Neil Tennant, the former Smash Hits rock journalist better known as the vocalist for the Pet Shop Boys, described that great synthpop outfit’s output during the late 1980s as their “imperial phase”. It’s a phrase that’s gone on to be used to describe any musical artist when they manage to reach both commercial and artistic success. But I’m going to use it here to talk about Disney Lorcana, because I believe that the game entered its imperial phase with the third set, Into the Inklands.
The First Chapter and Rise of the Floodborn felt very much like one big set split into two releases. In reflection, I recall distinctly feeling like The First Chapter was somewhat incomplete and that Rise of the Floodborn completed it. It was still very much a frontier time for the game- nobody was sure at that point if it was even going to survive a year, especially with the stock shortages and rampant scalping. But when Into the Inklands released February 23, 2024- a year and a half ago- it seemed like the game was stepping into a new era. It was wildly successful and the game began introducing new mechanisms (such as Locations), more complex card interactions, and of course new characters and settings- longtime readers of this column will recall that I was practically doing flips over DuckTales and Robin Hood, both dramatically under-represented in Disneyana, making their debut.
Now, with the release of the ninth set and the imminent rotation poised to hit, I find myself thinking about this set and how it was the beginning of the game’s imperial phase, which I think lasted at least up until Ursula’s Return. Remember, the rotation is going to hit the first four sets so many of the cards from this excellent set- which, in fact, I believe is the best released to date- will be relegated to the Infinity format. But there are reprints coming to Fabled, and here are my top picks that I’d like to see!
I recall seeing this card and my jaw dropped- I love Chernabog and I even have a mash-up shirt that combines his demonic visage with the Danzig logo. But then I never really got into using him much so he sort of went into the binder. Over time, better deckbuilders than I started doing cool things with this Super Rare, loading up discard piles and then dispensing a horde of puppies or whatever on the field. This is an interesting card with a lot of potential for future combos- especially with things that put things into the graveyard or allow you to topdeck and play an expensive character like this.
Locations are, to my mind, still sort of hit or miss. Some are super good, some don’t do too much to be interesting. But The Queen’s Castle is definitely one of the former, and I feel like it was something of an emblematic Amethyst card for this set. The value is tremendous. A 4 ink/inkable play with a hardy 7 willpower, 2 lore per turn, and a start of turn card draw for each character that you’ve moved there for the low, low price of 1 ink. There’s just too much good here, and in the early meta when folks weren’t teching as much against locations it was a hell of a card to go up against. I can’t imagine a future state in the next rotation where this won’t still be a staple Amethyst play- and it fits right into the ink color’s vibe.
This Legendary was one of the chase cards for the set, an absolute powerhouse bordering on broken for decks heavy in song. What A Deal indeed- this 3 ink diva saw many players doubling up songs like Sudden Chill for example in the early to mid game with potentially devastating effects. This card’s only weakness is that it’s not Amber or Steel so it doesn’t go into Steelsong, where it would be absolutely sickening. A Fabled Legendary reprint could very be a chase card in the upcoming set like its predecessor.
My dislike for The Rescuers is deep, friends. I’ve said in this space before that it’s the only Disney animated movie I hate. It’s dour, grimy, and glum and I am someone that likes those qualities. But this is an excellent albeit pricey removal card for the late game, offering up a 4/4 body on top of a banish effect via That Terrible Woman. Ruby thrives on aggro and control builds, and Madame Medusa very much should continue to have a berth in those kinds of decks.
And here is the best item out of Into the Inklands- an uninkable 7-drop that practically requires ramping to get to the value of the card. But it is potentially a win con card in item heavy decks when you pay the 2 ink to exert it and suddenly you are extracting a huge amount of lore from a Tamatoa – Shiny or a 3-4 lore quester. But then you also quest with them, so…yeah. And then if you ready that Lucky Dime to do it again…yep. Like my other picks from this set, a reprint could help define an archetype moving forward. Here, obviously the whole Sapphire item/ramp loadout.
Steel actually had a lot of great cards in Into the Inklands – Mr. Smee – Bumbling Mate was the perfect foil for the 1-drop Captain Hook everyone that plays Steel plays and will continue to play in the next rotation because he’s definitely getting reprinted. So the top pick should be Smee. But I’m a lifelong, ride-or-die Robin Hood stan so I’ve got to prop up my boy here. Champion of Sherwood is quite possibly my favorite Legendary in the game and god knows I spent way, way too much to get a playset of them. This is one of those cards that just has great written all over it. Low shift cost with a quality 1 drop shift target, inkable, quests for 2, and two great abilities that play off challenges to get you lore and cards. It’s such a well-designed card, but like many great plays it’s also a big ol’ target as soon as he hits the table, usually on turn 3 when he’s an absolute menace. The art on this card never really delighted me though, so perhaps a new illustration is in order?
Next time I’ll finish up the Fabled reprints series as we look at Ursula’s Return!
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