๎i๎turn0image0๎turn0image2๎turn0image6๎turn0image7๎On April 8, 2025, Ravensburger announced the first-ever competitive bans in Disney Lorcana’s trading card game (TCG): the cards *Hiram Flaversham, Toymaker* and *Fortisphere* have been removed from eligibility in Core Constructed formats. These cards remain legal in casual play, but their ban in competitive formats aims to restore balance to the game’s metagame.๎
The decision follows observations that certain Sapphire decks, particularly those utilizing the *Arcaziaโs Island* set, had become overpowered due to these cards. *Hiram Flaversham* enabled excessive card draw, while *Fortisphere* provided a powerful synergy that led to disproportionately high win rates. Lead game designer Steve Warner emphasized that such bans signify the game’s growth and the team’s ongoing effort to preserve a healthy metagame. ๎cite๎turn0news12๎๎
Interestingly, the commonly used card *Pawpsicle* was not banned. Warner explained that while *Pawpsicle* supports powerful Sapphire decks, it also enables balanced gameplay across various deck combinations. Therefore, removing *Hiram* and *Fortisphere* addresses the imbalance without affecting *Pawpsicle*. ๎cite๎turn0news12๎๎
This move aligns with Ravensburger’s philosophy of maintaining a fun and fair competitive environment. The company has previously stated that bans and errata are implemented to preserve a positive player experience and are based on detailed analysis of tournament data, player feedback, and community discussions. ๎cite๎turn0search1๎๎
As the competitive scene continues to evolve, players can expect further adjustments to ensure a balanced and enjoyable gameplay experience. The next card set, *Reign of Jafar*, is scheduled for release on June 6, 2025, and may introduce new dynamics to the game’s metagame.๎
