In the enchanting world of Lorcana, where Disney magic meets strategic gameplay, excitement is bubbling over as the tenth set, whimsically titled “Whispers in the Well,” is poised for release. This time, the collaboration between Disney and Ravensburger is all about embracing secrets and unraveling mysteries—and there’s no shortage of enchanted whispers to be deciphered.
Prepare to immerse yourself in a landscape dotted with whispers, hidden puzzles, and unseen page fragments that demand sharp understanding and strategic wits. Scheduled for a staggered launch, Lorcana enthusiasts can rejoice as the set drops in local game stores on Friday, November 7, granting an early bird advantage for those keen on exclusive events and promo opportunities. The release will extend to big-box stores and major online retailers a week later, on November 14, allowing game shops a blissful week of exclusivity before it becomes widely available.
Central to this new set is the introduction of a captivating card type named a Whisper. Picture a part of a Glimmer card, fractioned and teasing to be completed as players endeavor to fuse these fragments into a full-fledged character. The artistic representation elevates the experience—each card is adorned with parchment textures and worn edges, akin to delicate pages ripped from an ancient lorebook. Four notable Whispers making an appearance include Ursula, Whisper of Vanessa; Gaston, Frightful Bully; Megara, Secret Keeper; and Simba, King in the Making. A novel ability dubbed Boost accompanies these cards, adding a dash of unpredictability to gameplay. Resembling the mechanics of Shift, these Whispers invite players to slip a card beneath them rather than using the conventional method of Ink payment. This dynamic utilizes knowledge of the top deck card as fuel, rewarding strategic foresight while risking loss for those who can’t see ahead.
This release also extends an invitation to new franchises, spotlighting lore-rich elements from Disney’s Gargoyles. Notably, Demona, Scourge of the Wyvern Clan, emerges as a formidable force—a six Ink character boasting five Strength and six Willpower, with the striking ability to exert opposing characters upon entering play. The Gargoyles’ clan showcases other powerhouse figures like Demona, Betrayer of the Clan; Coldstone, Reanimated Cyborg; Bronx, Ferocious Beast; Goliath, Guardian of Castle Wyvern; Brooklyn, Second in Command; and Goliath, Clan Leader, each adding their unique flair to strategic play.
The enigmatic Black Cauldron also surfaces, bringing with it a mechanical magic twist that reshapes deck-building strategies. With The Black Cauldron, a three Ink cost item, players can creatively transport a character from their discard pile beneath the cauldron, offering a pathway to play any characters stored there. This introduces an innovative form of reanimation within the Lorcana realm, carving a niche for fresh archetypes. Among the cards entwined in this narrative are The Horned King, Heartless Devil; The Horned King, Wicked Ruler; The Horned King, Triumphant Ghoul; Hen Wen, Prophetic Pig; Hen Wen’s Visions; Cauldron Born; and Gwythaint, Savage Hunter.
In terms of size, the set maintains familiarity with its predecessors, featuring a 204-card base and an additional 18 Enchanted, 18 Epic, and 2 Iconic cards, culminating in a total of 242. With approximately 190 cards already tantalizingly leaked, anticipation runs high for the full display. The Iconics of this set, Hades, Looking for a Deal, and Ariel, Ethereal Voice, bring unique interplay mechanics. Hades, with his strategic charm, pressures opponents to either bottom a character or let you draw two cards. Meanwhile, Ariel encourages engaging melodies through card draw, provided she’s graced with a card snugly nestled beneath her.
Taking a narrative turn towards investigation, the set’s story beats entice players to uncover and follow the whispers with keen eyes and a sense of playfulness. The tagline “Light Your Path” beckons players to embark on a journey of discovery, with detective-themed artwork adding layers of intrigue. Judy Hopps rises to prominence within the detective sphere, fueling an eagerness to lose ourselves in the cryptic depths of what the Well might conceal.
As the curtain inches open on Whispers in the Well, Lorcana players brace themselves for an experience steeped in puzzle-solving prowess and strategic deck-building. In the delightful dance of Disney finesse and Ravensburger strategy, each card plays a part in crafting an interactive tapestry of courage, cunning, and clever twists—leaving both the characters on the cards and the players in command hanging on the edge of their seats.