Looking through a lorcana starter decks list is the first thing most people do when they want to stop just looking at the pretty art and actually start playing the game. It's a lot to take in at first, especially because Ravensburger has been pumping out new sets every few months since the game launched. If you're standing in a card shop staring at a wall of colorful boxes, it's easy to feel a bit overwhelmed.
The beauty of these starter decks is that they're ready to go right out of the box. You get a pre-built 60-card deck, a few tokens, a paper playmat (which you'll probably replace pretty quickly), and most importantly, a booster pack from that specific set. It's the most stress-free way to learn the mechanics without having to worry about the "math" of deck building quite yet.
The First Chapter: Where it all began
When the game first dropped, the original lorcana starter decks list only had three options. These decks laid the groundwork for how the different ink colors behave.
Amber & Amethyst (Moana & Mickey Mouse)
This deck is all about "going wide." If you like the idea of playing lots of low-cost characters and then bringing them back from the discard pile, this is your jam. Dr. Facilier is the star here, helping you recycle your cards. It's very beginner-friendly because the goal is simple: play characters, quest for lore, and try to outpace your opponent.
Ruby & Emerald (Aladdin & Cruella de Vil)
This one is a bit more "mean." Emerald is famous for having characters that are annoying to deal with, like Cruella, who returns to your hand when she's challenged. Ruby adds the muscle with Aladdin - Heroic Outlaw, who can steal lore from your opponent. It's a deck for people who like to mess with their opponent's plans rather than just focusing on their own board.
Sapphire & Steel (Aurora & Simba)
If you like playing "big" cards, this is the one. Sapphire is the color of "ramping," which means getting extra ink into your inkwell faster than normal. Steel provides the defense and the direct damage. You use Aurora to protect your characters and Simba to tank hits while you build up enough ink to play your heavy hitters.
Rise of the Floodborn: Adding more layers
The second set didn't just add cards; it added new ways to play. The lorcana starter decks list narrowed down to two choices this time around, which has become the standard for every set since.
Amethyst & Steel (Merlin & Madam Mim)
Honestly, this might be one of the best starter decks ever released. It introduced the "bounce" mechanic. You play characters like Madam Mim, who force you to return another character to your hand. While that sounds like a downside, you use it to trigger "When played" abilities over and over again. Merlin's various forms (Rabbit, Goat, etc.) make this incredibly powerful.
Amber & Sapphire (The Queen & Gaston)
This deck focuses heavily on the "Shift" mechanic. Shifting allows you to play a big version of a character on top of a smaller version for a lower cost. It's all about getting those heavy-duty characters onto the field earlier than your opponent expects.
Into the Inklands: Finding your way
This set changed the literal landscape of the game by introducing Locations. The lorcana starter decks list for Inklands reflects this massive shift in strategy.
Amber & Emerald (Pongo & Peter Pan)
This deck is very "Aggro." It's designed to quest for lore as fast as possible. With Peter Pan and Pongo, you're looking to move to locations and gain lore passively every turn. It's a great deck if you want games to go fast and keep your opponent on their toes.
Ruby & Sapphire (Moana & Scrooge McDuck)
This is a more "Midrange" deck. It uses Moana's voyaging themes and Scrooge's ability to make items cheaper. It's a bit more complex than the Amber/Emerald deck because you have to manage your resources carefully, but it feels very rewarding when you get your engine running.
Ursula's Return: Family and power
By the time we got to the fourth set, the game felt very established. The lorcana starter decks list here focused on some of the most popular Disney franchises in recent years.
Amethyst & Amber (The Madrigal Family)
If you love Encanto, this is the deck for you. It's built almost entirely around the Madrigal family. The cards have great synergy—Mirabel makes everyone stronger, and the various family members help each other quest. It's a very cohesive deck that feels like a "team" effort.
Sapphire & Steel (Anna & Hercules)
This deck is a bit more traditional. It uses Anna from Frozen and Hercules to control the board. It's got a lot of "Hero" synergy, meaning many of the cards get bonuses if you have other Hero characters on the field. It's sturdy, reliable, and great for people who like a solid frontline.
Shimmering Skies: The party continues
Following the defeat of Ursula, the game took a bit of a celebratory turn. The lorcana starter decks list for Shimmering Skies is surprisingly competitive for out-of-the-box play.
Emerald & Steel (Scar & Kronk)
This deck is a blast. It uses Kronk and Scar to dominate challenges. Emerald adds some tricky elements, while Steel provides the raw power. It's great for players who prefer to win by knocking out their opponent's characters rather than just racing for lore.
Amethyst & Ruby (Elsa & Wreck-It Ralph)
This deck is all about "Exerting" your opponent's cards. Elsa can freeze characters in place, preventing them from questing or challenging, while Ralph provides the muscle. It's a very "Control" oriented deck that rewards patient play.
Azurite Sea: The latest additions
The newest entries in the lorcana starter decks list take us across the ocean with a focus on pirates, inventors, and some very cool synergy.
Ruby & Amber (Jim Hawkins & Tigger)
This deck is built for speed and exploration. Jim Hawkins is a standout card here, especially with how he interacts with locations. It's a very proactive deck—you're always moving, always questing, and forcing your opponent to try and catch up.
Emerald & Sapphire (Baymax & Chip 'n Dale)
This is a "Technical" deck. It uses the new "Evolve" mechanics and focuses on gadgets and clever plays. Baymax is a great "support" character, helping your other cards stay on the board longer. It's a bit more "thinky" than the Ruby/Amber deck, but it's super fun if you like to outsmart your opponent.
Which one should you pick?
If you're looking at this entire lorcana starter decks list and wondering where to put your money, it really comes down to your playstyle.
- If you want to win fast: Go with Amber/Emerald (Inklands) or Ruby/Amber (Azurite Sea).
- If you want to control the game: Go with Amethyst/Ruby (Shimmering Skies).
- If you want the best "engine": The Amethyst/Steel (Floodborn) deck is still legendary for its mechanics.
- If you just love the characters: Pick the one with your favorite movie! Honestly, Ravensburger does a great job making sure every deck feels like the movie it's based on.
Don't feel like you have to stick to the deck exactly as it is, either. Most people buy a starter deck, play a few games to get the hang of it, and then start swapping in cards they pull from booster packs. That's the real fun of a TCG—taking a "list" card and making it your own.
Whether you're a hardcore TCG veteran or someone who just really loves Disney, this lorcana starter decks list has something for everyone. Each set brings something new to the table, and honestly, seeing how the game has grown from those first three decks to what we have now is pretty cool. Grab a deck, find a friend, and start questing!