Disney Lorcana is set to revolutionize its gameplay with the introduction of a new multi-player format, currently operating under the codename "Coconut." This innovative addition, drawing parallels to the widely embraced Commander format in Magic: The Gathering, aims to provide an enriched, more communal gaming experience. The initial playtesting for "Coconut" commenced this week at Gen Con 2026, an event running from July 30 to August 2 in Indianapolis, signaling a significant evolution for the popular trading card game.

Unlike traditional Magic, which focuses on 1v1 duels with flexible deck construction, Commander promotes a more expansive, casual playstyle involving multiple participants, extended life totals, and unique decks centered around a legendary creature. Lorcana's "Coconut" format mirrors these foundational elements, advocating for games with more than two players, increased Lore thresholds for victory, and single-copy decks built around a specially chosen "Coconut" card. Ryan Miller, co-creator of Lorcana, officially announced this new format via a blog post prior to Gen Con, highlighting its design to mitigate the complexities often associated with competitive TCGs and to foster a more engaging, expressive environment for players.

A distinctive feature of "Coconut" is its approach to guiding deck identity. Players choose from a curated selection of 18 beta "Coconut" cards, each representing a prominent Disney character. These cards, such as Moana - Curious Explorer, possess inherent abilities that shape the deck's strategic direction. Furthermore, in the "Coconut" format, each selected card gains an additional, potent ability, allowing for deeper customization and thematic alignment. For instance, Moana - Curious Explorer not only facilitates inking cards from the discard pile but also enables an extra ink draw per turn if specific Moana-related characters are in play, making her highly efficient for resource generation. This design philosophy encourages players to embody their chosen characters, with abilities like Snow White aiming to summon all seven dwarves, Ariel granting extra lore for singing princesses, and Pocahontas boosting lore from questing characters. This character-centric design ethos promotes a fun, narrative-driven gameplay style over purely competitive optimization.

The "Coconut" format is still in its nascent stages for Lorcana, but its potential to transform how the game is played is immense. If it garners even half the enthusiasm that Magic's Commander format received, it is poised to become the dominant way to engage with the game. This innovative format fosters creativity and personal expression, inviting players to craft decks that not only win but also tell a story and reflect their unique strategic vision within the vibrant world of Disney Lorcana.