Disney Lorcana is a trading card game like many before it, but it brings some unique concepts and features to the trading card game table. Inks are one such thing, and it may be difficult for players to understand exactly what they are and what they mean. There are six different Inks in the game, each of which represents a set of cards and a unique playstyle. Inks are important when deckbuilding and help to inform the player on what their strategy should be when playing the game. The six different kinds of Inks are Amber, Amethyst, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Steel.
Players familiar with other trading card games like Magic: The Gathering can think of Inks like the different colors of mana. Regarding the lore of Disney Lorcana, Ink is the magical power source that Illumineers, the players, use to summon glimmers. The type of Ink used often relates to the qualities of the character being summoned, or might even change the character a bit.
Deck Building With Inks
When building a deck in Disney Lorcana, the first thing that players need to do is choose one or two different Inks. Decks must consist of no more than two Inks, meaning if players have a deck of Ruby and Steel cards, they cannot add in an Emerald card or one of any other Ink. It's important to pick Inks that complement each other, something that the Lorcana starter decks all do for the player.
The Six Ink Types, Explained
Amber Ink
Amber Ink cards are typically supportive in nature, and often include things like healers and bodyguards. The characters themselves are described as "purposeful, patient, and dedicated" on the official Lorcana website.
Players should build an Amber deck if they want a lot of cards with high Willpower and the ability to heal other cards. One showstopper in this category is Moana of Motonui, who makes all other Disney princesses stronger by refreshing all other princess cards whenever she quests.
Amethyst Ink
Although all Ink in Lorcana is magical, Amethyst Ink relates to powerful characters that can wield magic. These cards usually have very powerful abilities, but can sometimes be underwhelming if they can't use their abilities. The official Lorcana website describes Amethyst Glimmers as "wondrous... Sorcerers, sages, and animated objects."
Build an Amethyst deck to have access to these awesome abilities and learn the best ways to use them. One powerhouse in this category is Mickey Mouse, Wayward Sorcerer, who can upkeep an army of Broom cards.
Emerald Ink
Emerald Ink is used to summon Glimmers that are either quickfooted or quick thinkers. These cards often have abilities that can confuse the opponent, banishing enemy cards or forcing them to discard cards on certain conditions. The official Lorcana website describes this Ink as producing characters that are "flexible" and "never caught off guard."
Players should build an Emerald deck if they want to be able to adapt to the battlefield quickly. One notable character in the Emerald Ink group is Cruella De Vil, Miserable as Usual. Whenever she is banished in a challenge, she can choose any character in play and return that character to that player's hand.
Ruby Ink
Ruby Ink represents brave, daring, and foolhardy Glimmers. These cards often have abilities like Rush that allow them to challenge opponents on the turn they are summoned. The official Lorcana website uses the terms "warriors, explorers, and daredevils" to describe these characters.
Players should build a Ruby Ink deck if they want to keep the pressure on foes with an aggressive playstyle. Aladdin, Heroic Outlaw is a good representation of this, as the player gains two lore and all enemies lose two lore whenever he banishes an enemy.
Sapphire Ink
Sapphire Ink cards are full of academics that can offer a unique perspective on things. They often have abilities that can be extremely effective if used strategically. The official Lorcana website describes them as "intellectual, intelligent, and creative," calling them strategists, inventors, and artists.
Players should build a Sapphire deck if they want to form complex strategies and watch them unfold. Aurora, Dreaming Guardian is a prime example of this, as she can strategically ward her allies to protect them from magical effects and abilities.
Steel Ink
Steel Inks are rather straightforward, typically relating to very defensive and powerful characters. They often have very high Strength and Willpower stats and sometimes have the Challenger ability that makes them more powerful when challenging. The official Lorcana website calls Steel Glimmers "Large and imposing, heavily armored, or just plain powerful."
Players should build a Steel deck if they want a straightforward but effective path to victory. A good representative of this Ink type is Simba, Returned King. He already has an impressive Strength and Willpower of four and six respectively, but his Strength increases by four (bringing it to a staggering eight) when he's challenging thanks to the Challenger ability,
How to Pick Two Inks for a Deck
Although it is certainly possible to build a deck with any two Ink types that works well, there are some things beginner trading card game players should keep in mind when choosing their Ink types. Lorcana is similar to Magic: The Gathering in that it's important to choose Ink types that complement each other. One way to do this is to split them up into two categories.
From wide view, Amethyst, Ruby, and Steel Inks can be described as offensive Inks, whereas Amber, Emerald, and Sapphire could be described as support Inks. It would be a good idea at first to try and include at least one offensive Ink and one support Ink so that the deck is balanced. The Lorcana starter decks do this already (Amber & Amethyst, Emerald & Ruby, Sapphire & Steel), but players can and should experiment with other combinations. For example, an Amber Ink cards could provide the support needed to make Steel Ink cards nigh unstoppable. The possibilities for deck building will only increase once Lorcana releases its second set of cards.
Disney Lorcana releases on August 18, 2023.