Disney Lorcana, the trading card game (TCG) phenomenon from Ravensburger, has captivated players and collectors alike with its enchanting artwork and accessible gameplay since its 2023 debut. As the game matures, it's not just new Disney characters and storylines that are expanding its magical realm. The upcoming ninth set, "Fabled," slated for a September 2025 release, is poised to introduce a significant evolution in its card collecting experience: two brand-new rarity tiers, "Epic" and "Iconic." This move will not only deepen the chase for Lorcana enthusiasts but also draws interesting parallels and contrasts with the long-established rarity systems of TCG giants like Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon TCG, and Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Lorcana's Existing Rarity Rainbow

Before the arrival of "Fabled," Disney Lorcana organized its cards into six distinct rarity levels, each denoted by a symbol at the bottom center of the card:

• Common (grey circle)
• Uncommon (white open book)
• Rare (bronze triangle)
• Super Rare (silver diamond)
• Legendary (gold pentagon)
• Enchanted (rainbow hexagon)

"Enchanted" cards have, until now, represented the pinnacle of rarity and desirability, often featuring stunning alternate artwork and unique foiling, making them prized possessions for collectors. These established tiers have provided a clear progression for players seeking to build their collections and decks.

Image courtesy of ScreenRant

The New Frontier: "Epic" and "Iconic" Unveiled

With the "Fabled" set, Ravensburger is strategically inserting two new layers into this hierarchy, aiming to enhance the thrill of discovery in every booster pack.

Epic Rarity: Positioned between Legendary and the coveted Enchanted rarity, "Epic" cards are designed to be a more frequent exciting pull than Enchanted cards. These cards will feature existing artwork but will be distinguished by an "open air" borderless frame, a special rainbow foil treatment, holofoil icons, and a gloss coating on the artwork. Like Enchanted cards, Epic cards will occupy the foil slot within a booster pack, offering a visually distinct and valuable alternative.

Iconic Rarity: Set to become the new apex of Lorcana collecting, "Iconic" cards will be even rarer than Enchanted. These are conceived as true collector's trophies. For the "Fabled" set, only two Iconic cards have been announced: one featuring Mickey Mouse and another Minnie Mouse, both with full alternate artwork that envelops the entire card. Adding to their prestige, Iconic cards will boast a custom "lore star" foil pattern and raised 3D hot stamp effects, creating a textured, high-end feel. These, too, will take the place of the standard foil card in a pack.

Crucially, Ravensburger has clarified that both Epic and Iconic cards are alternate-art reprints of existing cards. They do not introduce new gameplay mechanics or abilities unique to these rarities. Their value and appeal lie squarely in their visual presentation, scarcity, and the prestige of owning these special versions.

Why New Rarities? The Driving Force

The introduction of these new tiers serves multiple purposes. Primarily, it amplifies the collector's journey, creating fresh "chase" cards that can reinvigorate interest and provide new goals. It also aims to improve the overall pack-opening experience; by adding desirable cards at a tier slightly more accessible than Enchanted (in the case of Epic), players have more opportunities for those "big hit" moments. This can also influence the secondary market, establishing new value points and potentially making other cards more or less accessible depending on demand. Ultimately, it's a strategy to keep the game engaging for long-term collectors and to add more layers to the thrill of the hunt.

A Comparative Glance: Lorcana and the Established TCGs

Lorcana's evolving rarity system, while unique in its Disney execution, reflects broader trends and established practices within the TCG industry.

• Magic: The Gathering (MTG): Wizards of the Coast's pioneering TCG uses a core system of Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Mythic Rare, denoted by colored set symbols. However, MTG has long embraced a plethora of special treatments. Foils can appear at any rarity. More recently, "Showcase" frames (set-themed alternate art and frames), "Borderless" art, "Extended Art," and even hyper-limited "Serialized" cards (individually numbered, like 001/500) have become staples. Lorcana's Epic and Iconic cards, with their focus on unique frames, foil treatments, and full art, mirror MTG's approach to offering premium versions of cards primarily for their aesthetic and collectible appeal, rather than distinct gameplay power.
• Pokemon TCG: The Pokemon Company International utilizes basic rarity symbols (circle for Common, diamond for Uncommon, star for Rare) but quickly escalates into a dazzling array of Holo Rares, Reverse Holos, and various "Ultra Rare" categories that have evolved over the years (e.g., EX, GX, V, VMAX, VSTAR, and the current 'ex' cards). These often feature powerful Pokemon with unique mechanics. Beyond these, Pokemon boasts "Illustration Rares" and "Special Illustration Rares" (full, often narrative, artwork) and "Secret Rares" (cards numbered beyond the standard set size, frequently with gold or rainbow holographic treatments). While Lorcana's new rarities aren't tied to new mechanics like many Pokemon Ultra Rares, the spirit of having multiple tiers of highly visual, desirable "hits" beyond the standard rare, especially akin to Illustration Rares, is a shared philosophy.
• Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG: Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! is renowned for its extensive and often intricate rarity system. Beyond Common, it includes Rare (silver foil name), Super Rare (holographic picture), Ultra Rare (gold foil name, holographic picture), and Secret Rare (diagonal "sparkly" holographic picture, rainbow foil name). From there, it explodes into a myriad of other rarities, many focusing on distinct foiling patterns like Ultimate Rare (embossed foil), Ghost Rare (a 3D holographic image), Collector's Rare, the recent Quarter Century Secret Rare, and Platinum Secret Rare. Yu-Gi-Oh! frequently reprints popular cards in these higher, more elaborate rarities. Lorcana's introduction of Epic and Iconic rarities, while more structured with fewer overall tiers (so far), aligns with Yu-Gi-Oh!'s strategy of offering visually upgraded, high-value versions of cards for dedicated collectors.

The Ripple Effect: Impact on the Lorcana Ecosystem

The introduction of Epic and Iconic cards will undoubtedly stir excitement within the Lorcana community. It promises more varied and thrilling pack openings. For players, while these specific versions don't offer a competitive advantage, their presence might influence the secondary market values of both the new rarities and their original printings. It also caters to a broader range of collectors - those who are happy to pull any special foiled card and those who will meticulously hunt for the absolute rarest "Iconic" treasures.

A Fabled Future for Lorcana Collectors

The expansion of Disney Lorcana's rarity system with the "Fabled" set marks a significant maturation point for the TCG. By introducing "Epic" and "Iconic" tiers, Ravensburger is demonstrating an understanding of the collector mindset that drives much of the TCG hobby. It's a move that shows them learning from the decades of TCG history established by giants like Magic, Pokemon, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, while still forging a unique path anchored by the timeless appeal of Disney's characters and stories. As September 2025 approaches, Illumineers across the globe will be eagerly anticipating the chance to discover these new, dazzling additions to the world of Lorcana.

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