Author name: LadyLore

If you live in Arizona and didn’t hear about the first-ever State 48 Lorcana Cup, you might just be living under a rock. With hundreds of active Lorcana players and over 20 stores supporting organized play in the Phoenix valley alone, it was only a matter of time before Arizona entered the big leagues of Lorcana tournament hosting—and wow, did it deliver. Hosted by Top Cut Games and the Ink Thieves, with support from Purple Shadow Gaming and the Lorcana Muses, this two-day event was a shining example of what makes the Lorcana community so special: competition, camaraderie, and inclusion. Saturday: $5K Showdown Saturday’s main event brought 120 players from Arizona, California, and New Mexico together for a 7-round $5K tournament with a Top 16 cut. Despite being a first-time event, the tournament ran with surprising efficiency and a whole lot of fun along the way. Between rounds, players were treated to raffles featuring Enchanted cards, Troves, gift sets, and more. While there wasn’t a separate youth tournament, under-18 players had their own prize pool, competing for an additional cash award for top-placing youth. One of the weekend’s highlights was the Ink Thieves bounty—members of the team carried around miniature trophies, and any player who defeated one walked away with free Lorcana product. While Sapphire decks dominated the field, the winning deck was an Amber Steel build piloted by Arizona local and Ink Thieves team member, TheDave. Most X-2 players secured a spot in the Top 16, and those who just missed the cut were still celebrated—Top Cut Gaming awarded each “bubble out” player with an Enchanted card of their choice. [View the decklists for the Saturday $5K event here.] Saturday $5K Top 8: ⸻ Sunday: $1.5K Tournament Sunday kept the momentum going with 74 players showing up for what was originally a $1K tournament—scaled up to $1.5K thanks to the stellar turnout. Many players returned from Saturday, but a fresh wave of competitors kept the energy high. This event featured 6 rounds of Swiss followed by a Top 8 cut, offering another opportunity for big plays and big wins. [View the decklists for the Sunday $1.5K event here.] Sunday $1.5K Top 8: ⸻ Side Events, Vendors, and More Throughout the weekend, Purple Shadow Games hosted a variety of side events including Pack Rush, Sealed, and Draft. Those who signed up early had the option to snag a $100 Promo Pack, which packed over $150 in value—including entries into both main events, two Pack Rush entries, a goodie bag featuring Viper sleeves, an AZ Lorcana pin, tournament t-shirt, deck box, booster packs, meal coupons, and unlimited free drinks. On-site vendors offered a wide variety of Lorcana singles, Disney merch, and TCG supplies. Purple Shadow Gaming showcased Viper Sleeves, a beloved Arizona-based brand and a favorite among players. [Check out Viper Sleeves here.] As a vendor myself, I had the joy of representing LadyLore20 with a booth featuring stickers, pins, and Lorcana card alters—it was amazing to meet so many of you in person! ⸻ A First in Childcare & Community Support One of the most notable and groundbreaking aspects of the State 48 Cup was on-site childcare—yes, you read that right. Event organizer Zach Singer of Top Cut Games partnered with a certified daycare center located on the campus of Apollo High School to offer full-day care (9AM–5PM) for only $25 per child, lunch included. This kind of support enabled parents to participate in a competitive setting without having to sacrifice family responsibilities—an incredible move toward making competitive play accessible to more people. ⸻ Livestream & Casting Both tournaments were livestreamed on the Ink Thieves Twitch channel, with the Lorcana Muses leading the casting team. Casting support came from LadyLore (yours truly!) and Mark Rosetti of the Ink Thieves. It was a joy to be part of the broadcast team and help share the excitement with viewers at home. ⸻ More Than Just a Tournament The State 48 Lorcana Cup didn’t just raise the bar for Arizona—it set a new standard for what a regional Lorcana tournament can look like. With everything from high-stakes play and community-driven side events to youth prizing, parental support, and marginalized gender representation in leadership roles, this was a weekend to remember. We expect this event to become a West Coast favorite as it continues to grow and evolve—and we’ll be there for every step of the journey. ⸻ Want to share your own experience from the State 48 Cup? Drop a comment below or tag us on socials @LadyLore20!

