Reign of Jafar: A Bold Step Forward for Lorcana

If you’ve been following Disney Lorcana over the past year, you probably felt the collective rush of excitement when Reign of Jafar was revealed. This set, which wraps up the game’s second year, doesn’t just bring new cards, it brings ambition. After spending some time with it, opening boosters, testing decks, and soaking in community reactions, I can say confidently: Reign of Jafar feels like a major turning point for Lorcana.

Let’s talk about why.

Storytelling Like Never Before

This is hands-down the most narrative-rich Lorcana set yet. You can feel the tension in the art and flavor text. Jafar’s rise isn’t just something the cards say—it’s something you experience as you play. There’s a real sense of climax here, as if everything since The First Chapter has been building to this. And it works.

The art team deserves so much credit. The way Illumineers, iconic characters, and dark magic all come together makes every pack feel like a chapter from a Disney epic.

Illusion Cards Grow Stronger

The new Illusion cards introduced in Archazia's Island? They’ve added more, a layer of gameplay that feels fresh without being overwhelming. These cards vanish when challenged, which sounds simple, but it changes how you block and bait your opponent in subtle, smart ways.

It’s one of those mechanics where you don’t realize how cool it is until you start losing to it and then, inevitably, building around it yourself.

Illumineer’s Quest: Palace Heist Feels Like an Upgrade

If you tried the earlier Illumineer’s Quest set (Deep Trouble), you’ll immediately notice how much smoother Palace Heist plays. The difficulty feels better tuned, and the storage situation is way more thoughtful. (Yes, I’m one of those people who appreciate a well-designed insert and box.)

It’s also just more fun. There's something awesome about teaming up with a friend and trying to outwit the puzzle-like challenges together.

Starter Decks That Actually Feel Good

I picked up both new starter decks and I was genuinely surprised. These aren’t just throwaways to teach new players, they’re playable, balanced, and well-themed. One deck is especially beginner-friendly, which makes it perfect to hand to a friend who’s just getting into the game. The other has more synergy and tricks, which gives returning players something to chew on. And the best part? You can actually win games with them.

The Collector Buzz: Enchanteds and Pull Rates

Of course, collectors were quick to dive into pull-rate math. According to a big Reddit thread tracking over 1,000 packs, the enchanted cards seem a bit rarer than in Ursula’s Return—roughly a 0.76% pull rate. It’s a small drop, and no one’s panicking, but it’s something to watch.

That said, the foils and finish on these cards look incredible. There’s something magical about cracking an enchanted card in this set.

The Community Is Loving It

Across Reddit, YouTube, and local stores, the vibe has been overwhelmingly positive. People love the upgraded components, the storytelling, and the new mechanics. One Reddit user even called the set box “the best Lorcana packaging yet,” and honestly, I kind of agree. The fact that the quest board doubles as a playmat? Chef’s kiss.

Reign of Jafar: Lorcana Grows Up

Reign of Jafar feels like a coming-of-age moment for Lorcana. It's more confident. More polished. And it doesn’t shy away from big swings in storytelling or design. Whether you're here for the competitive meta, the casual games, or the thrill of cracking foil cards, there’s something in this set that will hit the mark.

As a fan who’s been on this journey since day one, it’s exciting to see Lorcana stepping into its own. And if Reign of Jafar is any indication, year three is going to be even more magical.