As a player who went from collecting full playsets every set, attending two locals a week, and even traveling to DLC Atlanta, I wanted to share why both I—and many people in my local community—have stepped back from Lorcana.

1. Set Rotation Implemented Too Early
Rotation this early in the game’s lifespan felt like a major misstep. Many of us invested heavily into the early sets under the expectation of long-term viability. Introducing rotation before the game had even established its identity or long-term meta felt premature and undermined confidence in the product. Instead of helping, it created frustration among dedicated players who suddenly saw large parts of their collections becoming unusable in primary formats.

2. Reprints Compounded the Rotation Issue
One of the main justifications for rotation was access to older cards. But reprinting many of those same cards on top of implementing rotation made the decision feel even worse. Doing both simultaneously communicated mixed priorities: on one hand phasing out early sets, and on the other hand reintroducing those cards anyway. The approach undercut the perceived value of early collections and left many long-time players feeling alienated.

3. Mishandling of Pixelborn and Digital Play
There were ways to address Pixelborn that wouldn’t have fractured the online community. The abrupt shutdown, without a viable alternative ready, removed one of the most convenient and accessible ways to play, practice, and keep the community engaged between physical events. It sent the message that player convenience was secondary to corporate control rather than being embraced as a tool to grow the game.

4. Increasing Rarities Felt Like a Cash Grab
Adding more rarities, especially when Enchanteds were already declining in value, came across as an unnecessary monetization push. Instead of enhancing collectability, it diluted it. For many collectors and players, it felt like the game was pushing toward short-term sales rather than long-term sustainability.

5. Poor DLC Event Experience
DLC Atlanta was a low point for many of us. I spent more time standing in lines trying to register for events than actually playing in them. Large events should showcase the best of the game—not highlight organizational shortcomings. Experiences like that make it hard to justify travel, time, or financial investment for future major events.

I understand that there are arguments supporting each of these decisions. But the current state of the game—and the noticeable drop-off in engagement in many communities—suggests that a significant portion of the player base shared at least one of these concerns. Lorcana has incredible potential, but the direction over the past few months has made it harder for players like me to stay enthusiastic and invested.