Comprehensive Rules Document 2.0!

Take your time to read the new Comprehensive Rules Document that just landed, just in time for Winterspell! There are plenty of changes that will be worthwhile for you to learn and adjust to and some things that definitely change how earlier mechanics worked. It will also be quite worthwhile to read through GooglyGlimmer’s set notes to go over how some of the tricky newer cards work in this new iced over world!

The new CRD has a LOT of new info. While I’ll try to highlight some of the major changes, I have also recruited two of my best judge friends – Ellie O and Jon S – to help uncover new rules. If you don’t know who they are, they have been the driving force and head judges of the recent seasons of Illumineer Champion’s League and the Legendary Cross Continental Clash!

In this article we hope to review some key changes and how it changes certain card interactions as well!

New Rules

No more singing/shifting for “free”, Section 1.5.5.3 & 6.1.7

Previously when a card allowed us to play another card for free and that card was a song or character with Shift, we could sing it or shift! However, now with the wording in these sections, if we are playing something for free we can no longer perform any additional alternate costs! Sorry Ursula!

Game Action vs Turn Action, Section 1.7.1

We now have a clear(er) definition of what a “game” action is versus what a “turn” action is. Doing things such as exerting a character as part of a challenge would be a “game” action while doing the full challenge is a “turn” action! Also to note in the next sub section, 1.7.2, it clearly notes timing on effects/turn actions!

No, you can still ask for a Take Back, Section 1.7.7

This one isn’t too special but something that was always used as an example of a misplay or take back. If you played a Let It Go and tried to choose a Cogsworth – Grandfather Clock who has Ward well depending on when and where you did this, you would either have to choose a non warded character or one of your own characters, or be allowed to take it back! While this section says specifically that you must make a new choice, you will always have the ability to request a take back per the current policy on take backs! If this changes, I will scratch out this section!

“Decking Out”, Game State Check, Section 1.8.1.2

The section on Game State Checks has been updated to note that a player no longer loses the game when attempting to draw from an empty deck. The player with the empty deck now only loses the game once they end their turn and they have no cards in their deck. So long all of our A Whole New World FAQs on Lorcana Rulebook Hub!

“Take” damage, Damage, 1.9.1.5

The word Take has been defined fully in this new CRD. It now includes the fact that a character takes damages when they are challenged/challenging, dealt damage (as in an ability or action), or when a damage counter is put on them (such as Malicious, Mean, and Scary or moving damage such as Cheshire Cat – Inexplicable or Belle – Accomplished Mystic).

Let’s look at the new Lilo – Bundled Up. Her ability Extra Layers says that the first time on each opponent’s turn that this character would take damage, she takes no damage instead. It’s clear that when she is challenged or chosen for an action like Strength of a Raging Fire, she would take no damage if it was the first time that turn. In the old CRD an effect like moving damage (Belle – Accomplished Mystic) or putting damage (Mosquito Bite) would actually work! But now, because of the definition of “Take” damage, she takes no damage!

Before you ask about Resist… there’s more on that later!

Also updated is that anything that “is damaged,” “was damaged,” “is dealt damage,” or “was dealt damage” means the same as “takes damage!” Section 1.9.2

Shuffling/Cutting your opponent’s deck, Section 2.2.1.2

As a call out, during the alter/start of game phase, your opponent has the opportunity to shuffle, cut, or shuffle and cut your deck! You have the opportunity to do the same for your opponent as well. It is also noted here that all cards in a player’s deck should be oriented the same way. As judges we have always asked players to orient their cards the same way because of possible marking issues but now it is fully in the rules!

Ink a Card, Section 4.2

“Ink” a card has a name now instead of calling it “placing a card into the inkwell.” This section is very important as it also describes the effects of additional ink per turn such as Sail the Azurite Sea versus putting a card directly into their inkwell from cards such as Tipo – Growing Son.

Challenge Declaration step/Damage step, Section 4.6.4 & 4.6.6

Just wanted to put kudos here that these are now explicitly called out making it much easier to point out rules of when and where effects that trigger in challenges happen and resolve.

Moving from locations finally codified, Section 4.7.2

It is now explicitly noted that characters can’t move from a location unless it is to another location!

Action cards enter the Play zone while resolving, Section 5.4.1.2

There has always been questions asked about cards such as All Is Found and if it could choose itself. We now have it explicitly stated that the cards are in the “Play” zone while it is resolving so we know All Is Found can’t choose itself!

This doesn’t exactly change how actions are played with other effects such as Robin Hood – Sharpshooter or Ursula – Deceiver of All. For those effects, the Action’s effect will still resolve after the respective ability resolves, meaning for Robin Hood – Sharpshooter, the card IS in the discard or with Ursula – Deceiver of All, the card is at the bottom of the deck during resolution!

If you do, Section 6.1.5.1

Ok just saying, they finally added the definition of “If you do” effects. It’s only been… 5 sets since that phrase was added.

To [A] or to [B], Section 6.1.5.2

Another thing that has been documented now is that if an effect is an [A] or [B] effect, if you can’t do [A] you must do [B] or vice versa!

This one will blow your mind – Secondary Conditions, Section 6.2.4

Way back when I was a fledgling judge, Steve Warner taught us that if an effect had an if condition, you only checked if it was true when it was resolving!

Then it all changed several months later when our Flounder and savior Kyle changed it on us.

And now, it’s changed back! It’s a lot of silly history but here’s the important point. A card that has an effect that reads “If…” (and not if you do) would only check the “If” when it is pulled out of the bag!

Recently on the Lorcana Rulebook Hub, we had a rules quiz on Transport Pod and Casa Madrigal – Casita.

During the time of the Comprehensive Rules between May 2024 and now here’s how these two effects would interact!

