A shroud of mystery and enchantment cloaks the eagerly anticipated tenth set of Lorcana, named Whispers in the Well. As its arrival looms on the horizon, card game aficionados are on the edge of their seats, eager to decipher the enigmatic elements and intricate game mechanics that Disney and Ravensburger have conjured up. Adhering to the tantalizing theme of secrets and sleuthing, the set promises to turn card games on their heads with its unique approach to gameplay and captivating storyline.
November ushers in its magic with a staggered release. Local Game Stores (LGS) will get the inaugural taste of the products on Friday, November 7th, accompanied by a wonderful array of early events and promotional opportunities. Meanwhile, larger retailers and prominent online platforms are scheduled to receive their shipments on November 14th, providing a window of early access exclusively for LGS patrons, thus stirring a tad more excitement within the community.
The crown jewel of Whispers in the Well is the introduction of a new card type called a Whisper. These Whispers are akin to partial Glimmers but pack a distinctive narrative and strategic punch. Players are tasked with piecing together these fragments to craft complete characters, making the card artwork and thematic elements central to the game’s allure. Each card features captivating parchment textures with worn, torn edges, reminiscent of lorebook pages that whisper secrets of yore. So far, glimpses of characters like Ursula, Whisper of Vanessa; Gaston, Frightful Bully; Megara, Secret Keeper; and Simba, King in the Making, kindle curiosity and the desire to unearth further details.
Accompanying these fascinating Whispers is a fresh ability dubbed Boost, inviting comparison to the well-known Shift mechanic. Whisper cards urge you to tuck a card beneath them, a maneuver that turns your top deck’s knowledge into a resource. Insight into the upcoming cards allows you to cleverly stash a low-value draw, while the thrill of mystery holds sway if you cannot perceive the deck-top, risking the placement of something precious.
Lorcana’s storytelling prowess draws attention with new franchises stepping into the limelight, headlined by Gargoyles. This beloved series introduces powerhouse characters like Demona, Scourge of the Wyvern Clan—a six Ink character wielding a formidable five Strength and six Willpower, with her entry requiring all opposing forces to exert themselves. Fellow clan members making their debut include fierce entities such as Demona, Betrayer of the Clan; Coldstone, Reanimated Cyborg; Bronx, Ferocious Beast; Goliath, Guardian of Castle Wyvern; Brooklyn, Second in Command; and last but certainly not least, Goliath, Clan Leader.
The Black Cauldron franchise makes its presence known with a mechanic poised to adapt deck-building strategies. This fresh tweak involves an intriguing item, The Black Cauldron. For a cost of three Ink, it lets you resurrect a character from your discard pile, storing them beneath the cauldron and subsequently allowing their re-entry into play. This mechanic effectively introduces a reanimation archetype that promises to reshape Lorcana in novel and intriguing ways. The card list includes The Horned King in various formidable forms and Hen Wen, the ever-prophetic pig, adding layers to this deep, dark storyline.
A robust collection underpins the release with a familiar set size. The base boasts 204 cards, rounded out by 18 Enchanted, 18 Epic, and 2 Iconic cards, bringing the total to a comprehensive 242. Of the Iconic pair, Hades, Looking for a Deal, and Ariel, Ethereal Voice are causing quite a stir. Hades forces opponents to either banish a character you choose or let you draw two cards, whereas Ariel entices card draw through song, provided she has a card rightly placed beneath her.
As players prepare themselves to dive into this new set, the narrative thread beckons them to embrace the thrill of investigation. With the tagline Light Your Path, it’s an open invitation to untangle the whispers with a keen-eyed, playful mindset. Through clever gameplay mechanics, the Well conceals deeper secrets awaiting discovery. Detective-inspired artwork, most notably featuring Judy Hopps, adds a layer of narrative intrigue—suggesting that she plays a vital role in unearthing the set’s clandestine heart.
With such an interplay of complex mechanics, thematic storytelling, and the allure of new puzzles, Whispers in the Well stands as a testament to Lorcana’s commitment to keeping players engaged, eager, and ever on their toes. Whether it’s through stimulating the intellect or calling upon the resources of sharp observation, this set aims to enthrall and challenge in equal measure. As the cards reveal their secrets, one thing is certain: the journey down the Well promises to be as riveting as the whispers it holds dear.
