Archazia's Island
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| Archazia's Island | |
|---|---|
| File:Archazias Island logo.png | |
| Set symbol | File:Archazias Island symbol.png |
| Set code | ARI |
| Release date | March 7, 2025 (LGS/Prerelease) March 21, 2025 (retail) |
| Total cards | 204 |
| New mechanics | Dual-Ink cards, Illusion type, Vanish keyword |
| Previous set | Azurite Sea |
| Next set | Reign of Jafar |
Archazia's Island is the seventh set of the Disney Lorcana trading card game. It was released by Ravensburger for prerelease in local game stores on March 7, 2025, with a full global release on March 21, 2025.[1][2] The set is the first to feature Dual-Ink cards, as well as the new Illusion character type and Vanish keyword.[3]
The set consists of 204 main set cards, with 18 Enchanted variants and 7 promo cards.[1] Archazia's Island is notable for introducing the first original character created specifically for Lorcana – Archazia herself – as well as bringing several new Disney franchises into the game, including Lady and the Tramp, Bolt, and The Aristocats.[3][2]
Story
Welcome to Archazia's Island, a vibrant realm within the world of Lorcana that is inhabited by friendly pets and adorable animals.[3] Beyond the cast of cuddly critters lies an ancient secret just waiting to be discovered.[1] Illumineers are invited to explore this mysterious island, where they will learn new tricks, uncover hidden mysteries, and encounter the set's namesake – Archazia, Lorcana's first original character.[1]
The island serves as a haven for some of Disney's most beloved animal characters, including the heroic canine Bolt, the romantic duo Lady and Tramp, the musical felines of The Aristocats, and many others.[3][1]
New mechanics and features
Dual-Ink cards
Dual-Ink cards are the signature mechanic of Archazia's Island. These unique glimmers have two ink identities, making them playable exclusively in decks that include both of their represented colors (at least for Core Constructed).[4]
Dual-Ink cards allow for game effects that would otherwise never appear on the same card, and enable characters to showcase more than one of their traits.[1] For example, Bolt – Superdog is a Dual-Ink Amber/Sapphire card, reflecting that he is a supportive and devoted dog (Amber) but also a smart guy (Sapphire).[3] Other notable Dual-Ink cards include Pongo – Dear Old Dad, Lady – Miss Park Avenue, Belle – Apprentice Inventor, and Beast – Frustrated Designer.[3][5]
While the secondary color currently only restricts deck-building (a card cannot be played in a deck that doesn't match both ink colors), future sets are speculated to reference dual ink mechanically to achieve particular effects.[3]
Illusion character type
Illusion is a new character type introduced in this set. Illusion cards represent magical projections – they appear real but vanish when disrupted.[5] Illusion characters are typically quite strong for their ink cost, but they come with a significant vulnerability.[5]
Notable Illusion cards include:
Vanish keyword
The Vanish keyword is associated with Illusion characters. A character with Vanish is immediately banished if it is targeted by an action (single-use spell).[5] This vulnerability makes Illusion characters risky to play, as an opponent can remove them cheaply with any action card. For example, the action Double Trouble deals 1 damage to up to two characters; if an opponent has two Illusion cards on the field, this action will banish both of them without needing to deal damage.[5]
To offset this weakness, Illusion characters have above‑average stats for their cost. The primary enabler for Illusion strategies is the Dual-Ink Jafar – Newly Crowned, who can return any Illusion cards that are banished on the opponent's turn, providing recurring value.[5]
Pet Pals theme
Archazia's Island places a heavy emphasis on Disney's animal characters, with the set described as "a haven for some of the most beloved Disney pups, cats, and even a hamster."[1] The set continues the oceanic theme established by Azurite Sea.[4]
New franchises
Archazia's Island introduces several Disney franchises to Lorcana for the first time:[3][2]
- Lady and the Tramp – The 1955 classic joins Lorcana, featuring characters such as Lady, Tramp, Trusty, and Jock.[3][2] Dual-Ink cards include Lady – Miss Park Avenue and Tramp – The Tramp.
- Bolt – The 2008 film about a heroic canine actor appears, with four cards dedicated to the title character: Bolt – Dependable Friend (Amber common), Bolt – Headstrong Dog (Steel), and the super rare Bolt – Superdog (Amber/Sapphire Dual-Ink), which also receives an Enchanted foil treatment.[3]
- The Aristocats – The 1970 music‑infused classic features its feline characters, including Duchess, Thomas O'Malley, and the kittens Toulouse, Marie, and Berlioz.
- 101 Dalmatians – Additional characters from the 1961 film appear, including Pongo – Dear Old Dad (Dual-Ink) and Perdita – Playful Mother.[3][6]
- Thunderbolt – The fictional TV show protagonist watched by the puppies in 101 Dalmatians also appears as Thunderbolt – Wonder Dog, a forerunner and inspiration for Bolt.[3]
Additionally, the set features returning characters from Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Mulan, and The Emperor's New Groove.[4][5]
Archazia – Lorcana's first original character
Archazia's Island marks the debut of the first original character created specifically for the Lorcana universe. Archazia is the namesake of the island and is central to the set's mystery.[1] While little is known about her backstory, she is described as having an ancient secret waiting to be discovered by Illumineers who explore her island.[1]
Products
Archazia's Island is available in the following product formats:[6][1]
- Booster packs – 12 random cards per pack (including 1 foil card). Booster boxes contain 24 packs.