At the start of your turn, Casa Madrigal – Casita and Transport Pod would attempt to have their abilities enter the bag!
If there are no characters at Casa Madrigal – Casita, the effect would NOT enter the bag
After the steps in the Set Phase, Transport Pod could be resolved and a character would then be moved to Casa Madrigal – Casita but since there is no marble for Casa Madrigal – Casita, you would NOT gain a lore!

Now here’s how it would work!

At the start of your turn, Casa Madrigal – Casita and Transport Pod‘s effects would enter the bag!
After the steps in the Set portion of Start of Turn phase, you could resolve Transport Pod first, then Casa Madrigal – Casita. Casa Madrigal – Casita‘s if condition will be satisfied and you would gain 1 lore.

We could get into the famous example of three Mufasa – Betrayed Leader, a Be Prepared, and three Stitch – Carefree Surfers… but that’s a lot.

Static Abilities – Continuous and Applied, Section 6.4.2.X

Static abilities have better definitions included now that better scope when and how they apply. Continuous Static abilities as cards like Restoring Atlantis grant their effect to everything it can affect during the application window. Applied Static abilities such as Kida – Protector of Atlantis push a static ability that is only applied when the effect resolves.

“Skip” Section 6.4.5 and “Enters Play” Section 6.7.8

Previously these types effects were categorized as “replacement” effects but in the new CRD, “skip” effects are static and “enters play” effects just are. For “skip” it no longer replaces what you do, you just don’t do it and for effects like Mother Gothel – Withered and Wicked she just enters play with the damage on her, there is no moment she doesn’t exist (when played) without it!

Resist is no longer a Replacement effect, Section 8.8

Resist is no longer a replacement effect meaning cards like Beast – Selfless Protector can now be added back to our rules quizzes… Maybe. This isn’t really a big change but allows for less confusion when dealing with the common Keyword.

Also with 6.7.2.2 and 6.7.2.3, keep in mind that REPLACEMENT effects happen BEFORE resist! That means if you give the new Lilo – Bundled Up or support something with a Rapunzel – Ready for Adventure in play, then their replacement effects will replace the first instance of damage before resist happens, and will be used up immediately.

Card Callouts

But I thought you said – “NO!” – Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

It has been clarified that an opponent may say NO! even if they do not have a character to put to the bottom of their deck.

This technically goes against the new rules section in 6.1.5.2 but the wording of this card is specifically choosing YES! or NO! not what each ability does.

I don’t like it. But until they change that, it is what it is.

Discounts on Discounts – Grandmother Willow – Ancient Advisor

The new Grandmother Willow – Ancient Advisor has come up many times in questions regarding her ability. In essence she falls victim to Ravensburger trying to make abilities less wordy than other games.

Her ability reads “Once during your turn, you pay 1 <Ink> less for the next character you play this turn. That means that as soon as you play her, she has a static ability that reduces the ink cost for the next character you play each turn.

One thing to note though is that if you play something “For Free” it will consume the ability too!

Lilo – Bundled Up and Rapunzel – Ready for Adventure

Just to reiterate my above statement. Cards such as Lilo – Bundled Up and Rapunzel – Ready for Adventure will have their effects happen first before calculating resist – as noted in section 6.7.2.2 and 6.7.2.3!

Also keep in mind how their effects work with [A] to [B] and If you do effects!

Let’s say you have a Rapunzel – Ready for Adventure and a Tinker Bell – Fancy Footwork in play. If you quest with Rapunzel and support Tinker Bell, then play Teeth and Ambitions choosing Tinker Bell, then you would NOT be able to deal 2 damage to another chosen character because the [A] in Teeth and Ambitions was never done! The same would be said if Teeth and Ambitions read “Deal 2 damage to chosen character of yours. If you do, deal 2 damage to another chosen character.” It would be the same! The replacement effect means the event never happened and thus does not satisfy the condition.

Chief Bogo – Calling the Shots and Fangmeyer – Icy Officer

Characters are only Characters in play, otherwise they are Character Cards so Fangmeyer would not be able to get any Character Card from the discard but only those that have Detective printed on them!

Sail the Azurite Sea and Belle – Strange but Special

Check the Disney Lorcana app for these updated cards but they now reference the turn action of Inking a card to lower the confusion around them!

Reckless Chief Powhatan – Protective Leader

If you give Reckless to Chief Powhatan, he will not be able to quest or challenge! He can still sing though.

What if I throw Tinker Bell – Snowflake Collector?

Effects like Tinker Bell – Snowflake Collector only work while this character is in play! So questing with Anna – Soothing Sister or using The Queen – Disguised Peddler‘s ability will not get the extra lore from Tinker Bell – Snowflake Collector… They will however work with Flynn Rider – His Own Biggest Fan.

Mulan – Resourceful Recruit!

In my mind, there is no doubt that this character will see play! By her existing it actually answers the common question of “If a character has no lore can it still quest?” The great thing about Mulan is that if you were to give her lore from an action or ability such as Good Job! or The Eye of Fates as well as boost her strength from Support or some other effect, she will gain her lore from questing and then her effect! So she can gain more than 6 overall.

Did I miss anything?

If I missed anything please DM me or leave a comment! I’d be happy to add to this article. I listed all the big changes that I saw but obviously there were a ton of changes, wording, and clarifications that all could be important to know!

More Resources

Check out Ellie O’s Fact Sheet!

Check out GooglyGlimmer’s LoreLicense site for more in-depth analysis! And here’s a direct link to his Rules 2.0 review!

If you have questions you’d like to ask some Lore Guides, consider joining the Lorcana Rule Book Hub!

And as always, come discuss rules directly on Disney Lorcana’s Discord!

Judging with Phil

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