Disney Lorcana continues to impress, and Reign of Jafar might just be the best set yet. Every release feels like Ravensburger is finding more of their rhythm, and with each new expansion, I catch myself saying, “This is my favorite set so far.” That’s a great sign, it means they’re actively improving and making this TCG even more enjoyable. Here’s a closer look at everything Reign of Jafar brings to the table.
Booster’s & Illumineer’s Trove
What’s the best part of any TCG? Cracking packs, and Lorcana offers a few great ways to do it. Whether you're buying sleeved boosters, going all-in with a booster box, or picking up the Illumineer’s Trove, there’s something for every collector.
Personally, I always grab an Illumineer’s Trove with each new release. Not just because I’ve been lucky enough to pull an Enchanted card from them (no promises, just my streak!), but because they double as stylish storage boxes. They come packed with eight booster packs and a few fun extras (like dice, a lore counter, and card dividers), and the design gets better with every set. Reign of Jafar features a striking deep red color scheme that really pops compared to the cool blues and greens of earlier sets. It’s easily my favorite Trove design so far.
Single Player Decks
A Harmonious Team (Amber & Amethyst)
This deck is loaded with Encanto characters and leans heavily into songs. Amber provides the musical firepower, while Amethyst offers strong defensive tools, think of it as the bodyguard squad for a popstar. The synergy between these two inks is actually pretty great.
That said, some cards like Bambi – Prince of the Forest feel like filler, cheap but not really aligned with the deck’s strategy. I get the high strength for the cost, but this deck thrives more on building up powerful, synergistic plays, like Druun – Ravenous Plague, which can grow into a major threat when challenging. If I were upgrading this deck, I’d swap out the more vanilla characters for cards like Gruesome and Grim, a song that helps you play your big hitters earlier. The Family Madrigal is another must-add, as it helps you fetch both singers and songs for free, especially because it’s a dual-ink card based on Encanto. I'm surprised it’s not already in the deck.. I’d also consider more Bodyguard characters and stronger removal songs to round it out.
Brave & Brazen (Ruby & Steel)
This deck doesn’t pull punches. Ruby and Steel are two of the most aggressive inks in Lorcana, and this deck wants to attack early and often. With cards like Mulan – Charging Ahead and her Long Range ability, you can challenge any character, even readied ones. A handful of Reckless characters force you to stay on the offensive, while Steel brings backup like Stitch – Alien Troublemaker, rewarding you for banishing opposing characters with extra card draw and lore gain.
The downside? A lot of these cards are expensive, and the deck leans a bit too heavily on non-inkable cards, which can make early turns awkward. For upgrades, I’d cut down on some of those and add more utility items. Devil’s Eye Diamond rewards damage with lore, and Dinner Bell is a great way to draw cards when your characters get banished, which you’re likely doing anyway. Steel also offers some great options like Gizmosuit and Hamster Ball for protection, or Weight Set for even more card draw, especially since you’re already running strong bodies.
Accessories
The Reign of Jafar accessories are a visual treat. The deck boxes and sleeves feature Wizard Mickey – Wayward Sorcerer and Tinker Bell – Giant Fairy, both bold and beautiful choices. The playmats are standouts too, showcasing Rescue Rangers Away! and Hades – Double Dealer. I have a lot of nostalgia for Rescue Rangers, so that mat was an instant top 5 for me. And the Hades design is so nice it’s close second to being my favorite, just behind Tigger in the Crow’s Nest.
My only issue with the accessories, and it’s a small one, is with the Steel-themed sleeves. The silver-on-silver look could use a bit more contrast. A darker front color would really help the art shine.
Illumineer’s Quest: Crown Heist
Illumineer’s Quests feel like the grand finale for each story arc in Lorcana. Ursula’s Return served as the big “boss fight” for Sets 1–4, and now for Sets 5–8, who better to take the spotlight than the iconic villain Jafar? It looks like we can expect a new storyline, and a new Illumineer’s Quest, every four sets (don’t quote me on that), which feels like a solid pace.
Ever since the last quest, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the next one, and I’m thrilled that Jafar was the big bad guy in this arc. Now all that’s left is to see where the next arc takes us!
Reign of Jafar is another solid step forward for Disney Lorcana. The set looks incredible, the starter decks are fun and surprisingly competitive, and the accessories continue to improve. Whether you're cracking packs or just here for the nostalgia, this set is absolutely worth checking out.
