Ursula’s Return Starter Decks Review

Summary

• The Sapphire/Steel deck is aggressive, boosts Strength, and increases Resistance.
• The Amber/Amethyst deck focuses on mitigating and removing damage efficiently.
• Choosing between the Starter Decks depends on playstyles; both are beginner-friendly.

Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return is the latest set for the popular trading card game from Ravensburger. For this fourth set’s Starter Decks, Disney movies like Encanto, Mulan, and – of course – The Little Mermaid all get a chance to shine. This time around, there’s a Sapphire/Steel deck and an Amber/Amethyst deck to choose from, each with its own merits and unique cards.

Ahead of Ursula’s Return releasing later this May, Screen Rant previewed both Starter Decks and played them against the Starter Decks from Into the Inklands and The First Chapter to test them out. These two new decks were also played against one another. Based on this experimenation, it seems like the Sapphire/Steel deck is more aggressive, with new cards boosting Strength and increasing Resistance, while the Amber/Amethyst deck is more about mitigating and removing damage. However, both decks come with their own ways to increase lore in efficient ways.

Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Sapphire & Steel Deck

New Cards & Hero Characters To Build Up Lore

The Sapphire/Steel deck may feature Hercules and Anna from Frozen on the box, but a majority of the cards are from Mulan, Hercules, and Sleeping Beauty. There are some repeats of older cards used to build this deck, like Mickey Mouse (Detective), but they complement the new cards well. Unsurprisingly, most of the cards in the Sapphire/Steel Starter Deck are new to Ursula’s Return.

In terms of new cards, Anna (True-Hearted) is a personal favorite both in terms of artwork and capabilities – all Hero characters get +1 lore when Anna quests. The new Hercules (Beloved Hero) card is also great, with Resist +1 and the Bodyguard ability, alongside solid stats and lore that’s boosted by Anna. Given the number of Hero characters in this deck, Anna is quite useful and can be used to great advantage.

Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Amber & Amethyst Deck

Encanto Characters Have Their Chance To Shine

The box for the Amber/Amethyst Starter Deck shows off Mirabel and Bruno from Encanto, and this is a pretty accurate representation of what kinds of cards to expect within. The Madrigal family makes up nearly half the deck, including the Casa Madrigal Location cards, and it’s clear from the get-go the design process here was to make the deck work together much like a family. This isn’t the first time Disney Lorcana has toyed with these kinds of themed decks, but it may be the most on-theme Starter Deck yet – and that’s enjoyable in its own right.

There are some repeated cards from previous Disney Lorcana sets, but once again, the bulk of the deck is made of new cards from Ursula’s Return. Much like the Anna card in the other deck, Mirabel Madrigal (Gift of the Family) gives +1 lore when questing, but this is for family members only. This certainly works well in this deck, but it can mean the card lacks some value for those wanting to use it for other deckbuilding options that may not feature Encanto‘s cast so prominently.

The other Madrigal family members are mostly concerned with buffing cards or debuffing the opponent’s characters. For example, Julietta Madrigal (Excellent Cook) can remove up to 2 damage from a character while Papa Madrigal (Weather Maker) exerts a foe’s character and keeps it that way for another turn. Likewise, Mirabel Madrigal (Prophecy Finder), of which there are three cards in this deck, adds their Strength to another character’s for a turn.

Which Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Starter Deck Is Better?

Playstyles & Strategies Will Affect The Decision

For those wondering which Starter Deck from Ursula’s Return is better, that can be a difficult question to answer. It really comes down to playstyles. The Sapphire/Steel deck seems faster and more aggressive for grabbing lore, while the Amber/Amethyst deck may require a bit more strategizing and time in order to win.

In terms of a Starter Deck for newcomers, both work well and are easy to pick up and learn. For those looking to mix and match cards from these decks with their own, the Sapphire/Steel deck will likely prove the better option since it hinges more on having Hero cards than the more limited Madrigal family cards. After spending time with both, though, each has its perks and is a great option for a beginner deck.

Final Thoughts

Are The Ursula’s Return Starter Decks Worth It?

Overall, the Starter Decks for Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return may be the best ones yet. They feel streamlined and planned out in a way that I haven’t noticed before, and now that there are three sets of older cards to choose from, the new additions in each mix well and feel more focused. Each deck has a clear goal in mind, with cards created to attain that goal efficiently, which is great for beginners. But it’s still a lot of fun for longtime players, too.

Screen Rant was sent copies of both Starter Decks for Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return for the purpose of this review.