Disney Lorcana Bans Two Meta Cards: Game-Changer Revealed!

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Summary

  • Sapphire/Steel is the top Lorcana deck post-set 7, but key cards Hiram Flaversham and Fortisphere are now banned.
  • Ravensburger’s decision to ban cards improves game diversity and competitiveness.
  • Banning powerful cards like Hiram Flaversham encourages deck variety and shifts the meta positively.

In March, Disney’s new Archazia’s Island expansion is arriving for the game Lorcana. This has resulted in significant modifications within the game’s deckbuilding mechanics, with certain color combinations proving significantly more effective than others, and one color currently ruling the meta almost completely. A key aspect of Lorcana when constructing decks is that players can only incorporate up to two Ink colors, influencing the available card choices. Currently, the most effective Lorcana deck appears to be Sapphire/Steel, as it has received a multitude of powerful tools with set 7, propelling it towards the top of the meta. Unfortunately, Ravensburger has declared that two crucial cards for this deck have been banned from competitive play.

In some tabletop card game (TCG) communities, outlawing specific cards may stir up debate. For instance, Lorcana once “banned” a card named Bucky – Squirrel Squeak Tutor by issuing an errata that made the card unplayable in competitive matches. However, Ravensburger opted for a different approach recently, choosing to restrict not just one but two cards, Hiram Flaversham – Toymaker and Fortisphere, from being used in competitive events. This move could potentially enhance the overall game’s balance and diversity.

Lorcana’s First Bans Are a Logical Progression After Archazia’s Island

One problem with banning cards in Trading Card Games is that it decreases their worth and also affects the value of their respective expansions. This action could pave the way for other similarly powerful cards to face the same fate in future. In the case of Archazia’s Island, it introduced excessively strong cards for Sapphire, causing its popularity within the game metagame. As a result, bans have been implemented to restrict its effectiveness and provide opportunities for lesser-used decks to excel. However, this doesn’t necessarily imply that Lorcana’s Reign of Jafar will adopt this strategy by banning older cards to maintain the power balance among current ones.

Since this action is unprecedented and has not been implemented before, it’s likely that such bans won’t become frequent in the game. However, it’s crucial to comprehend why Hiram Flaversham – Toymaker and Fortisphere were subjected to these restrictions. In Hiram Flaversham’s case, his performance was exceptionally strong and consistent, causing Sapphire to outshine Amethyst as the optimal draw color. This inconsistency with the game’s identity made him a staple in most Sapphire decks, and his victory rate significantly surpassed that of other cards, making it probable that he would either be banned or undergo an amendment.

While Fortisphere might seem puzzling because it’s usually strong in decks that include Sapphire and Steel cards, particularly with the new Belle – Apprentice Inventor and Tamatoa – Happy as a Clam from Archazia’s Island. However, Steel decks typically don’t use items unless they also have Sapphire, and Fortisphere makes turn-1 Belle even more likely. A 1-drop card that provides draw is arguably less fitting for Steel than it is for Sapphire with Pawpsicle. It seems the reason Ravensburger banned Fortisphere instead of Pawpsicle could be because the former is less suitable for Steel decks compared to the latter.

Why Lorcana’s First Two Bans Are Great

In essence, these restrictions are advantageous for the game since they prompt players to construct varied deck configurations. Earlier, numerous Sapphire decks were prevalent in top 8 positions at events, often winning, so this measure aids in fostering a variety of competitive decks. This shift is bound to impact Lorcana’s card trading market, and it will be intriguing to observe the actual consequences of prohibiting two potent and widely-used cards. The long-term effect on the overall meta is uncertain at present, but the outlook seems promising.

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2025-04-09 02:08