The Pack organized yet another amazing $10,000 Lorcana tournament! The community has relied on Thea for those huge online tournaments, gathering players from across the globe to join in some Lorcana competitive play! However, this event comes with a bittersweet note, as Pixelborn’s shutdown in two weeks means we won’t have as many online tournaments as we’re used to, at least for the time being.
This tournament, one of the major events for Set 4, provided valuable insights into how the expansion has shaped the meta and highlighted any emerging trends among the top performers.
This week’s tournament featured 286 players competing in a Swiss format to secure a spot in the top 16. The Swiss format follows the official “best of 2” rules: each player goes first once, winning one game earns 1 point, winning both games nets 3 points, and losing both games results in 0 points. The objective is to win both rounds to secure the 3 points.
In the Top 16, the format shifts to single elimination, with players battling in best-of-three matches for a shot at the grand prize.
Prize Distribution: First Place: $2000, Second Place: $1600, Third Place: $1300, Fourth Place: $1000, Top 8: $525, Top 16: $250.
Top 16 Deck Distribution
Four decks in the top 16! Ruby Sapphire crushed it, with 7 players out of the 16 bringing their version of the deck. Emerald Steel followed closely, with 4 decks showing up in the top 16.
As for Ruby Amethyst, we were seeing less of it at the end of Set 3, with barely one or two players managing to sneak into the top 16. This time around, the Ruby Amethyst deck had 3 players making it to the top 16. The new lists are including Set 4 cards, adopting a more aggressive approach.
Sapphire Steel comes in last, with 2 deck representations in the top 16. This deck is supposed to perform well against the Emerald Steel matchup, so it makes sense we see more players picking it up again with the rise of Emerald Steel.
First Place
Emerald Steel
2 Grab Your Sword
4 Robin Hood - Beloved Outlaw
3 We Don't Talk About Bruno
4 Strength of a Raging Fire
3 Tinker Bell - Giant Fairy
4 Diablo - Maleficent's Spy
4 Diablo - Devoted Herald
4 Pegasus - Gift for Hercules
3 Aladdin - Brave Rescuer
4 Pegasus - Cloud Racer
3 Jafar - Dreadnought
4 Bucky - Squirrel Squeak Tutor
4 Robin Hood - Champion of Sherwood
4 Ursula - Deceiver
4 Beast - Tragic Hero
2 Hidden Cove - Tranquil Haven
4 Let the Storm Rage OnThe finals were intense! Really close finals, especially the second one, where both players were relying on top deck cards for an out. Emerald Steel swept game one easily, but the second game was a bit of a grind, where it looked like anyone’s game until Ruby Amethyst top decked a Be Prepared to shift the game in their favor. With a rough start for the Ruby Amethyst player in game three, Emerald Steel got to set up two Bucky on the board, and from there, Ruby Amethyst’s hand was no more, relying on top decks, which just wasn’t enough to win the game. Emerald Steel takes first place back-to-back in The Pack tournament, continuing a great performance in Set 4.
The Emerald Steel is a discard deck that uses cards like Bucky – Squirrel Squeak Tutor, Ursula – Deceiver, and We Don’t Talk About Bruno to run opponents out of cards and force them to rely on top decks. This disrupts opponent’s game plan, making it challenging for them to keep up with the Emerald Steel deck.
Looks like Emerald Steel is reaffirming that it’s one of the best decks in the meta, and from here, players will have to figure out the best approach to counter the discard deck.
Second Place
Ruby Amethyst
4 The Queen's Castle - Mirror Chamber
2 Be Prepared
2 Minnie Mouse - Always Classy
4 Maui - Hero to All
4 Friends on the Other Side
2 Olaf - Friendly Snowman
4 Chernabog's Followers - Creatures of Evil
3 Madame Medusa - The Boss
4 Brawl
2 Dolores Madrigal - Easy Listener
4 Madam Mim - Snake
4 Merlin - Goat
2 Merlin - Crab
3 Be King Undisputed
4 Merlin - Rabbit
4 Flynn Rider - Frenemy
4 Madam Mim - Fox
4 Sisu - Emboldened WarriorI never thought we’d end up in a timeline where players would be rooting for the Ruby Amethyst to save the day. Unfortunately, the bounce deck was a little short of winning the game.
This deck used to be a dominant force in Lorcana meta until players started adapting to its playstyle and actively tried countering it. With Set 4’s release, players have tweaked the list a bit, making it more aggressive with cards like Flynn Rider – Frenemy and Sisu – Emboldened Warrior.
The bounce mechanic is exceptionally useful in this deck since it synergizes with many of its cards. Depending on the game, players might decide to bounce cards for more Lore, for card draw, or for board control. It’s a versatile deck, capable of adapting to different scenarios.
Second place is still an amazing accomplishment for the Ruby Amethyst player.
