Well, well, well…what do we have here?
We meet again, Illumineers! What’s poppin’? That is besides the upcoming new Lorcana set Whispers in the Well. We’ll get to the info about Set 10 soon enough, but always know that we love hearing about what is going on in your lives as you visit The POP! Shop and sit at our tables.
The previous release, Fabled, ushered in the first set rotation of this TCG and was filled with nostalgia and good vibes. As for the first expansion in our post-rotation meta, we are getting a tonal shift appropriate for the Halloween season. Or perhaps to invoke another Disney property that we may well (heh get it?) see coming up, this is Lorcana’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back moment.
The main characters from Zootopia – Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde – appear to be leading an investigation to dark places where there are plenty of unknown lurkers (just in time for the Zootopia 2 theater release date on November 26). In this set’s mechanics, these are called Whispers. It will take a bit of bravery, light, and a glimmer of hope to reveal the mystery that awaits us as the new BBEG may well be seen. Ursula was confronted in the first four sets, Jafar in the second. Who is behind the inky darkness that threatens our beloved stories and Illumineers this time? Since Demona from Gargoyles has been spoiled perhaps it’s going to be David Xanatos?
I don’t believe that we’re going to see a basic "here are some villains" theme. This will be about a creeping corruption. Whispers suggests a world with real stakes, where the Glimmers we know can be twisted into darker versions of themselves. When you put it all together, Whispers in the Well feels like the moment Lorcana decides it’s not just a collection of beloved characters, but even more of a world with its own evolving story. It’s leaning into consequence, darkness, and deeper cuts from the lore.
We can sit and theory craft for a long time, waiting for each little drip to come from Ravensburger. However, we know that all will be revealed in time. Let’s work with some
other things we do know. Firstly, you’ll be able to get your hands on these new cards about a week before the November 14 street date during The POP! Shop’s prerelease event on November 8.
Secondly, Whispers in the Well will offer the standard ways to collect the set: Booster Packs, Single Player Decks, and an Illumineer’s Trove. The Single Player Decks feature an illuminated adult Simba and shadowy Megara (Meg) from Disney’s The Lion King and Hercules respectively, as well as a mysteriously lit Judy Hopps and sparkling Robin Hood from Zootopia and Robin Hood alike. These should be special foil versions exclusive to the decks.
Thirdly, and not directly related to the events in Set 10, there will be some special playmats offered in this cycle. One is Mickey Mouse – Brave Little Prince as seen in Set 9 Fabled and the other is Jasmine – Steady Strategist (Aladdin). Speaking of indirect support of the game, make a note that we continue to feature Lorcana League on Thursdays at the store and happily offer Store Champion tournaments as well.
I’ll conclude this article with one more aspect of the game that as of the writing of this piece is presumed will be a new featured mechanic. This was gleaned from the Single Player Decks’ card images on display:
“Boost X: Once during your turn, you may pay X ink to put the top card of your deck face down underneath this character.”
Compelling? Blasé? Tell us about your theories or even favorite moments from the various shows and movies being featured in Whispers in the Well. Though speaking of Disney shows…
POP! Quiz: Which of the following parts of New York City were not a Gargoyle character name?
a) Bronx
b) Manhattan
c) Lexington
d) Hudson
