Keyword

Keyword
Type	Game mechanic
Introduced	The First Chapter (Set 1)
Function	Provides a consistent, named ability on cards
Examples	Evasive, Shift, Resist, Challenger, Ward, Rush

A keyword (also called a keyword ability) is a single word or short phrase on a Disney Lorcana card that summarizes a specific gameplay rule. Keywords allow cards to have complex abilities without repeating lengthy rules text. They were introduced in the very first set, The First Chapter, and have been expanded in subsequent sets.

Rules

Keywords are defined in the official Disney Lorcana Comprehensive Rules.^[1] When a card has a keyword, that keyword functions exactly as described in the rules. Some keywords may have additional clarifying text in parentheses on the card (e.g., “Evasive (Only characters with Evasive can challenge this character.)”), but the keyword itself is sufficient for players familiar with the game.

Keywords are not italicized or bolded by default, though card text may use bold for emphasis. Multiple keywords can appear on a single card, usually separated by commas.

List of keywords in Disney Lorcana

Evasive

Introduced in The First Chapter. A character with Evasive can only be challenged by other characters with Evasive.

Example: Mickey Mouse – Brave Little Tailor
Full page: Evasive

Shift

Introduced in The First Chapter. Allows you to play a character on top of another character with the same name for a reduced cost (or alternative cost). Primarily associated with Floodborn characters.

Example: Mickey Mouse – Wayward Sorcerer (Shift 3)
Full page: Shift

Resist

Introduced in Rise of the Floodborn. A character with Resist takes reduced damage from any source. Resist is always followed by a number (e.g., Resist +1 means take 1 less damage).

Example: Cinderella – Stouthearted
Full page: Resist

Challenger

Introduced in The First Chapter. When a character with Challenger challenges an opponent’s character, it gains +X Strength for that challenge (where X is the number after Challenger).

Example: Aladdin – Heroic Outlaw (Challenger +2)
Full page: Challenger

Rush

Introduced in The First Chapter. A character with Rush can challenge on the same turn it is played (normally, characters must wait a turn for their ink to “dry” before challenging).

Example: Maui – Hero to All
Full page: Rush

Ward

Introduced in The First Chapter. A character with Ward cannot be chosen by opponent’s actions, abilities, or effects except for being challenged.

Example: Elsa – Spirit of Winter
Full page: Ward

Sing Together

Introduced in Ursula's Return. Found on Song cards. Allows multiple characters to combine their ink cost to pay for the song (instead of a single singer). The total ink cost of the singers must equal or exceed the song’s cost.

Example: Look At This Family
Full page: Sing Together

Icebound

Introduced in Winterspell. An Icebound character cannot be exerted (tapped) by its controller unless they pay an additional cost (such as discarding a card).

Full page: Icebound

Overgrowth

Introduced in Attack of the Vine!. Overgrowth cards create Vine tokens on the opponent’s side of the board, with bonuses based on the number of tokens.

Full page: Overgrowth

Boost

Introduced in Whispers in the Well. To Boost a character, you place a card from the top of your deck face down beneath it, unlocking new abilities or stat increases.

Full page: Boost

Vanish

Introduced in Archazia's Island. A character with Vanish is immediately banished if it is targeted by an action.

Full page: Vanish

Keywords by set introduction

The First Chapter: Evasive, Shift, Challenger, Rush, Ward
Rise of the Floodborn: Resist
Ursula's Return: Sing Together
Archazia's Island: Vanish
Whispers in the Well: Boost
Winterspell: Icebound
Attack of the Vine!: Overgrowth

Non‑keyword abilities

Some abilities appear frequently but are not considered keywords because they do not have a single, standardized rule. Examples include:

“Draw a card”
“Deal X damage”
“Return to hand”
“Gain Lore”

These are usually written out in full on each card.

Trivia

The first keyword revealed to the public was Evasive, shown on Mickey Mouse – Brave Little Tailor at D23 Expo 2022.
Some keywords (like Shift) have multiple variants (ink payment vs. discard payment).
As of Attack of the Vine! (Set 13), there are 10 official keywords in Disney Lorcana.

References

↑ Disney Lorcana Comprehensive Rules. Ravensburger.

[Rules-1] Disney Lorcana Comprehensive Rules. Ravensburger.

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