Tournament Highlights Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Athoria Games Set Championship Athoria Games hosted their Azurite Seas Set Championship this Saturday, with 15 players competing for their final chance to win the coveted Scar promos. John stole the win with his “Christmas” Emerald Ruby deck build. Athoria Top 8 Finalists: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – PSG’s Youth Championship Tournament at NVG History was made as Purple Shadow Gaming (PSG) and North Valley Games (NVG) held Arizona’s first-ever Lorcana Youth Tournament at their Mesa location! A total of eight young competitors battled through four rounds of Best-of-Two format, showcasing incredible skill and sportsmanship. Every participant received exclusive pins and stickers, and between each round, raffles kept the excitement high. The winners for each age bracket received the following prizes: 1st place – Mirabel Champion play mat, 2nd place – Mirabel Madrigal: Family Gatherer promo card. In addition PSG hosted a simultaneous draft event allowing parents and community members an opportunity to play while supporting our youth competitors. Congratulations to our young players for their incredible performances!  Top Two Players in Each Age Division Juniors (12 & under; born in 2013 or later) 🥇 Sophie 🥈 Noah Seniors (13-16; born between 2009-2012) 🥇 Marc 🥈 Tristen Congratulations again to all our young players. We hope to see more of you all at events like these. Community News Arcazia’s Island Release is Almost Here! The next Lorcana set, Arcazia’s Island, is right around the corner! Local game stores will begin pre-releasing on March 7, with the full launch happening on March 21. Many stores are already gearing up with events to celebrate—stay tuned for details! Purple Shadow Gaming’s Youth Academy Launch Exciting news for young Lorcana players! Purple Shadow Gaming is launching its first Youth Academy on February 19. The Youth Academy is open to kids aged 6-16 who are interested in learning Lorcana and TCGs. Weekly 90-minute sessions will be held at the Kiln in Gilbert on Wednesdays. Bring your young player out to try out the academy. The first session is free to try. Regular rate $95/month. For those in the west valley PSG is working on a second location for their academy – stay tuned at purpleshadowgaming.com for updates! 📍 Location: The Kiln, Gilbert 📅 When: Wednesdays (90-minute sessions) 🎟 Ages: 6-16 💰 Cost: First session is FREE! Regular rate: $95/month The Lorcana Muses Present: Dual Sealed Tournament! The Lorcana Muses are back with another Enchanted tournament, this time with a fun multiplayer twist! The Muses will be hosting a “Dual” sealed tournament at North Valley Games Mesa on March 15. This event will be a 2v2 sealed multiplayer tournament with the new set Arcazia’s Island. You won’t want to miss this fun event.  🗓 Date: March 15 📍 Location: North Valley Games, Mesa 🔹 Format: 2v2 Sealed Multiplayer 🃏 Set: Arcazia’s Island This is sure to be a one-of-a-kind event—grab a partner and get ready for an unforgettable tournament! Arizona’s Biggest Lorcana Event: The State 48 Lorcana Cup! One more HUGE announcement—Top Cut Gaming and The Ink Thieves are hosting Arizona’s largest Lorcana event to date, the State 48 Lorcana Cup!! This two-day event will be held March 29-30th and will feature a 200-person $5k(minimum) on Saturday. The top 16 from the main event will play Sunday, along with an 80-player $1K, Drafts on demand, Pack rush on demand, and 8 pod constructed. This event is going to seal Arizona’s place on the map for competitive Lorcana. Be sure to mark your calendar set and sign up to secure your spot as this tournament will be drawing locals and competitors from across the country. Be sure to check out all the details HERE including special bundle packages, childcare sign up ($25 including lunch), and upcoming details for hotel blocks for out of town participants.  📅 March 29-30, 2025 📍 Location: TBD 👥 Capacity: 200 players 💰 Main Event: $5K prize pool (minimum) 🎟 Top 16 advance to Day 2 Side Events on Sunday: ✅ 80-player $1K tournament ✅ Drafts on demand ✅ Pack Rush on demand ✅ 8-pod Constructed tournaments This event will put Arizona on the competitive Lorcana map! Players from all over the country will be attending, so be sure to mark your calendar and sign up ASAP. ✨ Special features include: • Bundle packages • Childcare sign-up ($25, includes lunch) • Upcoming hotel block details for out-of-town players Check out all the event details and registration! Until then, happy questing!

