Splitting of a match, note taking and more, now covered in this latest Tournament Rules update!
The Tournament Rules document has been recently updated on the Lorcana Resources page. Even though the Resources page currently still state “Updated 10/16/2023”, the link now leads to a Tournament Rules document that shows “Effective 5/22/2024”.
Here are the key updates for the document. For more details, we recommend reading through!
Set Legality
Disney Lorcana sets are legal to play in Disney Lorcana Sanctioned Tournaments three weeks after release in hobby stores. Alternate and special versions of cards, including preview and promo cards, become legal when their respective set does, regardless of when they’re released.
Spectator
New addition:
For players who may require assistance to perform game actions or physically handle cards or other game objects, a spectator can be designated to assist the player. These spectators can ask simple questions to clarify the intent of the player but aren’t permitted to offer any kind of play or strategic advice.
Match Structure
The Disney Lorcana TCG is played in a 2-game format. Players will play two games, with each player having the opportunity to go first. Each game is worth 3 match points. If a player wins both games, they’reawarded a bonus match point. If a match is completed before both games are completed, the player who won the first game receives 3 match points but isn’t awarded the bonus point. If each player wins a game in the match, both players receive 3 match points but no bonus point is awarded.
Before the match begins, the players must randomly decide which player has the choice of going first in either game one or game two. Any mutually agreeable method may be used, such as rolling dice or flipping a coin. The deciding player then chooses whether they will be the starting player in the first game or the second. The player who plays first doesn’t draw a card at the start of their first turn. The decision to start the first game or the second must be made before the player sees their opening hand for game one. If the player fails to decide, they’reassumed to be playing first in the first game.
For single-elimination brackets, there will be a best-of-three format. In practice, this means that the players will play games until one player has won two games. Before the match begins, the players must randomly decide which player has the choice of playing first or second in the first game. The deciding player then chooses whether they will play first or second in that game. For games after the first in a match, the player who lost the most recent game chooses whether to play first or second in the next game. The decision to play first or second must be made before the player sees their opening hand for that game. If the player fails to do so, they’re assumed to be playing first in the next game.
Concessions and Splits
New Addition
If the round being played is in the 2-Game Format, prior to the end of a match, players may agree to split (1-1) the match. A player may request a split only once per match and can’t implicitly or explicitly offer any reward or consideration in exchange for a split. Players provided such an offer are required to call a judge and report the offer. If players agree to a split, a random player is determined to win game 1, and the other player wins game 2.
Sleeves
Players are allowed to use plastic card sleeves on their cards. These must be free of markings and wear. For ofcial event
and tournament play, sleeves must allow satisfy the following conditions:
- They must enclose one single card entirely.
- All sleeves must be identical.
- All sleeves must have fully opaque backs.
- Sleeves that feature suggestive, indecent, and/or offensive imagery or words are strictly prohibited.
Inner or over sleeves are allowed, provided that all other rules for sleeves are followed, with the exception of a fully opaque back. Tournament officials are the final arbiters on whether a particular sleeve is allowed.
If sleeves need to be changed for a non-urgent issue that is found during a match, Tournament Officials may allow the change to be made in between games or after the current match is concluded.
Time Extensions
If a Tournament Official pauses a match for more than 1 minute while the round is being played, they should issue the appropriate time extension equal to the time the match was paused. For deck checks, the time extension should equal the time it took to perform the check plus 3 minutes.
Written Notes
Players are encouraged to keep written track of lore totals, but they’re not permitted to take any other form of notes during a match. Referring to outside notes during a match is considered Outside Assistance. This can include, but isn’t limited to, writing down inkwell cards as they’re revealed, using dice to denote the ink costs of revealed cards, or using other devices or processes to create some type of record of game information. A Tournament Official will make the final determination of whether a form of note was made.
In-Game Information
New Additions
There are two types of information in Disney Lorcana: public and hidden. Information is considered hidden if it exists in any facedown zone. Although the hand isn’t a facedown zone, it’s considered hidden information from your opponent. Information in any other zone is considered public.
Players are allowed to know the status, characteristics, and contents of any public zone or of any card in a public zone.
Players are allowed to know only the number of cards in a hidden zone.
If hidden information is revealed to the opponent, it’s considered public Information while revealed.
Inkwell
New Additions:
A player is allowed to leave the last card they put into their inkwell faceup during the turn it was put there. Once that turn ends, the play should turn it facedown in the inkwell.
Players are allowed to use placeholder cards or tokens to represent the amount of ink in their inkwell, provided that the actual inkwell cards are kept distinct and separate from any other facedown cards and all rules for inking are still followed. If there is any dispute involving placeholder cards, the actual inkwell cards will be used to determine the total ink.
A placeholder card for the inkwell must not be a Disney Lorcana card.