- Booster boxes – 24 booster packs.
- Illumineer's Trove – Includes 8 booster packs, 6 damage counter dice, a lore tracker, 6 card dividers, and a storage box (MSRP $49.99).[6]
- Starter decks – Two single‑player decks (Ruby/Sapphire and Amethyst/Steel), each containing 60 cards (including 2 foil cards), 11 damage tokens, a paper playmat, a paper tracker token, a quickstart rulebook, and a bonus booster pack.[6][5]
- Gift set – Includes a Lilo – Escape Artist Alternate Art promo card (glimmer foil), a card storage box, 3 punch‑out dividers, and 5 booster packs from sets 2–6 (Rise of the Floodborn, Into the Inklands, Ursula's Return, Shimmering Skies, and Azurite Sea).[6]
Starter decks
Two starter decks were released for Archazia's Island:[5][6]
Ruby/Sapphire – Beauty and the Beast
This deck features characters from Beauty and the Beast and focuses on item synergy. Key strategies include:
- Dual‑Ink Belle – Apprentice Inventor becomes cheaper to play based on how many item cards are in your discard. When she quests, she allows the player to put three items from the discard back into the deck.[5]
- Dual‑Ink Beast – Frustrated Designer can banish two items to deal damage to an opposing character.[5]
- Cogsworth – Protective Clock becomes stronger if there is at least one item in the discard.[5]
- The deck creates an engine where items are used normally, benefit from being in the discard, and are then returned to the deck to repeat the cycle.[5]
IGN praised the Ruby/Sapphire deck as having "a more consistent engine" than its counterpart.[5]
Amethyst/Steel – Aladdin
This deck features characters from Aladdin and showcases the Illusion and Vanish mechanics. Key cards include:
- Jafar – Newly Crowned (Dual‑Ink) is the main enabler, returning any Illusion cards banished on the opponent's turn.[5]
- Illusion characters include Mufasa – Illusion (4‑cost, 4/4) and Iago – Illusion (4‑cost, 4/6 with Evasive).[5]
- The deck requires careful timing to avoid having Illusion cards banished cheaply by opponent actions.[5]
Notable cards
| Card name | Ink color(s) | Rarity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt – Superdog | Amber/Sapphire (Dual‑Ink) | Super Rare / Enchanted | The heroic canine in his superhero persona; receives an Enchanted foil treatment.[3] |
| Pongo – Dear Old Dad | Amber/Sapphire (Dual‑Ink) | Super Rare | Dual‑Ink version of the 101 Dalmatians patriarch.[3] |
| Lady – Miss Park Avenue | Ruby/Sapphire (Dual‑Ink) | From Lady and the Tramp.[3] | |
| Jafar – Newly Crowned | Amethyst/Steel (Dual‑Ink) | Enables Illusion strategies by returning banished Illusions.[5] | |
| Belle – Apprentice Inventor | Ruby/Sapphire (Dual‑Ink) | Gains cost reduction based on items in discard.[5] | |
| Beast – Frustrated Designer | Ruby/Sapphire (Dual‑Ink) | Banishes items to deal damage.[5] | |
| Lilo – Escape Artist | – | Alternate art promo card exclusive to the Gift Set.[6] |
Reception
Archazia's Island was well received by critics and players, with particular praise for the introduction of Dual‑Ink cards as a meaningful new deck‑building option. The set's focus on beloved animal characters was also widely appreciated.
IGN noted that while both starter decks have synergies, "the Ruby/Sapphire deck just has a more consistent engine than what the Amethyst/Steel can pull off."[5] The Illusion/Vanish mechanic was described as "the most interesting mechanic from this set," though it requires careful play to avoid having powerful characters banished cheaply.[5]
Cardmarket described the set as "inhabited by lots and lots of cute animals," highlighting the diverse range of Disney classics featured.[3]
Trivia
- Archazia's Island is the first Lorcana set to feature Dual‑Ink cards, a mechanic that would continue in future sets.[4]
- The set introduces Lorcana's first original character, Archazia, who is named after the island itself.[1]
- Thunderbolt – Wonder Dog is a fictional TV show protagonist from within the 101 Dalmatians universe and served as a forerunner and inspiration for the character Bolt.[3]
- The Gift Set includes booster packs exclusively from previous sets (2–6), making it a catch‑up product for collectors rather than a source of new Archazia's Island cards.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Disney Lorcana Set 7: Archazia's Island - Spoilers, Release Date, Products, and More. Lorcana.gg.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Release Dates, New Franchise Revealed For Disney Lorcana Archazia's Island. StarCityGames (January 13, 2025).
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 Archazia's Island. Cardmarket.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Every Card Revealed From Disney Lorcana Archazia's Island. StarCityGames (February 24, 2025).
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 Disney Lorcana: Archazia's Island – First Impressions of the New TCG Expansion. IGN (February 24, 2025).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Where To Preorder Disney Lorcana TCG: Archazia's Island Expansion Set. GameSpot (February 28, 2025).