This weekend marked the conclusion of the Azurite Seas Set Championship season, with six more stores across the Phoenix valley hosting tournaments. With no official announcements from Ravensburger regarding future Disney Lorcana Challenge (DLC) events or the World Championship, many competitive Lorcana players are seeking new opportunities for high-level tournament play. Fortunately, Arizona’s Lorcana scene remains active, with numerous events already scheduled, hosted by local game stores, content creators, and tournament organizers. Be sure to check the Tournament Listings page frequently, as new events are added and updated regularly! Tournament Highlights Saturday, February 8, 2025 – Baxter’s, Queen Creek Baxter’s kicked off the weekend with 21 players competing for the Championship title. Brad emerged victorious, piloting a Ruby Amethyst deck to first place. Baxters Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 8, 2025 – Samurai Comics, Phoenix Samurai Comics saw 18 players battle for the Champion mat. Cordero claimed victory with his Ruby Amethyst deck, adding another win for this powerful archetype. Samurai Comics Phoenix Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 8, 2025 – North Valley Games, Phoenix At North Valley Games, 19 players competed in a fiercely contested event. Eddie took first place, securing his Champion mat with an Amethyst Steel deck, breaking the Ruby Amethyst streak. North Valley Games Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 8, 2025 – Orc’s Lair Orc’s Lair hosted a more intimate, 8-player tournament for its dedicated local community. Poptarts emerged victorious, claiming first place. Orc’s Lair Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 8, 2025 – Showtime Showtime hosted their first-ever Lorcana Set Championship, drawing 16 competitors. After a Top 4 cut, Dustin took first place with Ruby Amethyst, continuing the deck’s dominant weekend. Showtime Top 4 Finalists: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Meeples Meeples was the only store to hold a Sunday tournament—and not even the Super Bowl could keep players away. A strong turnout of 22 competitors battled for the Champion mat, with Michael claiming victory using Emerald Steel, a refreshing shift from the weekend’s Ruby Amethyst dominance. Meeples Top 8 Finalists:  Final Thoughts & Arizonans at South Side Gaming We were happy to support and cheer on two Arizonan competitors, Jon and Andy, from Purple Shadow Gaming who participated in this weekend’s $10K tournament at South Side Gaming in Miami. With the Azurite Seas Set Championship season now behind us, Arizona’s competitive Lorcana scene is stronger than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started, there are plenty of upcoming events to test your skills, refine your deck, and stay engaged with the community. Until then, happy questing!

This weekend was another action-packed one for Lorcana players in the Phoenix Valley, with seven more stores hosting Azurite Seas Set Championships. Additionally, for the first time on this blog, we’re reporting on a Tucson store championship, thanks to some Phoenix players who shared results from southern Arizona. Tournament Highlights Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Samurai Comics Samurai Comics saw 18 players competing in their Azurite Seas Set Championship. The event was filled with excitement, with The Lorcana Muses podcasting trio in attendance, adding to the fun atmosphere. Sapphire Steel dominated the finals, with Daryl emerging as the champion. Samurai Comics Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Gamer’s Guild Tempe Gamer’s Guild Tempe hosted 23 competitors, with six out of the top eight decks being Ruby Sapphire, showcasing the strength of this ink combination in the current meta. However, Lucas secured first place with his highly competitive Amethyst Steel build. Gamers Guild Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Phoenix Gaming Lounge Phoenix Gaming lounge had 21 participants for their store’s set championship tournament. This top eight had one of the more diverse representations of ink combinations, including Justin’s Amber Steel deck taking first place.  Phoenix Gaming Lounge Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Amazing Discoveries Glendale Amazing Discoveries Glendale welcomed 17 players, many of whom were competitive regulars. Eddie battled his way to another first-place finish with Ruby Sapphire, marking his second championship win of this set. Amazing Discoveries Glendale Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Old World Old World in Scottsdale hosted a smaller but competitive field of eight players. Since the entire participant pool made the top eight, everyone received a promotional Scar card. Chris C. battled his way to claim first place. Sunday, February 2, 2025 – Silver Dragon Silver Dragon brought in 22 players for their championship. Steel remained a dominant ink choice, with six out of the top eight decks including a Steel pairing. Jeo took first place with Amethyst Steel, continuing the ink combination’s strong presence. Sunday, February 2, 2025 – Rekreation Games Rekreation Games saw a big turnout of 28 players. Amber Steel was a popular choice, making a strong showing in the top eight. However, Lucas took home another championship win with his Amethyst Steel deck, marking his fourth Top 8 placement and third first-place victory of this set! Sunday, February 2, 2025 – Tucson Games and Gadgets For the first time, we have results from Tucson, thanks to several Phoenix-area players who traveled south for the competition. Tucson Games and Gadgets hosted 25 players, creating a highly competitive scene. Local player Sawyer emerged victorious with Sapphire Steel. Tuscon Games and Gadgets Top 8 Finalists: Final Thoughts With another week of Azurite Seas Set Championships behind us, the Phoenix and Tucson Lorcana scenes continue to showcase diverse decks and intense competition. The rise of Amethyst Steel and the continued strength of Ruby Sapphire and Sapphire Steel are shaping the current meta in fascinating ways. We’ll be back next week with more championship results! Until then, happy questing and check out February’s Lorcana Theme Nights!

