If you're new to Disney Lorcana, one of the first things you'll notice is that every card has a coloured ink symbol in the top left corner. These aren't just for looks — they're the backbone of deck-building and strategy. Understanding the six ink colours is essential to playing Lorcana well.
What Are Ink Colours?
In Lorcana, there are six ink colours: amber, amethyst, emerald, ruby, sapphire, and steel. Each colour represents a different aspect of Disney's world and comes with its own mechanical identity and philosophy. Your deck can include cards from up to two different colours, which forces interesting decisions right from the start.
Shown: Disney Lorcana Into the Inklands Starter Deck
Amber: The Devoted Protector
Amber is the colour of hope, community, and support. Cards in amber tend to focus on healing damage, protecting your team with Bodyguard characters, and powerful song synergies with singers who belt them out for free. If you like decks that play a steady, supportive game and quest reliably for lore, amber is your colour. Amber characters are often depicted as kind-hearted, determined, and loyal — the heroes who hold the team together.
Shown: Disney Lorcana - Reign of Jafar Starter Deck - Amber & Amethyst
Amethyst: The Magical Mystic
Amethyst represents magic, wonder, and the fantastical. These cards lean into spell-like effects, card draw, and moving characters around — bouncing them back to hand, returning them from the discard pile, and slipping past blockers with Evasive. Amethyst tends to reward careful planning and thoughtful sequencing. If you enjoy setting up clever turns and bending the rules of the board, amethyst might be your match.
Shown: Disney Lorcana - Archazia's Island Starter Deck - Amethyst / Steel
Emerald: The Cunning Trickster
Emerald embodies flexibility, misdirection, and adaptability. These cards typically excel at disrupting your opponent's hand, dodging trouble with Evasive and Ward, and switching tactics mid-game. Emerald is the colour of rogues, schemers, and quick-change artists — think Flynn Rider rather than forest spirits. Emerald decks reward you for staying one step ahead and never quite being where your opponent expects.
Shown: Disney Lorcana - Whispers in the Well Starter Deck - Simba & Megara
Ruby: The Passionate Warrior
Ruby is passion, conflict, and direct action. Ruby cards tend to be aggressive and damage-focused, with Rush characters that can challenge the turn they arrive and plenty of effects that remove opposing characters. If you like a straightforward, combat-heavy approach, ruby decks bring the fight. Ruby characters are fierce, determined, and unafraid to take risks.
Shown: Disney Lorcana - Reign of Jafar Starter Deck - Ruby & Steel
Sapphire: The Inventive Scholar
Sapphire represents intellect, invention, and efficiency. These cards excel at ramping your inkwell — getting more ink faster than your opponent — and making the most of items and card advantage. Sapphire is often the colour of patience and long-term strategy: spend the early game building your engine, then out-resource everyone in the late game.
Shown: Disney Lorcana - Archazia's Island Starter Deck - Ruby / Sapphire
Steel: The Unyielding Defender
Steel is strength, resolve, and raw stopping power. These cards bring tough, high-willpower characters, board-clearing actions, and effects that punish your opponent for attacking. Steel also has strong song support alongside amber. If you want an army that simply refuses to fall over, steel is your wall.
Building Your First Deck
When you're starting out, pick two colours that appeal to you thematically or mechanically. If you like aggressive play, try ruby and emerald. If you prefer control and resource management, sapphire and steel might suit you better. Amber pairs well with almost anything thanks to its healing and song support. Once you know which colours you're drawn to, you can pick up the matching sets and singles from our Disney Lorcana range.
Booster pack
Illumineer's Trove
Booster boxDon't worry about perfectly optimising your colour split right away. Focus on learning what each colour does, and you'll naturally develop an instinct for which colours work well together. As you play more, you'll discover synergies and build increasingly sophisticated decks.
Final Thoughts
Lorcana's ink system is simple but elegant — it gives every card identity while forcing meaningful deck-building decisions. Take time to experiment with different colours, and you'll find the playstyle that clicks for you. Good luck, and welcome to Lorcana!
Shown: Disney Lorcana Wilds Unknown - 2-Player Deck
Further reading: learn what those symbols at the bottom of your cards mean in our Lorcana rarities guide, or see what's coming next in Disney Lorcana: Attack of the Vine!
