The next Disney Lorcana scheduled to arrive is Azurite Seaa set focused on inventors and pirate sparkles. The newest set features iconic Disney characters and fan favorites dressed for the uncharted seas and tropical climates, and two new Starter Decks really bring this theme home. Be looking at Disney Lorcana for the first time or for longtime fans who just want to try something newthe Azurite Sea Starter Decks have a lot to offer.
The two new Starter Decks are Emerald/Sapphire and Amber/Ruby. The Emerald/Sapphire deck has many cards focused on Big Hero 6but Lorcana regulars like Stitch and Goofy also shine. The Amber/Ruby Starter Deck features many Winnie the Pooh while showing favorites from Moana and Pedro Pan. As with previous Starter Decks, some characters and properties are repeated in both decks – in that case, Treasure Planet and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, for example.
Azurite Sea Emerald & Sapphire Starter Deck Highlights
Big Hero 6 and Rescue Rangers cards shine
THE The Emerald/Sapphire Starter Deck is about Inventors from Disney propertiesand that means Gadget Hackwrench (one of the sheets included) from Rescue rangers It’s front and center. Its “Mechanically Savvy” ability allows Illuminators to play Inventor cards for 1 less ink, a pretty valuable ability given the number of inventors in this deck. In fact, this deck’s ability to win depends on how well one utilizes these inventor cards and takes advantage of abilities like Gadget’s.
Other highlighted cards include “Hiro Hamada – Team Leader”, which comes with the ability “I Need To Upgrade All Of You”. This protects other Inventors by giving them +1 Toughness while Hiro is in play. Its other ability, “Shape the Future,” allows players to spend ink and search their deck for the cards they need.
“Go Go Tomago – Darting Dynamo” (the other foil included in this deck) helps players gain knowledge quickly. Once the card is in play, Illuminators can gain knowledge equal to the damage of an opposing character they choose – all for the low cost of 2 paints. Obviously, this means that a lot of strategy and thought is required to use this feature. Disney Lorcana deck effectively – quite on-brand for a deck that highlights Inventors.
Azurite Sea’s Amber & Ruby Starter Deck Highlights
Pirate letters in search of precious knowledge
Whereas the Emerald/Sapphire Starter Deck focused on using inventors, the Amber/Ruby Starter Deck is full of pirates. “Moana – Kakamora Leader” is a highlight, as the “Gathering Forces” ability allows players to move as many characters as they want to a location – all while gaining 1 knowledge per character. “Pooh Pirate Ship”, an Item card, returns a Pirate card from the discard pile to the player’s hand – great for second chances.
The “Tigger – In The Crow’s Nest” card is a little tricky to understand, but quite effective once you do. The “Swash Your Buckles” ability adds +1 Strength and +1 Knowledge whenever an action is performed. Additionally, only characters with Evasion can challenge it, which helps offset the 0 Strength and 4 Willpower the card starts with. If players fail to use it correctly the first time, the “Pooh Pirate Ship” card could become invaluable here.
“Jim Hawkins – Honorable Pirate” is featured on the cover of the Starter Deck and, along with “Tigger – In the Crow’s Nest”, is one of two foils included. With a high ink cost (7), but a little Strength (4) and Willpower (7), its biggest advantage is undoubtedly the “Hire a Crew” skill. This allows players find 4 more pirates from their deck and add them to your hands.
Are Disney Lorcana’s Azurite Sea starter decks any good?
How the latest decks compare to the old ones
Of my time with Azurite Sea Starting decks, I liked the Amber/Ruby deck the most. A deck built around a crew of pirates is just cool, and the Amber/Ruby combination suits my playstyle more. The Emerald/Sapphire deck is by no means bad, and I enjoyed using the various Inventors, but it seems to require a little more strategy, while Amber/Ruby seems more aggressive.
Compared to previous Starter Decks, Azurite Sea looks the same as In the red lands‘ Amber/Emerald deck centered around puppies (my favorite so far). Over time, either deck could be great for competitive play, but right now, I’m not convinced that both are as competitively viable as Rise of the FloodbornAmethyst/Steel Deckwhich is undoubtedly still the most powerful Starter Deck to date. Even after the shine wears off, I suspect I’ll use Azurite Sea’It’s the Amber/Ruby deck, but only time will tell.
Overall, both Starter Decks in Azurite Sea set features some of the best hit artwork Disney Lorcanaand from a beginner’s perspective, both should work well as an introduction to the TCG (the quickstart rules are great). Both teach different mechanics, but in a way that doesn’t overwhelm new players and can also be fun for veterans. Regardless, a set consisting of pirates, ships, and the high seas is undeniably cool and a welcome addition.
Source: Ravensburger/YouTube