This weekend was packed with Lorcana action across the Phoenix valley as five different stores hosted Azurite Seas Set Championships. Saturday alone saw nearly 100 players competing for the coveted Scar Champion playmat and promo card. Tournament Highlights Saturday, January 25, 2025 – Toy Temple Saturday was a huge day for Lorcana in the valley, with three tournaments happening simultaneously and close to 100 players competing. Toy Temple’s event was the smallest, with 16 players, but it was filled with top-tier competition. Adding to the magic of the day, a Disney voice actor signing event took place at the same time, making for an unforgettable experience. The finals featured a mirror match between two Ruby Sapphire decks, piloted by Eddie and Jonathan. Toy Temple Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, January 25, 2025 – Gamer’s Guild North Phoenix Gamer’s Guild’s North Phoenix location held its first-ever Lorcana Set Championship, drawing an impressive 44 players to their brand-new store. Players not only got to enjoy fierce competition but also great food and drinks from the in-store restaurant, Forks and Boards. The finals saw John (Amber Steel) from West Valley Villains face off against Corbin (Amethyst Steel) from Team Legendary, in a thrilling match that capped off an amazing day of play. Gamers Guild NPHX Top 8 Finalists: Saturday, January 25, 2025 – Amazing Discoveries Gilbert Amazing Discoveries Gilbert welcomed 36 players for their East Valley Set Championship. Many local regulars showed up, making for a stacked tournament. The final match was a battle of Amethyst Steel mirrors, featuring two of the area’s top competitive players, Lucas and Christian. AD Gilbert Top 8 Finalists: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Sun Valley Gaming On Sunday, 27 players made their way to Sun Valley Gaming for another day of competition. A standout moment came as Linh became the second woman in the local scene to win a Champion playmat! She piloted Ruby Sapphire to victory against Justin (Amethyst Steel) from Team Legendary. Sun Valley Gaming Top 8 Finalists: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Tabletop War Gamers The weekend wrapped up with 28 competitors at Tabletop War Gamers in the West Valley. In a near mirror of Sun Valley’s finals, Jonathan (West Valley Villains) took first place with Ruby Sapphire, a deck he’s known for playing successfully for a long time. The runner-up spot went to Michelle (West Valley Villains), piloting Amethyst Steel. TTWG Top 8 Finalists: Local Meta Analysis With Azurite Seas in full swing, the Phoenix meta remains one of the most open we’ve seen. However, Steel emerged as the weekend’s most dominant ink color, with 68% of Top 8 decks containing Steel. While Amethyst Steel took the top spot in terms of overall performance, Ruby Sapphire remained a strong contender, continuing to show its strength in high-level play. Top 2 Decks Across All Five Events from the first two weekends: • Amethyst Steel – 5 • Ruby Sapphire – 5 • Amber Steel – 3 • Emerald Sapphire – 1 What’s Next & Site Updates Even with a packed weekend of Set Championships, there are still more to come! If you haven’t yet had a chance to compete for the Scar playmat and promo card, check out the local tournament listings to find an event near you. Over the past few months, I’ve been working on site improvements, including: ✅ Updating pages ✅ Reformatting the blog ✅ Moving to a new hosting server ✅ Consolidating everything under the official LadyLore20.com domain I appreciate your patience through all these changes! One section that’s been long overdue for an update is the weekly tournament listings page. This week, I’ve started refreshing that section, so if you’re a Lorcana Ambassador, store owner, or regular at a weekly Lorcana night, please reach out if you see any missing or incorrect information! Exciting News Coming Soon! I also have a new project in the works for Lorcana content creation that I can’t wait to share with you all. Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks! Until then, happy questing!

