
Rarity: Uncommon
Artist: Roberto Gatto
Since the introduction of locations in Inklands, they haven’t been my favorite thing to play. I find the ability conditions in many cases to be burdensome. However, I was surprised when I saw this Beauty and the Beast-themed location. I’m interested! I like almost everything about it. It’s Amethyst ink. It’s inkable. It’s a lore generator. It’s a formidable eight willpower. It’s only three cost to play and one cost to move a character. AND, you get to draw a card when a character is banished. All that with a beautiful illustration. It’s going in my deck.
1. Arthur “King Victorious”
Card Type: Character
Rarity: Legendary
Artist: Anna Stosik
The art director responsible for Diablo “Devoted Herald” brings us another stunning card, this time as illustrator. The enchanting artwork is a major appeal here — it’s perfection! It is a pricey character to play at a seven cost, but the will power, secondary ability, and lore are nothing to sneeze at if you can make it happen. The Shift ability makes it quite possible, especially if you can leverage it onto the one-cost Arthur “Novice Sparrow.” I have adored every single Arthur card this game has produced.
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