This past weekend saw the conclusion of an exciting month of Disney Lorcana competitions in the Phoenix area, as three more stores hosted their final events for the Shimmering Skies set championships. With Week 4 now complete, we have a clearer picture of the emerging meta, standout strategies, and players to watch as we prepare for future tournaments. The weekend continued to see many players come out to play even with a large group of local competitors out of town for the Disney Lorcana Challenge in Seattle.
A Look at Phoenix’s Lorcana Community
Phoenix has become a true hotspot for Lorcana. The enthusiasm from local players has been remarkable, and the Shimmering Skies set brought out exciting competition across the city. Each week’s event has brought new faces, unexpected strategies, and evolving deck tech as players adapted to the meta. Over the course of these store championships, we’ve seen a dynamic shift in card choices and ink combinations, reflecting both the depth of this latest set and the strategic diversity within Phoenix’s community.
Tournament Highlights
Saturday, October 26 – Amazing Discoveries Gilbert
Amazing Discoveries: Gilbert hosted a solid group of players on Saturday. Both familiar faces and newer players participated in the tournament. Here’s a breakdown of the standings:
Top 8 – Amazing Discoveries Gilbert – 17 player tournament
- Lucasmac (Lucas) 🟢🟣
- Tylerandrewmiller (Tyler) 🟢🟡
- DNastyTron () 🔴🟣
- Jonathan Pfeiffer (Jonathan) 🔴🟣
- Kittlecakes (Trent) 🔴🔵
- Odyssian () 🔴🟣
- Tycat (Tyler) 🔴🟢
- AndR8 (Andy) 🔴🟣
Saturday, October 26 – Rekreation Games
Top 8 – Rekreation Games – 18 player tournament
- Buzzofwestwind (John)
- Dmazer ()
- ZachG07 (Zach)
- JacenC ()
- Daryl436 (Daryl) 🔵⚪️
- PBRhodes ()
- adamtesta (Adam)
- Nikon-AZ ()
Sunday, October 27 – Primetime Cards and Games
Primetime Cards and Games hosted an 8 player tournament at location in Tempe. All competitors were able to receive the Mirabel promotional card and were left to compete for the champion mats.
Top 8 – Primetime Cards and Games – 8 player tournament
- Daryl436 (Daryl) 🔵⚪️
- AndyChives (Andy) 🟡⚪️
- AZjag11 (Jonathan) 🔴🔵
- Delmoplays () 🟢⚪️
- Ssgssginger ()
- Nevermore811 ()
- HeyHeyRawn ()
- DeathNTaxes (Corbin) 🟢🟣
Sunday, October 27 – Gamer’s Guild Tempe
Gamer’s Guild Tempe hosted a their Lorcana set championship on Sunday with 21 players making it out to their event at their Tempe location. This tournament saw many familiar faces in the Phoenix competitive scene battling it out in the final opportunity to place in a set 5 championship.
Top 8 – Gamer’s Guild Tempe – 21 player tournament
- TacticalDreamer(Chris) 🟡🟣
- Ccastillo (Chris) 🔴🟣
- GeoS5 (George) 🟣⚪️
- AndR8 (Andy) 🟡⚪️
- Sergioagt123 (Sergio) 🟡⚪️
- DavS23 (Dave) 🟡🔴
- Tycat (Tyler) 🔴🟢
- LukB7 (Luke) 🔴🟣
Shimmering Skies Reflections
Meta Shifts and Emerging Trends
The Shimmering Skies set has introduced exciting mechanics and card synergies, and Phoenix players have embraced them fully. Across the four weeks, a few clear trends have emerged:
1. Mid-Range Decks Dominate: While control and aggro archetypes had their moments, mid-range decks appear to have struck the perfect balance, finding consistency in their versatility.
2. Shimmering Skies Staples: Several cards from the new set have become staples, showing up in nearly every competitive deck. Daisy Duck: Donald’s Date in Amber and Pete: Games’s Referee in Steel are notable inclusions from this set. Players have clearly identified the game-changers, with these cards often serving as match-deciding factors.
3. Adaptability in Deck-Building: With each week, players refined their decks in response to the evolving meta. Those who succeeded were able to adapt quickly, showcasing the strategic depth of Lorcana’s current environment.
Final Thoughts on Shimmering Skies Championships
The Shimmering Skies set championship series in Phoenix has demonstrated the skill, dedication, and sportsmanship of the Lorcana community. This final week of store championships brought an impressive close to a month of memorable competition, highlighting the diverse strategies and talent in Phoenix.
As we look ahead to future events, one thing is certain: Phoenix has solidified itself as a Lorcana hub, and the players here are setting the bar high for competitive play. Stay tuned for more insights and updates as we continue to follow Phoenix’s journey in the Lorcana scene.