Derek 'Dez' Maggs 
After the dramatic events of Ursula’s Return, Disney Lorcana enters a more serene chapter with the release of its fifth set, Shimmering Skies. Unlike previous sets, Shimmering Skies doesn’t introduce new mechanics—a decision that’s kind of refreshing. As that is one thing I can get frustrates me with Magic: the Gathering, the constant influx of new mechanics. Where each set introduces new mechanics that require relearning & often quite confusing, as they are like another mechanic also not. By maintaining consistent gameplay, Disney Lorcana allows players to deepen their understanding and mastery of the game without the stress of constantly adapting to changes.
Shimmering Skies exudes a much lighter and more joyful atmosphere compared to the darker tones of Ursula’s Return. The set is led by the colourful characters of Wreck-It Ralph and his Sugar Rush Speedway friends, alongside the beloved figures from Frozen, a movie that’s undoubtedly a much loved & overplayed in most households. But that’s not all—this set is brimming with fan-Favorite characters from Moana, Brother Bear, Encanto, The Lion King, and many more, making it a truly vibrant and diverse addition to the Disney Lorcana universe.
The Event
Attending the Shimmering Skies launch event at Plenty of Games was an experience filled with excitement and anticipation. Upon arrival, we were handed goodie bags packed with delightful surprises and were introduced to the new set. The thrill of being among the first in the world to get our hands on Shimmering Skies added to the overall excitement of the day.
As soon as the introductions were over, everyone eagerly tore into their goodie bags. Each bag contained the new Shimmering Skies Illumineer’s Trove, a playmat, card sleeves, a stunning card binder, several booster packs, and one of the two Shimmering Skies starter decks:
- Elsa and Wreck-It Ralph (Amethyst and Ruby Deck)
- Scar and Kronk (Emerald and Steel Deck)
I was thrilled to receive the Elsa and Wreck-It Ralph deck. This bright, cheerful, and fun deck provided a stark contrast to the darker themes of Ursula’s Return.
As we sat down to play, thankfully not against Will from Hooked Gaming, as I was still feeling bad after last event. And going through the cards, the Elsa and Wreck-It Ralph deck seemed OK. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
As out of the gate, the Sugar Rush Speedway crew set the pace early in the game with its adorable low value characters getting a few lore early on & a gust that just keep coming back! While the midgame introduced the Evasion mechanic cards, Archimedes – Electrified Owl and two Bruni – Fire Salamanders, allowing me to gather Lore without the fear of being challenged, as only creatures with Evasion can engage these evasion characters. I was able to consistently score 6 Lore each turn with those cards.
Although it felt a little bad at first, my opponent, Julian, took it in his stride. As he was genuinely excited to see how well the synergy within these starter decks worked. The flow was actually surprising, as it was a very similar case in the next match too. Though it was a lot closer, as this time his deck got off to a much quicker and also had several evasion cards that slowed me down. But with a 20 to 18 win, I was thrilled to continue my undefeated streak in Disney Lorcana, thought I got super lucky.
Conclusion
Disney Lorcana is quickly becoming my favorite trading card game. The seamless blend of beloved characters, stunning artwork, and engaging gameplay creates an experience that’s hard to match. Ravensburger has done an exceptional job of balancing the game by adding unique, beautifully crafted cards while avoiding the pitfalls of overwhelming players with constantly shifting or overly complex rules.
The starter decks are an ideal entry point for anyone wanting to experience the magic of Disney Lorcana. They offer a balanced and affordable way to dive into the game, and the Shimmering Skies Elsa and Wreck-It Ralph deck has been my favorite so far.
Disney Lorcana’s Shimmering Skies is undoubtedly the most adorable set to date, and it’s available now at local game stores. The set will also be available at mass-market retailers and Disney Stores starting August 23, 2024.
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