In other words, everything you need to be aware of is listed clearly on the card in question.

Instead of piling changes on top of that foundation until it's borderline incomprehensible, any wrinkles are introduced via the cards themselves. (In fact, we'd argue that Disney Lorcana is the trading card game we need right now.) That's because its core rules are straightforward and easy to understand. Lorcana isn't just a good TCG it's perfect for beginners. Things are a bit more stable these days, and thank goodness for that. Reseller sites were demanding an eye-watering amount for certain cards, too. To be precise, it sold out almost everywhere. It exploded onto the scene in early 2023 and smashed expectations in short order. Well, that's what we'd have said a year ago. You'd probably have more luck breaking into a vault than the trading card game market. If you don't like Disney, it won't appeal If you're new to Magic, we'd recommend trying this as a result. That makes the decks feel more considered, and special.

Besides utterly gorgeous artwork that provides a unique spin on iconic characters, those cards don't appear anywhere else these versions are exclusive. While the former is a welcome change (last year's official MTG starter set was oddly vague), it's the latter that makes this a contender for inclusion with the best card games. To be honest, it's not even a contest the instructions are much clearer, the theme is an easy elevator pitch (everyone has some understanding of Tolkien's story at the very least), and the decks are more coherent because they bring together the Free Peoples or Sauron's armies. That's why MTG's Lord of the Rings starter kit is the one we'd recommend getting first. The official beginner boxes aren't easy to get your head around, and they often feel rather hodgepodge as well – each deck is made up of cards drawn from across the last few sets.

However, it's got something of a starter set problem. It's arguably one of the best, too the old timer's blend of strategy and worldbuilding has earned it a dedicated fanbase since the 1990s. With more than 30 years under its belt, Magic: The Gathering (or MTG) is practically a household name when it comes to trading card games.

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