Summary

• Disney Lorcana Gateway simplifies learning TCG with step-by-step instructions and all-in-one set.
• The set includes a game board, starter decks, rulebook, and more for an easy introduction to Lorcana.
• Ideal for beginners, but veterans may want to skip; recommended for new players looking to learn and play.

At this point in Disney Lorcana's lifespan, nearly one year since The First Chapter launched, the trading card game's audience is bigger than ever. But for those who haven't been properly introduced to the TCG yet, Ravensburger is releasing Disney Lorcana Gateway, an all-in-one boxed set that teaches how to play Lorcana in an efficient and easy-to-learn manner. Disney Lorcana Gateway releases exclusively at Target stores on July 22, with a wider release at retailers and local hobby shops beginning on August 9.

Disney Lorcana Gateway includes everything needed to play, and is recommended for ages 8 and up. It's meant to be played with 2 players, and games on average will take about 30 minutes. There's no experience needed to begin playing, the first rulebook - complete with a "Read This First" badge at the top - explains step by step how to get set up. There's even a starting hand outlined for each player based on which deck they're using.

What's Included In Disney Lorcana Gateway

Disney Lorcana is an expansive TCG with its own terminology and unique rules, which Disney Lorcana Gateway does an excellent job of explaining right away. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the ruleset of any trading card game, which is why these step-by-step guidelines are so perfect for newcomers wanting to learn how to play. For reference, here's everything included in the Disney Lorcana Gateway box:

• 1 Game Board
• 2 Starting Decks with 30 cards each
• 4 Reward Packs with 18 cards each
• 2 Double-Sided Character Movers
• 2 Character Bases
• 1 Rulebook
• 1 Guidebook with QR Codes Linking to How-to-Play Video Tutorials
• 2 Deck Tips Pamphlets
• 30 Damage Counters

The two Starter Decks included are not meant to be shuffled and the Rulebook will give players specific cards to draw first. The two decks available are Ruby/Sapphire and Amber/Amethyst. They feature a good spread of cards and seem equally matched in of balance.

Disney Lorcana Gateway Is Great For Beginners

I've been playing Lorcana for close to a year now, so to better learn how this would work from a beginner's perspective, I played with my 8-year-old daughter, who had never played the game but has collected some of the cards. She had ing familiarity with some other TCGs, but this was her first attempt at playing a trading card game by using the rules completely.

Disney Lorcana Gateway is an excellent way to get into Disney Lorcana. Highly recommended.

We found the video tutorials linked inside the Guidebook to be especially helpful for her. Because of the way the rules and gameplay are paced out, it was easy for her to follow along. By our second game, she needed some reminding from me on rules, but got the hang of things much quicker. "Challenging" and "Questing" were the concepts she seemed to struggle most with. After a couple of more games, however, she had a decent understanding of Disney Lorcana and was especially motivated by the Reward Packs.

Final Thoughts On Disney Lorcana Gateway

Perfect For Beginners, But Veterans & Collectors May Want To Skip It

After playing Disney Lorcana Gateway, I'm convinced it's the best way to learn how to play Lorcana. It successfully promises exactly what's d - the abilty to play Disney Lorcana straight out of the box without needing prior knowledge of the TCG. Obviously, this means longtime players and collectors may want to skip this one - it's not really for them. Instead, it's an excellent way to get into Disney Lorcana, and for those who want to teach their kids how to play, Disney Lorcana Gateway is highly recommended.

A copy of Disney Lorcana Gateway was sent to Screen Rant for the purpose of this review. Disney Lorcana Gateway is available exclusively at Target beginning July 22, but will be available at larger retailers and game stores on August 9, 2024.