Third Place
Ruby Sapphire
2 Be Prepared
2 Lucky Dime
4 Gramma Tala - Keeper of Ancient Stories
4 Tamatoa - So Shiny!
4 Maui - Hero to All
3 How Far I'll Go
4 One Jump Ahead
2 Moana - Undeterred Voyager
3 Develop Your Brain
4 Fishbone Quill
4 Maleficent - Monstrous Dragon
3 Madame Medusa - The Boss
4 Pawpsicle
4 Brawl
4 Hiram Flaversham - Toymaker
1 Judy Hopps - Optimistic Officer
1 Lady Tremaine - Imperious Queen
2 Sisu - Empowered Sibling
3 Ice Block
2 Sisu - Emboldened WarriorFourth Place
Ruby Sapphire
3 Be Prepared
2 Lucky Dime
4 Gramma Tala - Keeper of Ancient Stories
4 Tamatoa - So Shiny!
4 Maui - Hero to All
2 How Far I'll Go
3 One Jump Ahead
2 Belle - Strange but Special
4 Develop Your Brain
4 Fishbone Quill
4 Maleficent - Monstrous Dragon
3 Madame Medusa - The Boss
4 Pawpsicle
4 Brawl
4 Hiram Flaversham - Toymaker
2 Scuttle - Expert on Humans
2 Flynn Rider - Frenemy
1 Sisu - Daring Visitor
1 Vitalisphere
2 Sisu - Empowered Sibling
1 Ice BlockWith 7 Ruby Sapphire decks making it into the top 16, it’s only natural we see a couple of them advance during the tournament. None of the Ruby Sapphire decks managed to make it to the finals, however, we had a mirror matchup between Christian and Lazaro, fighting for the third place.
Christian‘s version runs Belle – Strange but Special for that Lore generation with Lucky Dime in the late game. Flynn Rider – Frenemy is another inclusion in the list that we don’t see many Ruby Sapphire decks running, it’s more so supposed to gain you a lot of Lore and force opponents to find answers for it.
As for Lazaro‘s version, they opted to include Moana – Undeterred Voyager as a way to challenge Diablo – Devoted Herald in Emerald Steel decks.
Lazaro managed to beat the mirror matchup, securing 3rd place and a bigger cash prize!
Top 8
Emerald Steel
2 Ba-boom!
2 And Then Along Came Zeus
4 Sudden Chill
2 Smash
4 Robin Hood - Beloved Outlaw
3 We Don't Talk About Bruno
3 Strength of a Raging Fire
3 Tinker Bell - Giant Fairy
4 Diablo - Maleficent's Spy
4 Diablo - Devoted Herald
3 Aladdin - Brave Rescuer
3 Jafar - Dreadnought
4 Bucky - Squirrel Squeak Tutor
4 Robin Hood - Champion of Sherwood
4 Ursula - Deceiver
4 Beast - Tragic Hero
3 Hidden Cove - Tranquil Haven
4 Let the Storm Rage OnSapphire Steel
2 Lucky Dime
4 Tamatoa - So Shiny!
3 Gramma Tala - Keeper of Ancient Stories
1 Ba-boom!
2 Hades - Infernal Schemer
4 Mr. Smee - Bumbling Mate
4 One Jump Ahead
2 Fire the Cannons!
3 Beast - Hardheaded
4 Fishbone Quill
3 McDuck Manor - Scrooge's Mansion
3 Grab Your Sword
4 Pawpsicle
4 Hiram Flaversham - Toymaker
4 Tinker Bell - Giant Fairy
3 Beast - Tragic Hero
4 Fortisphere
2 Great Stone Dragon
4 Cogsworth - Grandfather ClockRuby Sapphire
3 Be Prepared
2 Lucky Dime
4 Gramma Tala - Keeper of Ancient Stories
4 Tamatoa - So Shiny!
3 Maui - Hero to All
4 How Far I'll Go
4 One Jump Ahead
4 Develop Your Brain
4 Fishbone Quill
4 Maleficent - Monstrous Dragon
2 Madame Medusa - The Boss
4 Pawpsicle
4 Brawl
4 Hiram Flaversham - Toymaker
2 Lady Tremaine - Imperious Queen
3 Sisu - Empowered Sibling
3 Ice Block
2 Sisu - Emboldened WarriorRuby Sapphire
2 Lucky Dime
4 Gramma Tala - Keeper of Ancient Stories
4 Tamatoa - So Shiny!
4 Maui - Hero to All
4 How Far I'll Go
4 One Jump Ahead
4 Develop Your Brain
4 Maleficent - Monstrous Dragon
4 Fishbone Quill
4 Madame Medusa - The Boss
4 Brawl
4 Pawpsicle
2 Scuttle - Expert on Humans
4 Hiram Flaversham - Toymaker
4 Sisu - Empowered Sibling
4 Ice BlockTwo Ruby Sapphire decks managed to claim spots in the top 8. With the archetype receiving new tools in Set 4, it continues to prove a good showing in the competitive scene.
The Emerald Steel has been a popular deck in tournaments, and players are going out of their way to make sure they don’t auto-lose this matchup. Emanuele‘s run with Emerald Steel ended in the top 8, a great showing overall. This deck is about discarding resources from the opponent’s hand, forcing them to rely on top decks. It’s a great choice if you’re expecting a lot of Ruby Sapphire during your run!
Sapphire Steel dropped a lot in popularity with the rise of Ruby Sapphire, but it’s now making its comeback. Although the Ruby Sapphire is a tough one, it’s capable of holding its own against the Emerald Steel matchup, making it a good choice this time around with the rise of Emerald Steel.