Lorcana Inks, Explained

What each Ink type does — and how to pick the right ones for your deck.

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When building a deck in Disney Lorcana, your first move is to choose one or two Ink types. You can’t use more than two, so if you’re running Ruby and Steel, that’s it — no splashing in Emerald or others.

The best decks start with a smart Ink pairing. Lorcana’s official starter decks already guide you through that, but if you're building your own, here's a quick reference to help you understand each Ink and how they play.

AMBER

Supportive. Protective. Healing.

Amber is full of characters who help others stay in play. You’ll find bodyguards, healers, and Glimmers with high Willpower. If you like the idea of keeping your board alive and steady, this is the Ink for you.

Moana of Motunui is a perfect example — when she quests, she refreshes all other princesses you control.

AMETHYST

Ability-driven. Magical. Clever.

Amethyst focuses on magic-wielders and enchanted objects. These cards often come with powerful abilities, but you need to play smart to unlock their full potential.

Mickey Mouse, Wayward Sorcerer, is a standout — he can keep a team of Broom cards active and moving.

EMERALD

Tricky. Fast. Disruptive.

Emerald cards are built for clever plays. They’re quick, agile, and excellent at disrupting your opponent’s strategy — whether by forcing discards, bouncing cards to hand, or sidestepping challenges.

Cruella De Vil, Miserable as Usual, returns another character to its owner’s hand when she’s banished in a challenge. Annoying, in the best way.

RUBY

Aggressive. Brave. Fast.

Ruby decks are made for players who want to stay on offense. You’ll find Glimmers that can challenge as soon as they’re played and effects that pressure your opponent’s lore.

Aladdin, Heroic Outlaw, is a great fit — when he banishes an enemy, you gain two lore and your opponent loses two.

SAPPHIRE

Strategic. Technical. Thoughtful.

Sapphire rewards players who like a big-picture approach. You’ll get Glimmers that help you ramp, draw, or protect your setup in smart, layered ways.

Aurora, Dreaming Guardian, can ward your allies to protect them from abilities — a small move that changes the flow of a game.

STEEL

Strong. Tanky. Straightforward.

Steel Glimmers are your bruisers. They hit hard, stay on the board, and often have Challenger — a keyword that boosts their strength when they initiate combat.

Simba, Returned King, is a strong pick. With Challenger +4, he becomes an 8-strength beast when attacking.

How to choose ink pairs

While you can technically pair any two Inks, most strong decks balance offense and support. A quick way to think about it:

• Amethyst, Ruby, and Steel lean offensive.

• Amber, Emerald, and Sapphire offer support, healing, disruption, or utility.

The starter decks already reflect this balance:

• Amber + Amethyst

• Emerald + Ruby

• Sapphire + Steel

But don’t stop there. Try Amber with Steel for a durable combo, or Emerald with Sapphire for a more tactical approach. As more sets release, more synergies will emerge — so this is just the beginning.

Quick Reference

Ink	Strengths
Amber	Healing, support, durability
Amethyst	Abilities, synergy, magic combos
Emerald	Disruption, mobility, tricks
Ruby	Aggression, rush, pressure
Sapphire	Strategy, utility, long game
Steel	Power, challenge strength, tanks

Save this guide for when you’re building your next deck — especially if you’re testing a new pair. We'll keep the updates coming as the meta evolves.