Understanding the specific terminology of Disney Lorcana is essential for mastering deck building and gameplay. This guide breaks down every keyword and trait currently found in the Inklands.
1. Core Gameplay Keywords & Abilities
Keywords are specialized abilities that define how a character interacts with the board.
| Keyword | Description |
| Alert | This character can challenge opposing characters with Evasive. Note: This does not make the character Evasive itself. |
| Bodyguard | This character can enter play exerted. Opponents must challenge your exerted characters with Bodyguard before they can challenge your other characters. |
| Boost | A mechanic where you can place the top card of your deck facedown under a character to grant them additional power or triggers. |
| Challenger (+X) | This character gains the specified amount of Strength while they are performing a challenge. This bonus does not apply when they are being challenged. |
| Evasive | This character can only be challenged by other characters that also have the Evasive keyword. |
| Reckless | This character cannot quest and must challenge every turn if able. |
| Resist (+X) | Damage dealt to this character is reduced by the specified amount. |
| Rush | This character can challenge on the same turn they are played (their ink does not need to be “dry”). |
| Shift (X) | You may pay the Shift cost to play this card on top of another character with the same name. If you do, the new card can act immediately if the original card was already “dry.” |
| Singer (X) | This character counts as being of the specified ink cost (X) when used to sing a Song card for free. |
| Support | Whenever this character quests, you may add their Strength to another chosen character’s Strength for the remainder of the turn. |
| Vanish | If this character is targeted by an action, it is banished immediately. |
| Ward | Opponents cannot choose this character except to challenge. They are protected from targeted actions and abilities. |
2. Character Classifications & Traits
Classifications (or Traits) are found at the bottom of a character card. While they don’t have inherent rules, many cards have abilities that specifically trigger based on these traits.
Glimmer Types
- Storyborn: Characters appearing as they do in their original Disney films.
- Dreamborn: Reimagined versions of characters created by Illumineers.
- Floodborn: Characters transformed by a chaotic wave of magical ink. These usually possess the Shift keyword.
Common Character Traits
- Hero / Villain: The most common alignment traits.
- Ally: Supporting characters often found in Amber and Sapphire.
- Captain / Pirate: Common in Steel and Emerald (e.g., Peter Pan, Treasure Planet).
- Prince / Princess / King / Queen: Royalty traits often used for synergy in Amber decks.
- Madrigal: Specific to the Encanto franchise.
- Sorcerer / Broom: Synergies often found in Amethyst (e.g., Mickey Mouse, Yen Sid).
- Alien: Characters from Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet, and now Toy Story.
3. General Gameplay Terms
- Inkwell: The zone where you place cards to generate Ink (the game’s currency).
- Lore: The points required to win the game. The first player to reach 20 Lore wins.
- Exert: To turn a card sideways to indicate it has been used for questing, challenging, or an ability.
- Ready: To turn an exerted card back to its upright position at the start of your turn.
- Banish: To move a card from the field to the discard pile.
- Location: A card type that stays in play, generates Lore passively, and provides benefits to characters who “move” to that location.
4. Rarity Guide
Lorcana uses a specific symbol system to denote card rarity:
- Common: Grey Circle
- Uncommon: White Book
- Rare: Bronze Triangle
- Super Rare: Silver Diamond
- Legendary: Gold Pentagon
- Epic: Rainbow Semicircle
- Enchanted: Rainbow Hexagon
- Iconic: Rainbow Octagon (Highest rarity; introduced in Fabled)
This list covers the current terminology found within the Disney Lorcana TCG. Use this guide to stay informed on how different character traits and abilities interact on the board. Check back regularly for updates following new set releases.