This weekend marked the return of Lorcana Set Championship season, with stores across the nation hosting their Azurite Seas Set Championship events from January 18 to February 16, 2025. At stake in this competitive season are the coveted Scar, Heartless Hunter promo cards awarded to the Top 8 players, and the exclusive Scar playmats for the Top 2 finishers. First-place winners earn an extra touch of prestige with the “Champion” designation emblazoned on their mats. The artwork, created by Alexandria Neonakis, is impressive and exciting—perfect for fans of Scar and Villains alike. In the Phoenix area, two major events were held over the opening weekend, drawing a strong turnout from Arizona’s Lorcana community. Tournament Highlights Sunday, January 19, 2025 – J & J Gaming Factory J & J Gaming Factory, a growing hub for competitive Lorcana play, hosted a stellar tournament on Sunday. With 46 players vying for the Set Champion title, the competition was fierce. After a day of intense matches, these players rose to the top: Top 8 Finalists: Sunday, January 19, 2025 – Play or Draw Meanwhile, Play or Draw in Avondale welcomed 40 players for an equally exciting tournament. The current wide-open meta has encouraged a mix of both competitive meta decks and creative builds, making these local events a showcase for strategy and innovation. The Top 8 players from the Avondale event were: Top 8 Finalists: A Promising Start With the Azurite Seas Set Championship season now in full swing, it’s clear that Lorcana players are bringing their A-game. The diverse deck choices and spirited competition underscore why these events are so thrilling for both players and spectators alike. Stay tuned for more updates from the Set Championship season, and best of luck to all players as they continue their quest to claim the title of Set Champion!

What an exhilarating weekend in Anaheim for the Disney Lorcana Challenge (DLC) North American Championship! I had the privilege of competing in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) alongside over 35 other players from Arizona. Even more locals attended as spectators, creating an incredible sense of community and support throughout the event. Day 0 – Friday The focus of Friday’s competition was the Last Change Qualifier event. Despite a delayed start, the LCQ was a high-energy, fast-paced competition. The format consisted of 32 pods of 32 players, each competing in a single-elimination, best-of-three structure. The prize? A coveted spot in the North American Continental Tournament. Arizona’s community rallied together both onsite and online, tracking local player progress through a shared Google sheet. As the rounds advanced, the field narrowed, but Arizona maintained a strong presence. By the end of the day, five Arizona players reached the 5th and final rounds of their pods. The main hall buzzed with excitement, and cheers erupted when Arizona’s Daryl (Daryl436) clinched his pod with a flawless 2-0 win. Moments later, Brad (MrUnlucky13) secured his spot in the tournament, followed by Eddie (Edygordo23) and Gio (Ryouichi23), whose wins brought even more celebrations for Team Arizona. Day 1 – Saturday Saturday marked the highly anticipated start of the North American Continentals, the most competitive event yet of the Disney Lorcana Challenge’s first season. The excitement was palpable as players and spectators packed the venue. Arizona was proudly represented by six players who qualified either through prior DLC invites or Friday’s LCQ. • Dave (TheDave): Qualifying via a pass-down from the Atlanta DLC, Dave piloted an Amber-Steel deck to an impressive 36th-place finish with a 2-1-4 record. • Andrew (LoafyTCG): Top 16 at the Toronto DLC earned Andrew his spot. He played an Amethyst-Steel deck, finishing 54th with a 2-2-3 record. • Brad (MrUnlucky13): After a strong showing in Friday’s LCQ, Brad finished 55th with a 2-2-3 record using a competitive deck. • Eddie (Edygordo23): Eddie brought a Ruby-Sapphire deck to the tournament and placed 81st with a 1-2-4 record. • Gio (Ryouichi23): Gio, another LCQ champion, ran a Ruby-Sapphire deck and secured 96th place with a 1-3-3 record. • Daryl (Daryl436): Running an Amber-Steel deck, Daryl placed 115th with a 0-3-4 record. Beyond the main event, Arizona players immersed themselves in side events, including artist signings, developer meet-and-greets, and casual matches. The highlight? Photos and card signings with Mickey Mouse himself! Adding to the fun, Arizonans organized a pop-up casual event, bringing even more entertainment to the weekend. Day 2 – Sunday With no Arizona players advancing to the Top 16, the local spotlight shifted to the Sunday Revival, an invite-only event for competitors who didn’t make the cut and round 5 LCQ players from Friday. Six Arizonans participated in this highly competitive tournament, with Eddie (Edygordo23) emerging victorious, taking 1st place! Final Thoughts Anaheim was a weekend to remember for the Arizona Lorcana community. From thrilling matches to celebratory moments, it showcased the talent, camaraderie, and passion of our local players. Congratulations to everyone who participated and represented Arizona so well on this prestigious stage. Here’s to more success in future Lorcana events!

Here in Arizona, we love opportunities to play and compete in the game of Lorcana. With relatively short notice Purple Shadow Gaming (Noah B) was able to put together a seamless double-case tournament this weekend. 25 players came out to The Kiln, a contemporary group working space in Gilbert at the SanTan Village. With many Arizona players preparing for the upcoming North American Continentals, the competition was fierce as players brought out their best decks to test the field. Prizing included more than the goal of walking away with cases of the latest set, Azurite Sea, with between round raffles and packs for the top performing players. All in all it was a great day. Top 8