Lorcana starter decks are a great way to dive into the magical world of Disney Lorcana, a trading card game designed for both seasoned TCG players and newcomers drawn in by their favorite Disney characters. While the game itself is easy to pick up, choosing the right deck to start with can be a bit overwhelming. Each Lorcana deck is built using two ink colors, and while building your own deck is part of the fun, starter decks are the perfect shortcut for beginners who want to start playing right away.
Notes:
- Start with simple combos: Choose a deck with easy-to-understand card effects that help you learn the basics while still having fun.
- Pick ink colors that match your style: Ruby is fast and aggressive, Amethyst is tricky and magical—find a playstyle that fits you.
- Check for high-value cards: Some starter decks include powerful or rare cards used in tournaments, making them great for both play and collection.
- Go with your favorite Disney theme: You can build a deck around characters you love, like Frozen or Mickey and friends, to make the game more fun and personal.
The decks listed here are chosen not only for how well they teach the game’s mechanics but also for their collectible value. Here are five of the best Lorcana starter decks for new players!
1. The First Chapter – Sapphire/Steel Starter Deck
This deck teaches one of Lorcana’s main strategies: build up your ink quickly, then play big characters to take over the game. It works really well and is a good example of how the game plays. It includes Grab Your Sword, a strong and popular song card, along with other useful cards like Fire the Cannons! and One Jump Ahead. One thing to watch out for is that this deck has many cards you can’t use for ink, which can be tough for new players. If you’re still learning how to choose your opening hand, this deck might be a little frustrating at first.
2. The First Chapter – Amber/Amethyst Starter Deck
This deck is fun right away. It starts strong with cards like Stitch – New Dog and helps you draw extra cards with Maleficent – Sorceress. These cards are still used in top decks today. The best part? It comes with four copies of Friends on the Other Side, one of the strongest song cards in the game. It’s a great deck to start with—and even better if more cards for this ink pair are released later. Just be aware, this deck can be hard to find!
3. Shimmering Skies – Emerald/Steel Starter Deck
This deck uses one of the most popular ink color combinations in tournaments. While it’s not as strong as the top competitive versions, it’s still really fun and easy to play. Cards like Food Fight and Robin Hood – Sneaky Sleuth work together in cool ways that feel smart and satisfying. Robin Hood – Timely Contestant is another standout, letting you earn a lot of lore in one turn. It also comes with two copies of Pete – Games Referee, a handy card for future decks.
4. Rise of the Floodborn – Amethyst/Steel Starter Deck
This deck includes some of the best Amethyst cards like Madam Mim – Fox and Merlin in different animal forms. They’re strong and fun, and many players still use them in top-level decks. Steel cards like Benja – Guardian of the Dragon Gem are also useful for building your own decks later on. This starter is packed with value and very close to a real tournament deck. It’s one of the best choices for beginners and collectors. If you find it in stores, it’s worth picking up!
5. Shimmering Skies – Amethyst/Ruby Starter Deck
This deck mixes Amethyst’s clever tricks with Ruby’s fast pace. It features Elsa – The Fifth Spirit, a card seen in lots of winning decks today. Other great cards include The Library – A Gift for Belle, Finders Keepers, and Wreck-It Ralph – Demolition Dude. Together, they make a deck that’s easy to play but still strong and exciting. If this deck had a few more location cards to work with Taffyta Muttonfudge – Sour Speedster, it would be even better—but it’s still a great choice overall.
Each of these Lorcana starter decks is perfect for beginners. They’re fun, easy to understand, and include useful cards that stay valuable as you keep playing. No matter which one you pick, you’ll be off to a magical start!
Disclaimer: TCGplayer links on this page use a referral system that helps support the content—at no extra cost to you.
