Lorcana 'Attack of the Vine' Release Guide: Chase Cards, Pixar Debuts, and Where to Play in Sandusky

Things are getting wild, weird, and one hundred percent organic in the Inklands.

This Friday, July 17, Disney Lorcana takes a massive leap forward with the early release of Attack of the Vine. If you've been checking the spoiler lists and watching the YouTube theory-crafters, you already know the big headline: Pixar has finally entered the chat. Will their cards put a beat down on the traditionally drawn ones as the desk lamp does to that poor I in the opener though?

We are finally seeing heavy hitters from Monsters, Inc. and A Bug’s Life hit the tabletop, completely shaking up the meta and introducing a whole new level of synergy. But before you start tearing through booster packs, let’s talk about what makes this set special and what you should be hunting for.

The Watercooler Debate: Is Pixar Too Powerful?

We love a good (reasonable) debate at the shop, and this set is already sparking a massive one. The introduction of characters like James P. Sullivan and Flik isn’t just a flavor win... it's bringing a totally new level of board manipulation!

Are the new "Scare" mechanics going to completely shut down aggressive Ruby/Amethyst builds? Does the Swarm synergy of the Bug's Life crew finally make going wide a viable strategy against control decks? We want to hear your takes. When you come in this weekend, expect some passionate arguments at the tables about which of these new Pixar franchises actually got the best cards.

The Big Pulls: What Are the Chase Cards?

If you are a rare hunter, here is what everyone in the room is going to be holding their breath for:

• The Enchanted Pixar Debuts: As always, the alternate-art Enchanted cards are the crown jewels. Early buzz says the borderless, highly stylized versions of Sulley and Mike Wazowski are going to be some of the most sought-after collector pieces of the year.

• The Vine Shift Cards: Keep an eye out for the new Shift characters that utilize the "Vine" mechanic to drop in early and disrupt your opponent's inkwell. They are game-changers, and the foil versions are stunning.

Why We Don't Do Pre-Orders (And Why You Should Be Here)

You could theoretically order a box of Attack of the Vine online, wait for it to ship, and break into it on your couch in total silence. But honestly... where's the fun in that?!

At The POP! Shop, we intentionally don't do pre-orders. Why? Because trading card games are supposed to be social. We want you to walk through our doors, grab your booster box or Trove, pull up a chair, and share your epic pulls with the community. Revel in the cards you worked hard to be able to pick up. Strategize with fellow Illumineers right there about "Oh this'll go great with [card]!"

There is nothing quite like the collective gasp of the room when someone pulls a massive Enchanted card at the next table over. It’s about immediately turning around and trading that Super Rare you don't need for the exact card you need to finish your new Sapphire deck. It's about testing your brand new pulls in a casual pickup game right then and there.

Join the Early Release

Attack of the Vine products hit our shelves for Early Release this Friday, July 17 with our Prerelease Tournament on July 19. Even if you are brand new to the game, know that you are welcome here and that we have a seat in our play area just for you.

Come down, grab a pack, and let's argue about whether or not Mike Wazowski is overpowered. We (well, maybe more like "I" invoking author's privilege) may be heavily biased by my own favorite characters, but it's OK that you're wrong and that you completely underestimated Dug because Up was much more emotionally moving than Monsters, Inc. and, and, and...sorry, getting a bit misty-eyed thinking about that good boy.

Where were we? Ah yes, we'll see you at the shop!

Now where did I put that blu-ray disc...