The concept of banned and restricted cards is familiar territory in the world of Trading Card Games (TCGs). As Disney Lorcana establishes its competitive scene, the question arises: Does the game need a banlist?
Ravensburger’s young card game boasts a thriving meta, with standout cards already making their mark. However, with only a handful of sets available, truly dominant decks haven’t emerged. This raises the question of whether a banlist will be implemented within the Lorcana rules, especially with the first official Lorcana tournaments on the horizon.
Understanding the Importance of Banlists
Banlists typically serve to maintain balance in a TCG. Powerful cards, or combinations of them, can render other strategies obsolete. This leads to a stagnant meta where all players gravitate towards the same cookie-cutter decks. Banlists address this by removing or restricting problematic cards, allowing for a diverse and exciting competitive landscape.
Developers might also choose to create counter-cards that specifically target dominant strategies. This approach reduces the need for frequent bans, though exceptionally disruptive cards may still require removal from play. With months between set releases, banlists can offer a swift solution in extreme cases.
The Current Landscape of Disney Lorcana
Currently, Disney Lorcana hasn’t encountered truly game-breaking cards, so a banlist remains unnecessary. However, some potential trouble spots exist within the meta.
The Ruby/Amethyst Bounce deck has been a dominant force in online and in-person Lorcana games for some time. As of February 6th, Lorcana.gg estimates this deck holds a significant 15.6% share of the meta. While not completely overpowering, it has shown an ability to steamroll a large portion of the competition. If this trend continues, banning or restricting certain cards might become a viable option.
When Might We See a Disney Lorcana Banlist ?
Ravensburger hasn’t provided any official information regarding a potential banlist. Additionally, different TCGs adopt vastly different approaches to card bans, making predictions difficult.
For instance, Magic: The Gathering, launched in 1993, implemented an initial banlist by early 1994. This rapid response highlights the pressure on large TCGs to ensure balance. Perhaps Disney Lorcana will follow suit and unveil a banlist before the end of 2024.
However, Yu-Gi-Oh!, released in 1996, opted for a more cautious approach. A limited list (reducing the number of copies of a specific card) wouldn’t be introduced until 2002, with full-fledged bans only appearing in 2004. This suggests it could be several years before a banlist becomes essential for Lorcana.
Potential Candidates for the Banlist (Speculation)
If forced to predict potential banlist targets, here are two of the most likely contenders:
- A Whole New World (Song): When played strategically, A Whole New World offers immense advantages. It can disrupt opponents’ plans by forcing hand discards, allowing for free play followed by rapid resource acquisition, or creating significant card advantage in situations with smaller hand sizes. This makes it arguably the strongest Song in the game. However, its complexity can be its weakness. Poor timing can land you in a worse position, and the opponent might draw even better cards in response. This gamble might be what saves it from the ban hammer.
- Be Prepared (Action): With the right character in play, Be Prepared offers a cost-effective and brutal board wipe. Its simplicity and effectiveness mirror cards that typically land on banlists (looking at you, Yu-Gi-Oh! Pot of Greed). The high cost associated with playing the card, or acquiring a character that can sing it, provides some balancing factors. While a strong contender for the banlist, Be Prepared might not be an immediate threat.
Conclusion
While a Disney Lorcana banlist isn’t currently necessary, its potential implementation should be monitored as the competitive scene matures. With an ever-evolving meta and upcoming tournaments, developers might be forced to take action to ensure a healthy and diverse competitive environment in Disney Lorcana.