(Though thats definitely part of it.) While comparisons to Magic: The Gathering are easy - there are a number of keywords with specific in-game effects, cards battle using two key values for their attack strength and health, and you can gradually play bigger cards as you build up your stock of in-game resource - Lorcana doesnt just whack a set of Mickey Mouse ears on the veteran TCG
In the last few years, red has leaned into cards like Light up the Stage that provide you with a conditional form of card advantage, and there of plenty of options
Cards from those original sets have continued to trade domestically in Japan, and singles from the era appear on Japanese marketplaces regularly
Additionally, when Ascended Heroes released in January 2026, The Pokmon Company introduced a new type of Mega Hyper Rare Mega Attack cards
Additionally, for cards that have diamond rarities, you need to unlock the initial Flair before you can make the last ones, whereas you can unlock any Flair for cards with star rarities
The list functions as a sort of a middle ground or watchlist, a way to recognise powerful cards in the format