The title of this article isn't about anything physical but rather it's about a flavor of game play. At the recent Disney Lorcana Challenge European Championship I was surprised by how the meta game played out. While there were smatterings of cards that could be labeled as "aggro" when it comes to grabbing Lore, most decks were designed to play the long game. In this type of environment card advantage far outweighs Lore grabbing, hence the strength of Amethyst in the top 8. Kudos to Domingo Martinez for the win with his mostly familiar list.

Ruby/Amethyst | Domingo Martinez, Lorcana European Challenge Championship

• Characters (49)
• 1 Sisu - Empowered Sibling
• 2 Belle - Accomplished Mystic
• 2 Lady Tremaine - Imperious Queen
• 2 Madame Medusa - The Boss
• 3 Maui - Hero to All
• 3 Merlin - Rabbit
• 4 Chernabog's Followers - Creatures of Evil
• 4 Elsa - The Fifth Spirit
• 4 Flynn Rider - Frenemy
• 4 Genie - Wish Fulfilled
• 4 Madam Mim - Fox
• 4 Madam Mim - Snake
• 4 Magic Broom - Illuminary Keeper
• 4 Merlin - Goat
• 4 Sisu - Emboldened Warrior

• Actions (4)
• 4 Brawl

• Songs (7)
• 3 Be Prepared
• 4 Friends On The Other Side

While this style of list is familiar to experienced players the big shift is the advent of Genie - Wish Fulfilled and a larger character base in place of other card draw like The Queen's Castle - Mirror Chamber. While both cards hit the 4 ink slot and 2 Lore, Genie's Evasion with 4 toughness is a bit of a wrench in a lot of gears. I personally like the reduced numbers of what I call the "eye lash ladies." If you remember the scene in "The Rescuers" where Medusa is removing her fake eyelashes you understand where I'm coming from. It still gives me nightmares.

Of course, this deck is too slow for my personal flavor. It's also lacking in anything that feels new to me, so you won't see me sleeving this up. If I were to net deck something from Europe it would be this list piloted by Michele Assirelli.

Emerald/Amethyst | Michele Assirelli, Lorcana European Challenge Championship

• Characters (60)
• 1 Banzai - Gluttonous Predator
• 1 Belle - Accomplished Mystic
• 1 Peter Pan - Shadow Finder
• 1 Ursula - Sea Witch Queen
• 3 Madam Mim - Snake
• 3 Magic Broom - Illuminary Keeper
• 3 Merlin - Rabbit
• 3 The White Rose - Jewel of the Garden
• 4 Chernabog's Followers - Creatures of Evil
• 4 Cursed Merfolk - Ursula's Handiwork
• 4 Diablo - Obedient Raven
• 4 Elsa - The Fifth Spirit
• 4 Genie - Wish Fulfilled
• 4 Go Go Tomago - Darting Dynamo
• 4 Kit Cloudkicker - Tough Guy
• 4 Madam Mim - Fox
• 4 Merlin - Crab
• 4 Merlin - Goat
• 4 Ursula - Deceiver

This deck does have a bit more speed and I love the advent of The White Rose - Jewel of the Garden. I would probably try to mix a bit more Banzai - Gluttonous Predator but I truly don't know what I would cut. The inkable ratio is a bit tight so that may be the issue with slipping in the hungry hyena. I just like the lower ink/lore curve. Still, this deck needs to go more turns than I have typically found in my local meta. The fun bounce tricks with Kit Cloudkicker - Tough Guy can buy us the extra time needed to Lore out.

If this speed is what we can expect in our upcoming Set Champs then there is an opportunity for a rather fun deck that I've been throwing around. Let me start with my list.

Feel the Rush | Dan Eckstein, Casual

• Characters (40)
• 3 Jim Hawkins- Space Traveler
• 3 Lilo - Escape Artist
• 3 Tuk Tuk - Lively Partner
• 3 Vanellope Von Schweetz - Gutsy Go-Getter
• 4 Daisy Duck - Donald's Date
• 4 Fix-it Felix, Jr. - Delighted Sightseer
• 4 Lilo - Making a Wish
• 4 Minnie Mouse - Pirate Lookout
• 4 Simba - Scrappy Cub
• 4 Taffyta Muttonfudge - Crowd Favorite
• 4 Taffyta Muttonfudge - Sour Speedster

• Actions (4)
• 4 Voyage

• Songs (4)
• 4 The Islands I Pulled From The Sea

• Locations (12)
• 1 Rapunzel's Tower - Secluded Prison
• 1 RLS Legacy - Solar Galleon
• 2 Never Land - Mermaid Lagoon
• 4 Sugar Rush Speedway - Finish Line
• 4 Sugar Rush Speedway - Starting Line

In my early testing this deck actually plays competitive against the EU top 8. That really surprised me! I built it holistically for the possible big Lore turns that occur surprisingly often. It has no solution to any really aggro deck that I expect to see in my Midwest US Meta but maybe the field will take care of that. After all, why would you play a deck that only beats Sugar Rush?

I imagine we will see a pendulum swing toward grabbing more Lore earlier in the next few weeks but if things stay the way they are this deck has chances. Also, I promise you it is fun to play. With many game changing decisions to be made as well as the big explosive gain lore AND draw a bunch turns we all love. With the extra benefit of it feels kinda unique and not "cookie cutter." I hope you enjoy it.

Until next time, remember all the cards that are cool to Ink are available at CoolStuffInc.