Summary

• Chicago Challenge showcased the inclusive nature of the Disney Lorcana community, welcoming players of all ages and experience levels.
• The atmosphere was positive, with supportive players of all backgrounds.
• Disney Lorcana fosters camaraderie, emphasizing fun during the competition, making it a welcoming TCG for all players.

When we set out for Chicago, I didn’t know what to expect from the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Disney Lorcana Challenge. As a casual Illumineer, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:my meta knowledge is foggy at best. My deck was composed of Princesses and Beauty and the Beast characters. That’s really all I’ve ever needed, and my competitive spirit is best kept under wraps. While I&rsquꦏo;m not meant to play competitive card games, my partner is. His excitement led us to Chicago.

I’d only played one or two local tournaments before, and it didn’t go well. The atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive, but I hardly won a single match. Still, I enjoyed the experience. The community was friendly and encouraging, offering me tips and support as I grew more comfortable with the rules in a🐈 competitive setting. My only goal for Chicago was to enjoy the scenery, maybe win some prizes, and enjoy the legendary deep dish pizza. So long as we could figure out how the bu💟ses worked, we’d be set.

I met up with Breanna and Michele from Zebra Partners on Saturday, and they guided me around the event, highlighting the warm and welcoming environment Ravensburger created. From the stunning Disney-esque grand ballroom dripping with sparkling cryst🌱al chandeliers to the underground international ballroom where side events and prizes were kept on the first day, everything had a purpose and a place.

With over a thousand people in attendance, many of whom also attended the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Disney Lorcana Atlanta Challenge, the Chicago Challenge blew local tournaments out of the water. The vibe was obviously different from a few tables arranged in the back of a card shop, b⭕ut still not as imposing as many large events can be.

A local game store we visited admitted that they tried to start a local group, but the cost of parking kept it from happening. However, just outside the city 🌟where the Chicago Challenge was held, there seemed to be no shortage of Lorcana players. I’d never been to a TCG Tournament before, and my last big convention was in 2019. Seeingꦑ so many people gathered in one place all for the enjoyment of Lorcana was astounding.

Even more exciting 🍌was the age range of the players. TCG Veterans who’ve been playing for decades were everywhere, but there were plenty of newcomers as well. Roughly a third of the competitors were here for their first ever tournament, and several of them were young children enjoying the spectacle of it all. Some of the kids trounced veteran players with their skill, which made every match that much more interesting.

As with Disney fans, there are always those who share their love for the game through cosplay. There were several Merlins dressed for the occasion, as well as a sorceress Belle and Prince Eric. A few pairs of icon🎐ic Mickey ears and dozens of patterned shirts I’ve definitely seen in my dad’s closet before made an appearance. The whole Disney aesthetic made the event feel more like home than a big event in a far away city.

The Chicago Challenge reinforced everything Atlanta did right while also adjusting various aspects, like the ticket system, to better reflect the community’s efforts and desires. Bonus tickets were awarded right away to offset the difficulty of earning so many or having to pool them together with friends since you could only earn a handful from each side event–or by winning enough matches to rise through the rankings. Priz✨e costs were adjusted as well to ensure everyone had a better shot at winning a few coveted items.

I’ll admit the Cinderella, Stouthearted playmat offered as a prize is gorgeous. It almost made me want to compete myself to win✨ additional tickets, but I love my Beast playmat and know my skills lie more with Disney Villainous, which was offered as a side event on day two of the tournament.

Seeing all the kids don their competitor badges and fawn over the prizewall after their matches reminded me of my own excitement as a kid, when I’d spend all my tokens at Chuck E. Cheese’s to get as many tickets as I could and exchange them all for a big prize. It was a reminder of Lorcana’s main draw: accessibil🍬ity.

The threshold for getting into the game is considerably low when compared to other TCGs like Magic: The Gathering. The cards are more affordable, the different sets work well together, and the rules are easy to follow. It welcomes new players into the fold while highlighting the aspects that more experiencedಌ players love. And of course, it features the most beloved Disn🦩ey characters.

While I originally feared I would feel out of place in the tournament, I left with the sense that I could have found a place at one of the tables. Aside from the hassle of getting a ticket, whic🧔h still needs to be improved to ensure everyone has a fair shot at securing a Competitor Badge, everyone is welcome as an Illumineer.

The buzz of the tournament was palpable. I loved getting to sit and watch as people celebrated wins, discussed their decks, and made trades. Everyone seemed to work on the same team, regardless of their standings. Everyone got their chance to play in the grand ballroom, as the Final Cut moved to the downstairs ballroom൩ on day two to ensure the rest of the events were held upstairs. It seems like the experience of all players was taken into consideration when organizing t🃏he event, making sure everyone had the chance to feel like a capable Illumineer over the weekend.

Not everyone at the hotel knew what was happening, and many seemed to question why so many people decked🥀 out in Disney merch were in Chicago instead of Orlando. A security guard mentioned that he hadn’t even heard of trading card games in years, having last played Pok&eacut🍃e;mon and Yu-Gi-Oh! as a kid.

That conversation revealed that there’s something different about Lorcana when compared to other TCGs, and I have to agree. People weren’t getting drunk oꦑr starting fights with other players over matches. Sure, a few players got steamed over a bad judge call or a flubbed match, but everyone was there to have a good time. Whether they were just starting with the latest set or they’d been around since the First Chapter (or if they’re like me and just🍨 really love the concept of alternate Disney characters), players of all ages worked together and wished each other well.

The Disney Lorcana Chicago Challenge captured some of that priceless Disney magic. The fut🍨ure of Disney Lorcana is bright, a shining beacon for any Disney fan and aspiring TCG player. The hallmark of success is a loyal fan base, and Ravensburger certainly has a good chance to make Disney Lorcana a staple in the larger TCG community.